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June 30, 2014

What is Kolegija in Lithuania?

So you have made up your mind to study abroad? Or maybe you are just about to –good thing to see you here, which means you have already begun researching your options and Lithuania popped up on your radar! Most of the questions you might have at this point (how much would the study cost, where and how would you live, what the country is like for a student) can be answered right here, on our site. But one thing might prove difficult to grasp if you’re not an expert of Higher Education system in Lithuania – the difference between Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (known as Kolegija in Lithuania). So we will cover this bit here!

The main differences between the two are that studies in Universities of Applied Sciences are shorter (most often 3 years, while University degrees – 4 years), most of the time less expensive and based more on hands-on approach and employability of the students. You need to earn 180-210 credits in Kolegija, and about 210-240 in University for a BA.

If University studies are made up of theoretical subjects and research, studies in Kolegija have theoretical and practical subjects all in one study programme. That means you get to learn and apply your knowledge straight away. Up to 1/3 of any programme in Kolegija will be based on real-world work experience, and you will also have a chance to do twice as much hands-on work than in University (no less than 20 credits, while in Universities – no less than 10).

The diploma you’ll get will be called a professional Bachelor – a so called non-university higher education degree. Professional bachelor is not equal to ordinary bachelor degree, as it requires fewer credits. Therefore to continue your education you will probably need to finish a foundation degree in University, which you can even start on your last year in Kolegija and which can take as little as 6 months. To put Universities of Applied sciences into perspective – almost one third of Lithuanian students chose them over Universities last year (out of total 150,000 students in both Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences last academic year). Will you join them next year?