Full-time International Students

We are pleased to welcome students at ISM and we are willing to help them find the accommodation during the study period. 

Please keep in mind that students sign the accommodation contract with properties directly.   

You can find our accommodation offers (co-living places, advertising websites, useful tips) here – ISM accommodation guide.

For individual support, please contact our accommodation support team at accommodation@ism.lt.

TIPS on renting an apartment in Vilnius can be found here: Step by Step Guide to Renting in Vilnius | Go Vilnius 

All international students are supposed to have medical insurance valid in Lithuania for the study period (it can be obtained each year). 

Health insurance for EU students

Students who are the citizens of European Union member countries are required to either have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or form E111 confirming that the student has EU health insurance, valid in Lithuania. 

Students who hold a European Health Insurance Card can get medical help by consulting their prescribed family doctor (GP) at any health care institution that has a contract with the Territorial Health Insurance Fund (THIF). Your family doctor could send you to a specialist if in need. Both – visiting your family doctor or a specialist are fully covered if the doctor has a contract with one of the territorial health insurance funds. 

The cost of dental treatment services is also covered for holders of EHIC who visit dentists that have contracts with THIF (although it is the patient’s obligation to pay for the materials). Such dentists usually work in national health care institutions. Most dentists in Vilnius work privately and payment for full treatment is usually needed. 

EU students who have private health insurance shall at first cover all of those health care expenses and then inform their health insurance company in order to get a refund – unless the insurance policy states otherwise. 

Medicines are usually only included in the hospitalization cost, while medicines prescribed by doctors have to be bought by patients. Prescribed subsidized medicines are partly covered by the national health insurance fund (Lithuanian: Valstybinė ligonių kasa – VLK) for EHIC holders. Any outstanding amount has to be paid by the patient. You will have to pay the full price for any pharmaceutical which is not listed in the national price list of subsidized medicines. 

Health insurance for non-EU students

Healthcare services for holders of a temporary residence permit (TRP) are funded by their private health insurer in accordance to the conditions established in the insurance policy. Only students that legally work in Lithuania can participate in the Lithuanian Compulsory Health Insurance system. For this, they need to contact the local THIF.

All students who are citizens of non-EU member countries are required to obtain health insurance either in their home country or Lithuania.

The cost of health insurance obtained in Lithuania may vary from around 50 to 150 EUR per year depending on the insurance policy (mainly on what part of the treatment cost is covered). This has to be done by contacting one of the private insurance companies if the student does not have a Permanent Residency Permit (if so, local THIF has to be contacted). 

Getting to Vilnius is easy – the city’s international airport operates direct flights to the main cities in Europe. The airport is only 15 min away from the city center (by taxi).

Lithuania also has airports in Kaunas and Palanga. From there, you may catch a bus or train, and get to Vilnius in less than 5 hours.

See train schedules here: https://ltglink.lt/en

See bus schedules here: https://autobusubilietai.lt/en

Public transport

Guidelines how to use public transport in Vilnius are here: https://www.govilnius.lt/plan-your-trip/getting-around-vilnius-/public-transport.

Download the Trafi app for your public transport routes and tickets (from App Store or Google Play).

Taxi

Once in Vilnius, you may take a taxi or use ride sharing service. Check out these options:

eTaksi – book a taxi online.

Bolt – download the application from the App Store or Google Play.

eTransport – Book online or download the application form the App Store or Google Play.

No one can understand you quite like a fellow student! That’s why we recommend all new international students to sign up for a Buddy – an ISM student who can assist with your arrival preparation and support you during your time here.

Applications to the Buddy program will be shared with admitted students in May. Buddies will start contacting their students in July-August.

The Buddy program is overseen by the ISM Student Association (ISM SA). For any questions, you can contact them at academic.affairs@ismsa.lt.

Would you like to learn some basic words and phrases before your arrival?

Check out these useful resources:

GoVilnius page – useful words and phrases.

Upon arrival, students will be invited to join the Lithuanian language course (6 ECTS) and learn the basics (A1.1 level).

More information and registration will be announced in September. Course starts mid-September.

For more information, please contact international@ism.lt.

Find more places offering Lithuanian language courses: https://micenter.lt/en/vilnius.

First time in Lithuania? Not sure what to expect? No worries, we’ve got you covered!

Check out this online guide:

Relocation guide for newcomers (by International House Vilnius)

There you will find all the necessary information for starting living in Vilnius – from health system to shopping, local events, and much more.

The academic calendar for the 2025/2026 A.Y.:

Bachelor/Undergraduate studies

Master/Graduate studies

All ISM freshman students are invited to kick off their student experience at the ISM Intro Week.

During this week, students are introduced to the most important academic and administrative matters, get to know each other through various social activities, meet Program directors and participate in the opening of the new Academic Year.

Intro Week dates for 2025-2026 A.Y.:

For Undergraduate/Bachelor students – August 25 – September 5, 2025.

For Graduate/Master students – August 28, 2025.

All students are expected to arrive before the Intro Week starts, and begin their studies at ISM no later than on September 2nd (September 1st is a celebration of the new Academic Year).

Closer to the start of the academic year, students will need to complete an online arrival confirmation form.

Student registration takes place on the first day of the Intro Week. Students arriving later will need to register their arrival (and pick up a Welcome Kit) at the Student Services Department, 2nd floor (rooms 202-203).

Students in Lithuania receive discounts in various places from restaurants to museums, from public transportation to certain shops. 

In order to have access to the University premises and to take advantage of student discounts, you need a card to prove that you are a student at ISM. In Lithuania, students can apply for the following:

• International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
• Lithuanian Student Identity Card (LSIC). 

LSIC is issued and administered by the Lithuanian National Union of Students (LSS) and is valid in Lithuania only. 

 ISIC is an international student identity card, recognized all around the world. You may order your ISIC card at ISM Library (ground floor). ISIC card with integrated Vilnius public transport e-ticket price – 13 EUR.

If you want to access as many student discounts as possible, we would recommend you to have both, however, one card is sufficient.

Due to the short processing time, we recommend you to order the ISIC card at the Library upon your arrival, and start using your students discounts (e.g., for public transport) immediately.

Grading System

ISM uses 10-point grading system.

Cumulative Grade Formula – in most cases the final grade is formed from the midterm and final exam grades, as well as the assignment grades. Negative points are not calculated into the final grade. Please note that 4,99 point is still counted as negative.

Detailed grading criteria can be found here.

Grading Tutorial (video)

Academic Regulations

Documentation regarding the regulations of studies at ISM is available on eLearning platform. 

ISM students receive their login credentials to ISM e-services approx. 1-2 weeks before the start of the semester.

All students receive access to:

• Student e-mail account (Outlook).
• MS Office (e.g., Teams) package.
• MY.ISM platform (lecture schedules, grades, etc.).
• eLearning (Moodle) – course materials and other studies information.
• Printing Service
• HelpDesk

Services are managed by the ISM IT department (hd.it@ism.lt).

Study program administration team: studies@ism.lt.

International opportunities: international@ism.lt.

Career counseling: career@ism.lt.

Accommodation support: accommodation@ism.lt

Migration support: hd.migration@ism.lt.

Develop your career from startup to big names by being a part of a close-knit community of enthusiastic professionals and entrepreneurs. 

Soak up the art in Vilnius’ theatres, galleries and street art places. 

Catch a beat at Vilnius’ festivals, open-airs and concerts. 

Take a breath of fresh air at Vilnius’ cozy courtyards, parks and terraces. 

IF YOU WANT TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACTIVITIES IN VILNIUS CITY, PLEASE CHECK HERE:  

https://www.govilnius.lt/visit-vilnius or Events | International House Vilnius (ihvilnius.lt)  

If you are a foreign student looking for an internship or a job, start by exploring ISM career partner companies and their offers.

At ISM University, we partner with 40+ TOP employers in Lithuania, who seek students for internship and full-time employment positions. Whether you are starting or advancing your career, join the internal career app to connect with your future employer!

Explore partner companies and job offers*

*The platform is used exclusively by ISM students and our business partners, so you need to create a student profile there to get access to companies, offers, career events and workshops.

If you wish to explore other companies, “Work in Lithuania” can help you access more opportunities in international companies. “Work in Lithuania” purpose is to encourage professionals living abroad to build their careers in Lithuania and to help international companies meet their potential employees. On the “Work in Lithuania” website you can research and browse jobs at international companies and startups located in Lithuania.

Access more information and resources to help your career planning on ISM career page.

International students have the right to work while studying in Lithuania as long as they are enrolled in a university. 

EU students can work full-time, meaning up to 40 hours per week.

International students from non EU countries can also work up to 40 hours per week after obtaining the temporary residence permit. The limitation of working time does not apply to international students.  

After graduating, you also have the possibility to apply for a temporary residence permit for 12 months for job search and self-employment purposes. 

! If you have a national visa (D) for your studies, you are NOT allowed to work during your studies (only after obtaining a temporary residence permit). 

Education Exchanges Support Foundation offers 100 Lithuanian state scholarships for full-time Master’s degree or integrated studies (a maximum of the two last years of the integrated studies) at Lithuanian higher education institutions every year. Funding under the Call is provided to the citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Georgia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Moldova, Ukraine and foreigners of Lithuanian origin from non-EU and EFTA countries.  

You can find all the information here: Full-Time Master Degree Studies – Study in Lithuania  

In case you have any questions relates to scholarships, please contact Education Exchanges Support Foundation by email: master.scholarships@smpf.lt  

University provides psychological counseling for students who want to overcome their present difficulties and learn to tackle similar problems in the future.  

The issues for counseling in most cases relate to:  

• Uncertainty caused by the need to take important decisions 
• Strong feeling of sadness, anxiety, fears
• Problems at work or studies 
• Stressful events (divorce, loss of the joy of life, and other unpleasant experiences) 
• Lack of self-confidence 

If you want to have a consultation, you can register through e-learning system or email. Consultations are provided in English, Russian and Lithuanian languages.