Information on Higher Education system in Lithuania
NON-University
higher
education studies |
Type of
studies |
Basic
studies |
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Types
of
qualifications
obtained |
Professional
Qualification |
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Lithuanian higher
education system consists of consequtive and non-consequtive university
and consequtive non-university studies in higher education establishments.
There are four types of higher education establishments in Lithuania –
Academies, Colleges, Research institutes, Universities (third stage
studies can be completed there). Higher education establishments may be
State owned and not belonging to the State.
There exist three stages of university sequential studies:
1) undergraduate studies (first stage studies leading to bakalauras
(barchelor's) degree and (or) to obtaining of professional
qualification. Graduates can pursue second stage - Magistrantûra (Master)
or Specializuotosios profesinës (Specialized professional)
studies after completion of the first)
2) graduate studies (second stage studies leading to Magistras
(Master's) degree and (or) professional qualification. After completing
such studies treèiosios pakopos (Third stage) studies can
be entered)
3) post-graduate studies (Third stage studies: leading to Daktaras
(Doctor) reasearch degree or rezidentûra (residency) (specific
form of training for medical doctors) or meno aspirantûra (highest
training level of artists).
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FIRST
STAGE - Undergraduate studies
A undergraduate study programme
at university level in Lithuania comprises 160 credit points (one credit
corresponds to 40 relative hours of student’s work (in classes,
independently, etc.) or his relative working week (system of credits
used in Lithuania corresponds to 1,5 ECTS credits) and lasts between
four and five years. Two thirds of the subjects have to be studied at
the same higher education institution. There are three blocks of
subjects: comprehensive humanitarian and social studies, at least 30% of
all credits; fundamentals of the branch of studies, at least 30% of all
credits; and specialised subjects, at least 30% of all credits.
Graduates at this level are awarded a bakalauras (Bachelor’s
degree) and (or) profesinë kvalifikacija (a diploma of
vocational qualification and the certificate of graduation from a higher
education institution).
At the non-university level
study programmes consist of at least 120 credits and last at least 3
years. The professional qualification and diploma of higher education is
being obtained after successful completion of studies. At the present
situation graduate level studies cannot be directly pursued after
completion of a college.
Higher education establishments
provide two types of studies: sequential studies and selective studies.
The main forms of sequential studies of the first stage are full-time,
part-time and correspondence (or extra-mural) studies. The volume of the
programme measured in credits has to be the same for all modes of
studies. The duration of part-time and extramural modes of studies (in
years) may be different from full-time studies if it is necessary for
the achievement of objectives and implementation of tasks of a
particular study programme.
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SECOND
STAGE - Graduate
studies
Upon completion of a basic study
programme, graduates may pursue specialised vocational studies (lasting
1-2 years and comprising of 40-80 credit points) or studies leading to a
Master’s degree (lasting 1,5-2 years and comprising 60-80 credit
points). Master’s graduates have to defend a thesis or a diploma
project. Upon obtaining this degree, the recipient can start doctoral
studies or practical activity. After completion of a professional,
specialised professional programme, students obtain a professional (e.g.
teacher, engineer, economist, etc.) qualification
Currently there also exist
integrated studies in Lithuania. The duration of integrated studies are
no more than 6 study years (240 credits) and no less than 5 study years
(200 credits). Studies of the first four years (160 credits) are
attributed to the first stage of undergraduate studies, and studies of
the remaining 1-2 years (40-80 credits) are attributed to the second
stage of sequential studies. After successful completion of such studies
the professional qualification and (or) Master’s degree is being
awarded.
In addition the degree system in
Lithuania comprises vocational post-graduate study programmes (duration
1-2 years). These programmes are very popular and are becoming even more
so in the field of engineering.
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THIRD
STAGE - Post-Graduate
studies
Doktorantûra (Doctoral
studies) can be started if candidate has already obtained a Magistras
(Master’s) degree or equivalent higher education. The studies last at
least 3 years (For those with Master’s degree) up to 4 years (for
those who have completed either specialised professional or integrated (continuous)
university level studies). The doctoral courses comprise up to five
subjects and final examinations, each subject comprising at least 45
hours. Upon completion of the doctoral courses, a doctoral thesis must
be prepared and defended publicly to qualify the candidate for the
doctorate. Doctoral studies may be jointly organized by higher education
and research institutions.
Meno aspirantûra studies are designed for the preparation of
lectures of higher education institutions in the field of Arts and for
specialisation of artists or defence and preparation of some art project.
After the successful completion of studies the qualification of meno
licenciatas can be obtained.
Rezidentûra (Residency) studies are committed for the
practical training of medical doctors after completion of medical
studies.
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(C)
Lithuanian Center for Quality Assessment in Higher Education, 1995-2000
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