PhD Programmes

Information about PhD Studies

Doctoral studies

Doctoral studies are third-cycle studies, the main purpose of which is to prepare scientists who shall be able to independently conduct research and R&D activities as well as to solve scientific problems. A person who has completed doctoral studies and obtained a doctorate degree shall have acquired the most advanced research and professional knowledge and be ready to use it for the development of new ideas or processes in academic and non-academic environments.

Study fields and areas:

Natural Sciences
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Physical Geography

Humanities
Ethnology
Philology

Social sciences
Education Sciences
Economy
Political Sciences
Management

Technological Sciences
Transport Engineering

Organization of doctoral studies

Successfully defended dissertations

A doctoral study programme consists of: courses for PhD students, independent research under supervision, and the writing of a dissertation. Studies are organised in accordance to an individual study plan. Generally, during the first study year, a doctoral student is to earn at least 30 ECTS credits, and the rest of the time shall be devoted to the writing of scientific papers, participation in scientific conferences and internships, and the writing of a doctoral dissertation. Upon completion of the study programme and the defence of the doctoral dissertation, a doctorate degree shall be awarded.
Given the intensity of studies, there are full-time (4–year) and part-time (6–year) studies. Individuals who have independently prepared a dissertation can defend it externally (duration: 1 year).

Doctoral studies can be funded from the State budget and personal or project funds. State funded students are awarded a monthly scholarship (1^st study year – 931 Eur, from 2^ndto4^th study years – 1078 Eur) and may receive support for travel and other needs. The tuition fee for students, studying on their own expenses, is 11589 Eur per year for full-time studies, and 7726 Eur per year for part-time studies.

Admission criteria

People are admitted to doctoral studies on the basis of an open competition. The most important criteria include:

Grade point average of the master‘s diploma
Assessment of a scientific project on the chosen topic
Published, or accepted for publication, scientific papers
The outcome of the motivational interview obligatory for all applicants (live or online)

More exhaustive admission criteria, as well as potential topics for dissertations, shall be announced in May through July, depending on the study field.

The documents required for admission

Master‘s diploma (or a document certifying an equivalent level qualification) and its supplement
Notarised translation of the master‘s diploma and its supplement into Lithuanian
A document certifying recognition of the qualifications acquired abroad issued by Klaipėda University or the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education of Lithuania (http://www.skvc.lt/en/content.asp?id=190).
Recognition of qualifications may take 2 to 4 weeks
2 letters of recommendation
CV
Scientific publications (if any) and their copies
A research project
A copy of an identity document.

Other documents shall be indicated in the Admission Rules announced in May through July (depending on the study field).

A short memo for the applicants

To contact the scientific advisor of the chosen topic (in case the topics have not been published, to contact the specified contact person in the desired study field)
To apply for the recognition of education acquired abroad in Lithuania
To prepare and submit all the documents required for admission, as specified in the Admission Rules
To attend the admission sitting at the specified time or to take part in it online
After being admitted and signing the agreement, to apply to the Migration Department for a temporary residence permit in Lithuania and to open an account at the Bank of Lithuania

Contact person for PhD studies Vita Jušienė email: vita.jusiene@ku.lt

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