Lithuania is located in Northeastern Europe and is the southernmost country of the Baltic States. Until 1990, it belonged to the Soviet Union. It is bordered by Latvia, Belarus, Poland, as well as by the Baltic Sea in the west.
Lithuania has about 2.8 million inhabitants, of which over half a million live in the capital Vilnius. Other major cities are Kaunas, Klaipeda, Palanga and Neringa Since 2004, Lithuania is a member of the European Union (EU).
The higher education institutions are of two types: universities and colleges (non-university higher education institutions. Some private institutions of higher education also offer university level education. However, many private academies often only offer undergraduate studies and are more practice-oriented.
In total there are 23 colleges (including 11 private) and 24 universities (including 8 private).
In conformity with the Bologna Process of the European Higher Education Area, university studies in Lithuania consist of three cycles: Colleges are awarding a professional Bachelor (Bakalauras), usually after three years. Usually Bachelor programmes at universities are four years, Post-graduate studies leading to a Masters degree (Magistras) last one and a half to two years or a degree qualifying.
Teacher training, engineering, or art studies can also be completed with a ‘Diploma’. The third cycle, the postgraduate programmes are available in different variants and take a maximum of four more years; after successful completion you receive a doctorate.
The academic year is divided into two semesters. Usually, the winter semester lasts from September to January. The summer semester starts in February and ends in June.
The universities follow the guidelines of the Bologna Declaration. The Bologna system uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
For more information about the entire education system in Lithuania, click here.
In the following section, we highlight the overall performance of Lithuanian universities on the institutional level per U-Multirank dimension. The below table shows the national breakdown of Lithuanian Institutions and how they stand across the spectrum of above average (receiving a score of ‘A’ (very good) or ‘B’ (good)), or below average (receiving a score of ‘D’ (below average) or ‘E’ (weak)). So, U-Multirank offers a clear overview on the strengths of Lithuania, and areas for improvement.
Comparing the performance of Lithuanian institutions with the global U-Multirank sample shows a strong performance of Lithuanian institutions in Regional Engagement (67 percent above average) and Teaching & Learning has just average values (62 percent above average).
In Lithuania tuition fees are charged. These are determined by the respective universities and according to the level of study and specific study programme.
Universities and colleges announce their tuition fees annually. For national and EU students the range on bachelor level is between 1,000 to 5,000 euros. Fees in Masters programmes range from 2,000 to 6,000 euros and doctorate programs range is between 7,000 to 8,000 euros.
But some courses are even more expensive: for example, an English-language study in medicine costs around 10,000 euros per year.
For non-EU students different tuition fees may apply.
On average the costs of living are estimated to be between 400 to 500 € per month.
Source: Eurydice
Reference year(s): 2020/2021
In this section we highlight the fees for studying in Lithuania. The fees are shown in the national currency and address all fee types: tuition, enrolment (part- or full-time, etc.), certification, or other administrative costs. Students that are exempt from fees are also described, as well as information on international student fees if they differ.
Source: Eurydice - National Student Fees and Support Systems in European Higher Education – 2020/21.
In this section we highlight the financial support system implemented in Lithuania. The types of support covered in this section include: grants, loans, tax benefits for students' parents (or students themselves) and family allowances. How these terms are defined, are outlined below:
International students of all fields are eligible to apply for Lithuanian state scholarships to fund their studies. The Lithuanian State Scholarships Programme is designed for the advanced students, lecturers or researchers of foreign higher education and research institutions to enable them to study at higher education institutions of the Republic of Lithuania. In most cases, scholarships cover both: the tuition fees and living costs. The financial regulations depend on the home country of an applicant.
Also most Lithuanian universities offer scholarships from their own funds to students who satisfy specified requirements. Interested students should apply to the chosen higher education institution to find out if funding is available for their studies.
For a stipend database regarding scholarships, please click here.
There are two application procedures depending on the basis of your citizenship:
Citizens of Lithuania, EU/EEA countries and those, who have a right of permanent residence in the Republic of Lithuania and would like to apply for a state-funded study place, will need to complete an application form of general admission. The application period for this is between the 1st of June and 23rd of July.
Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries and want to finance their studies independently with their own funds, should apply directly to the Lithuanian university or college that provides the selected programme.
It may also be possible that certain programmes require the pass of preliminary examinations.
With regards to the language requirements: all study programmes for foreign students in Lithuanian higher education institutions are offered in English. All institutions require proof of English language proficiency, most of them require the IELTS score.
Usually, the language of instruction is Lithuanian, so the language skills must be good enough at the beginning of the study Otherwise, it is necessary to register for a one to two-year study programme in which the Lithuanian language is taught from the ground up.
Citizens of the European Union do not need a Visa to study in Lithuania. Students who are not coming from the EU have to apply for a visa. In order to study in Lithuania, you need a “National Visa”, this allows entering the country and staying in it for a period longer than 90 days.
The “Temporary Residence Permit” is a document granting students the right to temporarily reside in the Republic of Lithuania for a period specified in the permit. You have to apply for both of them (at an embassy, diplomatic mission or consulate of the Republic of Lithuania) before you come to Lithuania.
Here you can find the full 2022 country report on Lithuania.
8.00 €
3.50 €
0.90 €
7.95 €
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