Read about higher education in Lithuania: study features, employment opportunities and immigration to Lithuania.
Free consultationHigher education in Lithuania is suitable for those who are looking for a budget-friendly option in a country with a high standard of living. By all means, the relatively low cost of education and affordable entry requirements make the country worth paying attention to.
In the article, we explain the features of education and employment, and briefly talk about the possibility of immigrating to Lithuania after studying.
Vocational education in Lithuania is received in colleges called Kolegija. College educational programs focus on practice and applied research. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a professional bachelor's degree (Profesinis bakalauras).
By law, at least half of the college teachers are required to have three years of work experience in their area of expertise[7]. This is a great incentive for those who have become disillusioned with teachers who give lectures according to a teaching manual.
The learning process includes lectures, seminars, and internships. The average duration is three years. During that time, you need to obtain at least 120 credits. This is the point system used to evaluate student work and study hours.
College graduates receive a higher education diploma (Aukštojo mokslo). Such a degree allows you to work in your area of specialization, but is not accepted to continue with a master’s program. Those wishing to continue their studies will have to study for an additional year in a bachelor's program at a university. The top 10% of college graduates can apply for a free placement at a university.
Vocational education has its advantages over academic degrees:
Lithuanian colleges also offer programs in English — 120 in total.
Bachelor's programs are the first level of the Lithuanian education system. The educational process is different for each field. In the humanities, there are many interactive teaching methods that include discussions, group projects, and case studies. In STEM fields, practical lessons predominate. This may include laboratory work or field research using scientific equipment. For example, biotechnology students conduct experiments in laboratories at their university. As project assignments, they develop medicines and food.
On average, a bachelor's degree in Lithuania lasts four years. You need to obtain at least 140-180 credits[9]. During one or two semesters, students can study in other countries. Each university has its own exchange programs. For example, Vilnius University offers ISEPs, ERASMUS+, NORDPLUS, and ARQUS.
For final exams, students defend a bachelor's thesis and take a final test. Upon graduation from the university, graduates are awarded a bachelor's degree (Bakalauras).
Some universities have integrated programs. These programs are mainly present in the fields of architecture, medicine, and international law[10]. They allow you to complete both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five to six years. To complete such a program, you need to obtain 200-240 credits. The medical field is an exception: in this direction, studies last up to seven years, requiring up to 280 credits[9]. Upon completion of the program, the student receives a master's degree.
When compiling curricula for foreigners, universities focus on areas in which there is a shortage of specialists: programming, game development, graphic design, aviation technology, construction, and chemistry[11]. More than 180 programs in English are available to students.
Average tuition fee:
A master's degree is the second tier of Lithuanian education. Approximately 25% of the total number of students in Lithuania are pursuing master’s degrees[1]. For some, this is a way to increase chances for employment and receive a higher salary[12], while for others it is an opportunity to build an academic career in the future.
Master's programs differ from bachelor's studies by their in-depth study of the chosen field without general subjects[13]. For example, if you are studying to be a linguist, mathematics or biology will not be in the curriculum. The volume of study in a master's program is 90-120 credits. On average, studies last up to 2 years. The curriculum depends on the university, but usually includes ten subjects (6 credits each) and a master's thesis (30 credits).
If you want to study in English, there are more than 90 programs to choose from.
Graduates receive master's degrees (Magistro laipsnis) or a degree in the European system, depending on the program of study:
The average cost of a master's program is 5,650 USD/year. However, prices can reach 9,040 USD/year at branches of international universities.
Doctorate studies are the last stage of higher education in Lithuania, mandatory for future teachers and researchers. Programs last from 3 to 4 years (240 credits). Doctorate studies consist of courses in selected subjects, 2-4 publications on the topic of the dissertation, participation in international and local conferences, and the defense of a doctoral dissertation.
All students can use the Academic Libraries Virtual Network (LABT), which greatly simplifies the search for research information. This network connects the libraries of universities, colleges, state research institutes, and the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.
There are only 26 PhD programs in English.
Free education is available for foreigners, regardless of their citizenship. Paid doctorate programs cost an average of 3,842 USD/year.
International students can work 20 hours per week. Most often, jobs are found in the service industry or on campus. For permission to work, you need to have a residence permit, which is issued after a year of studies instead of a student visa[5]. Granted, you will not be able to work during the first year of your studies.
According to the law, the minimum wage of foreigners cannot be lower than that of similar specialists with Lithuanian citizenship. Now, it is 3 USD per hour[18], but the average wage is 7 USD per hour[19]. However, with a reduced schedule, even this amount may not be enough to pay for housing, food, and education. Monthly living expenses in Vilnius are listed below.
| Expenses | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Food | 169 USD |
| Accommodation | 608 USD / 410 USD / 85 USD |
| Public transportation | 33 USD |
| Internet (60 Mbps) | 15 USD |
| Clothing and shoes | 45-56 USD |
| Income | Average amount |
|---|---|
| Salary (40 hours) | 1,232 USD |
| Salary (20 hours) | 616 USD |
If you aim to stick to a strict budget by living in a dorm and studying in a cheap program — you will need 452-565 USD per month. The average salary is quite enough for these expenses, but hardly enough for a comfortable life. In such conditions, it will not be possible to travel often, buy clothes, or go to the movies and cafes. Life will be difficult without an additional source of income. One of these sources can be scholarships and grants that are awarded for academic achievements, but it takes a lot of effort to receive them. Ultimately, combining studies with work will not be easy.
If you have enough money to live off of, try to get internships in your specialty (even free ones). You will gain experience, make it easier for yourself to learn the language, and you will be more likely to be employed in the given company after graduation. In Lithuania, working in the field of your education makes it easier to obtain a residence permit.
Many universities have their own career centers. They provide consultations, training, and help to find suitable internships. Take advantage of these services. They cooperate with the majority of Lithuanian companies.
Lithuanian university diplomas are recognized in all European countries. You will be able to find a job in any country, including the US.
However, in Lithuania itself, the unemployment rate is high both among the population (7.2%)[20] and among foreigners (5.6%)[21]. At the same time, the chances of finding a job are much lower if you do not proficiently speak Lithuanian and are not an EU citizen. Do not consider migrating if you do not have funds saved for the period when you finish your education and start looking for a job.
In Lithuania, there is a list of demanded professions. This is an official document that is published on the website of the Department of Migration. We recommend checking it out if you plan to work in the country. You can receive a certificate stating that your specialty is in demand. This will make it more likely to find a job and reduce the number of required documents.
Upon graduation, you can stay in the country for 15 months. To do so, it is necessary to apply for an extension of the residence permit for three months during the last year of study. It will remain valid after graduation. After graduation, you need to apply for a residence permit to look for work or self-employment, which is valid for 12 months. Once you find a job, you can renew it every year[22].
Foreigners who have lived in the country for 10 years or more are eligible to obtain Lithuanian citizenship. A portion of this time will pass during your studies.
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