A few weeks ago in Graz, Austria, Vilnius University (VU) graduate Aušridas Bakšanskas was awarded his Master’s degree. Reflecting on his two years in the European Studies programme, he says the experience allowed him to discover Europe up close – not only through academic discussions with international students and teaching staff but also beyond the classroom, by travelling and exploring new places. Having studied at four European universities, the VU alumnus notes that the programme fosters critical thinking, encourages openness, and provides a broad and diverse knowledge base.
‘Perhaps the greatest advantage of these studies is the opportunity to experience Europe first-hand, rather than learning about it only from textbooks. Each university has its own academic culture, traditions, and teaching approaches, while students from diverse backgrounds bring different perspectives and experiences. This encourages openness, attentiveness, and an understanding that many beliefs are not fixed – every phenomenon has multiple nuances,’ said the graduate.
‘Still, I must admit that I find it difficult to define exactly what Europe is. Nevertheless, this programme helped me grasp it through experience – through lectures, travel, building friendships, and learning together with people from different countries, both in and outside the classroom,’ he added.
The Master’s programme in European Studies is a two-year, full-time study programme delivered in English and jointly offered by four Arqus universities in Granada, Graz, Leipzig, and Vilnius. According to the recent graduate, the programme is strongly interdisciplinary, drawing on sociology, law, history, and other academic fields. As a result, Europe is explored through a lens that goes beyond politics.
‘The programme encourages students to view Europe from multiple perspectives and to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by different regions. During our studies, we discussed whether a European identity exists, applied various theories to interpret developments in Europe, and modelled future scenarios. As is often the case in the social sciences, I finished my studies with more questions than answers – but that is precisely what promotes critical thinking,’ said Aušridas Bakšanskas.
He also notes that the knowledge gained during his studies, including insights into the inner workings of European Union (EU) institutions, provided a solid foundation for his further career: ‘I believe this contributed to my opportunity to complete a Schuman traineeship at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Lithuania, where I could apply my theoretical knowledge in practice. I am currently working in the International Cooperation Group at the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, where I can observe how Lithuania’s positions are shaped and presented at the EU level.’
In addition, VU runs another Arqus joint Master’s programme, International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence. For those seeking a different international study experience, VU also invites students to take part in various exchange programmes. One of them is Erasmus+, which offers the opportunity to study at European universities for one or two semesters. Students can choose from a wide range of countries, such as Denmark, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Turkey, and Norway. All VU Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral students are eligible to apply. Successful applicants receive a grant, the amount of which varies by host country. More information about Erasmus+ is available here.
VU also offers participation in the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), which includes more than 50 countries worldwide, including the United States, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Australia, among others. All VU Bachelor’s and Master’s students are eligible to apply. Students participating in the ISEP bilateral exchange programme receive free tuition, meals, and accommodation, while those choosing the ISEP unilateral option pay reduced tuition fees at the host university (in some cases, accommodation and/or meals are included in the programme fee). More information can be found here.
Students wishing to study for one or two semesters in Australia, Singapore, Japan, China, Canada, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, or other countries may apply through bilateral agreements. These opportunities are open to students at all study cycles at VU – the requirements depend on the specific agreement; some guarantee tuition-free study for a semester or academic year at partner universities, while others also offer scholarships and/or free accommodation.
The Nordplus programme provides opportunities to study at universities in the Nordic and Baltic countries, helping to strengthen regional cooperation. Participants receive financial support to cover travel and living costs. Students at all study cycles at VU who meet the academic requirements are eligible to apply.