Structure of Education in Lithuania

Lithuania education system encompasses school education, followed by 3 cycles of tertiary education. 

Lithuanian School Education

The school education in Lithuania comprises of pre-school, pre-primary, basic and upper secondary schools. Education in Lithuania is mandatory from 6 to 16 years of age, and is free of charge. Pre-school and pre-primary educational levels are not mandatory. Primary education lasts for 4 years, followed by basic/lower secondary education that lasts for 6 years. Both of these educational levels are mandatory to attend in Lithuania. Upon completion of lower secondary studies, students can go for upper secondary education that lasts for 2 years and covers grades 11 and 12. Adults can obtain general secondary education at adult general education schools and for some classes attend general education schools. 

Lithuanian Higher Education

Higher education in Lithuania is imparted by universities and colleges. Universities offer bachelor, master and PhD degree programmes. The Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science manages the education system. The quality of the courses to study and research activities is periodically evaluated by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education. 

Structure of Lithuanian Education 

Pre-tertiary Education

Period of compulsory education
  • Entry age: 6
  • Exit age: 16

Pre-school/Pre-primary Education

  • School type: Nursery schools and Kindergartens; and pre-primary schools
  • Ages: 5 or 6
  • Duration: 1 year

Primary Education

  • School type: Primary school (Pradinė mokykla)
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Ages: 6 to 10
  • Grades: 1 to 4

Basic Education/Lower Secondary Education

  • School types:  Lower secondary school (Pagrindinė mokykla), secondary schools (Vidurinė mokykla), and Youth schools (Jaunimo mokykla)
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Ages: 10 to 16
  • Grades: 5 to 10
  • Credential awarded: Certificate of lower secondary education (Pagrindinės mokyklos baigimo pazymėjimas)

Upper Secondary Education

  • School type: Secondary school (Vidurinė mokykla), Gymnasium (Gimnazija), International baccalaureate school (Tarptautinio bakalaureato mokykla), and Lyceum (Licejus)
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Ages: 16 to 19
  • Grades: 11-12
  • Credential awarded: Maturity Certificate or School leaving certificate (Brandos atestatas)

Vocational and Technical Education

School type: Vocational schools (Profesinė mokykla), Youth schools, and Technological gymnasium (Technologijų gimnazija)
Ages: 14 to 20
Duration: 1-3 years
Credential: Vocational qualification certificate (Profesinės kvalifikacijos pazymėjimas)

Tertiary/Higher Education

Undergraduate Studies- Bachelor’s degree (Bakalauras)
  •  Duration: 4 years
  • Credential: Bachelor degree or diploma of higher education (Bakalauro diplomas or Aukstojo mokslo diplomas)
Master’s degree (Magistras)
  •  Duration: 2 years
Doctoral studies
  • Duration: 4-6 years (Varies)

Educational Credentials

School Credentials

  • Residency Certificate (Rezidentūros pazymėjimas)
  • Basic School Leaving Certificate (Pagrindinės mokyklos baigimo pazymėjimas)
  • Certificate of Vocational Secondary School (Igijo vidurini issilavinima )
  • Maturity Certificate (Brandos atestatas)
  • Vocational Qualification Certificate (Profesinės kvalifikacijos pazymėjimas)

Higher Education Credentials

  • Bachelor's (Bakalauras)
  • Diploma of Higher Education (AukstojoMokslo)
  • Master's degree 
  • Specialized Professional Program Diploma
  • Doctorate Diploma (Daktaras)
  • Post-doctoral qualification (Habilituotas daktaras)
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