How to apply

Admission to the Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA) is based on 2 main stages: your portfolio and motivational interview (each sums up the assessment score by a ratio of 50:50). As a non-EU/EEA foreigner who does not qualify for a state-funded place and hold a Lithuanian language certificate needs to apply through the VDA application portal. 

If you are an EU/EEA citizen, a person of Lithuanian origin or a non-EU/EEA national who have a right of permanent residence in Lithuania - you need to complete an application form via the website of the Association of Lithuanian Higher Education Institutions (LAMA BPO portal). About eligibility requirements please learn more here.

VDA Application portal

1. From the top menu bar, under Apply for degree studies, click on the Application portal.

2. Select the desired degree and click Apply.

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3. You will be redirected to the Application portal.

4.  Enter the desired programme, select filter options below (degree, terms, study languages) and click Find programmes.

5. After selecting a program from the results, click Apply now! (please note that admissions must have started).

Early admission: from December 1st, 2025 - February 28th, 2026.

General admission: BA study programmes (until June 10th, 2026); MA study programmes (until June 30th, 2026).

Please note, that the admission dates & deadlines are preliminary and may be changed considering the general agreements of Lithuanian higher education institutions.

3. Application and portfolio review

• Once you submitted your application, we will review it and forward it to the relevant department/s of the selected programme/s you are applying for.
• After the department has reviewed your application and portfolio while verifying that it meets the minimum requirements (>/25 points), we will send you an email with the invite to an online entrance exam (admissions interview) after the application period.

Admissions interview in 2026 (early admission: end of February - beginning of March; general admission: end of June - beginning of July).

4. Amissions interview process

The applicant is invited to the online entrance exam will communicate with the admissions committee about their portfolio and motivation to study at the VDA. The admissions interviews will take place once (unless the applicant applied to two or more study programmes, having to participate for each in a separate interview).

You need to have your own personal portfolio when applying to the VDA. The artwork portfolio will have to comprise of artwork projects to be presented in a digital format and focused on the desired study programme/s. These creative works should be uploaded to your online application as a link to a Google Drive, PDF, social network, video, or personal website with external access (the format is free of choice).

General requirements:

• The maximum file size for the portfolio is 100 MB.
• The portfolio file must be named after the applicant's full name. In PDF format, the title page must also indicate the applicant's name, surname, contact details, and study programme/s to which the applicant is applying to. If the applicant applies to two or more study programmes at once, it is reccommended that they submit separate portfolios tailored to the desired study programmes.
• The contents of the portfolio files are not strictly regulated, but does require to upload 15 - 25 artworks/projects. The applicant freely chooses which of his creative works to submit to the admission committee, but it is recommended to do so with motivation so that the works and their quantity best describe the applicant's ideas and their wide expression or knowledge of the field. Any active links to executed and developed projects, contests, festivals, publications, and social activities can be added;
• Each applicant's work of art are accompanied by short descriptions (2-3 sentences) (motive or title, description of the idea (theme) of the creation, year of creation, technique, dimensions);
• In all digitally created works, it is mandatory to clearly specify the software used, including the version, if it is relevant to the execution of the work.
• Works must be submitted in visible quality condition - scanned or photographed - with a resolution suitable for showing fine work details.
• Applicants applying to the field of Media Arts - along with the Portfolio, it is mandatory to submit a motivation letter (150–250 words). 

Please avoid:

• Leaving additional passwords to access your portfolio. It should have external access through the link.
• Sending your portfolio through file-sharing programs where uploaded material must be downloaded within a limited time, such as "Wetransfer".
• Submission of third-party works or works created with artificial intelligence (AI) is strictly prohibited (ex.: AI generated illustrations, posters, logos, etc.):

- When submitting the portfolio to the admissions committee, the applicant guarantees that the submitted work(s) is the result of independent creative activity (the authorship of the work is defined in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania).

- Works created using template-based programs, such as Canva, or other similar tools whose main function is the automatic arrangement of elements and application of design templates, are not to be included in the Portfolio.

- The committee may request a detailed presentation of the work process, including creative decisions and technical aspects of execution, to assess whether the submitted work meets the criteria of independent creation.

A few days or a day before the entrance exam date, the applicant receives the link and time of the online motivational admissions interview. The applicant must immediately confirm that the invitation by e-mail has been received. The expected entrance exam dates for each study programme is published on the VDA website: to be announced.

The applicant must prepare for the interview in advance, ensuring that the video and sound (camera and microphone) quality is good and working properly. The applicant's face should be visible and there should be no bright objects shining behind the Applicant which can block the view;

• Before the start of the admission interview, the applicant is informed about its duration and other requirements;

• The applicant must have an identity confirmation document - passport, ID card, or driver's license, and clearly show it to the admissions committee at the beginning of the interview;

• During the interview, the applicant must be ready to share a screen on the online platform for the admission committee and show the portfolio;

• The applicant introduces themselves to the committee;

• During the interview, the applicant talks only with the admission committee members and answers their questions;

• The duration of the interview may last between 10-20 minutes depending on the number of applicants in each study programme;

• Depending on the results of the interview and after calculating the competitive score, The applicant receives an automatic VDA letter (indicating that he has been accepted or rejected);

•  Accepted students should make a decision whether to accept or reject the study offer within the specified timeframe of receiving the acceptance letter.

After your successful admissions interview and acceptance to study at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, you should plan your further steps. Accepted students should make a decision whether to accept or reject the study offer(s) on the VDA application portal within the specified timeframe of receiving the acceptance letter.

1. Signing your study agreement

After you accepted the study offer you will receive a study agreement for signing within a specified timeframe. After signing, your study agreement will be processed and returned with the signature of the appointed person at the Academy.

*At this stage, all remaining documents required for admission should be sent to the Academy.

2.  Payment for studies

After the signing of the study agreement, you are required to make the payment for the upcoming first semester of the first year of studies - tuition fee (as specified within the study agreement). This process lets you plan for the upcoming semester classes and migration process.

*If you received a state-funded place at the VDA, you do not need to make the payment transfer. 

3. Migration process

After the payment for the first semester of studies is made you have to start the migration process. You should plan to arrive for studies before the start of the academic year, beggining on September 1st. 

Make sure you have sufficient finances and health insurance for the following residence document issuing:

• For EU citizens, it is the issuing of the Temporary residence certificate (TRC).
• For non-EU citizens, you have to apply for a Temporary residence permit (TRP). The TRP issuing process may take 2 - 4 months to issue depending on individual case, therefore, you should start gathering documents early and begin the application process immediately. To complete your TRP application, you will need a mediation letter number issued by the International Relations Office at the VDA (email: international@vda.lt).

4. Arrival for studies and preparation

After you receive your residence document you can plan your arrival for studies. Begginning of the academic year - September 1st.

• Plan you accommodation in advance (possibility to apply for a spot at the Vilnius Faculty dormitory (limited spots!). All accepted students will be sent an application form to qualify for a spot at the dormitory; consider options outside of the Academy from the Accommodation list);
• Book your travel tickets (if you are abroad);
• Discover your study programme course schedule (updated before beginning of September) and academic calendar;
• Familiarize with student online learning systems you will be using during studies;
• If you still have time - visit your Academy faculty building and galleries to discover your further study spaces.
• Vilnius Faculty students will be invited for the Orientation day event and individual meetings at the begginning of the academic year to learn know more about studies, meet the faculty, and students.