Tuition Fees in Lithuania 2026/27: 9 Universities Compared

Last updated: October 2026

The tuition fees in Lithuania shown below come from the universities’ own fee pages and price lists, which we read in October 2026. Where a university does not publish a clear number, we say so instead of guessing. Fees are for students from outside the EU unless we say otherwise.

Tuition fees in Lithuania at a glance

For most non-EU students, a bachelor’s degree at the universities we checked costs between about €3,200 and €6,300 a year. Arts and music programmes, one dual degree and the private ISM cost more, up to €9,600 a year. Master’s fees vary more widely, from €2,500 a year for one VDU programme to €14,000 for an MBA at Vilnius University.

Medicine and dentistry sit in a bracket of their own, at €12,800 to €15,000 a year. On top of tuition, most universities charge a one-off, non-refundable application fee of €100 to €200.

Lithuania tuition fees for international students: the comparison table

The table compares tuition fees in Lithuania at the main universities that teach full degrees in English. Each range runs from the cheapest to the most expensive programme at that university, so the fee for your course could be anywhere in between. All figures are per year for 2026/27 unless the notes below say otherwise.

A few notes on reading the table of Lithuania tuition fees for international students:

• KTU publishes its 2026/27 bachelor’s fees (€54.17 to €70.02 per credit), with Architecture listed separately as an integrated programme at €5,676 a year. Its bachelor’s page asks for an application fee but only gives an amount (€100) for transfer applications.
• VDU already shows a 2027/28 page. It says the figures listed are 2026 fees and that non-EU fees for the new year still need Senate approval, so expect possible changes.
• MRU charges the same tuition to EU and non-EU students, but non-EU applicants pay a €100 application fee instead of €50.
• ISM publishes prices per semester and per programme. Bachelor’s programmes cost €24,990 in total. For master’s, the price list shows one rate for EU/EEA and Ukrainian citizens and another for everyone else, so confirm which of the two applies to you.
• LSMU does not say on its fee page whether EU and non-EU students pay different amounts.
• SMK‘s current fee table is for the spring 2027 intake. Ask SMK which campus price applies to your programme.
• Klaipėda University states its application fee clearly, but we could not find a non-EU price list. Ask the admissions office for the fee of your programme.

Vilnius University tuition fees and payment rules

Vilnius University tuition fees for non-EU students run from €3,176 a year (Politics of Global Challenges) to €6,000 (Nursing) at bachelor’s level. Full-time master’s programmes start at €4,600 (International and European Law), and the MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation costs €14,000.

VU gives foreign applicants on paid places 15 calendar days to pay the first year, and the application fee of €100 can only be paid through Flywire. From the second year, you pay each semester and can use instalments. The details are on VU’s bachelor admissions page.

Medicine, dentistry and other long programmes

Integrated programmes combine bachelor’s and master’s study, and they carry the highest tuition fees in Lithuania. If you are thinking about medical studies in Lithuania, these are the official figures for 2026/27:

LSMU’s fees rise in the later years, so budget for the higher figure, not just the first-year price. At current prices, six years of LSMU Medicine adds up to €78,300 in tuition alone.

What changes the tuition fees in Lithuania you pay

Two students at the same university can pay very different amounts. These are the main reasons tuition fees in Lithuania vary:

• Field of study. At the universities we checked, business, economics and social science programmes sit at the bottom of the range. Engineering, IT, architecture, the arts and medicine sit at the top.
• Level of study. Master’s programmes usually cost more per year than bachelor’s, although many last only one and a half to two years.
• Citizenship. EU and EEA citizens may be able to get state-funded places. As a student from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa or Cameroon, you will normally pay the full non-EU rate.
• Public or private. ISM is a private university and charges more for bachelor’s study than the public universities in the table.
• Year of study. Fees are set for each intake, and some programmes, such as LSMU Medicine, charge more in later years.

Honestly, a low fee should not be the only thing you weigh. Look at the programme content, internship links and whether the city suits you. A slightly more expensive course that fits your career plans is often the better deal.

Cheapest universities in Lithuania for international students

If price is your main concern, these are the lowest tuition fees in Lithuania for non-EU bachelor’s students that we found on official pages for 2026/27:

1. Vilnius University: €3,176 a year for Politics of Global Challenges.
2. KTU and MRU: €3,250 a year for business, economics, political science and communication programmes at KTU, and from €3,250 at MRU.
3. VDU: €3,400 a year for programmes such as Business Administration and Economics and Finance.
4. SMK: from €3,500 a year.
5. VILNIUS TECH: €3,600 a year for Port and Shipping Engineering Management.

So the cheapest universities in Lithuania are not one single school. The lowest prices are spread across several, usually in business and social science subjects. For master’s study, MRU (from €3,518) and VDU’s Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism programme (€2,500) were the lowest we found.

Other costs to budget for

Tuition fees in Lithuania are only part of the bill. When you apply for your temporary residence permit (TRP), you also have to show that you can cover your living costs for a year. Plan for these items:

The permit figures come from Vilnius University’s 2026/27 TRP checklist and the Migration Department’s list of state fees for residence permits. Our guide to proof of funds for a Lithuanian student visa explains how to prepare the bank statement.

Your own university may ask for more. VILNIUS TECH, for example, asks students to open a bank account in Vilnius with at least €7,500 a year. Always follow what your university tells you.

After tuition fees in Lithuania, rent is usually your biggest cost, and it is much higher in Vilnius than in Kaunas or Klaipėda. For a full breakdown, read our guide to living expenses in Lithuania for students.

Scholarships and fee waivers

Full scholarships that cover tuition fees in Lithuania for non-EU students are limited, but partial help does exist. Here is what we found on official pages:

• University fee waivers. KTU offers tuition fee waivers based on your academic record and motivation. Every international applicant who applies through its online system is considered automatically. VDU says its scholarships can fully or partly cover study costs for some first-year students on paid places.
• Lithuanian state scholarships. Master’s students from a set list of countries can get €592 a month plus full tuition cover. For the 2026 intake, the list on KTU’s scholarship page included no African countries, and the deadline was 20 April 2026, weeks before KTU’s general deadline of 1 June 2026.
• Exchange study. If you are already enrolled at a university at home, ask whether it runs exchanges with Lithuanian universities. Erasmus+ places are arranged through your own institution, which holds the grant.

The European Commission’s Erasmus+ page for individuals explains how this works. Our article on financial aid for students in Lithuania goes into more detail on other options.

How to pay tuition fees in Lithuania

Most universities follow the same order: you pay the application fee, receive an offer, then pay the first year’s tuition before your residence permit application. Here is how it works in practice:

1. Application fee. Paid online when you apply. Vilnius University accepts it only through Flywire, and VDU asks non-EU applicants to pay both the application fee and tuition through Flywire.
2. First-year tuition in advance. Non-EU students pay the full first year before the university issues documents for the permit. Vilnius University allows 15 calendar days. VILNIUS TECH sends first-year non-EU students an invoice before the TRP application starts.
3. Later years. From the second year, Vilnius University and MRU let you pay each semester. VILNIUS TECH wants payment before 15 September for autumn and before 15 February for spring.
4. Bank transfer details. Use only the account details on your official invoice or the university’s own website, and include any payment reference it gives you.

Check the refund rules before you pay. Vilnius University refunds 100% of tuition if you cannot study because your visa or residence permit was refused, minus 1% for administration. Klaipėda University fully refunds tuition after a visa rejection, and VILNIUS TECH may refund tuition and registration fees if you show proof of the refusal. Application fees are not refunded.

Only pay into an account in the university’s own name. Klaipėda University says its official acceptance letters come only from an @ku.lt email address or through DreamApply, never through Viber or WhatsApp. If an “agent” asks you to send tuition to a personal account, stop and read our guide on study-abroad scams.

Frequently asked questions

How much are tuition fees in Lithuania for international students?

For non-EU students in 2026/27, most bachelor’s programmes cost about €3,200 to €6,300 a year, and master’s programmes range from €2,500 to €14,000. Medicine and dentistry cost €12,800 to €15,000 a year.

Is studying in Lithuania free for African students?

Generally no. State-funded places are mainly for EU and EEA citizens. As a non-EU student you pay the full tuition fees in Lithuania unless you win a university waiver or scholarship.

Can I pay tuition fees in Lithuania in instalments?

Not for the first year, which you pay in full before your residence permit application. Several universities, including Vilnius University and MRU, let you pay per semester from the second year.

How much does it cost to study medicine in Lithuania?

Medicine costs €14,100 a year at Vilnius University and €12,800 to €13,300 a year at LSMU. Six years at LSMU adds up to €78,300 in tuition at current prices, before living costs.

Do tuition fees in Lithuania go up every year?

They can. Universities set fees for each new intake, and some charge more in later years of the same programme. When we checked, VDU’s non-EU fees for 2027/28 were still waiting for approval, so always check the current price list before you apply and again before you pay.

Choosing a university is easier when you can see the full cost, not just the headline fee. If you would like help shortlisting programmes and working out a realistic budget, book a free consultation with us. We made the move ourselves and are happy to talk it through.