ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Application for admission addressed to the Rector
• Diploma of Master’s degree or qualification adequate to it, its annex/supplement
• Two letters of recommendation by scholars from Philosophy science field (current year)
• Curriculum Vitae (signed by applicant)
• List of applicant’s scientific publications (submitted in full biobliographic description) and their copies (submitted together with a copy of journal’s cover and contents page); or, if a scientific article in not yet published – a document issued by the editorial board of a scientific journal certifying the acceptance of an article for publication (after the reviewing procedure) and its manuscript
• Electronic copy of the scientific research project in .doc or .docx format, if two topics are indicated in the application, then 2 scientific research projects need to be submitted
• Personal identification document
• Documents notifying the change of surname if not all documents are submitted under the same surname
• Other documents which an applicant wishes to submit

REQUIREMENTS DURING STUDIES

During his/her studies, a doctoral student should comply with the following conditions:

• Take approx. 5 study courses (30 ECTS);
• Write and publish at least 2 scientific articles;
• Participate in at least 2 conferences (one should be international);
• Write a dissertation.

INFORMATION FOR GRADUATES OF FOREIGN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Applicants are required to submit the following documents to the International Cooperation Department at recognition@vdu.lt for the assessment of their qualifications acquired abroad:

1. Application for assessment of qualifications obtained abroad.
2. Documents confirming the first cycle education.
3. Documents confirming the first and second cycle education. If the documents are in languages other than Lithuanian or English, a translation of the documents into English or Lithuanian must also be provided. The translation must be sealed with a copy of the document certified by a notary public or an authorized body in the country concerned. The stamp of the translation agency and the signature of the translator must be affixed to the stamp. Under the 1961 Hague Convention, documents may need to be authenticated by Apostille. Copies of the supplements to the educational documents give information on the content, scope, and grades of the completed program.
4. A copy of the identity document.
5. Letter of Concurrence in the form provided by VMU.
6. Document(s) indicating the change of name and/or surname, or a certified copy if the educational documents were issued under a different name and/or surname.
7. Any other additional documents specified by the institution carrying out the academic recognition of the foreign qualification, which are necessary for the objective assessment of the foreign qualification.
8. Other documentation of the specific requirements applicable to the qualification according to the countries in which it was obtained. The requirements can be found on the University’s website: https://www.vdu.lt/en/studies/qualification-recognition/country-specific-and-requirements/

Please note that an official academic statement is required for the assessment of qualifications obtained abroad. An official academic statement is a written text sent by the HEI, at the request of the person, in a sealed envelope or by email. An academic statement can be sent directly to the HEI by email: recognition@vdu.lt

Scholarships and tuition fees

There are both state-funded places with scholarships and self-funded places available.

The amount of the scholarship is determined by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and is as follows:

• EUR 1045 per month during the first year of studies;
• EUR 1210 per month during the second–fourth years of studies.

Additional financial support for doctoral students is provided by VMU Science Foundation. Every year, the University awards the most active doctoral students, organizes competitions to finance research trips, and supports projects carried out by doctoral students. Additional support may also be provided by other institutions upon application of doctoral students.

Tuition fees in all the science areas are as follows:

• EUR 11837 per year for full-time studies;
• EUR 7891 per year for part-time studies.

For motivated students, tuition fees can be reduced depending on the particular situation by submitting a motivational letter explaining why the tuition fee should be reduced.

Selection criteria

People are admitted to doctoral studies through an open competition. The competition for admission to doctoral studies takes place once a year – from May to September (depending on the science field). The most important criteria are the following:

• Published or accepted to be published scientific publications;
• A scientific research project that details what the applicant plans to research during his/her studies. It should be around 5–12 pages in length;
• Grade point average of the master’s diploma;
• Motivational interview, in which all the applicants must participate (in person or online). Usually, this interview is held at the end of June or in the middle of September (depending on the science field).

Important dates

• Admission rules are announced every year at the end of May or at the beginning of July (depending on the science field);
• Motivational interview is held during the last week of June or the first two weeks of September (depending on the science field);
• A list of invited candidates is announced at the end of June or the end of September (depending on the science field);
• A list of invited candidates is announced at the end of September;
• The studies begin on the 1st of October.

For more details see here.

Forms of studies

VMU offers two types of doctoral studies, each with a different duration and intensity: full-time (4 years) and part-time (6 years).