Vilnius University

One history to write together. Since 1579

Lithuania stands out globally for its rapidly developing light technology industry, with lasers playing a key role in this important ecosystem. The laser infrastructure at Vilnius University’s (VU) Faculty of Physics is equally renowned for its international outlook and open science practices. Long-standing collaboration between the academic community and industry here drives innovative solutions.
Students at the Faculty gain hands-on experience already during their undergraduate studies and are encouraged to contribute to scientific research, forming early connections with future colleagues in the laboratories. This attracts not only Lithuanian but also international students.

Nana Ochkhikidze is a first-year student in the International and European Law Master’s study programme at the Law Faculty of Vilnius University (VU). She is also enrolled at the Institute for European Studies at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. The collaboration between the Faculty of Law at Vilnius University and Tbilisi State University offers students the unique opportunity to obtain a double degree from both institutions.

Vilnius University (VU) invites school students and everyone interested in studies to take part in the traditional event “Student for a Day,” taking place on April 14–18.

Cybersecurity is becoming one of the most relevant topics in the contemporary world as the demand for professionals capable of protecting the digital space from ever more complex threats grows. A number of Master’s students from around the world have come to study at Vilnius University (VU) this semester in order to gain cutting-edge knowledge and international experience. They participate in the Master programme in international cybersecurity and cyberintelligence which is jointly implemented by four ARQUS Alliance Universities: Granada (Spain), Minho (Portugal), Padua (Italy), and Vilnius (Lithuania).

Brigita Duchovska, a second-year Biochemistry Master’s student at Vilnius University’s Life Sciences Center, stood out among 2,000 applicants to represent Lithuania in Japan’s prestigious ‘MIRAI’ programme. Selected as one of only 15 participants, she joined the Science and Technology group for a week of cultural exchange, intellectual debate, and leadership-building activities.

The New Year is the perfect time to plan for exciting opportunities, and if studying abroad is on your mind, Lithuania might be the destination you’ve been searching for. Known for its vibrant culture, top-tier education system, and affordability, Lithuania—and Vilnius University (VU)—offers everything you need to make your study abroad dream come true. Here are some New Year’s resolutions to help you prepare for this incredible journey.

Sustainability has become an increasingly vital topic as the world faces pressing environmental and societal challenges. The concept involves ensuring that current needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own, spanning environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Universities, as key drivers of knowledge and innovation, are uniquely positioned to lead efforts in addressing these challenges by integrating sustainability into their strategies, research, and education.

Students and academic staff from Vilnius University’s (VU) Department of German Philology recently embarked on a remarkable journey to Western Lithuania, uncovering traces of German cultural heritage deeply rooted in the region’s history. Organised as part of the compulsory course Germans and Lithuania: Linguistic and Cultural Junctures, the trip aimed to deepen students’ understanding of the linguistic and cultural connections between Germany and Lithuania while fostering academic and intercultural skills.

The MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation study programme conducted at the Vilnius University (VU) Business School is one of the leading examples of internationalisation. Among the highlights of the programme is a unique trip to the Netherlands.

With over four centuries of academic heritage, it’s no surprise Vilnius University (VU) reigns as Lithuania’s top-ranked institution. However, studying here isn’t just about hitting the books—it’s about discovery, friendship, and personal evolution. Whether it’s taking part in one of 15 art groups, competing in sports like rowing or judo, or engaging in leadership by joining organisations like Student Representation or the Student Investment Fund, a VU student is never short of opportunities for personal growth and connection.

Vilnius University (VU) offers various opportunities for students and educators to take part in international projects that contribute to fostering academic ties and internationalisation. One such example is the successful experience of medical student Rokas Jagminas, whose research in the field of cardiology and otorhinolaryngology was presented at international congresses in Greece and the Netherlands. His participation in these scientific events was financed by the VU funds that aim to promote internationalisation.

In today’s globalised world, language is vital in connecting cultures, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities. As Europe celebrates the European Day of Languages on September 26th, the focus shifts to the crucial role language plays in fostering integration, personal growth, and global cooperation. And nowhere is this more evident than in the experiences of international students who traverse borders to seek education and opportunity.

Emanuel Galati, an Italian student, started his academic education by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Banking, Finance and Insurance Sciences at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. He then was offered Erasmus scholarships to pursue his master studies either in Lithuania or Brazil and, finally, was admitted to partial studies at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Vilnius University (VU).

Estela Marcinkevičiūtė, a third-year student of International Business at the Business School of Vilnius University (VU), has had a rather atypical academic journey. Her three years of studies and student life have been full of adventures, academic challenges, and extraordinary cultural experiences at three universities in the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and the United States.

An academic journey might span continents and shape a narrative that exemplifies the global nature of intellectual pursuits. PhD Candidate and Researcher of Vilnius University (VU) in the field of Energy Economics Mahyar Kamali Saraji shares his experience of an individual career path led by passions for critical thinking, writing, and reviewing. The scholar feels fortunate to find himself in an environment full of curious, inventive and visionary people and sees it as an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy through his written contributions.

The global network “The Campus Advisor”, providing evaluations of universities worldwide, today announced “Top 50 Student Cities in the World for 2023”. Based on a detailed analysis of ratings and reviews collected from higher education students, this year, Vilnius is recognised as the 35th most attractive city for students worldwide and secured first place in the lowest cost of living category.

From 2024, diplomas awarded at the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University will be recognised without any restrictions in the USA, Israel, Singapore and other non-EU countries. This was announced by the administration of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) after receiving approval for this accreditation from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).

The name of Lithuania was firmly placed on the map at iGEM, an international, prestigious synthetic biology competition. This year was the ninth year that VU students have taken part in the competition, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. On 2–5 November, the Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM team participated in this year’s final held in Paris; the team was recognised among the best, taking second place.

In 2022, the Global Marketing programme at Vilnius University’s (VU) Faculty of Economics and Business Administration received acclaim as Lithuania’s leading marketing programme. This curriculum places a strong emphasis on both traditional and digital marketing, equipping students to assess business opportunities and thrive in today’s interconnected global society. Global marketing cultivates specialists skilled in analysing markets, devising marketing plans, executing campaigns, and managing logistics, both locally and in a cross-cultural context.
David Jordan Guerra, a current student of Global Marketing from the United States, has chosen to share his insights into the study programme from an international student’s perspective.

In this exclusive interview with Divya, a current student from India at Vilnius University Faculty of Law, she provides insights into her experiences within the faculty and sheds light on the revamped Master of International and European Law programme, which has been a resounding success for over a decade. This programme offers three distinct tracks: International Law and Human Rights, Tech Law, and Business Law, reflecting the ever-growing relevance of international and European legal norms in our increasingly globalized world. As Divya shares her journey and perspectives, we delve into the essential role played by this programme in shaping legal experts and professionals with a profound understanding of international and European legal systems. Join us in exploring Divya’s unique insights and experiences in the dynamic world of Law studies.

Zehra Yilmaz, an English teacher from Turkey, decided to embark on a journey toward a Master’s degree in English Studies at the Faculty of Philology, Vilnius University. Throughout her academic pursuit, she embraced the opportunity to immerse herself in a multicultural academic environment, which not only broadened her understanding of language, literature, and culture but also ignited a multitude of new ideas for her teaching career. Reflecting on her transformative experience, Zehra Yilmaz confidently asserts that her studies in English have significantly elevated her teaching abilities, positioning her as an outstanding and impactful educator.

Hear the current students, alumni and professors’ stories about International Communication Master’s degree studies.
Learn what you could gain from the studies for your future career and for your everyday life.

In 2022, as many as 4,228 students started the academic year at the Faculty of Medicine (867 are studying bachelor’s programmes, 337 are in master’s programmes, 2,056 are in integral programmes, 821 are in residency programmes, 151 are in doctoral programmes). Within these numbers, the faculty hosts 674 students from abroad. This figure is particularly encouraging because the faculty, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the launch of its international studies programmes, has never had so many students from abroad.

Statistics show that in 2020, almost 80% of Americans followed political news closely or very closely. The public’s interest in political news proves the importance of politics in the lives of individuals, countries, and the world. Paradoxically, political reality is intrinsically linked to the political imagination. Where, how and in what relationship do they intertwine, where are political visions born, and when does wild fantasy turn into populism? Dominykas Kaminskas, a PhD student in Political Science at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of VU, discussed the topic on the Vilnius University podcast “Mokslas Be Pamokslų.”

After interviewing the Master’s students at Vilnius University, it became clear that a desire to deepen their knowledge of certain subjects, as well as to receive better and higher positions at work and to work in a field related to their studies, were usually the factors motivating them to pursue a Master’s degree. Among the less frequently mentioned reasons for choosing to enter into Master’s degree studies were a desire to change their field of work or to earn more money after receiving their diploma.

“I was looking for a specific Master’s degree program that would be interesting for me and I found International Business Management Master studies at the Kaunas Faculty. During the studies, I started going into the details of the main research topic that I am still working on now, and I find it quite exciting” – states Mariam Kasradze, a PhD student of the Kaunas Faculty. She came from Georgia and has been a member of Kaunas Faculty community for 3 years.

Three distinguished scholars, Professor Bruno Robert (France), Professor Andrew Bush (United Kingdom), and Professor Thomas Chung-Kuang Yang (Taiwan), will be inaugurated as Honorary Doctors of Vilnius University (VU) at Saint Johns’ Church on 10 May, at 3.00 p.m. They are recognized for their close scholarly ties with Vilnius University in the fields of medicine, biophysics, and chemical engineering.

“I always wanted to study International Business Management, so I went to the University website and searched for their available courses; I saw the course I wanted and immediately applied”, – states second-year Master’s student Dennis Osah Jnr from Nigeria. We invite you to learn more about the Vilnius university Kaunas Faculty student, his experience in Lithuania and what he thinks about studying.

This is Aniket Chauhan from New Delhi, India, a graduate of the Bachelor’s programme in Information systems and Cyber Security at Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty. We are glad that he agreed to talk about his choice to study in a foreign country, his impressions of Lithuania, the community of Kaunas Faculty, his future plans and other things, which we think will interest the reader. We invite you to learn more about A. Chauhan.

The Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University is glad to announce the development of a new bachelor’s programme in English, named “Politics of Global Challenges”.

The Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM team of students from Vilnius University (VU) took part in the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition held in Paris on 4-14 November, and once again gained worldwide recognition by winning a gold medal. The team was nominated for 12 additional prizes and won two of them – for the best measurement and educational activities.

The prestigious science journal Nature has published an article by scientists at Vilnius University (VU) Life Sciences Center “Transposon-associated TnpB is a Programmable RNA-guided DNA Endonuclease”. With this study, VU scientists answered the question of the role of the TnpB protein in the activity of mobile genetic elements and showed that those proteins could be applied in practice as new tools for genome editing.

Reacting to the challenges of global climate change, Lithuanian universities signed an agreement committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to evaluate university campuses’ resistance to climate change and develop climate change scientific research. In addition, the universities tasked themselves to include climate change questions in their study programmes, actively raise public awareness and strengthen the role of scientists in the policy decision making.

Ketevani Tatikiani, Master’s student in Eastern European and Russian Studies, tells the programme fully met her interests and she was thinking about research and academic career for the future.

“This scholarship played a crucial role for my decision to continue my studies at Vilnius University.” Javokhir Kholmatov received tuition fee waiver to pursue LLM in International and European Union Law.

Gustavo Rassati de Oliveira is a bachelor student at the Faculty of Philology pursuing English and Another Foreign Language (Russian) degree. He is Italian by ancestry and grew up in Brazil.

“While being the oldest faculty for law studies in Lithuania, the teaching approach is modern and the environment is very international which I enjoy the most.”

A project-based learning, motivation and freedom of choice in education are the key components in a modern education system. You can find these and more unique features in the new Master’s in Molecular Biotechnology programme at Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre (VU LSC).

“IT world is constantly growing, I’m learning new things and I’ve improved my programming skills greatly studying here”.

Law and technology always go hand in hand – technologies shape the future of the legal profession and any discussion on technology must involve acknowledgement and consideration of the legal framework in which it operates. The clear-cut division between law and technology has clearly faded away. This is where Vilnius University (VU) Faculty of Law takes action – the new master’s programme Technologies Law (TechLaw) is launching next year.

“Lithuania and Vilnius is like home far away from home”. Kunal Banerjee from India is a Master’s student on a Finance and Banking programme.

“I really appreciate the unique and modern teaching approach, openness to our creative ideas, huge diversity of culture and communication with my groupmates and professors from all over the world”.

“I see Vilnius University as one family”. Clara Chiemeka Dimudu is a fourth year student of Management bachelor programme at the faculty of Economics and Business Administration.

From September 2018 Vilnius University (VU) has offered a unique international Systems Biology Master’s programme in English. It is a joint programme of three VU faculties – the Life Science Center, the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics and the Faculty of Medicine. The coordinator of the Programme, a professor of the Faculty of Medicine, dr. Audronė Jakaitienė says that “this study program is so unique, that it is not offered in any other higher education institution in Lithuania or other Baltic states”.