World Politics and Economy

Programme overview

Study Programme World Politics and Economy incorporates two main disciplines: political science and economy. Graduates of the programme achieve diploma of Social sciences with Major in Political Science and Minor in Economics.

Students will be able to compare various countries, their political and economic processes, to initiate, develop and implement a variety of political, social, economic, informational development projects. Graduates will have the knowledge, abilities and skills to develop and implement international projects, actively participate in the EU Neighborhood region (the Eastern Partnership and the Black Sea Synergy, the Mediterranean Partnership) NGO forums dealing with political and economic issues in Eastern Europe and the rest of the world, to project potential actions and scenarios for the future and at the same time represent Lithuania and other countries.

Feedback of lecturers and students  

Lecturers: 

„I call teaching in this program a constant experience and discovery. Students from different countries, having different perceptions of the world order, surprise each time with new experiences and discussions. The exchange of ideas between peers with different perspectives intellectually stimulates and expands understanding of global issues. I am happy to meet students of the program working in different institutions around the world and able to apply the acquired knowledge professionally“. Aistė Žemaitytė, Lecturer. 

Alumni: 

“I had the privilege of studying political science and economics at VMU, and the experience this place gave me is invaluable for my current career. Thanks to the wise faculty staff, friendly environment, and knowledge-driven academic approach, I fell in love with the discipline and my academic pursuit in political science.” Iliya Liampert. Ph.D. student at Michigan State University. 

“These international studies, accompanied and reinforced by the humanistic spirit of the artes liberales universities, have fully prepared me for the Lithuanian diplomatic service. I gained a broad knowledge of economics and political science, had the opportunity to study with students and lecturers from different countries, and was encouraged to take advantage of all the exceptional opportunities offered by the VMU. What really set the course apart were the wonderful lecturers, who made it possible not only to learn but also to understand, and who were always open and encouraging to explore what was interesting for each individual student.” Jurgita Gurskaitė. Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diaspora Relations Division, Attaché

Competencies acquired

Graduates will be able to:

• to explain the political and economic processes in various countries, regions and globally;
• to assess the links between political actors and economic structures in the political systems of various countries;
• to conduct a comparative analysis of political and economic processes, conduct phenomena analysis and predict the future trend of these processes;
• to do a research of political and economic entities‘ singularities and the relationship between them;
• to identify and assess the main political and economic trends in the world;
• to select and identify the optimal direction of economic and political practice;
• to assess newly acquired skills, constantly collect information and critically assess it, and be guided by continual learning provisions.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the World Politics and Economy Studies program will be able to pursue their studies in more specialized Master’s programmes in political science, economics and other social sciences and humanities at VMU and other Lithuanian or foreign universities. Graduates will be capable to engage in practical activities: work as political advisors, reviewers, managers and economists in Lithuanian and foreign public institutions, national embassies, consular offices, non-governmental organizations, the European Union and other international organizations, institutions and offices. Graduates will also be ready to work in: private sector, media or initiate their own companies. Specialists will be able to compare various countries, their political and economic processes, to initiate, develop and implement a variety of political, social, economic, informational development projects. Graduates will have the knowledge, abilities and skills to develop and implement international projects, actively participate in the EU Neighborhood region (the Eastern Partnership and the Black Sea Synergy, the Mediterranean Partnership) NGO forums dealing with political and economic issues in Eastern Europe and the rest of the world, to project potential actions and scenarios for the future and at the same time represent Lithuania and other countries.

Programme structure

Curriculum

Admission Requirements

• Minimum 60 % CGPA 
• A high school diploma or equivalent degree 
• Proof of English Language: applicant has to present document proving B2 level (TOEFL 87-109 iBT/534-633 PBT, IELTS 5,5-6,5, Cambridge English First (FCE) 161-180, BEC Vantage 161-180, Michigan ECCE (min. 650), PTE General Level 3, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785, TOEIC Speaking & Writing 310, Duolingo 100-125, EnglishScore 400-499 (CoreSkills)) if the applicant is not native speaker and/or had not received education in English. 
• Admission score is counted based on: Motivation letter * 0.3 + History * 0.3 + English * 0.2 + Mathematics * 0.1 + Geography * 0.1.