Information for international exchange students

ISM University of Management and Economics has the highest evaluation in Lithuania and is on the way of receiving the international AACSB accreditation. We use modern teaching methods and focus on practical knowledge and real-life cases while maintaining a close relationship with both Lithuanian and international businesses.

By choosing ISM for your exchange not only will you get a chance to study at Lithuania’s number 1 business school where students have the highest competitive score, but also an opportunity to study at a small and open community where you will quickly feel that you belong. ISM promises to provide you support when you need it, help you with your studies path, give you valuable advice, and share knowledge and experiences.

Around 50% of ISM academic faculty and 20% of our students is international. Every year we have students from more than 30 different countries studying at ISM. Most of the courses at ISM are taught in English.

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and the geographic center of Europe. It is modern European capital with its own distinctive ambiance, a unique blend of old and new, traditional and cutting edge. With the population of just over half a million it makes it easy to have a comfortable and sustainable living in Vilnius. ISM University of Management and Economics, located right in the heart of the city offers students the comfort of reaching the main sights and places within the walking distance and gives students an opportunity to enjoy the best of Lithuanian capital without having to commute long distances.

After submitting the personal data and the aforementioned documents students will also have to select the courses they will take at ISM. Once the course selection is approved, student can start preparing the Learning Agreement.

Erasmus+ program participants can use Online Learning Agreement (OLA) or any other mobility portal used by the Home university to prepare the document and collect the necessary signatures. Other mobility program (double-degree, bilateral, etc.) participants will receive the pdf version of the Learning Agreement.

Deadline: The signed Learning Agreement must be submitted by June 1 for the Autumn semester and December 1 for the Spring semester.

After all your uploaded documents and Learning Agreement has been approved, you will be issued the Admission Letter, which will be your official confirmation that you have been accepted for your exchange studies at ISM University of Management and Economics.

Admission letters are sent approx. 2-4 weeks after the admission process is completed.

After you have received your admission letter you have to get ready and book your tickets to Vilnius!

Together with the admission letter, students will receive an information package to help prepare for their arrival.

The maximum number of courses a student can take is – 5 (30 ECTS). Additional courses (but not more than 42 ECTS) can be taken for an extra fee.

There are quotas of how many exchange students can take a particular course. The admission is based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Undergraduate students can choose courses from undergraduate programs only, however, graduate students are allowed to choose courses from undergraduate programs.

Doctoral students are invited to take part in ISM doctoral studies as exchange students.

Academic offer for 2023-2025 AY. 

For more information about the academic offer, please contact the Doctoral studies department at ugne.gervickaite@ism.lt.

ISM University Factsheet for 2024-2025 can be found here.

The academic calendar for the 2024/2025 A.Y.:

Bachelor studies

Master studies

Graduate students have classes in the evenings starting from 18:00 and/or on Fridays and Saturdays. All master courses are organized on a module basis when the exam is held right after each course. Therefore, there is no regular exam session and courses might last from one up to four weeks.

Timetables are announced 2 weeks before the start of the semester. Students can access the timetables once they receive their login credentials to MY.ISM student portal.

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.

Students are invited to take a semester-long Lithuanian language course for international students. Course is worth 6 ECTS.

Course starts 2 weeks after the beginning of semester.

Course syllabus

Before the beginning of every semester, ISM International studies office together with ESN ISM (Erasmus Student Network) organizes Welcome Week for new international students.

There are 30 – 80 international students coming to ISM each semester, therefore, it is a good chance to meet everyone and make friends before the semester begins.

During the Welcome week you will have all kinds of activities planned for you – seminars, picnics, city tours, visiting museums, trips, parties, Lithuanian language crash course, cultural introduction to Lithuania, and much more.

Participation in Welcome week is mandatory. The program of the Welcome week is announced a couple of weeks prior to the event.

ESN Erasmus Student Network is the biggest student organization in the European Union. ISM ESN section is a local students‘ representation that is here to help all of you with any kind of issues you have! They will help you integrate into the local society better, organize trips, parties, and social events for you. And most importantly, they will help you find your buddy – a local student who will be your friend and your mentor, too!

Students with individual needs are advised to contact their coordinator at the International Office of their home university to discuss their need for support as soon as possible. If you are coming under the Erasmus exchange program you are encouraged to seek extra scholarships at your home university to cover any costs related to your individual needs.

It may be helpful to let us know, too. You may contact the International Studies Office via e-mail at international@ism.lt to make sure that your needs are met.

The issuance of a temporary residence certificate confirming the right to reside in the Republic of Lithuania

You must register your residence if you come to live in the Republic of Lithuania for more than 3 months in a 6-month period and obtain a certificate signifying the right to temporarily reside in Lithuania. You must do so within 3 months of arrival at the Migration Board of Vilnius County Chief Police Commissariat, Vytenio Str. 18, Vilnius.

For the registration the following documents are necessary:

1. an application of the specified form  – you can find it at www.migracija.lt
2. a valid passport or an identity card;
3. document confirming that student has been admitted to ISM University (issued by ISM University International Studies Office within 3-5 working days under student‘s request);
4. a document confirming that student is in possession of adequate means of
5. subsistence for himself/herself;
6. a valid document confirming possession of medical insurance;
7. document concerning the place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania.

Prior to lodging the application, the state fee in the amount of 8,60 EUR for the issuance of the certificate must be paid (there are no state fees for replacement of a certificate).

Important

Official documents issued abroad must be translated into the Lithuanian language. Translation is considered to be official when it is bound to a certified true copy of the document in the original language and is attested by the translator’s signature.

It is your responsibility to meet immigration requirements applicable to the Republic of Lithuania. University representatives can only provide general information. You must check requirements for your own specific circumstances with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. Requirements do change and you must check them up to date in good time before arrival.

Exchange students

Students who are citizens of non-EU need to apply for National Visa D in their home countries at Lithuanian Embassies or Consular posts or Visa Centers. The issuance of National Visa D approximately takes 15 days.

The required documents to obtain national visa D for international students:

• Completed application form
• A valid travel document (passport) issued within the last ten years, that validity period is at least 3 months longer than the validity period of the requested visa;
• EPIS number of the online mediation letter from ISM university to issue visa D (issued by International Studies Office within 3-5 working days);
• Proofs of sufficient means of support (bank transcript or proofs how you support yourself) – at least 305 EUR per month;
• 1 photo (35 x 45 color);
• A document confirming health insurance that will be valid during the stay in the
• Republic of Lithuania (the minimal health insurance sum comprises EUR 30000);
• Document concerning the place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania;
• Consular fee for visa.

Important

When an application for national visa D is submitted, Official documents issued abroad must be translated* into the Lithuanian language or issued in the original English language.

* Translation is considered to be official when it is bound to a certified true copy of the document in the original language and is attested by the translator’s signature.

It is your responsibility to meet immigration requirements applicable to the Republic of Lithuania.

University representatives can only provide general information about this. You must check requirements for your own specific circumstances with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. Requirements do change and you must check the up to date in good time before departure.

Contact the Migration Department:
www.migracija.lt
+370 707 67000 and press 3 for menu in English

Contact ISM:
hd.migration@ism.lt

We are pleased to welcome students at ISM and we are willing to help them find the accommodation during the study period. ISM is located in the Old Town of Vilnius, minutes away from the city’s most important sites, including railway/bus station, the Old Town Hall, the Gate of Dawn, the National Philharmonic Concert Hall, Cathedral Square, Gediminas’ Castle, the Bernardinai Garden and MO museum, as well as many beautiful old churches, museums and restaurants.

Please be aware that ISM does not have its own dormitories, however, for the convenience of students ISM has signed contracts with some hotels/brokers. Students sign the accommodation contracts with properties directly.

ISM accommodation offers for 2024-2025

If you have any questions or need help, please contact accommodation@ism.lt.