11 - Lithuania - Curriculum
Consecutive studies in the higher education institutions of Lithuania follow the study programmes
entered into the Study and Training Programme Register, which is administered by the Ministry of
Education and Science. Individual and non-consecutive study programmes are not included in the
Register. Higher education institutions may not offer programmes which have not been registered
(except for individual programmes). HEIs have the right, in accordance with the Regulations on study
programmes laid down by the Ministry, to develop study programmes which are registered in the order
established by the Ministry.
The quality of study programmes is regularly assessed by the Higher
Education Quality Assessment Centre, whose findings are publicized. Undergraduate and integrated
study programmes must be in compliance with the field guidelines. The qualification that is awarded
upon completion of a programme in a HEI, is indicated in the study programme. Undergraduate
programmes are designed to provide the theoretical basis of the profession and to develop the skills
necessary for independent work. Master’s degree studies are devoted to preparing for independent
work in the fields of science or arts, or work that requires a more extensive scientific knowledge or
skills. Master’s degree programmes are provided at universities which carry out research
corresponding with the branch of study. The general requirements for Master degree programmes are
subject to the approval of the Ministry of Education and Science.
The Law on Higher Education (2002) stipulates that the language of instruction at higher education
institutions of the Republic of Lithuania shall be the Lithuanian language. Instruction can be carried out
in other languages if: 1) a study programme is related to another language, 2) lectures are delivered
and other academic studies are run by foreign higher education establishment teachers and specialists
of other foreign organizations and 3) this is required by the international study exchange agreements.
Recently the number of modules provided in foreign languages has been increasing and with the
provision of establishing joint study programmes with foreign HEIs, introduced into the Law on Higher
Education in 2005, the tendency is believed to grow.
In most higher education institutions it is mandatory during the first two years to take at least one
foreign language. In the second and the third stages, even if the programme is delivered in Lithuanian,
students often refer to literature in foreign languages. Besides, both in undergraduate and Master
degree programmes, a graduation thesis must contain an abstract in a foreign language.
University
University study programmes are subject to the approval of the Senate.
A study programme consists of a list of taught subjects. According to their content the subjects are
broken down into subjects of general university education, the fundamentals of the study porgramme,
and special subjects.
According to their role, subjects in a study programme are divided into obligatory, approved electives
whereby a student can choose a subject from the list provided in the programme plan, and free
electives. At least 5% of the scope of the programme must be reserved to free electives, which can
belong to another field of science or art. The main planning unit is a study module (a study subject or
its part taught in one semester). A study module may subsume different study forms and their
combinations: lectures, laboratory work, workshops, individual work, research, designing. The main
study module unit, and, at the same time, the unit of measurement of the study plan, is a credit. One
credit equals forty conditional weekly hours of student work, which includes lectures, seminars,
laboratory, individual work etc.
Study programmes provide sets of obligatory, alternative and elective modules for each semester as
well as rules and recommendations on their choice. They also include information and requirements
indicating how students can design their individual study plans leading to the qualification or degree
they have chosen.
General education subjects must be given a certain share in university study programmes: no less
than 7% of the scope of a technological field programme and at least 8% of the programmes in other
fields. The scope of the fundamentals in a branch programme is no less than 60 credits and the part
relating to special subjects must be allotted no less than 25% of the study programme. Periods of
professional practice must be assigned no less than 10 credits. At least 8 credits must be allocated to
the preparation and defence of the graduation theses and graduation examinations (if they are
required).
The requirements for doctoral, art postgraduate and residency programmes are laid down in the
Guidelines for Doctoral Studies, Guidelines for Art Postgraduate studies and Guidelines for Residency
Studies, all of them approved by the Government.
College
College Kolegija study programmes are subject to approval by the Ministry of Education and Science
on the proposal of the academic council of the college.
Unless otherwise established by the study field guidelines, the general education part in non-university
higher education programmes must cover not less than 6% of its scope; the branch fundamentals must
be assigned no less than 40 credits, and the specialism (professional) part no less than 40% of the
scope of the study programme. The programme must meet the requirements for the professional
qualification awarded upon completion of the programme laid down in the vocational education
standards and other normative acts. Practice periods and other ways of practical training must be
allocated not less than one third of the scope of the programme. The scope of practice periods
(educational learning practice, professional skills development practice, cognitive practice) must be at
least 20 credits. Professional practice periods require most skills and knowledge indicated in the
objectives of study programmes; their total scope in art studies is not less than 12 credits and in other
programmes not less than 16 credits. The final professional practice placement must be in line with the
graduation thesis and similar to the future possible work place of the graduate.
Not less than 6 credits must be allocated to the preparation and the defence of a graduation thesis . If
a graduation thesis is not written, final examinations are awarded not less than 3 credits.
Upon coordination with universities, college study programmes may include programmes (modules)
corresponding to university undergraduate studies.
Institutions:
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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