Study in Lithuania

Europe’s fastest-growing fintech hub, 500 English-taught programs from €3,000 a year, and a full year to stay after you graduate — in a Baltic capital with the EU’s fastest internet.

Lithuania licenses more fintechs than any EU country except the UK, and its universities feed them — at tuition that starts below €3,000.

Vilnius University, KTU and VGTU run around 500 English-taught programs in IT, engineering, business and life sciences. Vilnius has been named Europe’s most affordable capital for students, with the EU’s fastest public Wi-Fi. You can work 20 hours a week — full-time for master’s students — and stay 12 months after graduating. Lithuanian degrees are EU-recognised and a Schengen permit puts the rest of Europe a short flight away.

Universities
9
English programs
500+
Job-search permit
12 mo
Eu fintech hub
#2

Why lithuania

  • Low tuition: English programs from €3,000 a year (€3k)
  • Fintech hub: More licensed fintechs than any EU state but one (#2)
  • Stay after: Job-search permit after graduation (12 mo)
  • Affordable capital: Vilnius, Europe’s cheapest capital for students (#1)

Intakes

  • September — starts September — apply Jan – Jul same year — The main intake — every program opens here; state scholarships close in spring.
  • February — starts February — apply Sep – Dec of the prior year — A good share of master’s programs at Vilnius, KTU and VGTU.
  • Rolling — starts Varies — apply Year-round until places fill — Private colleges and some applied-sciences programs admit on a rolling basis.

What it costs: TUITION €3–8K · LIVING €7–9K · + INSURANCE €0.2K

  • Bachelor’s tuition: €3 – 6k / yr — Three to four years — IT and engineering at the top.
  • Master’s tuition: €4 – 8k / yr — One and a half to two years; medicine at LSMU is the exception at €12k+.
  • Living costs: €7 – 9k / yr — Vilnius at the top; Kaunas and Klaipėda cheaper. Permit proof is about €7,500.
  • Health insurance: €0.2k / yr — Private cover for the permit; free public healthcare once you work.

Scholarships and funding

  • State scholarships: €500 / MONTH + FEES — Lithuanian government awards for master’s students from selected countries.
  • University merit awards: 25 – 100% TUITION — Vilnius, KTU and VGTU offer automatic tuition waivers for top applicants.
  • Fintech & industry awards: TUITION + INTERNSHIP — Companies in Vilnius’ fintech hub sponsor places on data and finance master’s.

Tests you may need

  • English proficiency: Most programs — IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL 65–90 — set per program and intake.
  • Entrance interviews: Some programs — Online motivation interviews for many bachelor’s and master’s programs.
  • Graduate entry: Rare — GMAT only for a few ISM business master’s.

Lithuanian universities rarely ask for GRE — each program page lists exactly what its intake asks for.

National visa (d) · four steps

  1. Admission & deposit: Accept your offer and pay the first tuition instalment.
  2. University mediation letter: Your university issues the mediation letter needed for the visa or permit.
  3. Show funds & insurance: About €7,500 for the year plus health insurance and accommodation proof.
  4. Apply via MIGRIS: The €120 online application, then biometrics at the consulate. Gradsy assembles the file.

Work while you study and after

  • Part-time work: Up to 20 hours a week for bachelor’s; master’s and PhD students have no limit.
  • Internships: Fintech and IT placements are built into most master’s programs.
  • Job-search permit: Stay after graduation to find work or start a business.
  • Work permit: Permanent residence after five years of legal stay.

Typical graduate salaries

  • Software engineering: €30k – 48k
  • Data & AI: €32k – 50k
  • Engineering: €25k – 38k
  • Business & finance: €24k – 38k

Student cities

  • Vilnius: Europe’s most affordable capital — fintech, a baroque old town and the fastest Wi-Fi
  • Kaunas: The student city — KTU, LSMU and a 2022 Capital of Culture
  • Klaipėda: The port city — maritime, logistics and the Baltic coast
  • Šiauliai: A compact northern university town
  • Trakai: Lakeside castle town 30 minutes from Vilnius
  • Panevėžys: Industrial hub with applied-sciences programs

Questions students ask

Do I need to speak Lithuanian?

No — around 500 programs are taught in English, and English is widely spoken by young people in Vilnius and Kaunas. Universities offer free Lithuanian courses.

Can I work while I study?

Bachelor’s students can work up to 20 hours a week; master’s and PhD students have no hourly limit. Fintech and IT internships are built into most master’s.

How much money do I need to show?

About €7,500 for the year — roughly the Lithuanian minimum monthly wage times twelve — plus proof of tuition payment, insurance and accommodation.

Can I stay after graduating?

Yes — graduates can apply for a 12-month residence permit to look for work or start a business, and switch to a work permit once employed.

Search 9 Lithuania universities · Find your best-fit programs