How to Study in Lithuania Without IELTS: 2026 University Guide

Last updated: October 2026

Can you study in Lithuania without IELTS?

Yes, in many cases you can study in Lithuania without IELTS, but you cannot study without proving your English at all. Every university that teaches in English wants evidence that you can follow lectures, write assignments and pass exams in the language. IELTS is simply the best-known way to show that.

The good news is that most Lithuanian universities and colleges accept other proof as well. Depending on where you apply, that can be another English test (TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE, Cambridge, LanguageCert), the university’s own online English test, or an exemption because your previous studies were taught in English. Some schools also look at your English grade from secondary school.

What changes from school to school is which of these routes they accept, so whether you can study in Lithuania without IELTS depends on your shortlist. That is why we always tell students to read the English requirements for the exact programme they want, not just a general list. The rules below come from each institution’s own admission pages and rules for the 2026 and 2027 intakes.

Is IELTS mandatory in Lithuania for a student visa or residence permit?

No. IELTS is not mandatory in Lithuania for the immigration side of things. Degree students from outside the EU do not get a national D visa for their studies; they travel on a temporary residence permit (TRP) instead. The TRP document list does not include an English test.

For example, the VILNIUS TECH immigration guide for full-time students lists the TRP documents: passport, proof of funds (€8,077 for one year), the university’s mediation letter, a photo, a police clearance certificate, health insurance, proof of address and a travel history declaration. There is no language certificate on that list.

So the question “is IELTS mandatory in Lithuania?” is really a question about admission. Once a university accepts you and issues its mediation letter, the Migration Department is assessing your documents, funds and background, not your English score. You can read more about the permit itself in our guide to Lithuania student visa requirements and our breakdown of proof of funds for a Lithuanian student permit.

Five ways to study in Lithuania without IELTS

1. Use your previous English-medium education

The simplest way to study in Lithuania without IELTS is to rely on your earlier schooling. Several universities exempt you from a test if your previous studies were taught in English. Vilnius University (VU), Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), VILNIUS TECH and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) all mention this on their admission pages, and ISM may grant an exemption by committee decision if your entire education was in English.

The wording matters. VILNIUS TECH says exceptions are made only for applicants who completed their previous studies “fully in English”. KTU’s programme pages ask for this to be marked on your degree certificate or transcript, or confirmed by your school. VMU asks for an official document from the school or university. A promise in your motivation letter will not count.

2. Get a medium of instruction letter

This is where a medium of instruction letter (often called an MOI letter or English proficiency letter) comes in, and for many applicants it is the key document if they want to study in Lithuania without IELTS. It is an official letter from your school or university confirming that English was the language of teaching and assessment for your programme.

There is no single format, and procedures differ between schools and countries, so ask your institution’s registry or examinations office what they issue. A useful MOI letter is usually on official letterhead, signed and stamped, names you and your programme, gives the dates you studied, and says clearly that the whole programme was taught in English. If your transcript already states the language of instruction, include it too.

Be careful about two things. First, not every university accepts this route: Klaipėda University’s management programme, for example, says only native English speakers are exempt from showing a test. Second, VU states that it does not accept statements from individual language teachers, so a letter from one teacher is not enough there.

3. Take the university’s own English test

If you have no certificate at all, the university’s own test can still let you study in Lithuania without IELTS. Some institutions run their own online test, which is often cheaper and easier to arrange from home than a test centre appointment. From the 2026 and 2027 rules we checked:

• ISM accepts its own English test (minimum score 55) for bachelor’s applicants.
• MRU lets applicants without a certificate or qualifying school grade take an English evaluation test organised by the university.
• LSMU asks applicants without an accepted certificate to take an English test prepared by the university.
• KTU says on its programme pages that an online examination may be organised if you do not have an official test.
• Kauno kolegija offers the Cambridge English Placement Test through its Language Centre, for a fee.
• Vilniaus kolegija (VIKO) requires foreign applicants to take a remote English test at its Foreign Languages Centre.

Other universities do not offer this. VMU says plainly that it does not organise English language testing, and VU does not accept internal university test results.

4. Take a different English test

If you need a certificate, IELTS is not your only option, and choosing another test is a common way to study in Lithuania without IELTS. Duolingo English Test, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge exams and LanguageCert appear on most lists. The Duolingo English Test is taken online at home, so you do not need a test centre appointment. Check that your chosen university lists the test and that your score meets its minimum.

5. Use your school English grade (where accepted)

A few institutions look at secondary school English grades. MRU’s 2026 rules accept an English grade of at least 8 on a ten-point scale from your secondary or first-cycle graduation document as an alternative to a certificate. If your results use a different grading system, such as WAEC or NECO grades, ask MRU’s admissions team how they will convert them before relying on this route.

VMU accepts Cambridge IGCSE English (First or Second Language) at grade B. We could not find any Lithuanian university that publishes a general rule accepting WAEC or NECO English results in place of a test, so do not assume your credit will be enough unless the admissions office confirms it in writing.

English proficiency requirements in Lithuania: university comparison

This table summarises the English proficiency requirements in Lithuania for the main institutions international students apply to. Minimums can differ by programme, and universities update them every year, so treat this as a starting point and confirm on the programme page before you apply.

A few details worth knowing. VU’s language skills page says you must meet the minimum for every component within a single test report, and it does not accept British Council EnglishScore. ISM and VMU only accept certificates taken within about two years of the start of studies. LSMU’s admission rules for its integrated programmes are on the LSMU integrated studies page.

If you are still choosing where to apply, our guide to the top universities in Lithuania compares the main options. Pick two or three where you could study in Lithuania without IELTS through a route you already qualify for.

A note for applicants from Cameroon and other bilingual countries

If you went to school in anglophone Cameroon, your secondary education was taught in English, and an MOI letter from your school may help where the university accepts that route. If you studied in the francophone system, that exemption is unlikely to apply, because your teaching language was French. In that case plan for a test or the university’s own assessment.

The same logic applies elsewhere. What matters is the language your programme was actually taught in, not the official language of your country. Vilnius University also lists Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Zimbabwe among the countries with additional admission requirements, so read the country page for your nationality as well as the language page.

How to plan to study in Lithuania without IELTS: a checklist

1. Shortlist two or three programmes and open each programme page, not just the general admission page.
2. Note every accepted form of English proof and the minimum score for each.
3. Check whether your previous studies qualify for an exemption, and what document the university wants as evidence.
4. Request your MOI letter early. School offices can be slow, especially around holidays.
5. If you need a test, compare costs and dates for Duolingo, TOEFL, PTE and IELTS where you live.
6. If the university runs its own English test, ask when it takes place and whether there is a fee.
7. Keep copies of everything in one folder; you will reuse many of the same documents for your residence permit.

Our bachelor’s degree guide walks through the full application process from shortlist to arrival.

Is studying in Lithuania without IELTS a good idea for you?

Choosing to study in Lithuania without IELTS can save you money and time, but think about why the requirement exists. Your lectures, group work and exams will all be in English, often with classmates from many countries. If your English is strong, an exemption or a university test simply saves you a step. If it is weak, avoiding a test will not make the course easier.

Some universities also check your English again during your studies. VMU, for example, expects students who start at B2 to reach C1 Academic English during their programme. An interview in English is common too: ISM and Kauno kolegija hold their motivation interviews in English, and ISM can ask you to take a test after the interview even if you were exempted.

Finally, be wary of anyone who offers to “arrange” an English certificate or a guaranteed waiver for a fee. Universities check documents, and a fake certificate can end your application and your permit. Our article on study abroad scams explains the warning signs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Lithuania without IELTS as a Nigerian student?

Often, yes. Nigerian applicants can usually study in Lithuania without IELTS by using an accepted alternative test, a university’s own English test, or an exemption based on English-medium previous studies where the university allows it. VU also has additional country requirements for Nigeria, so check its country page too.

Is IELTS mandatory in Lithuania for a master’s degree?

Not always. Master’s applicants generally use the same routes as bachelor’s applicants: another test, a university test, or an exemption if your bachelor’s degree was taught fully in English. Minimum scores vary between programmes, so check the page for the exact master’s you want.

Do Lithuanian universities accept a medium of instruction letter?

Some do. VU, KTU, VMU and VILNIUS TECH accept proof that your previous studies were in English, and ISM can grant an exemption by committee decision. Klaipėda University’s management programme only exempts native speakers. Confirm with each university before relying on an MOI letter.

Do Lithuanian universities accept the Duolingo English Test?

Many do, and it is one of the easiest ways to study in Lithuania without IELTS. Universities that list it include VU, VILNIUS TECH, VMU, ISM, LSMU and Klaipėda University, but the minimum scores differ widely (from 95 at LSMU to 120 at VU). Check the score for your programme.

Do I need IELTS for my Lithuanian residence permit?

No. The temporary residence permit for studies is based on your admission, funds, insurance, police certificate and other documents. An English test is not part of the permit document list, so if you study in Lithuania without IELTS your permit application is not affected.

If you want help working out which universities will let you study in Lithuania without IELTS, or what to put in your medium of instruction letter, book a free consultation and we will go through your documents with you.