Masters Study in Lithuania – A Guide for 2025

The largest of the three Baltic States, Lithuania has plenty to offer international students, from a continental climate and stunning coastlines to the chance to graduate in a fast-growing economy with a technological focus.

This guide will give an overview of everything you need to know about studying a Masters in Lithuania, including universities, course structure, fees, funding and visa requirements.

Combining a rich cultural history with forward-thinking impetus, Lithuania is well worth considering as your next study-abroad destination. The country’s reputation for technological innovation led capital city, Vilnius, to be named amongst the top-25 Global Cities of the Future for 2021/22 in the Financial Times’ fDI magazine. It also boasts the fastest and cheapest internet speed in Europe!

Here are a few reasons to consider a Masters in Lithuania:

• Educational opportunity: Lithuania offers the chance to earn an internationally recognised qualification, with over 500 degree programmes offered in English or Russian.
• Work during your studies: International postgraduate students have free reign to work full-time alongside their Masters, so you’ll be able to pick up extra cash while you study. You’ll also be able to stay in Lithuania for up to 15 months post-graduation while you look for longer term work.
• Travel further afield: Lithuania’s central European location provides plenty of opportunity for international travel, with every major city in Europe accessible within a 2-3 hour flight and the capitals of neighbouring Latvia and Estonia just a bus ride away.
• Historical legacy: There’s much for history enthusiasts to discover in Lithuania, from capital Vilnius’s famous medieval Old Town to the Stelmuze oak, which is the oldest tree in Europe. Lithuanian is also amongst the longest surviving Indo-European languages in the world.

There are two types of higher education institutions in Lithuania:

• Universities (universitai): These are traditional research universities, offering Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees.
• Colleges (kolegios): These offer vocational courses at the undergraduate level. Those who graduate from a Lithuanian college will hold a professional Bachelors degree qualifying them to practice in a particular field. Colleges do not offer Masters degrees.

Both universities and colleges can be either public or private.

Lithuanian university cities

Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital and is home to more than 20 higher education institutions, including Vilnius University, which is the oldest in the Baltic states. Notable features include the city’s medieval Old Town, which is a UNESCO world heritage site and amongst the largest of its kind in Northern Europe.

Named European Capital of Culture for 2022, Kaunas packs an extraordinary number of attractions into its compact 157 square kilometres, from unique modernist architecture to an ever-expanding programme of festivals and exhibitions.

Klaipeda is a beautiful port city located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Despite its relatively small size there is much to explore in Klaipeda, including Lithuania’s only sea museum and Dolphinarium.

Lithuania is a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and follows the Bologna Process, meaning that its universities follow a three-cycle framework. A Masters degree is a ‘second cycle’ qualification, which typically follows a Bachelors degree (first cycle) and may precede a PhD (third cycle). This guarantees that your course will meet the quality assurance guidelines set out by the Bologna agreement, and that you’ll graduate with an internationally recognised qualification.

Lithuanian universities also use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTs). This makes it easier for students to transfer between institutions across Europe, and to pursue employment or PhD study overseas once you’ve completed your programme!

Masters degrees in Lithuania generally take between one and a half and two years to complete and are worth between 90 and 120 ECTs credits. Some specialised degrees, such as the MBA or LLM, are only worth 60 credits and can be completed in 1 year.

At least 60 ECTs credits must be earned in modules directly related to your field of study, and a further 30 credits will be devoted to your thesis (and sometimes a final examination). Up to 30 remaining credits can be used to study modules outside your immediate field of study, or, in some cases, to prepare for doctoral study or carry out practical work.

You’ll learn through a combination of contact hours, independent study, group work and, where applicable, practical training. Contact hours may include lectures, seminars or laboratory work. All students have access to a virtual database of works from libraries across the country via the Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT).

Assesments are grading

Examinations are the main form of assessment for Masters students in Lithuania, though you may also be assessed through coursework on presentations. Most modules will conclude with an exam that is marked according to a 10-point scale, with 10 being the highest grade, 1 being the lowest, and 5 being the minimum pass grade.

Modules that are not examined usually operate according to a simple pass/ fail system. You’ll pass the module (and earn the associated credits) if you can demonstrate that you’ve understood at least 50% of the course content.

You’ll conclude your degree by writing your Masters thesis, which is sometimes accompanied by a final examination. Some programmes also require you to defend your thesis, meaning that you’ll present your argument to and answer questions from a panel of experts. This might sound daunting, but it’s an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the depth your research and can be great preparation for PhD study!

Your final degree classification will be a mark out of 10. 9/10 is roughly equivalent to a UK first-class classification, and 8/10 to a 2:1.

Tuition fees for Masters students in Lithuania can vary pretty widely. The amount you pay will depend on your nationality, choice of university and funding arrangements.

University students in Lithuania are either state-funded or self-financed. State-funded students don’t pay any tuition fees at all – the cost of their degree is entirely covered by the government. Such places largely go to Lithuanian students and are awarded according to previous academic achievement. EU students are also eligible to apply for state-funded places.

Continuing to receive state funding is contingent upon maintaining a good academic transcript. At the end of each academic year, fees are ‘rotated’ so that state subsidy for the lowest performing state-funded students is reallocated in the form of reimbursement to the highest performing self-financed students.

Self-financed students will have to pay tuition fees, which can be anywhere from €2,300 per year upwards. Some specialised courses can cost up to €18,000 per year. Universities usually set the fees so make sure you check as part of your research. And be aware that specialised programmes such as MBAs will cost considerably more.

Funding

Non-EU students are not eligible for state funding, but luckily there are several other options to help you finance your studies in Lithuania:

• University funding: Individual universities usually provide a number of scholarships and grants for Masters students, which may be either needs or merits-based. Contact your chosen institution for more information.
• State scholarships: A number of state-funded scholarships are available, which generally cover both tuition fees and living costs. Many are open to applications from international students.
• Fulbright awards: US students intending to study in Lithuania may be able to apply for funding from the Fulbright Programme.
• Erasmus: Lithuania is a participating country in the Erasmus+ programme, meaning you may be able to apply for an Joint Masters Degree scholarship or Erasmus loan.

Masters applications in Lithuania are made directly to your chosen institution rather than through a centralised online portal, so the procedure can differ slightly from university to university.

Application deadlines for courses beginning in the Autumn are generally between June and August, but it’s a good idea to apply as early as possible, since the process can take a month or more for international students!

Once you’ve chosen your programme, you’ll submit an online application on your chosen university’s website and pay an application fee of around €100. You’ll usually need to provide the following documents:

• Bachelors degree certificate (or equivalent)
• Motivational letter (much the same as a personal statement)
• Official translation of documents: This is only required if you are submitting documents in a language other than English or Lithuanian (some universities will also accept documents in Russian). Translations must be bound with the original copy and signed by the translator.
• Language proficiency certificate: You may need to prove your proficiency in English for some courses. Lithuanian universities will usually accept sufficiently high scores in the TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge B2 First test.
• Application fee receipt
• Certified copy of passport or ID card

Note that some universities may require additional documents (such as a letter of recommendation, for example). There may also be course-specific requirements, so make sure to check the programme listing carefully before you apply.

Applicants from certain non-EU countries may need to get their documents ‘legalised’. To do this, you’ll need to submit them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country who will verify their legitimacy and add a stamped official certificate (known as an ‘apostille’).

Once your application has been submitted, you’ll usually need to wait around 30 days for a decision to be made. If you’ve been successful, you’ll receive a letter of acceptance.

EU students do not need a visa to study in Lithuania. All other international students must apply for a National visa (D) before departure.

To apply, you’ll need to provide the following documents:

• An application form. This can be submitted online.
• A valid travel document (such as a passport) which has been issued within the last 10 years, contains at least two blank pages and will be valid for a minimum of three months after your visa expires
• A 35x45mm colour photo
• A letter of mediation confirming that you have been accepted by a Lithuanian university. This will need to be submitted by your host institution to the Lithuanian Migration Information System
• Proof of sufficient means (at least €365 per month, plus €730 for return to your home country)
• A document certifying that you have purchased valid health insurance

You’ll need to pay a fee of €120. The decision to issue a visa will usually be made within 15 days of your application.

Temporary Residence Permits

After applying for the National visa (D), you will need to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit. This should be done after you arrive. This allows you to reside (and work) in the Republic of Lithuania for a specified period.

In March 2021, migration laws changed to allow international Masters students with a Temporary Residence Permit to work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) while studying. You can find out more about the application process on the Lithuanian Migration Department website.

Health insurance for postgraduate students in Lithuania

All international students in Lithuania must have valid health insurance. If you’re an EU citizen, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which will certify that you are entitled to any medical treatment you need during your stay.

Non-EU students will need to purchase private health insurance. This will typically cost between €50 and €150 per year depending on your chosen policy.

Once you’ve completed your Masters, you’ll be in an excellent position to seek employment in Lithuania and elsewhere. Most universities in Lithuania have invested in career centres which help students identify their strengths and seek out employment opportunities.

Lithuania’s membership of the EHEA guarantees that your qualification will be internationally recognised, making it easier for you to explore career options throughout Europe and beyond.

The government is keen to encourage talented graduates to build careers in Lithuania. Recent changes to migration law mean that international students can apply for a new 12-month temporary residence permit after completing their course. Since your original permit will not expire for three months after the end of your programme, this means you’ll have a total of 15 months to seek employment post-graduation.

If you plan to continue your studies, Lithuania is also home to plenty of fantastic PhD opportunities.

Further information

For more advice and information about postgraduate study in Lithuania, you can visit the official Study in Lithuania website.

To find out more about student life, including accomodation, living costs and must-see locations, read out postgraduate guide to living in Lithuania.