Lithuania - Education system

INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Akademija (Academy);

Kolegija (College);

Mokslo Institutas (Research Institute);

Seminarija (Seminary);

Universitetas (University)

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

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 (Pradinė mokykla)

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 6/7 to: 10/11

Basic First Stage

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

Length of program in years: 6

Age level from: 10/11 to: 16/17

Certificate/diploma awarded: Pagrindinės mokyklos baigimo pažymėjimas

Senior Secondary

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

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 14/15 to: 18/19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Brandos Atestatas / Maturity Certificate

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

 

General secondary education is obtained at triple level, twelve (12) year general education schools. One or more levels, i.e. primary: forms 1-4 (age from 6/7 to 10/11); lower secondary: forms 5-10 (age from 10/11 to 16/17); and secondary: forms 11-12 (age from 16/17 to 18/19); can form an independent establishment. The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania regulates the length of the academic year. Other types of general education schools are gymnasiums and international baccalaureate schools. Gymnasiums provide an in depth, specialised 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 specialise 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 with humanitarian and practical specialities have a four-year curriculum admitting any who have completed the eight grades in a general education school. Fine arts gymnasiums have a six to nine year curriculum. Graduates of secondary education, after passing the maturity examinations are awarded the Maturity Certificate, which gives access to higher education. Those who complete secondary education but do not take the Maturity examinations are awarded a Secondary School Graduation Certificate.

A general secondary education can be also acquired at 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.

In Lithuania, higher education is provided by 35 higher education institutions (HEI): 15 state university level institutions and 7 state non-university HEI, also as 4 non-state university level HEI and 9 non-state non-university level HEI.

A higher education is acquired after completing one’s undergraduate studies, which last four to five years in HEI. A Professional qualification could be obtained together with a degree (at university level) or separate (non-university level). Upon completing a Bachelor’s programme, a specialised professional or Master’s programme lasting one and a half to two years can be undertaken.

Doctoral studies in Lithuania last for three-four years, of which one and a half to two years are devoted to preparing for Doctoral exams. A candidate must prepare and publicly defend a doctoral dissertation in order to be awarded a Doctoral degree. The Lithuanian Government, on the recommendation of the Science Council of Lithuania, grants the right for research and HEI to accept candidates and award Doctoral degrees in a speciality. State research institutes (29), in an effort to integrate research and higher education are organising joint Doctoral curricula with institutions of higher education.

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Decree: Law on Higher Education Year: 2000

Concerns: All higher education institutions.

Classes from: Sep to: Jun

Long vacation from: 1 Jul to: 31 Aug

Languages of instruction: Lithuanian, English, German, French, Polish, Russian

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

Non-university level:

There are 7 non-university level HEI providing higher education. Duration of studies form 3 to 4 years. A maturity certificate or diploma of junior college should be obtained for admission. After completion of studies a Higher Education Diploma is acquired.

 

University level studies:

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

Basic studies lead to a Bachelor's Degree or a professional qualification and generally last for four or five years (160 credits, 1 credit being one week of student work, 40 hours workload per week). 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…

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

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. Specialized professional study programmes lead to professional qualifications, e.g. the qualification of medical doctor.

University level third stage: Doctoral studies (Doktorantūra):

The Doctorate may usually be awarded after the candidate has obtained a Master's Degree, a professional qualification or an equivalent Certificate. It takes no more than four years, of which one-and-a-half to two years are spent on doctoral courses. The volume of these courses is no less than five subjects with final examinations, each subject taking more than 45 hours. 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. Higher education and research institutions must jointly organize doctoral studies.

University level fourth stage: Habilitation/Habilitacija:

The highest academic research qualification, the Habilituotas Daktaras, is awarded to holders of a Doctorate who have published significant scientific results in relevant Lithuanian or international journals as well as in monograph or habilitation theses.

 

Teacher education:

Training of primary/basic schoolteachers

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

Training of secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers are trained at Vilnius University, Vilnius Pedagogical University, Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute, 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.

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:

NATIONAL BODIES

Responsible authorities:

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

Minister of Education and Science: Algirdas Monkevičius

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

E-mail: ministras@smm.lt

 

Lithuanian Rectors' Conference (Lietuvos rektorių konferencija)

President: Juozas Antanavičius

Secretary-General: Vytautas Sereika

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: ima@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

Name of secondary school credential required: Brandos Atestatas

For entry to: Non-university level studies.

Name of secondary school credential required: Brandos Atestatas

For entry to: All university programmes.

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

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 is 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).

Apply to individual institution for entry to: Universities, academies.

Apply to national body for entry to: Only in case of intergovernmental bilateral exchanges and scholarship awards.

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

Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education

Lithuanian ENIC/NARIC

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

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

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

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

Daiva Beisienė, K. Donelaičio 73
LT-3006 Kaunas
Lithuania

Tel: 370 7 20-23-06

Fax: 3707 20-26-40

 

Lithuanian National Union of Students

Universiteto g. 3
LT-2734 Vilnius
Lithuania

Tel: +370 2 61-44-14

Fax:+370 2 61-79-20

EMail: vusa@cr.vu.lt

 

By road: Yes

Available to foreign students: Yes

Student costs:

Average living costs: 2300 (US Dollar)

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

Maximum: 12000 (Lithuanian Litas)

Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 1300 (US Dollar)

Maximum: 6000 (US Dollar)

Publications on student services and financial aid:

GRADING SYSTEM

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

Pass/fail level: 5

Data for academic year: 1999-2000

Source: Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (Lithuanian ENIC/NARIC), Vilnius, 2000