Doctoral studies

Submission of the application

The applicants to doctoral studies are required to submit the following documents:

1. an application indicating the science field (no more than two), the topic (no more than two per science field) and the form of funding;

2. copies of the Master’s (as well as Bachelor’s for those applying to the science fields indicated in Appendix 2 to the Regulations) or equivalent qualification diploma(s) with diploma supplement(s) (only the final diplomas and diploma supplements are submitted; provisional degree certificates are not accepted instead of these documents);
3. a curriculum vitae;
4. recommendations by two scientists representing the relevant science field (a recommendation of the supervisor of the topic to which the applicant is applying is required in the science fields specified in Appendix 2 to the Regulations; if the applicant is applying to the positions of doctoral studies funded under the invitation to doctoral studies under the competition of the Research Council of Lithuania, a recommendation of the supervisor of the topic to which the applicant is applying is required). The recommendations have to be prepared in the same calendar year when the applicant’s application is submitted. A recommendation has to clearly specify the institution and the science field to which the applicant is being recommended;
5. a research proposal on the selected topic (only in the science fields indicated in Appendix 2 to the Regulations); if the applicant applies to two topics, two individual research proposals have to be submitted;
6. A list of scientific works (articles in scientific publications, conference proceedings) with a full bibliographic description and copies thereof; if there are no such scientific works (except for the informatics engineering science field, see Appendix 2 to the Regulations), the applicant has to present a research paper whose topic is consistent with the dissertation topic indicated in the applicant’s application (if the applicant applies to two thematic areas, two individual research papers have to be submitted);
7. a copy of a valid personal document: a passport (for citizens of all countries) or an ID card (only for citizens of the European Union);
8. a copy of the receipt of the application fee payment;
9. a certificate issued by IELTS, TOEFL, CEFR or any other competent institution within the last 2 (two) years certifying the level of the English language. Certificates indicating the level of the English language obtained after completing English language training via various mobile apps (such as Duolingo, Babbel, LinguaLift, etc.) shall not be accepted;
10. If any required documents are not submitted within the deadlines set out in Paragraph 31 of the Regulations, the application shall not be examined.

Motyvational interview

1. The applicants are required to attend the interview with the doctoral committee of the science field to which they apply.
2. If an applicant who has submitted all the documents set out by the Regulations does not attend the interview, his/her admission documents are no longer considered and assessed by the doctoral committee of the science field (in this case, the final decision is made by the doctoral committee of the science field).
3. The timetable of the meeting of Doctoral Committee will be announced on KTU website.

Application fees

• Application fee is 50 EUR for the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and any other country of the European Union, and 120 EUR for the citizens of all other countries. The data specified in the section of the payer code – The applicant’s/student’s personal identification number, Code of the fee – 2881. The invoice with the bank details is issued as soon as the applicant starts his/her application online.

The application fee is non-refundable after the registration of the application for permission to participate in the competition for admission to doctoral studies.

The applicants to the positions of joint doctoral studies pay the application fee to the bank account of the institution to which they have submitted the admission application.

Note: The individuals specified in Paragraph 44 of the 2024 Regulations of Admission to the Third Cycle Studies at Kaunas University of Technology are exempted from the payment of the application fee.

Concluding a learning agreement with KTU

1. On the dates set out in the Regulations, the competition queues of applicants are announced in the admission system DPIS (institutions of joint doctoral studies notify their applicants in person).
2. Applicants are considered to have been invited to state-funded doctoral studies if their competition score is the highest in the competition queue and they are within the established quota of the study positions in science field.
3. The individuals invited to study are required to conclude a learning agreement within the set deadlines. The agreement is only signed with the invited persons who have submitted copies of their diploma and diploma supplement of Master’s studies or equivalent qualification.
4. If any invited applicants do not conclude their learning agreements within the deadlines set out by the Regulations, their invitation to study at the University is rendered invalid, and, by the decision of the doctoral committee of the science field, the next applicants, who have the highest competition score and who were not invited to study initially, are invited to take the vacant positions, or these positions are transferred to the next stage of admission.
5. The learning agreement with the University is concluded remotely (recommended), through the University’s Information system for concluding electronic learning agreements, by means of identification through the e-Government Gateway, or signed in person by arriving to the University and presenting a valid personal identity document (original passport (for citizens of all countries) or an original ID card (only for citizens of the European Union)).
6. After the conclusion of the learning agreement, if a responsible employee of the University has any doubts regarding the authenticity of the documents on the basis of which the person has been admitted to study, the person may be asked to deliver the original documents to the University.

Concluding a learning agreement remotely

1. The learning agreement shall be concluded remotely (electronic learning agreement) through the University’s Information system for concluding electronic learning agreements (hereinafter referred to as ESSS IS).
2. In order to conclude a learning agreement remotely (via the ESSS IS), it is obligatory to confirm one’s identity via the e-Government Gateway portal, using the electronic banking systems of Lithuanian banks, or using an electronic signature.
3. Applicants who are not Lithuanian citizens will be able to conclude a learning agreement remotely only after the person in charge of the Doctoral School has additionally verified their identity by means of remote video communication tools. In this case, detailed instructions for signing the learning agreement will be provided to the invited candidates by e-mail.
4. After the conclusion of the learning agreement, if a responsible employee of the University has any doubts regarding the authenticity of the documents on the basis of which the person has been admitted to study, the person may be asked to deliver the original documents to the University.

Concluding a learning agreement in person

1. When concluding a learning agreement in person, the invited applicants must arrive to the University and present their valid personal identity document (original passport (for citizens of all countries) or an original ID card (only for citizens of the European Union)).
2. After the conclusion of the learning agreement, if a responsible employee of the University has any doubts regarding the authenticity of the documents on the basis of which the person has been admitted to study, the person may be asked to deliver the original documents to the University.
3. Applicants who have been invited to study shall conclude a learning agreement and submit the documents required for the formalisation of admission to the Doctoral School of the University, Studentų g. 50, Kaunas. Contact for enquiries: +370 608 15 609, +370 626 22 701, +370 608 137 26, e-mail: doktorantura@ktu.lt.