About the university
Vilnius University is Lithuania's oldest and largest university. It began in 1579 as a Jesuit academy in the heart of Vilnius, and its courtyards and observatory in the Old Town are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is a broad public research university with 15 faculties, institutes and centres, from medicine and life sciences to physics, mathematics, economics, law and the humanities.
Its research is strongest in the natural sciences. The Faculty of Physics is known for laser physics and photonics, and the Life Sciences Center works on biotechnology, genetics and biochemistry with large EU-funded projects. In 2024 the university reported 535 research projects, more than 3,800 publications and 28 start-ups. It is the highest-ranked Lithuanian university in the QS World University Rankings.
Most English-taught degrees are in Vilnius, split between the historic Old Town and the modern Saulėtekis campus, where the Life Sciences Center, the Faculty of Physics and the Business School sit. Software Engineering at bachelor's level is taught at Šiauliai Academy, and Information Systems and Cyber Security, Marketing Technologies and International Business Management at the Kaunas Faculty. Check which city your programme is in before you plan your budget, because Šiauliai and Kaunas are cheaper than Vilnius.
For Indian students the main draws are moderate fees (most English-taught bachelor's cost €3,660 to €5,000 a year, and master's €5,460 to €6,550), a well-known name in Europe and a choice of data, software, business and life-science courses. Admission is selective: many programmes ask for IELTS 6.5, an interview, references and, for non-EU applicants in maths-based subjects, an online maths placement test. The deadline for non-EU applicants is 1 May, earlier than at many Lithuanian universities.
- Founded
- 1579, as a Jesuit academy; one of the oldest universities in Central and Eastern Europe
- Type
- Public research university, the largest in Lithuania
- Total students
- About 24,000, including more than 800 doctoral students (university report for 2024)
- International students
- More than 3,200 foreign students from over 120 countries; 13% of students in THE 2027 data
- Student–staff ratio
- 12.5 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Study programmes
- 278 programmes, 73 of them taught in a foreign language, mostly English
- Campuses
- Vilnius (main), plus the Kaunas Faculty in Kaunas and Šiauliai Academy in Šiauliai
- Intake
- One intake a year for degree students; the academic year starts on 1 September
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=465 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
801–1000 in the world
QS World University Rankings 2027
1st among Lithuanian universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €6,000
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 1 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €6,000
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 1 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €6,000
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 1 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81
- Postgraduate
Digital Marketing (Business School)
- Fee / year
- €6,550
- Duration
- About 1.5 years (see programme plan)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 1 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81
- Postgraduate
International Project Management (Business School)
- Fee / year
- €6,550
- Duration
- About 1.5 years (see programme plan)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 1 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €5,460
- Duration
- 1.5–2 years (see programme plan)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 1 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81
- Undergraduate
International Business (Business School)
- Fee / year
- €4,350
- Duration
- 3.5 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 1 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €4,500
- Duration
- 3 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 1 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81; online maths test (70%) for non-EU applicants
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science | 2 years (full time) | €6,000 | ≈ ₹6.4 lakh |
| Software Engineering | 2 years (full time) | €6,000 | ≈ ₹6.4 lakh |
| Informatics | 2 years (full time) | €6,000 | ≈ ₹6.4 lakh |
| Digital Marketing (Business School) | About 1.5 years (see programme plan) | €6,550 | ≈ ₹6.9 lakh |
| International Project Management (Business School) | About 1.5 years (see programme plan) | €6,550 | ≈ ₹6.9 lakh |
| Finance and Banking | 1.5–2 years (see programme plan) | €5,460 | ≈ ₹5.8 lakh |
| International Business (Business School) | 3.5 years (full time) | €4,350 | ≈ ₹4.6 lakh |
| Business Data Analytics | 3 years (full time) | €4,500 | ≈ ₹4.8 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Vilnius University with similar universities in Lithuania.
Scholarships
- Master's taught in English or Russian
Tuition Fee Waiver for full-time master's studies
Value: Full tuition waiver for the whole programme (5 awards)
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA applicants. Tick the waiver option in the application and submit all documents by the waiver deadline (1 April for 2026 entry), then pass a short online interview. Very competitive.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - First-year bachelor's and master's at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
Business School admission scholarship
Value: €1,000 each (30 awards)
Eligibility: The most talented international students entering their first year. Ask the faculty how winners are chosen before you rely on it.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Students on paid places (shown on the Finance and Banking programme page)
Tuition reduction for top performers
Value: 25% to 100% off one semester's fee
Eligibility: Awarded each semester to the best-performing students on non-state-funded places, based on results.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-time master's
Lithuanian State Scholarship for master's studies
Value: Monthly scholarship plus a grant for study costs
Eligibility: Only for citizens of listed countries; India is not currently on the list. Foreign citizens of Lithuanian origin also qualify.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Completed Class 12 (or higher). Non-EU applicants must apply within 5 years of finishing their last qualification.
- Most bachelor's ask for an overall average of at least 70% (for example International Business at the Business School).
- Maths-based courses such as Business Data Analytics ask non-EU applicants to pass an Online Mathematics Placement Test (OMPT) with at least 70% before the interview.
- A motivation letter, and for Business School courses a recorded video interview, are part of the assessment.
- Medicine needs biology at school and an online entrance exam (non-EU applicants sit it by mid-May). A NEET score of 650 or more, taken within the last 2 years, can exempt you from the exam.
- Apply online at apply.vu.lt by 1 May (non-EU deadline). The €100 application fee covers up to three programmes.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree finished within the last 5 years (non-EU applicants), with an average of at least 60%; some Business School courses ask for 70%.
- Subject background matters: Data Science asks for calculus, linear algebra, probability and programming; Finance and Banking asks for 20 ECTS of economics; Digital Marketing asks for 20 ECTS of business or economics.
- Non-EU applicants to Data Science and Software Engineering must score at least 70% in the Online Mathematics Placement Test.
- At least two references, a motivation letter and usually an interview (remote).
- Apply by 1 May at apply.vu.lt. Results come within about 30 working days of a complete application.
- After an offer you confirm within 7 working days and pay the first year's tuition within 15 days of the pre-acceptance letter, so the university can issue the mediation letter for your residence permit.
Documents
- Passport (both name and surname shown)
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, apostilled (bachelor's)
- Degree certificate and transcripts, apostilled (master's)
- English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo or similar), unless your previous degree was taught in English
- Motivation letter or video answers
- Two academic references (master's)
- Online maths placement test certificate, where the course asks for it
- Receipt for the €100 application fee
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, all scores on one report |
| TOEFL iBT | 81 or more |
| PTE Academic | 59 or more |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 or more |
| Exemption | Native English speakers, or applicants whose previous studies were taught in English. British Council EnglishScore is not accepted. |
Accommodation and living costs
Vilnius University has dormitories near its Saulėtekis campus, near the Old Town and near the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics. Degree students request a place through the online application at apply.vu.lt; rooms are offered for the academic year (1 September to 30 June) and are shared, with a kitchen on each corridor. Places are limited, so many international students rent privately. Prices below are from the university's housing page, which does not state the year, so confirm them before you budget.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Dormitory, place in a double roomShared bathroom and corridor kitchen; Wi-Fi included | €130per month | ≈ ₹13,780 |
| Dormitory, place in a triple room | €90per month | ≈ ₹9,540 |
| Dormitory depositAt least €150; it must cover one month's rent | €150one-off | ≈ ₹15,900 |
| Living-cost minimum for the residence permitLegal minimum for 2026–27; plan for more if you rent privately in Vilnius | €577per month | ≈ ₹61,162 |
| Application feeNon-refundable; one application covers up to three programmes | €100one-off | ≈ ₹10,600 |
Campus and location
Vilnius is Lithuania's capital, a compact and green city of about 600,000 people with a UNESCO-listed Old Town, cheap public transport and a growing tech and start-up scene. It is the main centre for English-speaking jobs in IT, finance and shared-service companies in Lithuania.
- The historic central campus in the Old Town houses the humanities, the library and the university's 16th-century courtyards.
- Saulėtekis, about 7 km from the centre, is the modern science campus: the Life Sciences Center, Faculty of Physics, Business School and several dormitories.
- The Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics is on Didlaukio Street, also with dormitories nearby.
- The Kaunas Faculty is in Kaunas, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Vilnius by train, and Šiauliai Academy is in northern Lithuania.
- Vilnius has direct flights to many European hubs; there are no direct flights to India, so most students connect through the Gulf, Istanbul or Central Europe.
- A free Lithuanian language course is part of some programmes (Medicine includes six semesters of it before clinical work).
Careers and graduate outcomes
Lithuania's job market is small but short of IT, engineering and finance specialists, and Vilnius has most of the English-speaking jobs. Students with a study permit can work without a separate work permit, and graduates can stay up to about 15 months to look for work. Outside tech and international companies, many jobs expect Lithuanian, so start learning it early. The university does not publish international graduate outcomes, so the figures below are national.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Work allowed during studies (from 22 May 2026) | 20 hrs/week for bachelor's years 1–2; 40 hrs/week for later bachelor's years and master's | Lithuanian Migration Department |
| Time graduates can stay to look for work | Up to about 15 months (3-month extension plus a 12-month job-search permit) | Lithuanian Migration Department; Study in Lithuania |
| National average gross monthly salary (Q3 2025) | About €2,427 | State Data Agency of Lithuania |
| Minimum monthly wage (2026) | €1,153 gross (€7.05 an hour) | State Labour Inspectorate of Lithuania |
| Research projects run by the university in 2024 | 535, of which 199 international | Vilnius University report 2024 |
Studying in Lithuania
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Lithuania. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Lithuania
Photo: BigHead, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicVilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Vilnius, LithuaniaOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: BigHead, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
Photo: BigHead, CC BY-SA 4.0 PrivateOften chosen for Business & Management, Finance & Accounting
- Public
Vytautas Magnus University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Kaunas, LithuaniaOften chosen for Business & Management, Arts, Design & Media, Life Sciences
- Public
Mykolas Romeris University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Vilnius, LithuaniaOften chosen for Law, Business & Management
Photo: Ziko van Dijk, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Nursing & Allied Health, Life Sciences
FAQs
What is the deadline for Indian applicants?
1 May for non-EU applicants for a September start. Applications for the following year open on 1 December. Apply early, because the residence permit can take up to two months after you pay the first-year fee.
Is IELTS 6.0 enough for Vilnius University?
Usually not. The university asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 (or TOEFL iBT 81, PTE 59, Duolingo 120) as proof of B2 English. You are exempt if your previous degree was taught in English.
Do I need to pay the whole year's fee before the visa?
Yes. After a pre-acceptance letter you pay the first year's tuition within 15 days. The university then issues a mediation letter number, which you need for the temporary residence permit application at VFS in India.
Can I study medicine at Vilnius University with my NEET score?
A NEET score of 650 or more (taken in the last 2 years) can exempt you from the entrance exam. The fee is €14,100 a year. If you plan to practise in India, check the National Medical Commission's current rules on foreign medical degrees before you apply.
Are all courses in Vilnius?
No. Bachelor's Software Engineering is at Šiauliai Academy, and some business and IT courses are at the Kaunas Faculty. Living costs are lower in both cities.
Is there an online maths test?
Yes, for some courses. Non-EU applicants to maths-based programmes such as Data Science, Software Engineering and Business Data Analytics must score at least 70% in the Online Mathematics Placement Test before they are invited to interview.
Sources
- Vilnius University: tuition fees for foreign students admitted in 2026/27 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Vilnius University admissions: how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- Vilnius University: bachelor's programmes (opens in a new tab)
- Vilnius University: master's programmes (opens in a new tab)
- Vilnius University: proving your language skills (opens in a new tab)
- Vilnius University: tuition fee waiver for master's studies (opens in a new tab)
- Vilnius University: funding opportunities (opens in a new tab)
- Vilnius University: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- Vilnius University: report 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: Vilnius University (opens in a new tab)
- QS: Vilnius University (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.vu.lt/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details