INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Universitetas (University)

Kolegija (College)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Brandos Atestatas

Bakalauro Diplomas

Aukstojo Mokslo Diplomas

Magistro Diplomas

Daktaro Diplomas

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 6

Age of exit: 16

Structure of school system:

Primary

Type of school providing this education: Primary School (Pradiné Mokykla)

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 6 to: 11

Basic First Stage

Type of school providing this education: Basic School (Pagrindiné mokykla)

Length of program in years: 6

Age level from: 10 to: 17

Certificate/diploma awarded: Pagrindinés mokyklos baigimo pažyméjimas (PMP)

Senior Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Secondary school, Gymnasium (Viduriné mokykla, gimnazija)

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 15 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Brandos Atestatas / Maturity Certificate (BA)

Vocational

Type of school providing this education: Vocational School (2 to 4 years)

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 14 to: 17

School education:

General secondary education is provided at triple level, twelve-year general education schools. One or more levels, i.e. primary: forms 1-4 (age 6/7 to 10/11); lower secondary: forms 5-10 (age 10/11 to 16/17); and secondary: forms 11-12 (age 16/17 to 18/19) can form an independent establishment. The Ministry of Education and Science regulates the length of the academic year. Other types of general education schools include gymnasiums and international baccalaureate schools. Gymnasiums provide an in-depth specialized general education and set higher requirements for pupils. They usually have forms 1-4 consisting of pupils in their 9-12 school years. Lithuanian gymnasiums specialize in the Humanities (Classical and/or Contemporary Languages and Social Sciences), Practical Arts (Natural Sciences, Technology and Economics) and Fine Arts (Art and Music). Gymnasiums offering these specialities have a four-year curriculum. Pupils must have completed the eight grades in a general education school. Fine arts gymnasiums offer a 6- to 9-year curriculum. Graduates of secondary education, after passing the Maturity examinations, are awarded the Maturity Certificate that gives access to higher education. Those who complete secondary education but do not take the Maturity examinations are awarded the Secondary School Graduation Certificate.General secondary education is also offered in appropriate vocational schools. Adults can acquire a general education at adult general education schools (training centres) and adult departments (classes) at general education schools. Pupils undergoing treatment in sanatoriums can acquire a general education at the sanatorium's own general education school. Special schools are devoted to children with special needs. Child welfare establishments for educating learning-impaired children are also attached to these schools. Youth schools provide initial work skills and a general education for those having trouble adapting to society or not wishing to study at other schools.

Higher education:

In Lithuania, higher education establishments provide study programmes of varying length and levels. The institutions are of two types: Universities and colleges - non-university higher education establishments. Higher education establishments may be both State and non-State institutions. Universities offer master and doctoral programmes, high level professional artistic creative activities, postgraduate art studies and carry out research. The status of university may be granted to a higher education establishment that performs the above functions even if its name does not include the word "university". A College is a higher education establishment where non-university studies prevail and the majority of students study in accordance with non-university study programmes, applied research and (or) development or professional arts. The College's name cannot include the words "university" or "academy". The study system consists of consecutive university and non-university studies in higher education establishments according to the study programmes included in the Study and Teaching Programme Register, as well as non-consecutive studies. In the Republic of Lithuania, consecutive studies are carried out in accordance with study programmes that are included in the Register of Studies and Training Programmes. The quality of the study programmes is periodically assessed. A study quality assessment institution authorized by the Government carries out the assessment.Studies are measured in credits. One study credit is equal to forty conditional student work (academic, laboratory, independent, etc.) hours, i.e., one week of his work. Comparable with ECTS credits, one national credit corresponds to 1,5 ECTS credits.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Law on Higher Education Year: 2000

Concerns: All higher education institutions

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: Jun

Long vacation from: 1 Jul to: 31 Aug

Languages of instruction: Lithuanian

Stages of studies:

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level:

Studies last for 3 to 4 years (at least 120 credits). To be admitted, students should hold a Maturity Certificate or comparable qualifications. After completion of studies, a Higher Education Diploma is conferred.Non-university consecutive studies are one-stage professional studies in a higher education establishment oriented to practical activities and providing possibilities of acquiring a professional qualification based on applied research and/or development. The general access requirement is the Brandos Atestatas or a comparable qualification.

University level studies:

University level first stage: Basic studies (Pagrindinčeés studijos):

Basic studies lead to a Bachelor's Degree (Bakalauras) or a professional qualification and generally last for three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years (140-180 credits). General admission is based on the Brandos Atestatas (BA) or an equivalent qualification. They include general theory, speciality theory and practical subject modules. The programme may lead to a professional qualification (Diploma) such as teacher, engineer, artist etc…Non-consecutive selective studies include separate subjects or subject cycles. They are intended to improve or change people's qualifications and develop their professional or general education. On completion of these studies, an academic certificate is issued. A higher education qualification may be awarded if an appropriate amount of subjects in accordance with relevant study programme is completed.

University level second stage: Specialized or Master's studies (Magistras), Integrated Studies:

Upon completion of a basic study programme, graduates may pursue specialized professional studies or studies leading to a Master's Degree which last for one-and-a-half to two years (60-80 credits). Specialized professional study programmes, lasting for 1-2 years, lead to professional qualifications, e.g. the qualification of medical Doctor.Integrated studies (the first and second stages are combined): The duration of studies is not more than 6 study years and not less than 5 study years. Studies of the first four years are attributed to the first stage of undergraduate studies, and studies of the remaining 1-2 years to the second stage of sequential studies. The Magistras (Master) Degree or a special professional qualification is awarded after successful completion. The general access requirement is the Brandos Atestatas or a comparable qualification.

University level third stage: Rezidentūra (Residency), Meno aspirantūra, Doctoral studies (Doktorantūra):

Residency university studies train those who have completed medical studies for medical practice. Studies last for 3-5 years. Postgraduate Art studies are intended to train higher education establishment Art teachers and specialize artists. Studies last not more than 2 years. After successful completion the qualification of Meno licenciatas is awarded.Doctoral studies last between 3 and 4 years and can be pursued by completing the second stage, integrated studies or having comparable qualifications. Upon completion of the doctoral course, a doctoral thesis must be prepared and publicly defended in order for the candidate to qualify for the Doctorate. Doctoral studies must be jointly organized by higher education and research institutions.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

Pre-primary and primary school teachers are trained at Vilnius Pedagogical University, Klaipéda University, Šiauliai Pedagogical University, and pedagogical colleges. Studies last for three or four years.

Training of secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers are trained at Vilnius University, Vilnius Pedagogical University, Šiauliai Pedagogical University, Vytautas Magnus University (in Kaunas) and Klaipéda University. Four-year course programmes are offered in certain other tertiary institutions. Master's degrees confer the right to teach in gymnasiums and colleges. Admission is on the basis of a Bachelor's degree and at least one year of teaching experience.

Training of higher education teachers

A Doctorate is required for teaching in higher education institutions. A Master's degree is needed to begin a career as a lecturer.

Non-traditional studies:

Distance higher education

Course programmes are conducted by transmitting to the student specially prepared learning materials through the postal services. Various virtual environments were introduced and are developed by universities.

Lifelong higher education

The Ministry of Education and Science has licensed 90 institutions to offer non-formal studies. Around 700 institutions are listed in the Register of the Ministry of Economy for adults and others. These include 63 state-owned companies, 288 joint-stock companies, 271 individual companies and 46 foreign investment companies. In addition, special departments for adult training have been set up in the universities. The courses offered include training and retraining, particularly in the fields of pedagogy, psychology, special or additional education etc.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Department of Research and Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Science

Head: Algirdas Monkevièeius, Minister of Education and Science

Volano g.2/7
LT-2600 Vilnius
Lithuania

Tel: +370(2) 62-37-79   +370(2) 22-22-51

Fax: +370(2) 31-22-95

EMail: ministras@smm.lt

Lithuanian Rectors' Conference (Lietuvos rektoriu konferencija)

Head: Juozas Antanavièius, President

Administrative officer: Vytautas Sereika, Secretary-General

Gedimino pr 3
LT-2600 Vilnius
Lithuania

Tel: +370(2) 61-26-91  +370(2) 22-49-67

Fax: +370(2) 22-69-82

EMail: lma@pub.osf.lt

Science Council of Lithuania

Gedimino pr 3
LT-2600 Vilnius
Lithuania

Tel: +370(2) 62-56-26

Fax: +370(2) 61-85-35

EMail: vguoga@ktl.mii.lt

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Brandos Atestatas

For entry to: Non-university level studies.

Alternatives to credentials:

Comparable qualification

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Brandos Atestatas

For entry to: All university programmes.

Alternatives to credentials: Comparable qualification

Numerus clausus/restrictions: There is a numerus clausus for students entering university level education.

Foreign students admission

Definition of foreign student: A foreign student is a person who is not a permanent resident in Lithuania and is enrolled at a Lithuanian institution of higher education.

Admission requirements: Students must hold the Maturity Certificate or an equivalent qualification and sit for an entrance examination.

Entry regulations: A study visa or residence permit, depending on the length of studies, except for some countries, and financial guarantees are required.

Health requirements: A health certificate and insurance are required.

Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Lithuanian, except for those entering programmes offered in English, German or Russian or individual studies (e.g. Music, Art).

Application procedures:

Apply to individual institution for entry to: Universities, colleges

Apply to national body for entry to: Most universities have joined the Association of Higher Education Institutions in Lithuania to organize and coordinate common admission procedures. Also in cases of intergovernmental bilateral exchanges and scholarship awards.

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (Lithuanian ENIC/NARIC)

Head: Biruté Mockiené, Deputy Director

Suvalkų str. 1
LT 2600 Vilnius
Lithuania

Tel: +370(5) 213-25-52  +370(5) 213-25-55

Fax: +370(2) 23-25-53

EMail: skvc@skvc.lt , birute@skvc.lt

Services provided & students dealt with: Recognition of foreign diplomas, courses and period of studies. Information, consultation in the field of educational system of Lithuania. Information, consultation and recommendations on the recognition of foreign qualifications in higher education, evaluation and recognition of foreign qualifications and periods of study.

Special provisions for recognition:

For the exercise of a profession: Competent bodies (ministries, agencies, associations) deal with professional recognition. http://www.profesijos.lt

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Name of agreement: Council of Europe/UNESCO Convention on Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the European Region (Lisbon Recognition Convention)

Year of signature: 1999

Name of agreement: European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas leading to Admission to Universities

Year of signature: 1997

Name of agreement: Unesco Convention On the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Concerning Higher Education in the States Belonging To the Europe Region

Year of signature: 1994

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title: Foreign Student Guide

Author: Vilnius Technical University

Title: Higher Education in Lithuania

Author: Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education

Year of publication: 1999

Title: Student Handbook

Author: Council of Europe

Publisher: Bock Verlag

Year of publication: 1998

STUDENT LIFE

Main student services at national level

Association for the exchange of students for technical experience (IAESTE)

Daiva Beisiené, K. Donelaiečio 73
LT 3006 Kaunas
Lithuania

Tel: 370(7) 20-23-06

Fax: 370(7) 20-26-40

National student associations and unions

Lithuanian National Union of Students Associations

Universiteto g.3
LT-2734 Vilnius
Lithuania

Tel: +370(2) 687-145

Fax: +370(2) 687-145

EMail: president@lsas.lt

WWW: http://www.lsas.lt

Lithuanian Union of Students

Geležinio viko g. 12
LT-2001 Vilnius
Lithuania

Tel: +370(2) 685-330

Fax: +370(2) 611-797

EMail: info@lss.lt

WWW: http://www.lss.lt

Special student travel fares:

By road: Yes

Available to foreign students: Yes

Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:

Average living costs: 5000 (Euro)

Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Lithuanian Lita)

Maximum: 12000 (Lithuanian Lita)

Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 1300 (Euro)

Maximum: 6000 (Euro)

Publications on student services and financial aid:

Title: Study Abroad 2000-2001

Publisher: UNESCO/IBE

Year of publication: 1999

GRADING SYSTEM

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: 1-10; 10: excellent; 9: very good; 8: good; 7: sufficient; 6: satisfactory; 5: weak; 4-1: bad

Pass/fail level: 5

Lowest on scale: 1

Other main grading systems

Apart from the 10 point scale jskaityta/nejskaityta (pass/fail) may be used.

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2001-2002

Source: Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (Lithuanian ENIC/NARIC), Vilnius, 2002