Short history

VMU is sufficiently experienced in the field of the studies of the Baltic region. The non-degree programme of the Baltic Studies has existed since 1998 at VMU. The programme was initiated to introduce the politics, economy, history, social life, culture and language of the Baltic Region to researchers, students and others who are interested in all these issues. Until now this programme has existed as a non-degree programme and was mainly targeted at international exchange students

Necessity of the programme

The necessity of regional studies has been predetermined by the present cultural and geopolitical situation in the Baltic region as well as the integration of the Baltic countries into the European Union and NATO. The EU is a unique multicultural community, which aims at preserving the variety and distinctiveness of all the nations within the union. Therefore, it encourages all the member states to uphold their national culture in every possible way.  Thus the necessity of the Programme of the Baltic Region Studies has been predetermined by the following reasons:

• Uniqueness of such a programme in Lithuania. So far no institution has attempted to prepare political scientists who would specialise in the studies of the Baltic region.
• Popularity of similar programmes and/or courses in Western, Central European, Asian and American universities (these are regional programmes such as European studies, Asian studies, Eastern European studies, Scandinavian studies, American studies, etc.).
• The needs of the world labour market to have qualified specialists with the specific knowledge of a particular region and its problems.

Competence of the graduates and their future perspectives

Graduates of the Master's programme of the Baltic Region Studies will be granted the Master's degree in Political Sciences. The graduates of the programme will have sufficient knowledge to work efficiently in the extremely dynamic global environment. They will also gain competence in the on-going processes in neighbouring countries.

During the programme, which lasts two years, students will acquire theoretical knowledge of political, economical and cultural development at the national, regional and global level. Methodological, theoretical and practical conditions will be created to develop applied research and administrative activities. In addition, in the multi-cultural environment students will naturally acquire communicative skills to be applied in the constantly globalising world. 

Graduates of the programme of the Baltic Region Studies will have a possibility to work in various state, non-governmental and private institutions such as:

• Government institutions.
• Diplomatic structures: embassies, trade, culture and other representative offices in foreign countries.
• Representative offices at the international organizations, e.g. the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, European Council, etc.
• Economy units, e.g. banks of business investments, international funds, international organizations, business companies which have interests in the Baltic region.
• Educational institutions, e.g. institutions of higher education, institutes of scientific research.

Graduates of the programme of the Baltic Region Studies are offered the possibility to continue their studies in the post-graduate programme in the field of Social Sciences. After these studies they will be granted doctoral degrees.

Aims of the programme

The programme aims at providing students with the following theoretical and practical knowledge:

• competence in carrying out comparative analyses of political processes in different countries in the regional context;
• knowledge of theoretical models and their practical applications for examining regional political and economical phenomena; awareness of the main characteristics and regularities of these models;
• awareness of the political systems in the region, historical aspects of the regional processes and developmental perspectives in the region;
• ability to formulate research questions and to perceive the development of the Baltic countries in the European and world context;
• ability to identify, analyse, evaluate and foresee the main tendencies of political and economic processes in the Baltic region.

In addition, the Master's programme of the Baltic Region Studies has the following aims:

• to prepare highly qualified analysts with the special knowledge of the Baltic region; the graduates of the programme will also be capable to orient themselves in the regional and global environments;
• to prepare experts with profound knowledge of the politics of the Baltic region, its place in the international context as well as the possibilities of integration and co-operation;
• to prepare analysts - counsellors, capable to carry out comparative analyses of advantages and disadvantages of the Baltic region, to foresee the trends of political development and to determine the preconditions of stable and conflict areas;
• to prepare researchers who would increase regional co-operation;
• to prepare candidates for post-graduate studies;
• to raise students' tolerance of other cultures;
• to educate students as conscious society members open to science and culture, capable to compete in the market of high technologies and services.

Admission and registration

Programme 

Courses