Are you considering studying in Lithuania? This article will explain everything you need to know about how to study, work and live in Lithuania. Located in Eastern Europe; in the Baltic region along with Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania is one of the smallest EU member countries, famous for its beautiful beaches and landscapes which have caught the fancy of many international students. With the transformation in its education, studying in Lithuania has become an option for foreign students.
Lithuania is a lovely country, and its education is as well. Its universities use the bologna process. They confer degrees and are well-known throughout Europe and the world. Lithuania has 15 public universities and 6 private universities, as well as 16 public colleges and 11 private colleges. Degree and non-degree study programs are awarded at higher education institutions. University and college study programs are the two types of study programs. Bachelor’s degree programs at universities last four years, while postgraduate courses resulting in a Master’s degree (Magistrates) last one and a half to two years.
It is an excellent place for students looking for a European institution with a low tuition fee. Lithuania is a cheap place to study, with low costs for student housing, food, and other expenses. If you are ready to study in Lithuania, see why it is an ideal country and how to apply for admission.
Why study in Lithuania?
• A variety of English taught programs
There are well over 300 English-taught study programs for international students offered in Undergraduate, Master, and Doctorate degrees. Depending on the admission rule of your selected school, you may be asked to provide proficiency test results. A recommended one in most Lithuanian tertiary institutions is TOEFL.
• Cheap tuition fee
The tuition fee in Lithuanian universities and colleges is one of the cheapest in Europe. The public universities are significantly cheap, however, the selected course may attract higher tuition.
• Quality standard living.
International students studying in Lithuania enjoy a quality standard living amazingly, at a lower cost compared to students in other large European countries. Transportation, student housing, food, and basic living expenses are all cheap in Lithuania.
• Stay an additional one year in the country after your studies
If you wish to stay back after rounding off your program, you have the chance to stay up to 1 year to job hunt. With the post-work permit, citizens who are not from EU member countries can apply for any kind of job in Lithuania.
How to apply for admission in Lithuania
Lithuania has an easy application procedure. To apply for admission in Lithuania, listed below are the steps to take.
1. Choose your study program
You start by choosing the course you want to study. You can do that by checking the website of the university you want to enroll in. There are part-time and full-time programs available for international students; choose the program of your choice and the university to enroll in.
2. Check the admission requirements
Each program and university has its specific admission requirements. Check the school’s official webpage and program requirements.
3. Gather the entry requirements
Are you satisfied with the school? If yes, now arrange the entrance requirements. Generally, students are to provide the following documents:
A completed application form from the university of your choice.
Certificate of prior education (including grades), recognized by the Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (CQAHE).
A Curriculum Vitae.
A letter of motivation explaining why you want to study in Lithuania.
A copy of your passport.
Passport-size photographs.
A receipt proving that the application and tuition fees have been paid.
Bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds supporting you during your studies.
4. Apply for admission
After gathering the documents, have them translated and signed, it is time to apply for admission. There are 2 ways to apply for admission into a Lithuanian University or College. Between June and July, students from the EU/EEA typically fill out a basic application form. The form is available on the website of LAMA BPO website, commonly known as the Association of Lithuanian Higher Education Institutions. Non-EU students, on the other hand, apply directly through the school’s website.
5. Receive your offer letter
Selected candidates will be given an admission letter signifying that they have been offered admission to study in the school which will be provided with other supporting documents when applying for a study visa.
6. Apply for a Lithuanian study visa
Once you’ve been offered admission and receive your offer letter, you should be prepared to apply for your Lithuanian Student D visa.
Required documents for a student visa for Lithuania
For the student visa (Visa D)
A completed visa application form
A recent passport-sized photograph
A valid passport with an expiry date at least 6 months beyond the duration of your study program
Official copy of the admission letter from your university
Means of subsistence
Proof of accommodation and address in Lithuania
A health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €6,000.
Top Universities in Lithuania
Mykolas Romeris University
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
Vilnius University
Kaunas University of Technology
ISM University of Management and Economics
Vytautas Magnus University
Intake period
The dates for applying to Lithuanian universities and colleges differ depending on your nationality as a student. Non-EU students have till May to apply, whereas EU students have until June/July.
Tuition fee
Lithuanian tuition fees are affordable. Depending on the study cycle and discipline, each university has its tuition cost requirements. A bachelor’s degree costs between 850 and 6000 EUR per year, while master’s students can expect to pay between 2,400 and 7,500 EUR per year at a public university.
Depending on the university and program, if you are from outside the EU zone, you are likely to pay extra fees to like; examination fees, library fees, books, etc. (aside from the tuition fee). This shouldn’t deter you from applying; there financial aids for international students. Take note that Exchange students do not pay tuition to study in Lithuania.
Cheap Universities in Lithuania
1. Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy
Tuition fee link
2. Lithuanian Sports University
Tuition Fee link
3. Mykolas Romeris University
Tuition Fee link
4. Šiauliai University
Tuition Fee link
5. Vilnius University
Tuition Fee link
Are there scholarships for international students in Lithuania?
Yes! there are scholarship opportunities. Some are provided by Lithuanian universities or colleges. See some of the Lithuanian scholarship providers.
• The Erasmus+ program mobility grant in cooperation with the ALYTAUS KOLEGIJA/University of Applied Sciences.
• Scholarships for full-time Master’s studies by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.
• Scholarships for Lithuanian short-term studies by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.
• Scholarships for short-term studies by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.
Student living expenses in Lithuania
Lithuania is one of the cheapest countries. The living cost is cheap, costs such as accommodation, transportation, groceries are very affordable. On average, the student living cost in Lithuania is between 400 EUR – 500 EUR to settle bills for your accommodation, transportation, books, and groceries.
Are there Lithuanian universities that offer courses in English?
Absolutely yes. There are more than 300-degree programs taught in English across Lithuanian universities and colleges.
What are the mediums of instruction in Lithuanian universities?
Although some programs are available in Lithuanian, the majority of them are taught in English while, several universities also provide instruction in Russian and Polish.
Can I bring my family to Lithuania while studying?
While studying in Lithuania and you wish that your spouse or kids come yes, it is allowed. Please take note of this. If your family members are EU, EEA, or EFTA citizens, they can visit Lithuania without a visa for up to 90 days. They can stay longer provided they get permission from the Minister of the Interior and acquire an official certificate.
If they want to join you on your study abroad journey, non-EU citizens will need to apply for a tourist visa and then a temporary residence permit.
Take note: Only in exceptional situations are specific dependent visas for children and spouses given. International students must have a temporary residence status and must have spent at least two years in Lithuania to be eligible to bring in an immediate family.
Work and study in Lithuania
International students can work in Lithuania as long as they are enrolled in a university. They have the right to work in Lithuania while studying. EU students are permitted to work full-time, up to 40 hours a week. After receiving a temporary residence visa, international students from non-EU countries are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. You will not need to apply for any work permit because these permissions are immediately provided with your Visa D and residence permit.
Can international stay back in Lithuania after graduation?
After completing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program, an international student can apply for a temporary residence card to look for work in Lithuania. This permit will allow the student to stay in Lithuania for a year after graduation and begin working as soon as he or she finds work. You can look for work in the manufacturing industry, schools, hospitals, and other places.
Conclusion
Studying in Lithuania is good for international students. Recently, the Lithuanian tertiary institutions have been experiencing a large number of applications for admission. To study in the country, you can choose between studying in a University or College depending on the program and degree you want to enroll in.
Lithuania is one of the cheapest countries in Eastern Europe. The people are welcoming and a large number of them communicate fluently in English. Among the top reasons studying in Lithuania is a good option, is that there are a wide number of English-taught programs, cheap tuition, and international students are free to study and work so long the student visa stays valid.
You can travel to Latvia and Estonia, which make up the Baltic countries together with Lithuania. If you are looking for a country in Europe with cheap living costs, certainly, Lithuania is one of them. Apart from the low-cost tuition fee, overall, the living cost is super cheap.