Vilnius Tech (VILNIUS TECH / VGTU) for international students
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change — confirm anything important with the official source linked below and your university's international office.
VILNIUS TECH — officially Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) — is a public technical university in Vilnius specialising in engineering, architecture, IT and aviation. It calls itself the most international university in Lithuania and runs a range of English-taught degrees. This guide covers what it offers, what it costs, and what to confirm before you apply.
Verify fees, deadlines and language before you commit
VILNIUS TECH at a glance
- Type: public technical university in Vilnius, the capital.
- Names: VILNIUS TECH is the current brand; the legal name is Vilnius Gediminas Technical University / VGTU. Both are official.
- Focus: engineering (civil, mechanical, transport, environmental, electronics), architecture, information technology and computer science, business and creative industries, and aviation through the Antanas Gustaitis' Aviation Institute.
- International profile: the university states that around 24% of its students are international, from 90+ countries.
- Main campus: Saulėtekio al. 11, in the Saulėtekis student district in Vilnius.
Fields and English-taught programmes
VILNIUS TECH is organised into ten faculties and institutes, including the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Mechanics, Faculty of Transport Engineering, Faculty of Electronics, Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Business Management, Faculty of Creative Industries, the Lithuanian Maritime Academy and the Antanas Gustaitis' Aviation Institute.
Examples of English-taught degree programmes listed by the university include:
| Field | Example programme(s) | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation | Aircraft Piloting; Aviation Mechanics Engineering | Integrated / Bachelor's |
| Civil engineering | Civil Engineering | Bachelor's |
| Architecture | Architecture | Integrated (Master of Arts) |
| IT & computing | Information Technologies; Artificial Intelligence Systems; Computer Engineering | Bachelor's |
| Electronics | Cybersecurity and Communication Technologies | Bachelor's |
| Mechanical | Mechanical Engineering; Mechatronics and Robotics; Medical Engineering | Bachelor's |
| Transport | Automotive Engineering | Bachelor's |
| Business | Business Management; Financial Engineering | Bachelor's |
Master's programmes are also offered in English across engineering, IT, business and aviation (for example Aerospace Engineering). PhD study is available too.
Check the language of instruction per programme
This list is illustrative, not complete, and programme offerings change between intakes. Some programmes are taught only in Lithuanian. Open the specific programme page on vilniustech.lt and confirm it is taught in English before you build a plan around it.
The Antanas Gustaitis' Aviation Institute
Aviation is one of VILNIUS TECH's distinctive offerings, delivered through the Antanas Gustaitis' Aviation Institute (AGAI). It runs aeronautical/aviation engineering programmes and an integrated Aircraft Piloting programme, and operates training facilities including a flight training base and an air traffic control practice base.
- Aircraft Piloting is an integrated (five-year) programme taught in English. It is designed so graduates earn a master's-level degree in aeronautical engineering and qualify towards an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
- Aviation Mechanics Engineering and related engineering programmes prepare specialists in aircraft and engine engineering, avionics and aerospace.
A degree is not a pilot licence — and licences are regulated separately
The university awards the academic degree. Pilot licences (ATPL/CPL) and other aviation certifications are issued by the civil aviation authority under EASA rules, and depend on separate medical certificates, accumulated flight hours, theory exams and skill tests. Pilot training also carries substantial additional costs beyond tuition. Practising as a pilot or aviation professional in another country may require that country's own validation of your licence. Confirm the current licence pathway, total cost and recognition directly with the Aviation Institute before enrolling.
What it costs
Tuition depends on your citizenship (EU/EEA versus non-EU), the field, and the level. The figures below are from the official tuition page for the 2026/2027 intake and are annual amounts — confirm them on the official page, as they change every year.
Non-EU students (approximate annual tuition, 2026/2027):
| Programme group | From approximately (per year) |
|---|---|
| Business, economics, finance, creative industries (bachelor's) | EUR 3,950 |
| Engineering / IT / technology (bachelor's) | EUR 4,950 |
| Architecture (bachelor years) | EUR 6,250 |
| Dual-degree (e.g. Goldsmiths multimedia) | EUR 9,000 |
| Business-track master's | EUR 5,450 |
| Engineering / IT master's | EUR 6,450 |
| Architecture (5th year) | EUR 7,950 |
EU/EEA citizens and permanent residents pay lower rates (for example, from approximately EUR 3,250 for business bachelor's and approximately EUR 4,201 for engineering/IT bachelor's for 2026/2027). PhD tuition is higher again.
On top of tuition, the university charges a EUR 100 non-refundable application fee and a EUR 200 registration fee (paid with the first tuition instalment after you accept an offer).
Beyond fees, budget for living costs in Vilnius. A realistic monthly figure for a student is €350–€700unverified, with a dormitory the cheapest option.
Confirm the current fee on the programme page
These ranges are for the 2026/2027 intake and are rounded. Fees are revised each intake and differ by programme, so check the live figure on the official tuition and other fees page for your exact programme before relying on a number.
Scholarships
VILNIUS TECH offers competitive scholarships for international bachelor's/integrated and master's applicants:
- Tuition-free (100%) scholarships for the strongest applicants — typically requiring around 80% of the maximum grade in prior study, held for the full programme if you avoid academic debts.
- Partial scholarships covering 50% or 25% of tuition, typically requiring around 70% of the maximum grade.
For the 2026/2027 cycle, the scholarship application deadline was 20 April 2026. Applicants generally submit a motivation letter, two academic references, evidence of B2 English, and relevant extracurricular achievements through the online portal, selecting the scholarship option. Confirm the current criteria and deadline on the official scholarships page.
Admission requirements
Requirements are set per programme, but the general picture for international applicants is:
- Bachelor's: a school-leaving certificate with a minimum cumulative average around 60%. Some programmes have extras — for example, Architecture requires an entrance examination.
- Master's: a relevant bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a minimum average around 60%, plus acceptance from the chosen faculty (often after a recorded interview).
- English proficiency: typically IELTS Academic 5.5 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 70, or Duolingo English Test 95. Applicants who completed prior studies fully in English may be exempt.
- Documents: legalised/apostilled certificates and transcripts, with certified English translations where needed. A study gap is usually limited (around three years).
- Recognition of prior qualifications: foreign qualifications must be assessed for recognition; VILNIUS TECH and Lithuania's centre for quality assessment, SKVC, handle this.
How and when to apply
- Where: the online application portal at apply.vilniustech.lt.
- 2026/2027 timeline: applications opened 5 January 2026, with a deadline of 20 April 2026; studies start 1 September 2026 (autumn intake).
- Process: submit your application and documents, pay the application fee, and complete an interview where required.
Dates and intakes change
The timeline above is for the 2026/2027 cycle. Opening and closing dates shift each year, and intake availability can differ by programme. Always confirm the current deadlines on the official admission page before you plan around them.
Visa, residence and after-study notes
VILNIUS TECH is a Lithuanian public university, so the standard immigration rules apply:
- EU/EEA students do not need a visa or residence permit and can work without special permission.
- Non-EU students generally need a national (D) visa and then a temporary residence permit (TRP), with proof of funds and health insurance. Confirm the current requirements with the university's international office and on migracija.lrv.lt.
Recognition does not equal automatic practice rights
A VILNIUS TECH degree is an EU-recognised qualification, and engineering and IT degrees travel well across the EU labour market. But regulated outcomes — most clearly pilot licensing, and in some countries certain engineering or architecture titles — require meeting that profession's and that country's own licensing, registration or chartership rules on top of the degree. Check the specific professional body in the country where you intend to work before assuming your qualification lets you practise there.
Bottom line
VILNIUS TECH is a solid, affordable choice if you want an EU-recognised technical degree — especially in engineering, IT, architecture or aviation — taught in English in a compact capital city, with real scholarship options. Before you commit, do three checks for your specific programme: confirm it is taught in English, confirm the current tuition and deadline on the official pages, and — for aviation in particular — confirm exactly what licence the programme leads to, what it adds in cost, and how it is recognised where you want to work.
Frequently asked
Is VILNIUS TECH the same as VGTU?+
Yes. VILNIUS TECH is the brand name of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilniaus Gedimino technikos universitetas, VGTU), a public technical university in Vilnius. You will see both names used officially.
Are the programmes taught in English?+
Many are, but not all. VILNIUS TECH runs a range of English-taught bachelor's, integrated, master's and PhD programmes — but each programme sets its own language of instruction. Confirm the language on the specific programme page before you apply.
How much is tuition for international students?+
For the 2026/2027 intake, non-EU annual tuition runs roughly from approximately EUR 3,950 for business/creative programmes up to around EUR 6,250–9,000 for architecture and some dual-degree programmes, with most engineering and IT around EUR 4,950. EU/EEA rates are lower. Confirm the exact figure on the official tuition page — fees change every intake.
Does the Aircraft Piloting programme make me a licensed pilot?+
VILNIUS TECH's integrated Aircraft Piloting programme is designed to lead to an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) alongside the degree, but the licence itself is issued by the civil aviation authority under EASA rules, not by the university, and depends on meeting separate medical, flight-hour and examination requirements. Confirm current details with the Aviation Institute.
When do I apply for the 2026/2027 intake?+
Applications for international students opened on 5 January 2026 and the deadline was 20 April 2026, with studies starting on 1 September 2026. Dates change each year, so always check the official admission page for the current cycle.