VMU – The Largest University in Kaunas by Student Numbers

With the start of the academic year, Kaunas saw an influx of students, the majority of whom chose to study at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). In terms of the number of bachelor’s and integrated studies students admitted to universities this year, VMU remains among the leaders in Lithuania, welcoming 1,385 first-year students. More than 8,000 candidates who met the admission requirements expressed their interest in studying in bachelor’s programmes offered at the University, marking a 12% increase from the previous year.

Psychology studies lead in popularity

“We are certainly observing a rise in the popularity of VMU studies and trust in the University. In the first stage of admissions alone, 1,474 high school graduates chose studies at VMU as their first priority. This year, we also received very strong candidates, but unfortunately, due to insufficient state funding, a significant number did not receive invitations to study and attempted to enrol in later stages,” says Dr. Simona Pilkienė, VMU Vice-Rector for Studies.

According to Dr. Pilkienė, the largest group of first-year students, totalling 143, enrolled in the Psychology programme, which ranks among the top ten most popular study programmes in Lithuania. The Marketing, Business Administration, Law and Finance, and Multimedia and Internet Technologies programmes have also attracted a great deal of student interest and saw a 50% increase in admissions.

VMU Vice-Rector for Studies Dr. Simona Pilkienė

A unique opportunity to get to know the University while still at school

Loreta Petrauskaitė, Head of VMU Study Marketing and Admission Unit, points out that Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas is not only a leader in the number of students admitted but also in the range of study programmes offered: the University offers the most diverse array of study fields available to students.

“The concept of Artes Liberales, which aims to develop broadly skilled individuals rather than narrowly specialised experts, is increasingly attracting young people. This approach not only minimises the chance of mistakes, as students can tailor their own studies, but also prepares them to adapt to ever-changing future conditions. Just as around 10 years ago we could hardly have predicted that social network administrators or artificial intelligence managers would become in-demand professions, it is similarly difficult today to determine which professions will best adapt to the future labour market,” notes Loreta Petrauskaitė.

Loreta Petrauskaitė, Head of VMU Study Marketing and Admission Unit

VMU Vice-Rector for Studies Dr. Pilkienė is delighted with the growing number of motivated students who have chosen VMU as their first priority and who were introduced to the unique Artes Liberales studies while still at school, systematically preparing for them by participating in various University activities: Schoolchildren University, VMU School Network, Summer School, and other events.

“This year, we met dozens of former pupils in the corridors of VMU who had previously participated in University activities. It’s gratifying to see that they are much more confident, knowledgeable, and even assisting those who are new to the University. VMU projects are aimed at upper-secondary schoolchildren, so some first-year students have participated in the VMU Summer School or Schoolchildren University for several years, making the term ‘first-year student’ somewhat inapplicable to them,” explains Loreta Petrauskaitė as she discusses the reasons behind the increasing popularity of studies.

More than 1200 students enrolled in Master’s studies

This year also saw an increase in enrolment into Master’s programmes, with more than 1200 students choosing to pursue a Master’s degree at VMU. “Although young people are eager to enter the labour market as soon as possible and begin working while still in upper-secondary grades or in their first year of studies, they are increasingly realising that to pursue a professional career and take up higher positions, higher-level competencies are necessary, and to remain competitive in the labour market, it is essential to take full advantage of all the opportunities the University offers. The most popular Master’s programmes continue to be Educational Management, Health Psychology, and Business Logistics,” says VMU Vice-Rector for Studies.

The University community also welcomed a significant number of international students, with more than 400 international students this autumn enrolling in Bachelor’s and Master’s studies. “We notice that international students predominantly choose programmes that train highly qualified professionals worldwide, such as Bachelor’s programmes in Business Administration, Informatics Systems, Accounting and Finance, Logistics and Commerce, as well as Master’s programmes in Marketing and International Commerce, Business Logistics, and Applied Informatics,” says Dr. Pilkienė, describing popular study programmes among international students.

According to the VMU Vice-Rector for Studies, it is symbolic that this year, marking the 35th anniversary of the re-establishment of Vytautas Magnus University, the University fulfils the role that the expatriate professoriate in the United States envisioned 35 years ago: to re-establish in Lithuania a free university based on the principles of Artes Liberales, training professionals in all fields, and playing an important role in society.