Universities reveal which freshmen are most anticipated: Surprise is one of the most popular courses

In recent years, students applying to higher education institutions have typically chosen social sciences, arts, health sciences, business and public administration, engineering and educational sciences. This year, no major changes are expected as the minimum requirements for admission to state-funded and non-funded institutions are the same.

The choice of graduates depends on their personal interests, abilities and the opinions of their family and friends. “Labor market trends and salary expectations are also an important factor,” says Justina Šišaitė, a specialist at the VMU Marketing and Communication Department.

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) professor Dr. Kristina Ukvalbergienė revealed that the largest number of participants are expected to come from the Systems, Architecture, Electronics, Mechanical and Informatics Engineering programs. “The popularity of finance study programs has also increased this year,” the professor added.

At Vytautas the Great University (VMU), most first-year students study psychology and the educational subject pedagogy. In recent years, arts majors, which do not require passing a math exam, have become increasingly popular.

“The most popular study programmes at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) remain medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry”, says Vice-Rector for Research Prof. Kęstutis Petrikonis. “According to an analysis by the Government’s Centre for Strategic Analysis (STRATA), by 2032 Lithuania will have a shortage of more than 5,500 health professionals,” he noted.

Vilnius University (VU) has noticed a growing interest in biochemistry and new space chemistry research programs. As in previous years, the largest number of students are waiting for study programs in psychology, medicine, law, creative communication, economics and finance.

“To adapt to market needs, universities update and adapt study programmes, expand their scope and create new ones,” said VMU expert J. Šišaitė.

Vilnius University renewed five study programmes this year: Central and Eastern European Languages ​​and Cultures, Lithuanian Linguistics (Culture and Media Studies), Lithuanian Linguistics and Advertising: Content Creation and Marketing, Asian Studies (Korean Studies), and Mathematics Teaching and Pedagogical Metrics. Other universities expanded the range of specialisations in existing study programmes.

“Technological progress and globalization require experts to be flexible and able to adapt to changing conditions. Computer literacy skills, the ability to use technology and the ability to analyze data remain particularly important competencies. Then, the importance of critical thinking and emotional intelligence should increase”, reveals J. Šitaitė.

Professor Kaunas University of Technology stressed that the most important competencies are related to digital and technological literacy, artificial intelligence, data processing, systematic, critical and creative thinking, resilience and flexibility, and the skills required for green transformation. Lifelong learning and leadership skills are also crucial.

“In Lithuania, there is still no clear relationship between market demand and graduates’ choices. For example, in order to achieve the continued rapid growth of the Lithuanian economy, the market needs an extremely large number of engineers, but engineering sciences are ranked only fifth according to applicants’ choices,” says K. Ukvalbergienė. “I think that at the state level, more should be done to ensure this demand, for example, training of teachers,” she adds.

This year, with the unification of admission requirements for state-funded and non-funded institutions, graduates who wish to study at Lithuanian higher education institutions must pass exams in Lithuanian language and literature, mathematics (except for studies in the field of arts), and one or more optional state exams. Their average must be greater than 36.

Graduates can find out their test scores by connecting to the college entrance examination candidate work display and score announcement system.