Top Universities courses Finances Major Cities Admission Visa Accommodation FAQs Top Universities courses Finances Major Cities Admission Visa Accommodation FAQs Lithuania Why Lithuania Lithuania is a crossroad between west and east Europe, and despite its complicated history, has developed a unique culture, which encompasses both deep respect for traditions and a robust wish to learn and innovate,however costs of living here are lower than in western countries, which makes Lithuania ideal for aspiring students. All of the 350+ English-taught study programmes in Lithuania are evaluated according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), with each year of study being awarded with 60 ECTS credits. University degrees are offered in three cycles: the first cycle is undergraduate (Bachelor), the second cycle is graduate (Master, and/or specialised professional studies), and the third one is postgraduate (Doctoral; residency; postgraduate in the Arts). Bachelor degrees and professional qualifications are offered at universities; professional qualifications, but not degrees, can be taken at colleges. The academic year starts in September and ends in mid-June and is divided into two semesters – spring and autumn. Students can opt to study full-time or part-time. If you are at the second cycle stage (or aim to be there) and you want to study for a Master’s degree and/or a specialised professional qualification one of the options open to you is the Integrated study programmes. These programmes combine university studies at the first and second cycles. The successful graduates are awarded a Master’s Diploma which testifies to their Master’s degree status. Country Facts Lithuania is the largest of the three Baltic States. It is bound by the Baltic Sea, Latvia, Poland and the Kaliningrad Region of Russia and Belarus. The capital of the country is Vilnius. Lithuania has a population of 3.5 million people. The official language is Lithuanian. From cities and towns full of historic monuments to wonderful retreats in a pristine natural environment, Lithuania has places to go and see for everyone. Officially recognized as the geographical centre of Europe and connected by numerous routes to major European cities, Lithuania can be easily reached by land, water or air. Higher Education System In Lithuania Education is free of charge and compulsory from the age of 6 or 7 to 16 years which covering primary and basic education, as stated in the national Law on Education . Pre-tertiary education is organized in 4 main cycles such as, Pre-school Education (until age 5 or 6)Pre-primary Education (1 year, between age 5-7)Primary Education (4 years, between age 6-11)Basic Education (6 years, between age 10-17, ends on a basic education certificate)Lithuania has implemented the Bologna process in 2006.Colleges Offer vocational Education Since 2006, they can award professional Bachelor degrees. Tertiary education can be divided into university and college. Universities offer an Academic Education leading to international Bachelor-Master-PhD degrees. Education In Lithuania The Present-day education system In Lithuania Covers: Formal Education (Primary, Basic, Secondary Education,Formal Vocational education And Training and Higher education studies.)Non-Formal Education (Pre-school, Pre-primary, Other non-formal education of children)Educational Assistance (Vocational Guidance, Informational, Psychological, Sociopedagogical, Special assistance of Education, Health care at School, Consultation etc) Informal Education. Formal Education Schools shall be divided into the following groups: General education schools (a primary school, a pre-gymnasium, a basic school, a secondary school, and a gymnasium).Vocational schools.Higher Education Institutions (universities and colleges).Primary EducationAccording to the Law on Education, children who have reached 7 years of age must go to the 1st form. If parents wish so and if the child is sufficiently mature to study under the primary Education programme, he/she can start attending school from 6 years of age. The duration of the primary education programme is 4 years. Compulsory primary education can be obtained in kindergartens-schools, in primary schools and, which is less common, in basic or secondary schools. Secondary Education Upon completion of primary education, pupils start studying under the 6-year basic education programme. The basic education programme is implemented by basic, secondary, youth, and vocational schools and gymnasiums. The compulsory basic education programme consists of two parts, Part I – a 4-year programme implemented in the 5-8th forms.Part II – a 2-year programme implemented in the 9-10th forms.Pupils can start learning the second foreign language in the 5th form and in the 6th form the second foreign language is compulsory. Pupils who study under the basic education programme must be engaged in social activities. In form 10 (form 2 in gymnasiums), pupils are able to choose subject modules and study optional subjects following their bent and abilities. Foreign pupils, who can not speak Lithuanian, but wish to study in Lithuanian general education schools, can attend one-year developmental classes and developmental mobile groups. Higher Education Institutions Lithuanian higher education institutions are either state or non-state. Non-state higher education institutions can pursue their activities according to a license issued by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. There are two types of higher education institutions in Lithuania, Such as: Universities = In Universities, University Type Studies dominate.Colleges = In Colleges Non-University Studies Dominate. Admission to Higher Education Institutions In order to apply to an undergraduate programme at a higher education institution of Lithuania, Maturity Certificate or comparable qualification is required. To be admitted to the second cycle university programmes individuals should hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification. In order to enter the third cycle university studies, an applicant should have either Master or corresponding degree in the selected study field. Admission to all cycle studies usually takes place on a competitive basis according to the admission rules set up by the institution of higher education agreed with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. Studies at Higher Education Institutions In Lithuania the national system of quality assurance in higher education operates. The quality of study programmes as well as educational and scientific activities of higher education institutions are periodically assessed by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education. The first and second cycle studies are conducted in accordance with the study programmes registered by the Ministry