Study in Lithuania

1. Lithuanians celebrate two independence days: there is one on February 16, and another, the Day of the Restoration of Independence, on March 11.
2. Making vodka from corn was first discovered by the Lithuanians.
3. Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence from the USSR.
4. The historically predominant religion is Roman Catholicism.
5. Lithuania is divided into 10 counties, 60 municipalities, and 500 administrative areas.
6. By the end of the fourteenth century, Lithuania was the largest country in Europe. Today, United States territory is about 151 times bigger than Lithuania.

In Lithuania, higher education is provided by state-run and private, university and non-university, higher education establishments. There are six autonomous universities; three of them are general universities, and the other three are specialized universities. There are also 29 research institutes which train doctorate-holders in collaboration with the higher education institutions. Fundamental research is conducted in the universities, while applied research is predominant in non-university higher education establishments. In February 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the Law on Science and Studies that established the development directions of higher education reform in Lithuania, defining the guidelines of transition towards a western type  of higher education system.

There two types of higher education institutions:

• universities (called universitetas (university), akademija (academy), or seminarija (seminary)) representing university sector of higher education;
• colleges of higher education (called kolegija (higher education college) or aukštoji mokykla (higher education institution)) representing non-university higher education sectors.

Universities offer university level degree granting studies and award Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral degrees. Colleges offer college level degree granting studies and award Professional Bachelor’s degrees. Both universities and colleges can also offer non-degree granting studies.

In Lithuania, the following degrees can be awarded:

• 1st cycle: profesinis bakalauras (Professional Bachelor) or bakalauras (Bachelor);
• 2nd cycle: magistras (Master);
• 3rd cycle: mokslo daktaras (Doctor of Sciences) or meno daktaras (Doctor of Arts).

1st cycle

Applicants to such a cycle of studies are required to have brandos atestatas or an equivalent qualification. Profesinis bakalauras (Professional Bachelor) degree is awarded after completion of college level study programmes which are more oriented towards preparation for professional activity and applied research. Professional Bachelor’s degree programmes require completion of 180-210 credits. After completion of the studies Profesinio bakalauro diplomas (Professional Bachelor’s Diploma) is awarded.

2nd cycle

Applicants to such a cycle of studies are required to have a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification. Magistras (Master) degree study programmes are designed to prepare for independent research activity or any other activity the performance of which requires scientific knowledge and analytical competence. The programmes require completion of 90-120 credits. After completion of the studies Magistro diplomas (Master’s diploma) is awarded. To be admitted to second cycle studies, a person must have obtained a Bachelor’s or Professional Bachelor’s degree or a comparable qualification, and meet requirements set by the accepting higher education institution.

3rd cycle

Applicants to mokslo daktaras (Doctor of Science) degree or meno daktaras (Doctor of Arts) degree studies are required to have a Master’s degree or a comparable qualification. The purpose of doctoral studies of science is to prepare scientists who would be able to independently conduct research and experimental (social, cultural) development work, and to solve scientific problems. The purpose of doctoral studies of art is to prepare artists researchers who would be able to create, interpret and develop research-based on art practice. Duration of doctoral studies is usually 4-6 years. After completion of the studies Daktaro diplomas (Doctoral Diploma) is awarded.

• Accounting.
• Chemical Engineering.
• Food Science.
• MBA.
• Mechanical Engineering.
• Social Work.
• Sociology.

If you want to study in the first-cycle (Bachelor’s) programme at a higher education institution in Lithuania you need to have a Maturity Certificate (school leaving certificate) or an equivalent qualification. To be admitted to the second-cycle university programme you should hold a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification (usually in the respective field). In order to enter the third-cycle university studies (Doctoral, as well as residency, postgraduate Arts studies), you should have either a Master’s or a corresponding degree in the respective study field.

International students could be admitted into the English programme of the Lithuanian Universities if they provide the legalized high school or college certificate and transcript (officially translated into English).

All applicants have to fulfil general admission requirements and programme specific requirements (if applicable). Programme specific requirements are listed under each programme description.

Graduation documents: School (secondary or equivalent) graduation certificate and marksheet/list (academic transcript). If the applicant is currently studying in the final year of high school/secondary school and their school cannot issue a final graduation diploma before the application deadline, they should submit the recent transcript of academic records and the certificate indicating the date of receiving a final secondary school certificate.

English language proficiency certificate: For study programmes taught in English: Cambridge English B2 First (First Certificate of English) 160+, IELTS 5.5+, iBT TOEFL 55+.

Requirements for undergraduate studies

Admission requirements for Bachelor programmes are:

• An entrance examination comparable to a Danish upper secondary school leaving certificate
• Proof of proficiency in English (see above)

Certain study programmes have additional admission requirements. This could include:

• Subjects passed on a certain level. Danish education uses levels A, B and C,  A being the highest.
• Subjects passed with a certain minimum grade
• The diploma in total passed with a certain minimum GPA
• Passed admission test/interview

Requirements for postgraduate studies

Admission requirements for Candidatus/Master programmes are:

• an internationally recognised Bachelor’s degree of good standard or equivalent
• proof of proficiency in English (see above)

You must submit all documents to the selected Higher Education institution before the deadline. Don’t forget to check the deadline for your study program as it may differ from others.

Regardless of which Lithuanian higher education institution you select, you will probably need all or some of the following documents:

• a completed application form. Each Higher Education institution has its’ own form;
• Certificate of Education (including grades), recognized by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• a letter of motivation;
• a copy of your passport, certified by a Commissioner of Oaths;
• photographs (3 x 4 cm);
• Health certificate
• a receipt proving that the application and tuition fees have been paid;
• bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds for study and living throughout the duration of your study.

Tuition Fee

Students from outside the EU may be subject to different tuition fees, depending on the university and programme. If you study at a university in Lithuania, you may be eligible for a state scholarship to cover the tuition fees. Tuition fees do not apply to students on exchange programmes.Tuition fees in Lithuania vary between universities, study levels and programs. Average rates are:

• €1,000-5,300 (~US$1,060-5,620) for bachelor’s degrees
• €2,200-6,500 (~US$2,330-6,890) for master’s degrees
• €7,100-8,500 (~US$7,520-9,000) for PhDs

Living Cost

One striking advantage for those who choose to study in Lithuania is the remarkably low cost of living. Student accommodation can be had for as little as 100 EUR per month. All in all, including food, books and leisure activities, students can easily get by on a budget of 500 EUR per month or less.

NOTE:Lithuania is a fairly inexpensive country to live in, with Vilnius University estimating costs of €489 (~US$520) per month, or €5,868 (~US$6,240) per year including accommodation, which in student dormitories can be as little as €70 (~US$74) per month.

SCHEDULE A VFS APPOINTMENT

If you want to submit your student visa application for a student visa, you have to initially make an appointment with vfs. Create a registered login id and schedule an appointment using vfs Lithuania website.

The visa applications are to be submitted at the Lithuania Visa Application Centre at New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. All applications will be assessed by the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, located in New Delhi.

PREPARE DOCUMENTS

An application (electronically through the Lithuanian Migration Information System MIGRIS);

1. 1. A valid travel document (passport);
   2. A temporary residence permit (when it is being replaced);
   3. 1 photograph (40×60 mm);
   4. Documents confirming the ground for issuance of temporary residence permit;
   5. A document confirming that a person has enough funds in order to survive in the Republic of Lithuania;
   6. A document about a place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania;
   7. A certificate regarding (the absence of) a criminal record. NOTE: foreigners who come to work as highly qualified employees can submit a statement written by themselves confirming that they do not have a criminal record;
   8. A document confirming that a person has a health insurance (insurance coverage 6 000 EUR);
   9. A list of his/her visits and stays in foreign states (it is required to mark whether a foreigner has been to one of the indicated states);
   10. Documents confirming legal stay if application is submitted in Lithuania.

GIVE YOUR BIOMETRICS

Go to an official biometrics collection service point. Provide biometrics  and Submit your Documents. Pay visa Visa Fees applicable for Student visa

TRACK YOUR APPLICATION

Stay informed about the progress of your application. You will receive an email update when your decision has been returned to the visa application centre. If you can’t access email easily, or would like more detailed tracking information, you can also choose an optional extra and get updates by SMS sent directly to your phone.

VISA DECISION

If a visa gets Approved, the national visa is issued for a minimum period of 91 days and a maximum of 1 year.