About the university
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU, in Lithuanian VDU) was founded in Kaunas in 1922 as the University of Lithuania and renamed in 1930 after the medieval Grand Duke Vytautas the Great. The Soviet authorities closed it in 1950; it was re-established in 1989, just before independence, as a modern liberal arts university, and it still lets students mix subjects across faculties more freely than most Lithuanian universities.
VMU is a broad public university with faculties of economics and management, informatics, natural sciences, political science and diplomacy, humanities, social sciences, arts, law and theology, plus the Agriculture Academy and the Education Academy that joined it in 2019. Its strengths for international students are business, diplomacy and international relations, biotechnology and life sciences, informatics and environmental studies.
Most faculties are in central Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city and a lively student town that is cheaper than Vilnius. The Agriculture Academy is in Akademija, a short drive from Kaunas, and the Education Academy is in Vilnius. Dormitories are available in all three places, although places are limited and not guaranteed.
For Indian students VMU offers some of the lowest fees in Lithuania: €3,400 a year for business, economics and politics bachelor's and €4,400 for science and IT bachelor's, with most master's at €5,000 to €6,000. Entry needs a 60% average and B2 English, and the non-EU deadline is 1 May. Note that VMU's country-based tuition waivers do not currently include India.
- Founded
- 1922 as the University of Lithuania; renamed Vytautas Magnus University in 1930, closed in 1950 and re-established in 1989
- Type
- Public university with a liberal arts approach
- Total students
- About 8,700 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 18% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 11.1 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- English-taught programmes
- About 23 bachelor's and 21 master's open for autumn 2027
- Campuses
- Kaunas (main), the Agriculture Academy in Akademija near Kaunas, and the Education Academy in Vilnius
- Intake
- Autumn; studies are expected to start on 23 August 2027
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
751–760 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
1401–1600 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €6,000
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- Autumn 2027 (non-EU deadline 1 May 2027)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 87+, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 100–125
- Postgraduate
Marketing and International Commerce
- Fee / year
- €5,000
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- Autumn 2027 (non-EU deadline 1 May 2027)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 87+, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 100–125
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,400
- Duration
- 4 years (full time)
- Intakes
- Autumn 2027 (non-EU deadline 1 May 2027)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 87+, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 100–125
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €4,400
- Duration
- 4 years (full time)
- Intakes
- Autumn 2027 (non-EU deadline 1 May 2027)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 87+, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 100–125
- Postgraduate
Accounting and Finance (master's)
- Fee / year
- €5,000
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- Autumn 2027 (non-EU deadline 1 May 2027)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 87+, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 100–125
- Postgraduate
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
- Fee / year
- €6,000
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- Autumn 2027 (non-EU deadline 1 May 2027)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 87+, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 100–125
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €5,000
- Duration
- 1.5 years (full time)
- Intakes
- Autumn 2027 (non-EU deadline 1 May 2027)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 87+, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 100–125
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,400
- Duration
- 3 years (full time)
- Intakes
- Autumn 2027 (non-EU deadline 1 May 2027)
- English
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 87+, PTE Academic 59 or Duolingo 100–125
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Informatics | 2 years (full time) | €6,000 | ≈ ₹6.4 lakh |
| Marketing and International Commerce | 2 years (full time) | €5,000 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| Business Administration | 4 years (full time) | €3,400 | ≈ ₹3.6 lakh |
| Informatics Systems | 4 years (full time) | €4,400 | ≈ ₹4.7 lakh |
| Accounting and Finance (master's) | 2 years (full time) | €5,000 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| Molecular Biology and Biotechnology | 2 years (full time) | €6,000 | ≈ ₹6.4 lakh |
| Business Logistics | 1.5 years (full time) | €5,000 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| Economics and Finance | 3 years (full time) | €3,400 | ≈ ₹3.6 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 Vytautas Magnus University with similar universities in Lithuania.
Scholarships
- Full-time bachelor's and master's taught in English
Tuition waivers for priority countries
Value: 25%, 50%, 75% or 90% of tuition for the whole programme
Eligibility: Citizens of VMU's listed priority countries with a GPA of at least 85% and B2 English. India is not currently on the list, so check the new list each year.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - First full-time master's taught in English
Waiver for VMU bachelor's graduates
Value: 25% off tuition
Eligibility: Graduates of a VMU bachelor's; no separate application.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-time bachelor's or master's taught in English
Waiver for family members and former exchange students
Value: 25% (family of VMU students or alumni) or 15% (former VMU exchange students)
Eligibility: Mention the family link in your application; former exchange students get it automatically.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Current students
Tuition and accommodation fee reductions
Value: Up to 100% reduction
Eligibility: Not tied to nationality. Based on financial hardship, community activity or accommodation type, with a grade average of at least 8 (out of 10). Competitions run at the start of each semester.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 with a minimum 60% average (CGPA), plus transcripts.
- Documents must be notarised and apostilled, with official English translations bound to certified copies of the originals.
- If your Class 12 result is not ready by the deadline, send your latest transcript and a letter giving the expected date.
- Motivation letter of 1,200–3,000 characters and a CV in English.
- Apply on DreamApply (up to two programmes) and pay the €150 application fee. Non-EU deadline: 1 May 2027.
- Recognition of your documents takes up to 20 working days after everything is submitted.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree with at least a 60% average, plus the transcript or diploma supplement.
- Your university must send an official transcript directly to recognition@vdu.lt or by post.
- B2 English unless your previous studies were in English.
- Motivation letter and CV in English; some programmes ask for a related bachelor's subject.
- Application fee €150; application and first-year tuition are paid through Flywire.
Documents
- Passport valid at least 2 years from the date you apply
- Class 12 certificate and transcript (bachelor's) or degree and transcript (master's), apostilled
- Certified English translations of any non-English documents
- English certificate (not needed if your previous studies were in English)
- Motivation letter (1,200–3,000 characters) and CV
- Recent 3×4 cm photo
- Receipt for the €150 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 | 5.5–6.5 (the level varies by programme) |
| TOEFL iBT | 87–109 |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| Duolingo English Test | 100–125 |
| Other / exemption | Cambridge First 161–180 and several others are accepted. VMU does not run its own English test. No certificate is needed if your previous studies were in English. |
Accommodation and living costs
VMU has dormitories in Kaunas, in Akademija (Kaunas district) and in Vilnius. Places are limited and not guaranteed; applications usually open in early July for full-time bachelor's students, and VMU recommends arranging private housing in advance as a back-up. Long-term rates for VMU students are charged per day.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Baltija dormitory (Kaunas), two-bed roomAbout €165 a month (our calculation) | €6per day | ≈ ₹583 |
| Baltija dormitory (Kaunas), single roomAbout €210 a month | €7per day | ≈ ₹742 |
| Akademija dormitory, three-bed or renovated single room | €7–8per day | ≈ ₹689 – ₹848 |
| Vivulskis dormitory (Vilnius)Two-bed room in a block €4.50; renovated single €8 | €5–8per day | ≈ ₹477 – ₹848 |
| Typical monthly living costsVMU's estimate of total living costs | €300–1,000per month | ≈ ₹31,800 – ₹1.1 lakh |
| Application feeNon-refundable | €150one-off | ≈ ₹15,900 |
Campus and location
Kaunas is Lithuania's second city and a big student town with a car-free old town, a modernist centre listed by UNESCO in 2023, and lower costs than Vilnius. VMU's main buildings are in the city centre, close to cafés and public transport.
- Central Kaunas: the main faculties of economics, informatics, natural sciences, political science and the humanities.
- Akademija, about 10 km from Kaunas: the Agriculture Academy with environmental, energy and food programmes.
- Vilnius: the Education Academy.
- A liberal arts model lets students take electives across faculties.
- Applications go through DreamApply, where you can choose up to two programmes.
- Kaunas airport has direct flights to several European cities; Vilnius airport is about 1.5 hours away.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Business, logistics, IT and life-science graduates can find work in Kaunas and Vilnius, especially in international and shared-service companies, but many local jobs expect Lithuanian. Students can work without a separate permit and graduates can stay up to about 15 months to look for a job. VMU does not publish outcomes for international graduates, 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 | 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 | State Labour Inspectorate of Lithuania |
| International students at VMU | 18% of students | THE World University Rankings 2027 data |
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
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FAQs
What is VMU's deadline for Indian students?
1 May 2027 for non-EU applicants for the autumn 2027 intake. Applications open on 1 November 2026, and studies are expected to start on 23 August 2027.
How much are the fees?
For 2027–28, €3,400 a year for business, economics and politics bachelor's, €4,400 for science, IT and engineering bachelor's, and €5,000 to €6,000 for most master's. The application fee is €150.
Can Indian students get VMU's tuition waivers?
Not the country-based waivers, because India is not on the current priority list. Need-based and activity-based reductions for current students are open to all nationalities.
What IELTS score do I need?
B2 level, which VMU lists as IELTS 5.5–6.5 depending on the programme. TOEFL, PTE Academic (59), Duolingo (100–125) and Cambridge exams are also accepted.
Is accommodation guaranteed?
No. Dormitory places are limited; applications are expected to open in early July 2027, and VMU suggests arranging private housing in advance.
Sources
- VMU: tuition fees for non-EU students 2027–28 (opens in a new tab)
- VMU: degree studies admission (opens in a new tab)
- VMU: scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- VMU: dormitory prices (opens in a new tab)
- VMU: admission rules 2027 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Study in Lithuania: Vytautas Magnus University (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: Vytautas Magnus University (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.vdu.lt/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details