Studies Abroad
All our students are entitled to spend some time of their studies abroad. The application for studies abroad are taking place twice a year - in September and in February (except for ISEP programme for which the call is once a year in November). Please follow the news at VU IRO webpage.
Erasmus+ exchange
All the detailed instructions and information on Erasmus+ exchange programme for studies is displayed at VU.lt.
Along with the general requirements Life Sciences Center has some additional procedures and criteria.
Description of student exchange procedures at VU LSC
- Who can apply: full-time students of LSC that do not have any academic debts, have completed four semesters (for BSc students) or one semester (for MSc students) prior to the studies abroad.
- A successful applicant has to fulfil the main VU LSC selection criteria.
- Students are not allowed to study abroad during their last semester of the studies unless it has been approved by the Committee of his/her study programme.
- The studies and traineeship abroad cannot last more than 50 per cent of the total studies time.
- Students applying for studies abroad must present all the required documents for the selected exchange programme.
VU LSC selection criteria for exchange studies
- The chosen university has to offer similar courses to the study programme;
- Excellent and very good knowledge of the foreign language;
- The weighted average score of your last two semesters must be no less than 7.5;
- Students should not have any debts/academic debts;
- Motivation is clear and related to academic achievements. The motivation is evaluated by VU LSC Erasmus and international exchange coordinator;
- All the selected courses must be approved by the Head of the student’s studies programme.
If there are more than one applicant for the same exchange university, the priority is given to the one with higher weighted average mark and/or higher mark of the foreign language.
Other Programmes
https://www.vu.lt/en/studies/academic-info-for-students/studies-abroad/study-period-abroad
Traineeships Abroad
All our full-time students can apply for Erasmus+ traineeship abroad. The traineeship can last from 2 months to a year, but in total the traineeship and studies abroad could not exceed 12 months. Applications for Erasmus+ traineeships are open all year round. Erasmus+ coordinator for traineeships at VU LSC: Dr Sigita Melynyte (on maternity leave), e-mail: ; Dr Inga Griskova-Bulanova (maternity replacement), e-mail:
Some useful tips on how to find a placement for Erasmus+ traineeship:
- Please note - finding a placement for a traineeship is a part of the traineeship!
- Look in the field where you would like to improve your knowledge, gain skills, where you would like to try yourself or maybe where you know you want to establish your career. It is like looking for a job.
- Most of our students are applying for traineeships at scientific institutes, university laboratories, but also in private sector (such as in cosmetic, pharmaceutical companies, etc.) and non-governmental organizations.
- If you find it difficult to get a placement and you are looking to improve your skills in the area of your research project - speak to your supervisor and professors. Most of them are collaborating with scientists abroad and might tell you where to look. Also check scientific articles of your interests and see authors’ affiliations, where the study was conducted.
- Always try to write a personal letter that states your aims, goals, what skills you would like to master and why this place could provide all this. Letters with non-specific, general queries are normally ignored.
All the information on Erasmus+ and other professional traineeships could be obtained here: https://www.vu.lt/en/studies/academic-info-for-students/internships-traineeships.
SCORE
Research exchanges (SCORES) for students of medicine and other biomedicine related fields.
International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) offers placements for research traineeships. A traineeship takes place at the selected lab for 4 weeks. Student will receive free accomodation, a daily meal and (not always) social security. Student has to cover a registration fee (up to 210 Eur), his travel expences and the remaining living costs.
For more information, application and other details please follow the link: https://ifmsa.org/frequently-asked-questions/ .
Please note it is an external call, that is held outside VU LSC. If you are having questions please send an email to
Cancer Biology Project
Coimbra Group Cancer Biology Project
VU Life Sciences Center along with some other Coimbra Group Universities participate in the “Master´s Program in Cancer Biology”, an initiative of the Life Sciences Working Group (LSWG).
What it is
The proposed action aims at increasing the excellence and competitiveness of our postgraduate/master students in the context of the life sciences. Thus, the LSWG offers the opportunity to develop their practical training/research project (or part of it) to master students in the cancer biology (or related) field in one of the partner universities participating in the Programme. Students can also attend cancer-related lectures in the foreign university during their practical training.
General aims
- To develop active networks in the cancer research area.
- To share training activities and technologies with the goal to boost the quality and competitiveness of bio-scientific education and training.
- To introduce students to an interdisciplinary approach to cancer research, from basic to clinical level.
Who can participate
The purpose of the project is for students to extend the knowledge and concentrate their studies and research project on cancer biology field. Thus, it is mainly designed for VU LSC students of MSc Genetics.
How it works
During this project students will go for one semester to the partner university and take the selected courses (designed for this project) along with a research project. At least 15 ECTS credits will be allocated for laboratory training and a minimum of 5 ECTS (ideally 5-10 ECTS) will correspond to the theory courses.
Participating Universities
- Barcelona (Spain),
- Coimbra (Portugal),
- Montpellier (France),
- Pavia (Italy),
- Salamanca (Spain),
- Vilnius (Lithuania),
- Würzburg (Germany).
Consult the broad range of research projects and cancer related subjects offered by each University.
For details, please contact the chairman of MSc Genetics Prof. Juozas Rimantas Lazutka.
