Vytautas Magnus University - Faculty of Economics and Management

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Faculty of Economics and Management is a distinguished liberal arts business school located in Lithuania. It offers a unique blend of rigorous training in economics with a broad liberal arts education. As the only institution in Lithuania with this combination, it builds on a rich legacy that dates back to its founding predecessor, the University of Lithuania. The school is acknowledged globally for producing graduates who are highly valued in society and the labor market, and it stands out for preparing professionals equipped to thrive in an evolving technological landscape where artificial intelligence is prominent. With a global ranking among the top 1,000 universities by EDUNIVERSAL for management and business administration, the faculty boasts a U-Multirank score of 8 out of 10.

The faculty’s mission emphasizes nurturing critical, analytical, and complex thinking skills crucial for modern professions in economics, finance, marketing, and management. VMU Faculty of Economics and Management offers an all-encompassing education pipeline with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Located in Kaunas, Lithuania's most academic city, the faculty is immersed in a vibrant cultural environment with rich offerings in music, dance, and visual arts, providing a stimulating backdrop for academic pursuits. This setting enhances the faculty's vision of promoting a supportive and individualized study culture that values students’ specific needs and aspirations, elevating the learning experience beyond traditional educational models.

The faculty’s distinctiveness is reflected in its focus on human-centric skills, adaptability, and a comprehensive approach to education. By offering a broad spectrum of liberal arts integrated with professional training, VMU's Faculty of Economics and Management distinguishes itself as a progressive alternative in the global academic environment, ideally suited for facing the uncertainties of the future.

The Faculty of Economics and Management at Vytautas Magnus University boasts an impressive network that significantly bolsters employment prospects and career advancement for its graduates. By maintaining strong connections with both the private and public sectors, the faculty ensures that its alumni are highly sought after in the job market. Many graduates secure positions quickly across various industries, including enterprises, multinational corporations, and governmental bodies, demonstrating the practical value of their education. Collaborative partnerships, such as the notable relationship with Volfas Engelman, provide direct internship opportunities and pathways to future employment, further enhancing the career readiness of students.

Internships form an integral part of the curriculum, offering students an invaluable chance to gain practical experience within international companies housed in Lithuania and beyond. This exposure helps students develop crucial skills needed to navigate multicultural business landscapes effectively. The curriculum is designed to incorporate interactions with business and public sector representatives during lectures, enabling students to build professional networks from the onset of their studies. Additionally, the faculty offers access to the Bloomberg big data base, and prepares students for the international CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certificate, substantially augmenting the professional value of their degrees.

By attracting external lecturers from various sectors, the faculty bridges the gap between academic theory and industry practice, affording students a comprehensive understanding of contemporary business environments. Essential competencies, such as critical thinking, creativity, and computational thinking, are integral to the curriculum, ensuring graduates are versatile in diverse career paths. The faculty’s recognized status as a top business school in Lithuania guarantees that its alumni remain in high demand, capable of fulfilling roles that AI cannot replace, thereby securing long-term career success.

Prospective students should consider choosing the Vytautas Magnus University Faculty of Economics and Management for its distinctive approach to education, particularly its unique bachelor’s program in Economics and Finance, which was revitalized with a new concept in 2019. As a pioneer in Lithuania, the faculty offers a liberal arts business education that combines extensive interdisciplinary learning with precise specialization in economic fields. This model fosters essential skills such as critical and analytical thinking, as well as the ability to manage complex problems. Importantly, the program is taught entirely in English, making it an attractive option for international students and equipping graduates for successful global business careers.

One of the faculty's core strengths lies in its commitment to developing human-centric skills indispensable for future business environments, such as critical thinking, creativity, and effective collaboration in multicultural teams. These competencies are vital in a landscape where many traditional skills are increasingly subject to automation by artificial intelligence. Students can also benefit from the use of the Bloomberg big data base, which is a generous resource for mastering analytics in finance and economics. Further enhancing their credentials, students have the opportunity to obtain the international CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certificate prior to graduation, greatly enhancing their appeal to potential employers.

Moreover, the curriculum is enriched by guest lectures from experts in universities, NGOs, and businesses, providing students with real-world insights and relevancy in their coursework. The faculty's strong industry connections, particularly through internships in international and local companies, offer students experiential learning opportunities that build practical knowledge and skills. Supported by a reputation as a leading business school both in Lithuania and worldwide, the faculty guarantees high-quality education and strong recognition from employers. Its strategic location within Kaunas and a supportive academic culture fosters an environment where ambitious students can thrive and fully prepare for future success.

The Faculty of Economics and Management at Vytautas Magnus University is at the forefront of research and innovation, consistently contributing to the development of modern management practices and economic insights. The faculty hosts an Experimental Laboratory of Behavioral Economics, a state-of-the-art facility where students and researchers conduct empirical studies on human decision-making, tightly integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications. This emphasis on innovative research is central to the faculty's mission of training specialists who are not only analytically sharp but also skilled at applying complex thought processes in practical scenarios.

Embracing digital transformation, the faculty equips students with access to the Bloomberg big data base, preparing them to excel in a future heavily influenced by data analytics and technology. The faculty demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and social impact by organizing complimentary preparatory courses for Lithuanian students to support their success in state matriculation exams, exemplifying a deep commitment to education accessibility and community engagement. Collaborative partnerships with industry players such as Volfas Engelman promote a dynamic environment that encourages entrepreneurial initiatives and the practical application of academic concepts.

The faculty's robust research output includes 443 papers authored by 149 researchers, contributing significantly to global discussions on economics and management. The program's deliberate focus on developing computational thinking skills and modern management methods ensures that graduates are well-prepared to manage various economic sectors and environments, from private ventures to public institutions. By incorporating business and public sector interactions within lectures, the faculty maintains its research and innovation labs closely aligned with current market needs. Functioning as a modern, dynamic participant in science and the labor market allows the faculty to flexibly adapt to changes, further boosting its innovative capacities.

What language is the Economics and Finance program taught in? The program is conducted entirely in English, making it accessible to students from around the globe and preparing them for careers in international business settings. This emphasis on English ensures that students develop essential communication skills required to thrive in multicultural teams and various international corporations.

Are there opportunities for internships during the studies? Yes, the faculty program integrates internships, typically arranged with international companies based in Lithuania and abroad. These internships provide practical business environment experience, enhancing employability and allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

What unique facilities or resources are available to students? Students have access to unique resources such as the Experimental Laboratory of Behavioral Economics, which facilitates hands-on research in decision-making, and the Bloomberg big data base, a critical tool for honing data-driven decision-making skills that are crucial in modern business environments.

How does the faculty support career development after graduation? The faculty maintains robust connections with corporate and public sectors, facilitating strong employability and career progression post-graduation. Alumni often secure positions quickly due to the faculty’s partnerships and its reputation for producing highly-skilled professionals.

What makes the student community at the faculty unique? The student community is highly international, fostering a vibrant multicultural atmosphere on campus. This diversity enhances learning experiences and prepares students for global career paths through a comprehensive, supportive academic and social environment.

Admission to the Faculty of Economics and Management is a structured process accommodating bachelor's, master's, and doctoral studies, with specific requirements dependent on the program level. For the bachelor’s program in Economics and Finance, proficiency in English is mandatory since the curriculum is delivered entirely in English. To assist potential students, the faculty offers free preparatory courses for Lithuanian candidates to aid them in successfully passing state matriculation exams, a worthwhile resource for aspiring applicants.

The application process is aligned with the academic year, and candidates are urged to apply early to secure a spot in their chosen cohort. Tuition varies by program and nationality, yet the faculty extends scholarships and financial support options to eligible students, ensuring accessibility to quality education. Located at K. Donelaičio str. 58 in Kaunas, the faculty occupies a central spot in the city’s academic district, providing convenient access to campus facilities as well as the cultural and social life of the city.

The faculty offers diverse accommodation options within Kaunas, including various student housing and private rentals to cater to the needs of both local and international students. Emphasizing practical guidelines, the faculty stresses the importance of gaining internship experience and engaging with external lecturers from the business and NGO sectors, which are incorporated into the study and application processes. Prospective students should consider the faculty's prestigious status as one of the top 1,000 global institutions, reflecting the high return on investment for their educational journey.