Scholarships in Lithuania for International Students
Lithuania offers several scholarship and tuition-reduction opportunities for international students pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, exchange and other eligible programmes. However, scholarships are competitive, and not every funding opportunity is available to every nationality.
For students planning to study in Europe, a scholarship can reduce tuition fees and, in certain cases, help with living expenses. Funding may be provided by the Lithuanian government, individual universities, private partners or European programmes such as Erasmus+.
This guide explains the major scholarship categories, what they may cover, how applications normally work and what Zimbabwean students should check before relying on a scholarship as part of their study-abroad budget.
Can International Students Get Scholarships in Lithuania?
Yes. International students may apply for scholarships offered through Lithuanian institutions, government programmes and European funding schemes. The available opportunities depend on the applicant's nationality, study level, programme, academic record and the specific scholarship call.
Funding opportunities may be available for:
- Bachelor's degree programmes
- Master's degree programmes
- Doctoral and research programmes
- Short-term studies
- Exchange programmes
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's programmes
Some awards are open to applicants from many countries, while others are restricted to citizens of countries listed in a particular call.
Types of Scholarships Available in Lithuania
| Scholarship type | Possible benefit | Typical selection basis |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition-free scholarship | May cover the full tuition fee | Academic excellence, motivation and admission strength |
| Partial tuition scholarship | May cover a percentage of tuition | Academic record and competitive ranking |
| State scholarship | May include a monthly allowance and study-cost grant | Nationality, study level and conditions of the annual call |
| University merit scholarship | Tuition reduction, one-off payment or continuing award | Strong academic performance |
| Erasmus+ mobility grant | Contribution towards mobility-related costs | Participation through an eligible institution or programme |
| Erasmus Mundus scholarship | May contribute to participation, travel, visa and living costs | Competitive admission to an eligible joint Master's programme |
Lithuanian State Scholarships
Lithuanian state scholarships are administered through the country's Education Exchanges Support Foundation. The programme normally publishes separate calls for eligible forms of study, which may include full-time Master's studies, short-term studies and Lithuanian language or cultural studies.
For the 2026 full-time Master's call, the official Study in Lithuania portal listed a monthly scholarship of €592. A grant towards study costs was also available, subject to the national standard study-cost limit.
Official information can be checked through: Study in Lithuania scholarships and the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.
University Scholarships in Lithuania
Lithuanian universities may provide their own scholarships, tuition waivers or fee reductions. Each university determines its eligibility criteria, application process, award value and renewal requirements.
University scholarships may be awarded based on:
- Outstanding academic results
- A strong motivation letter
- Previous achievements and awards
- Leadership or extracurricular activities
- Research ability for postgraduate applicants
- Performance after enrolment
Example: VILNIUS TECH Scholarships
For the 2026–2027 academic year, VILNIUS TECH advertised tuition-free and partial scholarships for eligible first-year international applicants. Partial awards included reductions of 50% and 25% of the tuition fee.
These opportunities are competitive and have specific deadlines and selection criteria. Students should not assume that the same scholarship structure will remain available in future academic years.
Check the current information on the official VILNIUS TECH scholarship page.
Other University Opportunities
Other Lithuanian universities may offer:
- Full or partial tuition waivers
- Merit awards for newly admitted students
- Performance-based scholarships for enrolled students
- Faculty-specific awards
- Research or project funding
- Scholarships supported by private companies
The safest approach is to check the scholarship page of every university to which you intend to apply.
Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
Erasmus+ Mobility
Lithuania participates in Erasmus+, the European Union programme supporting education, training and international mobility.
Erasmus+ mobility grants are commonly accessed through participating universities. Depending on the activity, funding may contribute towards mobility-related costs, but it may not cover every expense.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's programmes are delivered jointly by multiple higher education institutions, often across more than one country. Competitive full scholarships may be available to highly ranked students from around the world.
According to the official Erasmus+ information, these scholarships may cover or contribute towards:
- Programme participation costs
- Travel expenses
- Visa-related expenses
- A living allowance
Applicants apply directly to the relevant Erasmus Mundus programme rather than submitting one general scholarship application for every programme.
Explore official opportunities through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's portal.
Scholarships in Lithuania for Zimbabwean Students
Zimbabwean students can apply for opportunities that are open to their nationality or to international applicants generally. However, there may not always be a scholarship specifically reserved for Zimbabwean citizens.
The most realistic options to investigate are:
- University tuition-free scholarships
- Partial tuition reductions
- International merit scholarships
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships
- Faculty or programme-specific awards
- Scholarships awarded after enrolment
Zimbabwean applicants should also confirm whether their academic qualifications meet the university's admission and recognition requirements. A scholarship cannot replace the need to satisfy the programme's academic and English-language conditions.
What Can a Lithuanian Scholarship Cover?
The exact benefit depends on the scholarship provider. An award may cover one or more of the following:
- The full tuition fee
- A percentage of the tuition fee
- A fixed tuition discount
- A monthly living allowance
- Study-related costs
- Travel or mobility costs
- Visa-related costs under selected programmes
Students should carefully read the award conditions to establish what is not covered. Common expenses that may remain the student's responsibility include:
- University application fees
- Document legalisation or certification
- Residence-permit and immigration fees
- Health insurance
- Accommodation deposits
- Food and personal expenses
- Flights and local transport
- Any tuition balance not covered by the scholarship
Read our detailed guide to the cost of studying in Lithuania before calculating your final budget.
Documents Commonly Required for Scholarship Applications
Requirements vary, but applicants may be asked to submit:
- A completed scholarship application
- Passport copy
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Proof of admission or a university application
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of English-language ability
- Research proposal for relevant postgraduate programmes
- Evidence of achievements, leadership or extracurricular activities
How to Apply for Scholarships in Lithuania
- Choose your programme and university.
Confirm that your qualifications meet the academic entry requirements before focusing on scholarship funding. - Check the scholarship's eligibility rules.
Review nationality, programme, study level, academic-performance and English-language conditions. - Confirm whether admission is required first.
Some scholarships require an admission application or offer before the scholarship application can be considered. - Prepare your supporting documents.
Collect transcripts, certificates, references, your CV and any required motivation or research documents. - Write a targeted motivation letter.
Explain why you selected the programme, how it connects to your goals and why you are a strong candidate for financial support. - Submit before the deadline.
Do not wait until the final day. Technical problems or missing documents can cause an otherwise strong application to be rejected. - Monitor your email and application portal.
The university may request an interview, clarification or additional documentation.
How to Improve Your Scholarship Chances
Maintain Strong Academic Results
Scholarships are competitive. Strong grades demonstrate academic ability and help distinguish your application from other candidates.
Apply Early
Early preparation gives you enough time to correct documents, obtain recommendation letters and produce a thoughtful motivation letter.
Customise Every Application
Avoid sending the same generic motivation letter to every university. Address the specific programme, scholarship criteria and institution.
Demonstrate Clear Career Goals
Explain how the programme fits your education, professional plans and intended contribution after graduation.
Apply for More Than One Opportunity
Do not depend on one scholarship. Where eligible, investigate several universities, programmes and funding sources.
Follow the Instructions Exactly
A strong applicant can still be disqualified by missing documents, an incorrect file format or late submission.
Common Scholarship Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming every scholarship is open to every nationality
- Believing “scholarship available” means funding is guaranteed
- Applying after the published deadline
- Submitting a generic motivation letter
- Ignoring programme admission requirements
- Depending on a scholarship without a backup budget
- Failing to calculate accommodation and immigration expenses
- Using outdated scholarship information from unofficial websites
- Paying unverified individuals who promise guaranteed funding
Can You Combine a Scholarship with Part-Time Work?
A student may be able to combine scholarship support with permitted employment, subject to Lithuanian immigration rules, the conditions attached to the scholarship and the demands of the academic programme.
However, part-time employment should not be treated as guaranteed funding for tuition or visa preparation. Employment availability, salary, language requirements and working hours differ.
Read our guide to working while studying in Lithuania for a fuller explanation.
Related Lithuania Study Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scholarships in Lithuania fully funded?
Some scholarships may cover full tuition or provide broader financial support, but many are partial. Applicants must read the exact award conditions to identify what is covered.
Can international students receive undergraduate scholarships?
Yes. Some Lithuanian universities offer tuition-free or partial scholarships to eligible international Bachelor's applicants. Availability differs by institution and academic year.
Can Zimbabwean students apply for Lithuanian state scholarships?
Only when Zimbabwe is included among the eligible countries for the specific call. Eligibility must be confirmed using the official announcement for that academic year.
Is a scholarship guaranteed after receiving admission?
No. Admission and scholarship selection are usually separate decisions. Receiving a university offer does not automatically guarantee financial support.
Do I need excellent grades?
Strong academic results improve your chances, especially for merit-based awards. Providers may also evaluate motivation, leadership, research ability and other achievements.
Should I apply for admission or the scholarship first?
It depends on the provider. Some awards require an admission application or offer first, while others allow both applications to be completed within the same process.
Can a scholarship cover all living expenses?
Only where the award specifically includes an adequate living allowance. Students should calculate their complete budget and determine which expenses remain uncovered.
Final Thoughts
Scholarships can make studying in Lithuania more affordable, but they remain competitive and subject to specific eligibility rules. The strongest applicants combine good academic performance with early preparation, accurate documentation and a well-written motivation letter.
Before applying, verify the current scholarship call, confirm whether your nationality is eligible and prepare a realistic backup budget. This prevents you from depending on funding that has not yet been awarded.
Official Scholarship Sources
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