Located in Europe’s North-East, Lithuania is fast becoming an exciting destination for international Master students: A large number Masters in English, high-quality teaching and research, competitive tuition fees and low cost of living in a modern country all make Lithuania a choice worth considering. Learn more:
The official Study.eu database lists nearly 200 Master’s programmes in Lithuania that are completely taught in English. Find yours today!
Finding a Master’s on Study.eu is the smart first step in planning your studies abroad.
To get a Masters in Lithuania, tuition fees are commonly between €4,000 and €8,000 per year (and more if it’s Medicine or Dentistry).
However, in practice, European students can often study completely tuition-free (more precisely: citizens of EU/EEA countries). The Lithuanian government offers a large number of scholarships to Lithuanian citizens, but because of EU law, these are also available to students who are nationals of other countries in the EU/EEA. Universities do not advertise this very aggressively because in theory, places are limited, but in reality, these grants are available for most European applicants.
Students from other, non-EU/EEA countries will have to pay fees, but may have access to other scholarships or fee waivers. (For more details, read our guide on tuition fees in Lithuania.)
In Lithuania, you apply to the universities directly. Most of them use an application system called DreamApply which is fairly easy to navigate. (You won’t necessarily see that name show up - but you will notice that they look very similar and follow a similar application process.) If you choose to apply to two separate universities who both use it, you will be able to log in with the same credentials, but may have to re-upload documents.
To apply for a Master in Lithuania, you typically need these documents:
They should all be provided in English - if the originals are in another language, you may have to get them translated.
Application deadlines differ between universities and potentially between programmes, but to start your studies in the autumn semester, most deadlines are in May or June.
Some universities also offer a number of their Masters for a spring intake which would mean starting your studies in February. Applications then typically open in September or October and close between November and December. This also makes Lithuania an interesting option if, elsewhere, late applications are not an option.
However, it is strongly recommended to submit your application as early as possible. Especially if you are a non-EU student and therefore need a visa: Since Lithuania does not have embassies in every country, the visa process including document recognition can be time-consuming.
Lithuanian universities typically charge non-refundable application fees between €100 and €150. If you are from the EU, you will most likely be asked to pay it via bank transfer; for non-European applicants, there may be other payment processes that the university will provide.
The Lithuanian government and the universities offer numerous scholarships for international students. Most of these are merit-based and some are targeted at nationals of specific countries. Some cover the full fee, some are partial tuition fee waivers.
Do your research early because the timelines vary a lot: Vilnius Tech, for example, decides based on submitted degree applications - for which you will have to apply in April. Vytautas Magnus University, on the other hand, accepts scholarship applications between August and September.
Students who are citizens of an EU country do not need a visa to study in Lithuania. However, after arrival you must apply for a Temporary Residence Certificate at the Migration Department. This usually requires proof that you can support yourself financially (often around €221 per month per person, depending on your situation) as well as valid health insurance covering your stay.
For non-EU/EEA students, the process goes through the MIGRIS system, where you apply for a Temporary Residence Permit. A key update to be aware of is that since July 2023, the separate National Visa (D visa) is no longer required in addition to the TRP. Some online sources are outdated and still describe the old rules, so it’s important to always double-check the latest rules and confirm details with your university.
After submitting your application, you will need to book an appointment at a VFS Global visa centre (or designated location) to provide your biometric data, including fingerprints and a photo.
In general, the application includes the following documents:
In most cases, you do not need to have accommodation arranged when applying, but you must confirm that you will secure suitable housing after arrival.
The application fee is €160, and decisions are typically made within 2–3 months, although this can vary depending on the case. Because of this, apply as early as possible! The process can take longer if documents need to be legalised or processed through embassies in other countries, especially if there is no Lithuanian embassy in your home country.
Lithuanian universities often provide accommodation options for their international students on or close to campus. Commonly, rooms are shared with someone else, with communal kitchens and shared bathrooms. These student dormitories are quite affordable and a great way to make friends.
For a more comfortable alternative, you can also look for private accommodation off-campus. You’ll find that compared to most other European countries, apartments in Vilnius, Kaunas and other towns are relatively cheap.
Ask your university early in the process, especially if you are interested in the available student dormitories: Capacity can be limited!
All set? Then it’s time to prepare your trip! From most places in Europe and the rest of the world, Lithuania is best reached via plane. You’ll most likely fly to Vilnius, possibly Kaunas, and both are fine regardless of where you plan to study.
If you start your degree in the autumn semester, note that Lithuania can get cool early in the season. Bring a good jacket if you have one or plan to buy one soon after arrival.
Most Masters programmes in Lithuania lead to an MSc or MA degree and last for 2 full years (120 ECTS credit points).
Master tuition fees in Lithuania can be around €4,000 to €8,000 per year, depending on university and programme.
Ready to study in Lithuania?