For international visitors

VMU Now and Before Atnaujinta: 2011-12-08 14:53:00

Vytautas Magnus University, established in 1922 (re-established in 1989) is one of the most liberal and modern universities in Lithuania, boasting an exciting history, nurturing and continuing deep-rooted traditions, playing a leading role in not just Lithuanian, but also the entire Baltic and European intellectual and cultural sphere. The academic community of VMU is united by the idea of artes liberales, i.e. the classical university of liberal arts. Warm, honest interaction and liberal humanist spirit always follow and provide strength to the community.

Liberal Arts University

What sets this university apart is its willingness to organize studies, scientific research and life of the community in a different way. Classical liberal arts universities are the labs of modern life, educating bold young people who are not afraid to experiment and are on their way to becoming professional contributors to their own country’s future. A classical university is not governed by pragmatic matters. Formulas do not apply here. This is the space for young people to develop critical thinking and become more open-minded. This is where the country’s future is built. Such is the Vytautas Magnus University of today.

More about the idea of a university of liberal arts is available on the page Liberal Arts University.

Time-Honoured Traditions

The history of Vytautas Magnus University is traced back to 1922, when the Program of Higher Studies was reorganized and a new school was founded under the name of the University of Lithuania.

When in 1919 Lithuania lost its historical capital Vilnius, it fell upon the second-largest city Kaunas to serve as the provisional capital and the country‘s political, economic and cultural center for the next twenty years. Likewise, this university was the only higher education school in Lithuania at the time and became a vitally important breeding ground for cultural, scientific and modern national ideas. In commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the death of ancient Lithuania‘s most popular leader Grand Duke Vytautas the Great, the University of Lithuania was renamed Vytautas Magnus University in 1930.

In 1950, the university was shut down by the Soviet government, but its academic tradition was kept alive by the emigrants for long years until restoration of independence. In 1989, the university was re-established thanks to the collective efforts of Lithuanian and emigrant scientists.

VMU is actively implementing the goals set by local and foreign intellectuals who founded the university. It is nurturing openness, dialogue and tolerance, development and expansion of national culture, all the while building a unique study model based on liberal and democratic principles.

A closer look at the history of the university is available on the page History of VMU.

Timeline of Major Events in VMU History

  • 1922 – University of Lithuania is established in Kaunas.
  • 1930 – University of Lithuania is granted the name of Vytautas Magnus.
  • 1950 – Vytautas Magnus University is closed.
  • 1989 – Vytautas Magnus University is re-established under joint efforts of Lithuanian and Diaspora scientists.
  • 2009 – Vytautas Magnus University marks the 20th anniversary since its reestablishment.
  • 2012 – University will celebrate the 90th anniversary since establishment.

VMU Honorary Doctors and Professors


Since the establishment of the university in 1922, almost 80 distinguished people have been awarded the Honorary Doctor’s or Honorary Professor’s degrees. Honorary titles have been granted to the Presidents, Signatories of the Independence Act, public intellectuals, political scientists, internationally acclaimed poets, archaeologists, VMU community members, Lithuanian and world-famous intellectuals.

Vytautas Magnus University has awarded four leaders of the Lithuanian Republic with the regalia of VMU Honorary Doctor title. Prior to the closure of the university in 1950, the presidents Antanas Smetona and Kazys Grinius received the titles of Honorary Doctors. After the revival of the university in 1989, the Honorary Doctor’s Degree was awarded to Vytautas Landsbergis, the highest official of Lithuania from 1990 to 1992. Another recipient of the award was the President Valdas Adamkus (in office 1998–2003, 2004–2009), one of the first exile intellectuals and scientists, who wholeheartedly supported the reestablishment of Vytautas Magnus University and has remained an active participant in its management to this day.

The title of VMU Honorary Doctor has also been awarded to diplomat, Ambassador of Lithuania in the USA and Representative of the Holy See Stasys Lozoraitis, world-famous anthropologist, environmentalist, prominent researcher of orangutans Prof. Birutė Marija Galdikas, archeologist and pioneer of archeomythology Prof. Marija Gimbutas, researcher of small-nation revival Miroslav Hroch, historian, political scientist, famous public figure and author of books, scientific and publicistic articles Alfred Erich Senn, emigrant artist and one of the best known propagators of avant-garde cinema Jonas Mekas. The regalia of VMU Honorary Doctor have been awarded to the prominent, internationally recognized poet, publicist, literature researcher and famous Soviet-era dissident Prof. Tomas Venclova, one of the greatest 20th century poets, Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Honorary Citizen of Lithuania and professor at the University of Berkeley Czesław Miłosz, as well as an illustrous Polish intellectual, historian, publicist, internationally awarded dissident and one of the leaders of the "Solidarity" movement in Poland Adam Michnik.

For his achievements in social sciences and support in the publication of a book series on Baltic studies, the regalia of VMU Honorary Doctor were awarded to Prof. Zygmunt Bauman; Professor at the University of Bergen Orm Øverland was awarded for the initiative of inter-university collaboration; the Prof. Vilhelm Einar Stellan Hjertén from Uppsala University was also granted the title of VMU Honorary Doctor for his global achievements in the field of separation sciences and active collaborations with Vytautas Magnus University.

The lists and details of the prominent people from Lithuania and abroad who have been titled VMU Honorary Doctors and Honorary Professors can be found in the pages VMU Honorary Doctors and VMU Honorary Professors.

Special Attention to International Relations


Vytautas Magnus University devotes special attention to international activities. Their beginnings are traced back to lectures at VMU by the members of the Lithuanian Diaspora, nurturing thoughts of intellectual and cultural rebirth in 1989. Today VMU is collaborating with many universities and scientists around the world, carrying out projects, student and worker exchange, constantly improving the system of studying and research. 

VMU is a member of the most important European associations  and international organisations of higher education and research, such as the European University Association, the European Association for International Education, the Baltic Sea Region University Network and the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies. University faculties also communicate with international organizations and are granted memberships in them.

The university is collaborating with 236 universities worldwide with relations determined by bilateral agreements. These agreements foresee student and staff exchange, internships, various seminars and conferences, joint projects, scientific research.

Master’s degree program MIREES is carried out in collaboration with the University of Bologna, the University of Ljubljana and the Corvinus University of Budapest. The College of Law at Michigan State University is collaborating with VMU by issuing the MSU Certificate in Translation Law in addition to VMU students. Baltic Graduate School has been founded in accordance with collaboration agreements by VMU, Tallinn University and the University of Latvia. The joint Master’s degree program of Baltic Region Studies has been implemented together with the universities of Latvia, Tartu and Turku, joint electronic journals and other publications are also released.

University has been taking part in the Socrates/Erasmus programme since 1999. It allows students to gain language skills and new knowledge, discover a culture, learn about European countries’ experiences in the fields of their studies. In 2009, the Socrates/Erasmus programme expanded and was renamed to LLP/Erasmus (Lifelong Learning Programme). The programme provides students with the opportunity to study at a university abroad once and do internship in a foreign company. Currently VMU has 161 LLP/Erasmus partner in 28 countries. Every year about 200 students and 80 employees of VMU the LLP/Erasmus programme, while about 100 incoming foreign students come to VMU.

In 2003 the university was the first in Lithuania to join the Campus Europae university network. The goal of the 19 united higher education schools is to encourage students to learn languages of European countries (in the first semester, students learn not just the specialty subjects but the language of the country they are visiting as well, and in the second semester they attend lectures held in local language). Students acquire not just scientific and practical but cultural and social knowledge as well, establish useful professional relations.

The university has also signed bilateral exchange agreements with 75 universities in 28 countries in Europe, Asia, South and North America. VMU frequently holds various international summer schools.

Vytautas Magnus University, re-established under the joint effort of Lithuanian and the Diaspora scientists two decades ago, is striving to become an academic centre for all Lithuanians in the world. The university project Lithuanian Diaspora Academy unites the Lithuanian Diaspora, fosters cooperation among Lithuanian emigrants and local Lithuanian scientists and students in academic projects, and attracts everyone who is interested in Lithuania and its culture. Lithuanian Diaspora Academy embraces many activities: courses that are organized all through the year (Refresh in Lithuania, Lithuanian Language and Culture summer courses), opportunities for distance learning, exchange programmes, internships. Thus, it enables young people of Lithuanian origin to have practical training in the majoring field, acquire professional experience in various state institutions, hospitals, artistic groups and non-governmental institutions.

More information about this project is available on the page Lithuanian Diaspora Academy, while details on internationality at VMU are provided on the page International Activities. Further inquiries on international relations and their coordination at VMU should be directed to the International Office.

Development of Internationality at VMU In Brief

Liberal Studies Environment Fosters Creativity

Vytautas Magnus University is known for offering wide-spanning general university education and not just awarding the graduates with Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees but also raising active members of the society able to think independently and creatively. Many VMU alumni do not shy away from learning and improving for all of their lives.

Studies at the university are organised by 10 faculties (Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Catholic Theology, Faculty of Economics and Management, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Informatics, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, Faculty of Social Sciences and Music Academy). Together they offer more than 450 Bachelor and Master level as well as non-degree semester long courses, in English and other languages. There are eight Master's degree programmes taught entirely in English. More information about part-time courses and full-time studies in English can be found on the website of VMU International Office.

Members of the university’s academic community and the incoming students can learn 26 modern and classical foreign languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Turkish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Estonian, Latvian, Norwegian, Danish, Russian, Polish, Latin, Greek (ancient, Old Testament or modern), Hebrew, Lithuanian sign language. If there is interest from the students, the Old Dutch and Serbian language courses are also offered.

VMU also allows students to attend the chosen courses as free listeners. After studies, free listeners get academic certificates (list of subjects taken, credits and marks received).

The university follows liberal study policy, which lets students themselves plan their studies, decided when and what subjects to take, they also have the possibility to move from one study programme to another and change the form of studies. Alongside a Bachelor’s degree diploma of their major specialty, VMU graduates can also get a certificate of minor studies and later apply for Master’s degree programme of another study field.

One of high-priority tasks at the university is the training of scientists able to independently conduct scientific research, stimulate experimental (social, cultural) development and solve scientific problems. The university offers PhD studies in 18 scientific fields of the humanities, social sciences, biomedicine and physics. Doctoral studies were launched at VMU in 1993, four years after its re-establishment. 42 persons were awarded the PhD degree in 2009. From 1993 to 2011, a total of over 400 doctoral dissertations were successfully defended at the university.

Lectures and seminars in Vytautas Magnus University take place in modern rooms, laboratories, computer classes, foreign language learning centres. Ten specialised reading rooms contain more than 500 workplaces, 70 of which are computerized and utilise the latest technology. 95 % of all university spaces use fast wireless Internet connection. VMU students may receive accommodation in two dormitories which have more than 800 rooms. The university also provides favourable studying conditions to people with disabilities. VMU gives out about 2,000 various social and incentive scholarships every year.

More details on studies at VMU, especially those offered to incoming foreign students, is available in the Studies section of the website.

VMU Studies and Learning Conditions in Brief

  • Studies at the university are organized by 10 faculties
  • 32 Bachelor’s, 49 Master’s (8 of them in English), 16 post-graduate programmes, Integrated Legal Studies, bridge courses to college graduates and PhD studies in 18 scientific fields
  • Over 450 BA courses in English
  • 26 intensive foreign language courses
  • Fast wireless Internet in 95% of all university spaces
  • Students live in 2 modern dormitories (more than 800 rooms) downtown or nearby
  • 2,000 social and incentive scholarships awarded annually

Solid Experience in Scientific Research and Projects


Vytautas Magnus University scientists have accumulated solid experience in international scientific research and project management. They hold memberships of national and international professional associations of diverse scientific areas and fields. Publications in the scientific press of Lithuania and foreign countries are frequently announced.

Seeking to integrate research from a variety of fields, 28 groups of active scientists have been formed at Vytautas Magnus University since 2008. They investigate diverse scientific areas according to distinct research priorities in biomedicine and physics, the humanities and social sciences. Vytautas Magnus University also publishes 23 scientific journals.

By participating in projects, university staff can conduct research, prepare learning and study programmes, improve own abilities and raise qualifications, establish useful professional ties. Projects become an adjacent, additional part of the regular process of studies and research. Project management is an effective way to adopt innovations in studies and research by taking part in the collaborative networks of the city, the district, the country and the world, active links of collaboration are retained with foreign universities and social partners in Lithuania and abroad.

For their participation in scientific research, experimental development, achievements and merits, several dozens of VMU scientists were given noteworthy awards and prizes, including National Science Award and the Lithuanian National Prize.

More about science and research is available on the page About Science and Research at VMU.

Science and Research at VMU in Facts and Figures

  • 30 active groups of scientists are working at VMU, investigating diverse scientific areas according to distinct research priorities in the fields of biomedicine and physics, the humanities and social sciences
  • In 2010, the university signed 38 new agreements for the implementation of programmes and projects supported by the EU and Lithuanian institutions
  • 15 agreements with Lithuanian and foreign institutions were signed in 2009
  • 102 projects financed by international, Lithuanian and other foundations were being carried out at VMU in 2010
  • The university publishes 16 scientific journals, included in international databases, and 7 other peer-reviewed scientific journals and collections of scientific works
  • In 2010, VMU held 26 international scientific events, many of which were organized by the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy
  • 63 publications on science or studies were published in 2010

Art Spaces and Creative Self-Expression


VMU art spaces are cultural hot spots of the city. Important annual cultural events and festivals of Kaunas take place here, such as the already 20 years old International Kaunas Jazz Festival and the International Festival of Modern Dance. Furthermore, various cultural, educational and social activities in Kaunas find their home here, together with educational projects and exhibitions presenting the cultural and historical context of art. Fans of non-commercial cinema gather at VMU as well. University faculties and divisions have several hundreds of student volunteers who enthusiastically assist in the events held by VMU’s partners: Kaunas International Film Festival, Kaunas Dance Theatre AURA, etc.

Seeking to enrich the cultural life at VMU and in Kaunas, the Arts Centre was established at the VMU Faculty of Arts in 2008. The centre encourages and supports the students’ creative initiatives, creates conditions for communication and work with art professionals, facilitates objective, critical view towards art processes, initiates interdisciplinary art projects by artists of visual and performing arts, introduces them to the society, holds exhibitions, community discussions and meetings. VMU Arts Centre unites the activities of VMU Art Gallery 101, Menu Virtuvė (Art Kitchen), the student folklore ensemble Linago, girls’ chamber choir, academic theatre of movement, student theatre study, folk-dance ensemble Žilvitis, dance group Indigo. The Dept. of Theatrology at the Faculty of Arts gives a helping hand to the Theatre Club, which unites the lovers of stage arts and art professionals not necessarily connected to VMU.

Most of the events organized by or at VMU are open to the general public – all culture-conscious residents and guests of Kaunas are as welcome here as the university’s academic community.

Every member of Vytautas Magnus University’s academic community can find himself a place for not just relaxation but development of one’s personality, expanding of horizons and finding like-minded peers. People sharing various interests and needs can unite and have fruitful discussions, exchange ideas and opinions and improve, thanks to numerous academic and student clubs of VMU (VMU Economicus, the English Club, philosophy club Agora, Pablo Neruda Spanish Language and Culture Club, the Radio Club, etc.), the Students Representative Council, Newsroom (consisting of the website VDU.lt, editorial board of university journal "Sesija" ("Session"), VMU Radio and the video report studio) and other environment for self-expression.

VMU Arts and Clubs in Facts and Figures

  • Over 20 academic and student clubs are functioning at VMU, as well as Sports Centre and the Students’ Representative Council, which takes care of the students’ interests and eventful leisure.
  • The VMU alumni have 4 clubs and associations.
  • The university has opened 6 art spaces and museums in Kaunas.
  • VMU Arts Centre unites activities of Art Gallery 101, Menu Virtuvė (Art Kitchen), folklore ensemble, girls’ chamber choir, academic theatre of movement, student theatre study and folk-dance ensemble.
  • VMU Newsroom consists of the editorial offices of the website VDU.lt and the VMU paper Universitas Vytauti Magni, the radio station of VMU and the video reporting studio.