Lithuania is a crossroad between west and east Europe, and despite its complicated history, has developed a unique culture, which encompasses both deep respect for traditions and a robust wish to learn and innovate,however costs of living here are lower than in western countries, which makes Lithuania ideal for aspiring students. All of the 350+ English-taught study programmes in Lithuania are evaluated according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), with each year of study being awarded with 60 ECTS credits.. University degrees are offered in three cycles: the first cycle is undergraduate (Bachelor), the second cycle is graduate (Master, and/or specialised professional studies), and the third one is postgraduate (Doctoral; residency; postgraduate in the Arts). Bachelor degrees and professional qualifications are offered at universities; professional qualifications, but not degrees, can be taken at colleges. The academic year starts in September and ends in mid-June and is divided into two semesters - spring and autumn. Students can opt to study full-time or part-time. If you are at the second cycle stage (or aim to be there) and you want to study for a Master's degree and or a specialised professional qualification one of the options open to you is the Integrated study programmes. These programmes combine university studies at the first and second cycles. The successful graduates are awarded a Master's Diploma which testifies to their Master's degree status.
Lithuania is the largest of the three Baltic States. It is bound by the Baltic Sea, Latvia, Poland and the Kaliningrad Region of Russia and Belarus. The capital of the country is Vilnius. Lithuania has a population of 3.5 million people. The official language is Lithuanian. From cities and towns full of historic monuments to wonderful retreats in a pristine natural environment, Lithuania has places to go and see for everyone. Officially recognized as the geographical centre of Europe and connected by numerous routes to major European cities, Lithuania can be easily reached by land, water or air.
In Lithuania, higher educational institutions provide study programmes of varying duration and levels. The institutions are of two types: universities and colleges - non-university higher educational institutions. Universities offer Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral programmes, high-level professional creative artistic activities, postgraduate art studies and research opportunities. A college is a higher educational institution 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. There are 50 higher education institutions in Lithuania. There are 15 state and 7 private universities, 28 colleges (kolegija), of which16 are state and 12 private colleges.