INSTITUTION
TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education
institutions:
Universitetas
(University)
Kolegija (College)
School leaving and higher
education credentials:
Brandos atestatas
Aukštojo mokslo
diplomas (non-university)
Bakalauro diplomas
Aukštojo mokslo
diplomas (integrated)
Aukštojo mokslo
diplomas (specialization)
Magistro diplomas
Daktaro diplomas
Meno licenciato
diplomas
Rezidentūros
pabymējimas
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: Pradinė mokykla (Primary School)
Length
of program in years: 4
Age level from: 6 to: 11
Basic First Stage
Type of
school providing this education: Pagrindinė mokykla (Lower Secondary
School), Vidurinė mokykla (Secondary School), Jaunimo mokykla (Youth
school)
Length
of program in years: 6
Age
level from: 10 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Pagrindinės
mokyklos baigimo pažymėjimas (PMP) (Certificate of Lower Secondary
Education)
Senior Secondary
Type of
school providing this education: Vidurinė mokykla (Secondary school),
Gimnazija (Gymnasium), Licéjus (Lyceum), Tarptautinio bakalaureato
mokykla (international baccalaureate school)
Length
of program in years: 2
Age
level from: 16 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Brandos atestatas/
Maturity Certificate
Vocational
Type of
school providing this education: Profesinė mokykla (Vocational school),
Technologijų gimnazija (Technological gymnasium), Jaunimo mokykla (Youth
school)
Age level from: 14 to: 20
Vocational
Type of
school providing this education: Aukštesnioji mokykla (Junior college)
Length
of program in years: 3
Age
level from: 18 to: 21
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Admission
to Junior Colleges stopped in 2003.
School
education:
The development of the current system of
education in the Republic of Lithuania started in the 1990s. Since 2003, the
education system covers; preschool (ikimokyklinis); general secondary
(bendrasis vidurinis), vocational (profesinis), junior college
(aukštesnysis), higher (aukštatis) and adult education
(suaugusiųjų švietimas). These types of education are offered
at: preschool education establishments (ikimokyklinio ugdymo ļstaiga),
schools of general education (bendrojo lavinimo mokykla), institutions (įstaiga),
enterprises (įmonė) of vocational education (profesinis mokymas),
junior colleges (aukštesnioji mokykla), higher education institutions
(aukštoji mokyklas), and institutions of complementary and non-formal
education (papildomo ugdymo ir neformaliojo švietimo įstaiga). The continuity
of education in the various types (levels) of educational establishments is
implemented. According to the Constitution adopted in 1992, education is
compulsory until the age of 16. Education at state and muncipality general
education schools, vocational schools and junior colleges is free of charge.
Pre-school education is not mandatory. It is for children from age 3 to 6 and
its fee is partially covered by the State. Since 1986-1987, general education
lasts for 12 years and is acquired in three stages: primary (pradinis) - 4
years (forms 1-4); lower secondary (pagrindinis) - 6 years (forms 5-10); and
secondary (vidurinis) - 2 years (forms 11-12). Each stage can be followed in a
separate independent institution or in one general institution. There are also
other types of establishments providing general secondary education: gymnasiums
(gymnazijos) and international baccalaureate (IB) schools. Gymnasiums admit all
applicants who have completed eight grades in a general education school.
Gymnasiums have a four-year curriculum. The IB shools have a 2-year curriculum
and English as their language of instruction. General secondary education can
also be acquired at youth and vocational schools of appropriate level. Youth
schools provide lower secondary education to 12- to 16- year-old pupils who
have trouble in adapting to society, learning problems or those who have
interrupted their studies. Adults can acquire general secondary education at
adult general education schools (mokymo centras) and in special classes at
general education schools (klasė). The school year starts on September
1st. In certain districts, where national minorities dominate, the general
secondary studies can be organized in the local language but basics of the
state language are still mandatory. The Lithuanian education system is still
undergoing its reform which is planned to end in 2010. Its main aim is to
network the different types of educational establishment and to give the
opportunity to change direction of studies or re-start studying at any moment.
For more detailed information on the school system, please consult the
Ministry's website at: http://www.smm.lt
Higher
education:
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: There are two
types of higher education institutions in Lithuania: universities and colleges.
In university-type institutions (akademija; seminarija; aukštojoji
mokykloja), university-level studies dominate; in colleges,
non-university-level studies dominate. Higher education institutions can be of
two types: state and non-state. Non-state higher education institutions can
carry out their practice according to a licence issued by the Government.
STUDIES AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: Higher education qualifications can
only be acquired at higher education institutions. Non-university-level studies
are organized in one-cycle undergraduate studies. University-level studies are
organized in three cycles: first cycle (undergraduate); second cycle
(graduate); and third cycle (post-graduate). Integrated studies lead directly to
a Master's Degree and/or a professional qualification, by combining the first
and second cycles of university-level studies. Professional specialization
studies are organized at the second cycle after university-level studies
(Bachelor or equivalent in the field of the specialization) to acquire a
professional qualification in a certain field The third cycle trains
researchers; art teachers, artists and medical practitioners. Studies follow
the programmes registered by the Ministry of Education and Science. The quality
of the programmes as well as the educational and scientific activities of
higher education institutions are periodically assessed by the Centre for
Quality Assessment in Higher Education. The national credit system is based on
an average of 1600 working hours per academic year, one credit corresponding to
40 hours or one week of work. There are three modes of study: daytime, evening
and extra-mural. ADMISSION TO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: To apply to
undergraduate programmes, the student must hold a secondary or equivalent
education certificate. To apply to graduate programmes, the student must hold a
Bachelor or equivalent degree. To apply to post-graduate studies, the student
must hold a Master or equivalent degree in the selected field. Admission to all
cycles takes place on a competitive basis according to the admission rules set
up by the higher education institution and validated by the Ministry of
Education and Science.
Main
laws/decrees governing higher education:
Decree:
Law on
Education (Švietimo įstatymas) - 1991/06/25
Year: 1991
Concerns: Law available in English at
http://www3.lrs.lt/n/eng/Dpaieska.html
Decree:
Law on
Higher Education (Aukštojo mokslo įstatymas) - 2000/03/21 Year: 2000
Concerns: Law available in English at http://www3.lrs.lt/n/eng/Dpaieska.html
Decree:
Law on
Science and Studies (Mosklo ir studijų įstatymas) - 1991/02/12 -
Amended 2002/06/11 Year: 1991
Concerns: Law available in English at
http://www3.lrs.lt/n/eng/Dpaieska.html
Decree:
Law on
the Long-term Financing of Science and Education (Mosklo ir švietimo
ilgalaikio finansavimo įstatymas) - 2000/12/07
Year: 2000
Academic
year:
Classes
from: Sep to: Jun
Long
vacation from: 1
Jul to: 31 Aug
Languages
of instruction: Lithuanian,
English
Stages
of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies
(technical/vocational type):
Non-university
level:
Studies last from 3
to 4 years (at least 120 national credits). To be admitted, students should
hold a Maturity Certificate (Brandos atestasas) or a comparable qualification.
Studies lead to a professional qualification (profesinė kvalifikacija) and
upon completion a higher education diploma (Aukštojo mokslo diplomas) is
awarded . Non-university studies are one-level (undergraduate) professional
studies which train for a professional activity. The qualification obtained
after completion of non-university higher education programmes does not give
the right to enter university second cycle (graduate) studies. Non-university
higher education studies can be transferred as an appropriate part of
university first cycle or integrated studies on a course-by-course evaluation
basis.
University level studies:
University
level first stage:
University
undergraduate (first cycle) studies (universitetinés pagrindinés
(pirmosios pakopos) studijos):
Studies last from 4 to 5.5 years (140 to 180
national credits). To be admitted, students should hold a Maturity Certificate
(Brandos Atestatas) or a comparable qualification. Undergraduate programmes
comply to the guidelines approved by the Ministry of Education and Science.
They establish all the general requirements of a programme including the basic
qualification requirements for the academic and professional staff. The first
cycle leads to the Bachelor (Bakalauras) degree and/or a professional
qualification (profesinė kvalifikacija). The qualification obtained
(Bakalauro diplomas or Aukštojo mokslo diplomas) gives the right to enter
the university second cycle.
University
level second stage:
University
graduate (second cycle) studies (antroji pakopa):
Master's Degrees last for one-and-a-half to
two years (60-80 national credits). To be admitted, students should hold a
qualification obtained after completion of a university first cycle study
programme or a comparable qualification. A Master study programme prepares for
independent research or artistic activities or activities for which deeper
scientific knowledge and stronger abilities are required. Master studies are
carried out at universities where research corresponding to a subject area is
conducted. The general requirements for Master programmes are approved by the
Ministry of Education and Science. Studies lead to a Master (Magistras) degree
and /or a professional qualification (profesiné kvalifikacija). After
completion of studies a Master's degree (Magistro diplomas) or a Higher
Education Diploma (Aukštojo mokslo diplomas) is awarded. The Higher
Education Diploma is awarded when studies lead to a professional qualification.
These qualification generally gives the right to enter university third cycle
studies. Special professional studies last for 1 to 2 years (40 to 80 national
credits). To be admitted, students should hold a university first cycle or a
comparable qualifiaction. These studies prepare for activities requiring
special practical abilities. The general requirements for special professional
programmes are approved by the Ministry of Education and Science. These studies
lead to a professional qualification (profesinė kvalifikacija). After
completion of studies, a Higher Education Diploma (Aukštojo mokslo
diplomas) is awarded. Generally, a qualification obtained after this type of
studies does not give the right to enter third cycle university (postgraduate)
studies. There are also Integrated (vientisosios) studies that combine
university first and second cycles. To be admitted, students should hold a
Maturity Certificate (Brandos atestatas) or a comparable qualification. Studies
lead to a Master (Magistras) degree or a professional qualification (profesinė
kvalifikacija). When studies lead to the award of a professional qualification,
they last for at least 4.5 but not more than 6 years (180 to 240 national
credits). When studies lead to the award of a Master's degree, they last for at
least 5 but not more than 6 years (200 to 240 national credits). The only
exceptions in integrated studies are made in the fields of Medicine,
Odontology and Veterinary Medicine where studies may last longer but no more
than 7 years (a maximum of 280 national credits). On completion of integrated
studies a Higher Education Diploma is awarded. Generally, a qualification
obtained after completion of integrated studies gives the right to enter
university third cycle.
University
level third stage:
University
postgraduate (third cycle) studies:
Residency
(Rezidentūra) studies last from 2 to 6 years (80 to 240 national credits).
They are designed exclusively for the training of specialists in the fields of
Medicine, Odontology and Veterinary Medicine. To be admitted, students should
hold an integrated study qualification, namely: Doctor (Gydytojas); Medical
Doctor (Medicinos gydytojas); Doctor Odontologist (Gydytojas odontologas);
Veterinary Surgeon (Veterinarijos gydytojas) or a comparable qualification. On
completion of studies, a Residency certificate (Rezidentūros
pažymėjimas) in a special field is awarded. Postgraduate art studies
last for a maximum of two years (up to 80 national credits). They are designed
to train higher education institution art teachers and specialized artists. To
be admitted, students should hold a Master's degree awarded on completion of
university second cycle studies or a comparable qualification in the area of
arts. After the successful completion of the studies, the postgraduate
Licentiate diploma in Art Studies (Meno licenciato diplomas) is awarded.
Doctoral studies last for 3 to 4 years. Studies consist of doctoral courses (at
least 20 national credits), specific research activities and the preparation of
a doctoral dissertation. Doctoral studies are jointly organized by higher
education and research institutions.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. To be admitted, students should hold a
Master's degree or a comparable qualification. After the defence of the
doctoral thesis, the degree of Doctor (Daktaro mokslo laipsnio diplomas) is
awarded.
Teacher education:
Training
of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Pre-primary and primary school teachers are
trained at higher education institutions.
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 Klaipėda
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. Some higher education institutions offer study
programmes leading directly to a teacher's qualification, others one-year
courses to obtain the qualification of teacher after completing the regular
study programme.
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 teacher in a higher education institution. The
Habilitation is also required for certain posts in universities or other
research institutions (e.g. professor, researcher).
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:
Ministry of Education
and Science (Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija)
Head: Remigijus Motuzas, Minister
of Education and Science
A. Volano
g. 2/7
LT-01516 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2743080
Fax: +370(5) 2612077
EMail: ministras@smm.lt
WWW: http://www.smm.lt
Department of Science
and Studies, Ministry of Education and Science (Lietuvos Respublikos svietimo
ir mokslo ministerijos Mokslo ir technologiju departamentas)
Head: Albertas Þalys,
Director
Sierakausko
g. 15
LT-03105 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2663444
Fax: +370(5) 2663466
EMail: a.zalys@mokslas.lt
WWW: http://www.mokslas.lt
Centre for Quality
Assessment in Higher Education - Lithuanian ENIC/NARIC (Studiju kokybes
vertinimo centras - Lietuvos ENIC/NARIC)
Head: Eugenijus Stumbrys,
Director
Suvalkų
g. 1
LT-03106 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2104777
Fax: +370(5) 2132553
EMail: skvc@skvc.lt
WWW: http://www.skvc.lt
Lithuanian University
Rectors' Conference (Lietuvos universitetu rektorių konferencija)
Head: Vytautas Kaminskas,
President
Administrative officer:
Kęstutis Kriščiūnas, Secretary-General
Gedimino
pr. 3
LT-01103 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2120629
Fax: +370(5) 2120629
EMail: sandra@ktl.mii.lt;
kestutis.krisciunas@ktu.lt
WWW: http://www.lurk.lt
Lithuanian College
Directors' Conference (Lietuvos kolgiju direktoriu konferencija)
Head: Gintautas Braþiunas,
President
J.
Jasinskio g. 15
LT-01111 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2496320
Fax: +370(5) 2497909
EMail: simona@viko.lt
WWW: http://www.kolegijos.lt
Science Council of
Lithuania (Lietuvos mokslo taryba)
Gedimino pr. 3
LT-01103 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2124933
Fax: +370(5) 2618535
EMail: vguoga@ktl.mii.lt
WWW: http://www.lmt.lt
National Examination
Centre (Nacionalinis egzaminų centras)
Head: Vidmantas Jurgaitis,
Director
M.
Katkaus g. 44
LT-09217 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2756180
Fax: +370(5) 2752268
EMail: centras@nec.lt
WWW: http://www.nec.lt
Lithuanian State
Science and Studies Foundation (Lietuvos valstybinis mokslo ir studiju fondas)
Head: Sigitas Renčys,
Director
Goštauto
g. 12-407
LT-01108 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2639152
Fax: +370(5) 2639153
EMail: vfondas@ktl.mii.lt
WWW: http://www.vmsfondas.lt
ADMISSIONS
TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission
to non university higher education studies
Name of
secondary school credential required: Brandos atestatas
For
entry to: All
non-university higher education studies.
Alternatives
to credentials:
A comparable qualification: Qualifications
obtained in vocational school until 1990 (Kvalifikacijos įgytos baigus
studijas profesinėje mokykloje iki 1990m). Since 1991: Certificate of
general lyceum education (Bendrujų mokslų licėjaus atestatas);
Maturity Certificate of Applied Sciences secondary school (Taikomujų
mokslų vidurinės mokyklos brandos atestatas); Maturity Certificate of
profiled lyceum (Profiliuoto licejaus brandos atestatas); Certificate of
vocational secondary school (11 years) (11 metų profesines vidurinės
mokyklos atestatas); Diploma of a college of foreign language teachers
(Užsienio kalbų mokytojų kolegijos diplomas); Qualifications
obtained after successful completion of vocational school if 'secondary
education obtained' (įgijo vidurinį išsilavinimą) is
inscribed; International Baccalaureate; Other international and foreign
qualifications.
Numerus
clausus/restrictions:
There is a numerus clausus for students
entering non-university higher education studies
Admission
to university-level studies
Name of
secondary school credential required: Brandos atestatas
For
entry to: All
university programmes.
Alternatives
to credentials: A
comparable qualification.
Numerus
clausus/restrictions: There
is a numerus clausus for students entering university higher education studies.
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: As
a general rule, students must hold the Maturity Certificate or an equivalent
qualification and pass an entrance examination (if such is set).
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 and some colleges 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 (http://www.lamabpo.lt).
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)
Administrative officer: Aurelija
Valeikienė, Deputy Director
Suvalkų
g. 1
LT-03106 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2105402
Fax: +370(5) 2132553
EMail: Aurelija@skvc.lt
WWW: http://www.skvc.lt
Deals
with credential recognition for entry to: Profession
Services
provided & students dealt with: Evaluation of foreign qualifications giving
access to higher education and higher education qualifications. Information,
consultation in the field of educational system of Lithuania. Information,
consultation and recommendation on the evaluation and recognition of foreign
qualifications related to 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. For the lists of professions and competent
authorities please visit: http://www.profesijos.lt/; http://www.skvc.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: 1997
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: Higher Education in
Lithuania
Author:
Deprt of
Science & Education, Ministry of Education & Science, ENIC/NARIC
Year of publication: 2002
Title: Welcome to Lithuania
for Studies
Author:
Dept of
Science & Education, Ministry of Education & Science, ENIC/NARIC
STUDENT
LIFE
National
student associations and unions
Lithuanian National
Union of Students Associations ((Lietuvos studentų atstovybių
sąjunga)
Geležinio vilko
g. 12
LT-01112 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2313033
Fax: +370(5) 231-30-31
EMail: info@lsas.lt
WWW: http://www.lsas.lt/
Lithuanian Union of
Students (Lietuvos studentų sąjunga)
Geležinio viko
g. 12
LT-01112 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel: +370(5) 2685330
Fax: +370(5) 2611797
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: 7200
(Euro)
Home
students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Lithuanian Lita)
Maximum:
12000
(Lithuanian Lita)
Foreign
students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Euro)
Maximum:
6000
(Euro)
Publications
on student services and financial aid:
Title: Study Abroad
2005-2006
Author:
UNESCO
Year of
publication: 2005
GRADING
SYSTEM
Main
grading system used by higher education institutions
Full
Description: 1-10;
10 (puikiai): excellent; 9 (labai gerai): very good; 8 (gerai): good; 7
(pakankamai): highly satisfactory; 6 (patenkinamai): satisfactory; 5 (silpnai):
sufficient; 4-1: insufficient.
Pass/fail
level: 5/4
Lowest
on scale: 1
Other
main grading systems
Alongside the 10
point system, institutions may use the pass/fail system. Examinations and work
defence evaluations, as a rule, are graded. For the courses that do not end
with an examination, the pass system is used to test if students have earned
the credits allocated to it. Students succeed when they prove they have
assimilated not less than 50% of the required knowledge.
NOTES
ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Data
for academic year: 2005-2006
Source:
IAU from
Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education, Vilnius, 2006
Note on
Higher Education Institutions: Also General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of
Lithuania, http://www.lka.lt; Telsiai Seminary , http://www.tks.lt; and Vilnius
Saint Joseph Seminary, http://vilnius.lcn.lt/seminarija