Degrees: Master‘s studies

The aims of the Applied Mathematics programme are: 

• to prepare broad-minded specialists, who have a strong foundation and adequate skills for applying and developing mathematical models for industry, business, finance and other areas; 
• to cater to the demand for mathematics professionals for the knowledge society whose knowledge has at the same time a strong foundation, domain depth and interdisciplinarity and who can maintain and improve professional competence through lifelong learning. 

Feedback of lecturers and students 

“During my master’s studies in Applied Mathematics, I have truly witnessed the broad applications of mathematics in various fields. The program provided me with valuable insights into the diverse practical uses of mathematical concepts. One of the major strengths of this program, in my opinion, lies in the exceptional competence of the lecturers. Their proficiency in teaching, together with their willingness to communicate with students, has been a standout aspect for me. The supportive and communicative nature of the faculty has significantly enriched my learning experience. “

“In master’s studies, the knowledge acquired during the bachelor’s degree was deepened, and more attention was paid to applying mathematics. Master’s studies improved my knowledge of data analysis and visualization and helped me understand in which practical situations mathematics and statistics can be applied. “

“I thoroughly enjoyed acquiring further knowledge about dynamic programming and the functioning of neural networks. Also, the data visualization course made it easier for me to read and understand the results of my master’s thesis. “

“The Master’s program provided an opportunity to delve deeper into certain areas of mathematics and expand my knowledge. This provided an opportunity to conduct original research and contribute to the development of mathematical science”

The aim of the study program is to prepare highly qualified masters of physical education and sports pedagogy at the university level, who are able to systematize the latest knowledge of physical education and sports technologies, independently conduct physical education and sports research, analyze and interpret data, implementing sports pedagogy, psychology, physiology, management, projects implementation and other innovations in their professional activities.

Competencies acquired

After completing this programme a graduate will be: 

1. Able to name international and national trends in education, physical education and sports, evaluate them from social and economic aspects in the context of the modern education paradigm.
2. Able to select, systematize and critically analyze theories of physical education and sports, describe the latest technological achievements in education and sports science.
3. Able to carry out complex studies integrating the fields of education, physical education and sports, connect, systematize and critically evaluate data and results.
4. Based on research results and conclusions, able to prepare recommendations for education, science and sports politicians, administrators, community, initiate discussions and changes in the field of education and physical education.
5. Able to critically assess information, analyzing events in the development of education and sports, innovations in physical education and sports activities, raise problematic questions and solve them by integrating interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills of pedagogy, physical education, sports, psychology, physiology.
6. Able to create, evaluate and improve physical education and sports programs, including the development of general competencies, recognizing the complexity of the training process, the differences and diversity of its participants and physical education environments.
7. Able to take leadership, gather, lead or coordinate sports and physical education participants in planning and creating projects for the improvement and development of the educational institution, seeing new educational and learning needs and demand.
8. Able to perform an analysis of their professional activities, search for causal relationships, conceptualize the obtained results and apply them to the improvement of their professional activities and those of the sports community.
9. Able to present an idea or opinion, argue a decision or research results in oral and written form to an audience of physical education and sports specialists and non-specialists, actively discuss it and present arguments.
10. Able to work in a team, lead it, take responsibility for the results of their activities, implementing projects and participating in professional networks, nurturing Lithuanian culture and traditions, creating a sustainable society.
11. Able to reflect on his activities as a pedagogical, physical education and sports researcher, identify gaps in knowledge and abilities, define directions for personal development and plan independent learning
12. Able to think strategically and propose innovative solutions, openly, flexibly and critically assess the state education policy in various educational and educational contexts, analyze situations in the educational institution, in the classroom.

To train a competent music educator, researcher, and leader, who has acquired fundamental and applied research-based knowledge in music education, music expression, artistic leadership, and managerial competencies and who is capable of grounding formal and informal music education practice on evidence as well as improving it. 

To prepare a competent music educator who has acquired fundamental and applied research-based competencies in the field of music education, musical expression, artistic leadership, and project management, capable of improving the practice of formal and informal music education. 

Overview

The aim of the Programme is to train highly qualified engineering specialists capable of conducting scientific or applied research, evaluating water structures and their impact on the environment using advanced scientific methods, integrating knowledge of different fields to solve theoretical and practical water management problems, analyse and model environmental changes, engineering phenomena and processes using the latest information technologies. Graduates of this study programme are professionals who are welcome in the labour market, helping to find solutions to hydraulic engineering challenges and promoting progress in hydraulic engineering.

Career opportunities

Graduates can expect project, expert, consultancy and management work: in companies involved in the management, maintenance and administration of construction of water management systems and hydraulic structures; in companies involved in water management and environmental protection; scientific and pedagogical work in scientific and educational institutions of water engineering. Studies can be continued in the doctoral programme in the field of technological sciences.

The study programme aims at fostering highly qualified master students in Agronomy able to summarize and creatively apply the latest research-based knowledge in agrobiology, agro-innovation, information technology when dealing with agricultural scientific and industrial issues, introducing innovations, ensuring agricultural production and environmental sustainability, and working in agricultural research, management, consultancy as well as seeking self-improvement.  

Specializations: 

• Crop Production  
• Plants Protection and Nutrition 
• Horticulture  

Competencies acquired 

After graduating from the Crop Production specialization, the Master of Agricultural Sciences will be able to evaluate and creatively solve the scientific and production problems of crop production, implement innovations, and manage the processes taking place in agrosystems of various intensity. 

 After completing the Plant Protection and Nutrition specialization will be able to assess and manage the spread of pests and plant nutritional processes, creatively solve the scientific and production problems of agricultural plant protection and nutrition, implement innovations, ensuring the sustainability of agrosystems.  

After completing the Horticulture specialization will be able to evaluate and creatively solve the scientific and production problems of horticulture and horticulture, manage the productivity and quality of garden and vegetable plants, and implement innovative, environmentally friendly technologies. 

The Master in Social Work aims to train highly qualified social workers with the knowledge, skills, and methods needed to effectively apply social work interventions that are based on social justice and human rights for peoples‘ empowerment, structural changes, social inclusion, and social cohesion. The specialization “Social Work in the Context of Global Crises” provides an opportunity to deepen the knowledge of social work interventions by combining the immediate and long-term emotional, relational, social, and practical needs of individuals, families, communities, and society, the provision of social services, the trauma’s overcoming, community (re)building and advocacy in the context of intercultural conflicts and global crises. The specialization is delivered in English. The degree is a Master of Social Sciences. 

Social Work: specialisation Social Work in the Context of Global Crises program is the one for you if you want to learn how to:  

• Promote the liberation of people from oppressive conditions and their empowerment. 
• Solve social problems arising from social inequality and discrimination against people. 
• Understand and put into practice the principles of human rights and social justice. 
• Acquire skills in analyzing and critically evaluating social service ideas and practices. 
• Acquire skills in analyzing and critically evaluating social policies and decision-making processes in relation to social welfare. 
• Engage people and structures to address life’s challenges.  
• Support families and children in conflict and crises. 
• Acquire knowledge and skills in family counseling and group work. 
• Promote social inclusion and human well-being, especially in situations of marginalization and oppression. 
• Make innovative – human rights-based – decisions in the provision of social services. 
• Have a wider range of career choices, whether to continue in social service provision, social policy-making, or civil society movements and advocacy. 
• Apply social work interventions. 
• Articulate between micro (interpersonal), mezzo (organizational), and macro (policy) levels in addressing social inequality and marginalization of people. 
• Create and manage social services and psychosocial support for people, including in humanitarian crises. 

Competencies acquired 

Theoretical knowledge and research-based skills  

• To systemize conceptual approaches about the changes and perspectives of social work theories by paying specific attention to the critical and social constructionism paradigms that substantiate the application of innovative social work practice, methods, and interventions in professional contexts. 
• To design and perform the human rights-based research of social work practice and its contexts by applying quantitative and qualitative research methodologies with the aim to bring up to date the social work practice in micro, mezzo, and macro levels for the promotion of human rights and social justice in line with the human rights standards. 

Professional competencies and skills 

• To justify the purposefulness and effectiveness of social work intervention by developing ethically-based and enabling empowering social worker’s and user’s interactions by use of specialized methods of work with individuals, families, and/or groups in unpredictable complex situations. 
• To initiate the creation and development of projects for social services, programs, and/or organizations by integrating the enabling innovative principles and methods of the management of organizations and interdisciplinary collaboration, by engaging local, national, and international financial, human and structural resources as well. 
• To substantiate the application of the human rights standards in social work and the importance of social work values for the development of innovations of empowering social service. 
• To comprehend the results of the analysis of the links between policies, resources, and social structures, and to develop the recommendations for the improvement of social policy, the development of the social service system, and sustainable social development to achieve sustainable and positive change. 

Social and personal skills 

• To reasonably communicate professional information through cooperating with social work professionals, service users, and representatives of other professions and fields, and ethical and responsible ways to present relevant social and professional issues. 
• To critically assess one’s and others’ continuing professional learning and the use of innovative social work professional knowledge along with the application of practical and research methods, the reflection on professional and learning experience and its effects on social wellbeing. 

Feedback of lecturers and students 

“In the world were global issues, including, but not limited to social exclusion, poverty, abuse, armed conflicts and migration, are at the forefront of social discussion, the qualified professionals in the matter are in growing demand. Our programme focuses on ability and skills of social workers to help people to overcome difficult challenges in their life by taking the roles of counselor and facilitator, also of advocacy actors pushing governments to change harmful laws, supporting assistance programs, and starting new initiatives aimed at helping people through difficult times.” 

Director of the program, prof. Jonas Ruškus, former (2015-2022) expert of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations. 

“I would say it is like my destiny—being in Lithuania and studying in VDU is an experience which has had great influences on my way of thinking, and my view toward the world. Two months after I returned to China, there was an earthquake happened in the south-west part of China, Yunnan. I was assigned to the post-earthquake area, as a program coordinator, trying to build some safe places in the villages or schools for the children, where they could study, play and learn some skills. Right now I am working as a manager in the children’s home. It is very a challenging job and I am still learning how to work for the children. I feel I am doing something I have been wanting to do. I always miss my life and my study in VDU—it was sweet and bitter. Somehow it gives me courage to move forward—life is a journey and I have tried my best. “

Huang Fengyi, China, graduate.  

“Studying social work has not only enriched me as a social worker, it has also allowed me to grow as a person. During my studies, everything seemed to make sense because all the subjects and practice were complementary. The knowledge I received was educational in a comprehensive way. As a student, I saw how the lecturers were involved in various activities, interested in the realities of social work and the changes that were taking place, and treated you as an equal colleague. When you see this kind of enthusiasm from the lecturers, it touches you. You cannot remain indifferent.”  

Gerda Laurinavičienė, Lithuania, Graduate. 

“My studies have had a huge impact on my career. While I was still a student, a lecturer inspired me to run a support group for parents of children and young people with intellectual disabilities at my then workplace. Later I was asked to run similar groups in other institutions, for example for teenagers with intellectual disabilities. Slowly the topics of the groups changed, but the inspiration to run the groups remained. This led me to groups for adolescents on stress management, communication, and cooperation training, and other topics. My studies led me to facilitate groups, and the groups led me step by step to my current area of work – helping young people and their families”

Rasa Vėjalytė, Lithuania, Graduate. 

“Studying social work gives you advanced knowledge and practical skills to work with different client groups, and even if you don’t work in social work, the skills you learn will be useful in everyday life and in a variety of situations. It’s a study about real life!” 

Kęstutis Vaišnora, Lithuania, Graduate