Lithuania

⇑Universities

According to Statistics Lithuania, at the start of the 2022/23 academic year the country had 36 higher education institutions:

• 17 universities (universitetas) – including Vilnius University (Vilniaus universitetas, VU), Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas (VMU) and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU),
• 19 colleges (kolegija) – universities of applied sciences with practical, professional programmes.

13 of them are non-state institutions (6 universities and 7 colleges). You can study in English on more than 500 programmes.

Universities in Lithuania – profiles

⇑Study system

Studies have three cycles and use ECTS – one year of study is 60 credits:

• Bachelor (bakalauras) – 180–240 ECTS, 3–4 years,
• Master (magistras) – 90–120 ECTS, 1–2 years,
• Doctorate – 4 years,
• integrated studies (vientisosios studijos) – e.g. medicine at Vilnius University takes 6 years (360 ECTS).

At Vilnius University classes start on 1 September. Some universities also have a spring intake.

Lithuania – bachelor's programmes
Lithuania – integrated (single-cycle) programmes
Lithuania – master's programmes
Lithuania – doctoral programmes

⇑Admission

In Lithuania there are two routes:

• central admission through LAMA BPO (the Lithuanian Association of Higher Education Institutions for Joint Admission) – this is how you apply for state-funded places on bachelor's and integrated programmes. EU citizens can use it. In the main round you list from 1 to 9 programmes in order of preference,
• directly to the university – for fee-paying places, through its online system, e.g. apply.vu.lt at Vilnius University. This is also the usual route for students from outside the EU.

LAMA BPO dates in 2026: main-round applications from 1 June to 23 July (until 12:00), offers on 30 July, contracts signed by 1 August. There are two more additional rounds in August.

At Vilnius University, EU citizens applied for fee-paying places on, for example, the International Business bachelor's until 1 July; the application fee is €100. VU also takes applications for state-funded master's places through apply.vu.lt – likewise until 1 July. If you come from outside the EU, apply early: a residence permit can take up to 3 months (see: Residence and formalities).

For LAMA BPO you upload your school leaving certificate, transcript, final exam results and the decision on the recognition of your qualification. Foreign grades are converted to the Lithuanian scale.

⇑Entrance exams

For most programmes, admission is based on a ranking of your grades and final exam results. Some programmes add an entrance exam – in 2026 LAMA BPO held a spring session (16–31 March) and a main session (12 June – 21 July).

For English-taught medicine at Vilnius University you either take an online exam (fee €200) or submit a test score, e.g. IMAT (at least 50 points), BMAT or MCAT. Some international certificates, including the IB and A-levels, exempt you from the exam.

⇑Language

For programmes taught in Lithuanian you must prove Lithuanian at level B2 or C1 – with a certificate or by passing the state test. Vilnius University offers Lithuanian courses for a semester or a full year.

There are more than 500 programmes in English – you will find them in the Study in Lithuania search engine. You upload your test result, e.g. IELTS or TOEFL, to LAMA BPO or to the university's system. The programme description gives the required level.

⇑Residence and formalities

EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa – you enter with your ID card or passport.

If you stay in Lithuania for longer than 3 months, you apply for a Certificate of the Right of Residence for EU citizens. It is issued by the Migration Department (Migracijos departamentas) – details and forms are on migracija.lrv.lt. You can also declare your place of residence there.

Students from outside the EU/EEA staying less than a year can come on a national (D) visa; for a full degree you need a temporary residence permit (TRP) for studies. You fill in the application in the Migration Information System MIGRIS and submit your documents either before arrival (through VFS Global or a Lithuanian embassy) or after arrival at a Migration Department office. According to Vilnius University, the state fee is €80 (€320 for urgent processing) and you must prove sufficient funds – at least €577 a month for 12 months plus €1,153 for the journey home (2026). You will also need, among other things, a letter from your university, proof of accommodation and a criminal record certificate.

Health insurance: with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you are entitled to state healthcare in Lithuania if you have an accident or fall ill. Visits to private clinics are not covered. Students from outside the EU need private health insurance – Vilnius University and Vytautas Magnus University require cover of at least €10,000 for a TRP and €30,000 for a national visa.

⇑Tuition fees

On state-funded places (valstybės finansuojamos vietos) the state pays your tuition – as an EU citizen you can compete for them through LAMA BPO. On fee-paying places, the university sets the fee. According to Study in Europe, annual fees start at:

• €1,300 for bachelor's programmes,
• €2,300 for master's programmes,
• €8,400 for doctoral programmes.

Examples from Vilnius University (a public university), 2026 intake:

• the English-taught bachelor's in International Business – €3,950 a year for EU citizens and €4,350 for everyone else,
• English-taught medicine – €14,100 a year.

You pay the first year's tuition within 15 days of receiving the offer. If you withdraw before the semester starts, EU students get 90% of the payment back.

⇑Accommodation and living costs

Study in Europe estimates living costs in Lithuania at €500–800 a month.

Student residences: most universities offer a place in a residence – some close to campus, some further away. You will most likely share a room with one or two other students; a bed, wardrobe, table and chairs are provided. Ask your university about conditions, prices and how to book before you arrive.

Renting: look for listings on Aruodas and Domoplius, among others.

Discounts: every student in Lithuania must have a Lithuanian student ID (LSIC) – it gives you big discounts on public transport tickets (daily, monthly and annual). The ISIC card is also accepted for discounts.

⇑Scholarships

Most Lithuanian government scholarships are for citizens of selected countries, so check the list for your country. Other important options:

• a state-funded place – study without tuition fees; scholarships are also allocated through LAMA BPO,
• scholarships for short courses in Lithuanian language and culture – one semester in autumn 2026, applications until 17 April 2026,
• university discounts – e.g. VILNIUS TECH offers tuition waivers of 100, 50 or 25%; applications until 20 April 2026,
• Erasmus+ – a semester or year in Lithuania as part of an exchange with your home university.

You will find current programmes on Study in Lithuania – scholarships.

⇑Working while studying

EU/EEA citizens can work in Lithuania without any permit, also full-time – up to 40 hours a week.

Students from outside the EU/EEA can also work up to 40 hours a week once they have a temporary residence permit for studies – no additional work permit is needed. After graduation they can stay in Lithuania for up to 15 months in total to look for a job: the TRP for the final year stays valid for 3 months after studies end, and then you can get a 12-month permit for job search.

You will find jobs at international companies and start-ups on the Work in Lithuania portal.

Lithuania – why work there?
How to find a job abroad?

⇑Useful links

• Study in Europe – Lithuania – the official country profile on the European Commission's portal,
• Study in Lithuania – the official portal for international students: institutions, admission, scholarships, life in Lithuania,
• Study in Lithuania – programmes – search engine for study programmes,
• LAMA BPO – central admission to state-funded places,
• Study in Lithuania – scholarships – state and university scholarships,
• Migration Department – residence documents for EU citizens, visas and residence permits for students from outside the EU,
• Work in Lithuania – relocation for students – visas, residence permits and work rights for students from outside the EU,
• ENIC-NARIC – recognition of qualifications in Europe,
• Eurodesk – free information on studying, traineeships and volunteering in Europe.