Overseas American Universities - Education System

There are 16 higher education institutions in Lithuania, 9 state universities, 6 state academies and 1 non-state higher education school. The details of which are as follows:

Higher education

• The Lithuanian higher education system comprises of universities, academies and one non-state higher education school.
  
• The system is run on three levels: basic, specialised and doctoral.

Undergraduate level

• Basic studies last 4 to 5 years.
  
• Upon completion, a Bachelor's degree, or a professional qualification such as engineer is awarded.
  
• Alternatively, a diploma of higher education can be awarded. These courses provide education in career-oriented or applied subjects and offer academic and theoretical education to a lesser extent than programmes leading to a Bachelor's degree.

Postgraduate education

Masters level

• Students may pursue specialised professional studies or studies leading to a Master's degree.
  
• A master's degree lasts 1 1/2 to 2 years.

The doctorate

• A doctorate programme takes no more than 4 years to complete.
  
• 1 1/2 to 2 years are spent on doctoral classes.
  
• There are no less than 5 subjects (each subject takes no less than 45 hours) with the final examination.
  
• A doctoral thesis must be produced and defended to qualify for a doctorate.

The habilitated doctor (habilituotas daktaras)

• This is the highest academic degree awarded in Lithuania.
  
• It is awarded to holders of a doctorate who have published major scientific results in relevant Lithuanian or International journals as well as in monograph or a habilitation thesis.

Qualification required

• Entry into higher education at basic level requires a secondary school completion certificate or equivalent, and on condition of secondary school results.?lt;br>
• Alternatively, holders of International Baccalaureate can gain entry into Lithuanian institutions.
  
• Entrance exams are required for some programmes of study, for example, medicine, languages, journalism, arts, music, law, international relations, etc.
  
• Overseas applicants are admitted by signing an agreement with the higher education institute concerned.
  
• Non-residents are required to enrol in a 1-2 year introductory Lithuanian language programme. Non-resident students should be able to attend programmes in Lithuania in the 2 or 3 year of study at the latest.?

Language requirements

• The language of instruction is Lithuanian, but most institutions offer programmes in foreign languages such as English, German or Russian.

Cost

• Tuition fees cost between US$1,300 to US$3,000 per academic year and includes the cost of using libraries, laboratories, medical services and sometimes accommodation. Please contact individual institute for more information.
  
• Applicants are advised to take out health insurance.
  
• Living expenses vary depending on location and lifestyle. The estimated cost of living in Lithuania is between US$250 to US$750 per month including accommodation or US$230 to US$510 per month excluding accommodation.?

Application procedure

• Admission is organised by the individual institute.
  
• The closing date for applications varies, but generally, the completed application should be submitted at the beginning of June until the end of August at the latest.

Finding accommodation

• Institutions usually reserve rooms for overseas students at the institute's halls of residence. A single room costs between US$15 to US$50 per month and a furnished flat with one or two rooms will cost around US$200 per month.