Approximately 14% of Lithuania's GDP is spent on its educational systems. Primary and secondary education in public schools is state funded and is compulsory between the ages of 6-16 in Lithuania. After primary school, Lithuanian students often choose between continuing their secondary education in a general secondary school where students can take a "matura" final exam which then allows the students to enter universities. On the other hand, students in Lithuania can also enroll in a vocational secondary school which teaches it students more practical skills focused on a specific profession.
Tertiary education is also split into universities and colleges, where universities offer students' academic education in various programs and colleges continue teaching students vocational education. Lithuania can boast one of the oldest universities in Europe, being the Vilnius University, established in 1579 but Lithuanian university education has advanced since then. Lithuanian universities offer a wide variety of bachelors (3-4 years to complete), masters (2-4 years to complete) and doctoral (3-6 years to complete) programs in various disciplines.
Education in Lithuania is considered high and the proportion of students who can communicate in 2 or more languages is high, leading to a brain draining education in the country, resulting in the Lithuanian government trying to encourage graduate students to not only study but live in Lithuania instead of emigrating.
Lithuanian is the main language that most programs are taught in in Lithuanian universities, however increasingly more universities in Lithuania are teaching courses either full or partially in either English or Russia whilst providing Lithuanian language classes to students who wish to study the language. To study in either language however some form of proof of understanding of the language is required to be admitted into the program.
Tuition fees in Lithuanian universities varies from university to university and varies on the program being studied. For European Union students and students from Lithuania can cost approximately 1000-5000 Euros per academic year for a bachelor's degree. Whilst masters degrees can value up to 6000 euros and PhDs approximately 8,500 Euros per academic year. Tuition fees for students not from European Union countries or Lithuania often have to pay higher prices. For exact prices, please contact the university you wish to study at directly. |
