Information for U.S. HEIs

Get to know LITHUANIA

Location

Lithuania (or Lietuva) is a country in Northern Europe. It is the largest country of the three Baltic states located along the southeastern shores of the Baltic Sea.

History

The name of Lithuania was first mentioned in the written account back in 1009. In the Middle Ages, Lithuania had already had its state: the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. By 15th century the Grand Duchy of Lithuania reached the peak of its power, with its territory stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea. At the end of the 18th century the Constitution was adopted, which makes it the first constitution in Europe (even preceding the French Constitution), and the second in the world.

Throughout its history Lithuania has developed a unique culture, which encompasses both – deep respect for traditions and robust desire to innovate.

Lithuanians

Lithuanians are one of the ethnic groups in the Baltic region. Seemingly a bit cold at first, Lithuanians are hospitable and welcoming once you get to know them. They, also, tend to express their passion for basketball loudly and proudly.

While Lithuania has a population of about 3 million people, there are at least another million living in other countries – USA, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, etc.

Language

Lithuanian language is one of the oldest languages in the world. It is one of two presently living Baltic languages, which retains archaic features otherwise found only in ancient languages such as Sanskrit.

Education System

Lithuania has a well-developed education system aligned with the European education framework. School education consists of primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary education.

Students normally complete 12 years of schooling. Upper secondary education covers Grades 11–12 and leads to the Brandos atestatas (Maturity Certificate). To receive the certificate, students must successfully complete the secondary education program and meet the national graduation requirements, including required examinations.

Lithuania also has schools offering international curricula, particularly the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge International programs.

Grading System

Lithuanian schools generally use a 10-point grading scale:

10 - Excellent; 9 - Very good; 8 - Good; 7 - Highly satisfactory; 6 - Satisfactory; 5 - Sufficient; 4 - Sufficient / minimum passing grade; 1–3 - Unsatisfactory / failing

4 is the minimum passing grade.

Database of high schools and higher education institutions in Lithuania

Higher Education

Lithuania is part of the European Higher Education Area (Bologna Process) and follows the European three-cycle degree structure.

Higher education is provided by two main types of institutions:

Universities provide academically and research-oriented higher education and award Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees.

Universities of Applied Sciences (kolegijos) provide professionally oriented higher education and primarily award Professional Bachelor's degrees. They may also offer short-cycle programs.

Some fields, such as medicine and law, may be offered through long-cycle/integrated programmes leading directly to a Master's-level qualification.

The main language of instruction is Lithuanian, but Lithuanian universities offer a growing number of full-degree programmes in English, particularly for international students.

Lithuania uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which facilitates student mobility and recognition of studies across Europe.

Universities in Lithuania

Vilnius University (VU) — Vilnius

Lithuania's oldest and largest comprehensive university, founded in 1579. VU has the broadest academic profile in the country, covering humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, mathematics, computer science and other fields. It is also Lithuania's most internationally visible research university.

Vilnius University – English website

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) — Kaunas

One of Lithuania's major STEM and technology universities. Particularly strong in engineering, technology, computer science, physical sciences, architecture, business and innovation. KTU has close links with industry and emphasizes research, entrepreneurship and technology transfer.

Kaunas University of Technology – English website

VILNIUS TECH — Vilnius

A major technological university specializing in engineering, technology, architecture, construction, transport, aviation, IT and related fields. It is particularly notable for its Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute and strong engineering profile.

VILNIUS TECH – English website

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) — Kaunas

A comprehensive university known particularly for its liberal arts approach and interdisciplinary studies. Its academic portfolio includes humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, education, agriculture, arts and other fields. VMU also places strong emphasis on multilingualism and international mobility.

Vytautas Magnus University – English website

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) — Kaunas

Lithuania's principal specialized university for medicine and health sciences. It trains physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals and also has important programmes and research in veterinary medicine and animal sciences. It has a particularly substantial international student population.

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences – English website

Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) — Vilnius

Lithuania's largest specialized university in social sciences and humanities, with particular strengths in law, public governance, public security, psychology, business and related areas. MRU has a strong international orientation and offers a number of joint and double-degree programmes with foreign universities.

Mykolas Romeris University – English website

Klaipėda University (KU) — Klaipėda

The principal university in western Lithuania and the country's main university located on the Baltic coast. It is multidisciplinary but has a particularly distinctive profile in marine sciences, coastal studies, Baltic Sea research and regional development. KU is a member of the EU-CONEXUS European University alliance focused on smart urban coastal sustainability.

Klaipėda University – English website

Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) — Kaunas

A specialized university focused on sports science, coaching, physical activity, physiotherapy, health and sport management. It has close connections with Lithuania's professional and Olympic sports community.

Lithuanian Sports University – English website

Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA) — Vilnius and other locations

Lithuania's main specialized university for fine arts, design and architecture. Its fields include painting, sculpture, graphic arts, design, architecture, photography, media art, art history and other creative disciplines. The Academy operates faculties in several Lithuanian cities.

Vilnius Academy of Arts – English website

Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA) — Vilnius

Lithuania's principal specialized higher education institution for the performing arts, including music, theatre, dance and film. Education is strongly performance- and practice-based and includes both artistic studies and artistic research.

Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre – English website

General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania — Vilnius

Lithuania's specialized military university, combining university-level education with military training and officer preparation. Its academic and research activities are particularly connected with national security, defence, leadership and military studies.

General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania

Private and International Universities

ISM University of Management and Economics — Vilnius

A private university specializing in business, management and economics. ISM is particularly known for close cooperation with the business sector, international education and career-oriented programmes.

ISM University of Management and Economics – English website

LCC International University — Klaipėda

A private Christian liberal arts university with a particularly international profile. It follows a North American-style liberal arts educational model and was established through Lithuanian, Canadian and U.S. initiatives. English is central to its academic environment, and its student body is highly international.

For U.S. universities, LCC is particularly interesting because its educational philosophy and campus model have stronger North American influences than most Lithuanian institutions.

LCC International University – English website

KSU International University / Kazimieras Simonavičius University — Vilnius

A private university focusing primarily on social sciences, business, management, law and communication, with distinctive programmes connected with aviation, fashion, film and creative industries. It emphasizes flexible and career-oriented studies and close cooperation with industry.

KSU International University – English website

European Humanities University (EHU) — Vilnius

A particularly unusual institution in the Lithuanian higher education landscape. EHU is a Vilnius-based university with a strong liberal arts, humanities and social sciences orientation and a historical mission connected with Belarusian students and scholars. It emphasizes academic freedom, critical thinking and civil society and serves students from Belarus and the broader Eastern European region.

European Humanities University – English website

IIE Open Doors

Statistics on Lithuania

OD_Lithuania_Fact-Sheet-2025.pdf

Connect to

EducationUSA Lithuania

Interested in engaging with students in Lithuania?

EducationUSA Lithuania welcomes U.S. higher education representatives interested in contributing to our student programming throughout the academic year.

We regularly organize virtual sessions with Lithuanian students interested in studying in the United States, including:

EducationUSA Competitive College Club sessions – interactive sessions for a small group of highly motivated high school students actively preparing to apply to U.S. colleges and universities.
Public EducationUSA webinars – online sessions open to students, parents, school counselors, and others interested in U.S. higher education.

We especially welcome educational and topic-based sessions that help students better understand U.S. higher education, the application process, academic opportunities, and student experience.

Please complete this form if you would be interested in contributing to a future EducationUSA Lithuania session. Indicating your interest does not commit you to a specific event. We will contact you when we identify an opportunity that matches your expertise and availability.

We look forward to staying connected and collaborating with you!

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