Study and find schools in Lithuania

Studying in Lithuania

Lithuania, the southernmost of the three Baltic states, is a member of the European Union and the euro area. According to the national Study in Lithuania centre, the country has a population of about 3 million, and its universities offer more than 500 study programmes taught in English. The national language is Lithuanian, which the centre describes as one of the oldest languages in the world, but international students can complete whole degrees in English.

Our directory lists three active universities in Lithuania: Vilnius University in the capital, Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas and the Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy in Šiauliai.

The education system in Lithuania

Higher education is offered by universities and by colleges (universities of applied sciences), and follows the three cycles of the European Higher Education Area. Every programme uses ECTS credits, with 60 credits for each year of study:

• Bachelor's degree: 180 to 240 ECTS, with or without a professional qualification
• Master's degree: 90 to 120 ECTS, offered only by universities
• Integrated study programmes that combine the first and second cycles and lead to a master's diploma
• Doctorate (PhD), residency in medicine and veterinary science, and doctoral studies in the arts

Students can study full-time or part-time, and several universities have a spring intake as well as the usual autumn start.

Admission and recognition

There is no central application system for international students: you choose a programme and apply directly to the university that offers it. For a bachelor's degree you need a secondary school leaving certificate; for a master's degree, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field; for a PhD, a master's degree. Foreign school certificates are assessed by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC), and some universities, such as Vytautas Magnus University, carry out academic recognition themselves under the Lisbon Recognition Convention as part of the application.

Plan ahead. Most universities set their deadlines for the autumn semester in June, and the centre warns that document recognition can take a month or longer. Students who need a visa should apply as soon as they receive their letter of acceptance.

Student visa and residence

Citizens of the European Union, including Spanish citizens, do not need a visa to study in Lithuania. Students from outside the EU, including Latin America, must obtain both a national (D) visa and a temporary residence permit (TRP) before they arrive. According to Vilnius University (checked October 2026):

• The TRP for study is issued for one to two years (up to three years for doctoral students) and can be renewed for the rest of the programme
• Applicants must show at least €577 per month for twelve months, plus €1,153 for the return journey, and have health insurance
• Processing in the general procedure takes up to two months

Non-EU students may work while studying: up to 20 hours a week in the first and second year of a bachelor's degree and up to 40 hours a week later in the bachelor's and during master's and doctoral studies. After graduating, they can apply for a 12-month residence permit to look for work or start a business.

Costs

Tuition depends on the university, the programme and the level of study. According to Study in Lithuania, average fees start at €1,300 a year for bachelor's studies, €2,300 for master's studies and €8,400 for doctoral studies. EU citizens can apply for state-funded places. Lithuanian state scholarships for full-time master's studies are open to citizens of selected non-EU countries and pay a monthly scholarship of €592 in 2026, plus the study cost; Vilnius University also offered full tuition waivers to five non-EU master's students for 2026. Check each university's fees for your programme and nationality.

Where to study

• Vilnius: the capital, home to Vilnius University, founded on 1 April 1579 by Stephen Báthory, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. It had 26,553 students on 1 October 2025, including 3,424 foreign students, and offers 90 programmes listed on Study in Lithuania. Other universities in the capital include Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and Mykolas Romeris University.
• Kaunas: the second city, home to Vytautas Magnus University, established in 1922 and re-established in 1989, which follows a liberal arts model and was the first Lithuanian institution to offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies. Kaunas University of Technology and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences are also here.
• Šiauliai: the Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy, which teaches in Lithuanian programmes such as English philology and public relations, economics and investment, and teacher education, and offers student housing.
• Klaipėda: the port city on the Baltic coast, with Klaipeda University and LCC International University.

Culture and practical life

Most universities have student residences, where students usually share a room with one or two others and cook in shared kitchens. Students get large discounts on public transport, and the Lithuanian Student Identity Card (LSIC) is compulsory for all students, including exchange students. Health insurance covering your whole stay is required; EU students can use the European Health Insurance Card for public care, while others must buy insurance from a company on the Lithuanian Insurers Association list. The currency is the euro, and cards are accepted in most shops.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Lithuania?

Yes. Lithuanian universities offer more than 500 programmes taught in English at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level.

How much does it cost to study in Lithuania?

According to Study in Lithuania, average fees start at €1,300 a year for a bachelor's degree, €2,300 for a master's and €8,400 for a PhD. EU citizens can apply for state-funded places.

Do I need a visa to study in Lithuania?

Not if you are an EU citizen. Students from outside the EU need a national (D) visa and a temporary residence permit, and must apply for both before they arrive.

Can international students work in Lithuania?

Yes. Non-EU bachelor's students can work up to 20 hours a week in their first two years and up to 40 hours later; master's and PhD students can work up to 40 hours a week.

When are the application deadlines?

For the autumn semester, most universities close applications in June. Apply early, as recognition of your documents can take a month or more.