Academic recognition of foreign qualifications

The procedure of the recognition of foreign qualifications at KVK is performed following the Guidelines of the Procedure for Assessment of Education and Qualifications Concerning Higher Education and Acquired under Educational Programmes of Foreign States and International Organizations for those applying to study at KVK (approved by the Order No. V1-022 of the Director of Klaipeda State University of Applied Sciences, on 15 of February 2022).

Admission to KVK is regulated by Rules for admission of persons wanting to study in foreign languages in KVK (approved by the Order No. V1-023 of the Director of Klaipeda State University of Applied Sciences, on 15 of February 2022). These rules are updated each year.

Foreign academic qualification documents, complying with the general and specific requirements for academic recognition of foreign qualifications does not guarantee admission to KVK. Additionally, specific requirements for the holder of a foreign qualification seeking access to a specific study programme are being applied. Specific requirements are related to the different study programmes and intend to access subject-specific knowledge of an applicant.

Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) performs the role of an external supervisor of the process. The Centre monitors decisions concerning academic recognition of foreign qualifications made by KVK as well as provides methodological assistance and recommendations.

Academic recognition is carried out in accordance with the Lisbon Recognition Convention and its subsidiary documents. Additional information is available at: https://www.enic-naric.net/the-lisbon-recognition-convention.aspx

The principles of the Convention have been transferred into the Guidelines of the Procedure for Academic Recognition of KVK. The Guidelines have been prepared according to the Resolution of Government of Lithuania on Approval of Description of the Procedure for Recognition of Education and Qualifications Concerning Higher Education and Acquired under Educational Programmes of Foreign States and International Organizations (dated 29 February 2012, No 212) and the Order of the Director of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) on the Methodology For Assessment of Education and Qualifications Concerning Higher Education and Acquired Under Educational Programmes of Foreign States and International Organizations (dated 28 May 2012, No V-48).

Useful sites:

Legal laws

Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC)

EAR Manual of HEIs

An applicant (candidate) submits one application for admission to studies at KVK and an assessment and recognition of a qualification:

• Candidates applying to the study programmes in the Lithuanian language check information HERE.
• Candidates applying to the study programmes in the English language check information HERE.

The following documents have to be submitted with an application:

1. A document certifying a foreign qualification or other equivalent documents (Diploma or degree certificate, if the final diploma is yet to be issued, please include a provisional certification, which confirms the fact of your graduation and provides the title of your qualification in the original language);
2. An appendix (appendices) to the document certifying a foreign qualification or other equivalent documents (The academic transcript, records of grades, or a similar document has to be in the original language. It should list all the subjects, grades, and credits and/or hours. For some countries, it is required for the academic transcript to be sent directly to our office from the educational institution. Logins from the electronic examination systems can be submitted in the initial stage if the appendix (appendices) to the document certifying a foreign qualification is not issued at the time of document submission);
3. A document certifying the change of name and/or surname if the documents of education are issued in a different name and/or surname;
4. Other documents (if any) required for the objective assessment of qualification, certifying another education acquired by the applicant, explaining the acquired qualifications or the submitted documents of education;
5. Depending on the preferred study programme(s), additional documents may be required (for example, a certificate of the knowledge of the English language); however, they are not directly related to the assessment and recognition of qualification.
6. All scans must be made from original documents (i.e. NOT copies), be in full colour and also be clear and legible. Any scans that do not meet such requirements will be disregarded.

All documents issued in languages other than English or Lithuanian should be supplemented with an official translation. Documents issued in English or Lithuanian do not require a translation.

Applicants do not need to pay additionally for academic recognition – it includes with application for studies.

Foreign qualifications that are undocumented or partially documented might be assessed according to the principles and steps of the assessment procedure provided by SKVC for undocumented persons.

Note – Requirements for submission of documents may vary by country. For more information, please see Country Specific Requirements.

Note – The application will not be processed if the submitted documents are suspected to be fraudulent.

Institution keeps the right to ask for original documents by mail if questions arise regarding scans of submitted documents.

By submitting the application, applicant confirms that documents submitted are correct, truthful and complete and that KVK can verify the authenticity and accuracy of the provided documents. KVK might contact the document issuing authority and/or national ENIC/NARIC (SKVC) centre for more information about the presented qualification.

Once application is submitted, it will be reviewed within 1 month. If application package is complete and no additional information and/or documentation is required, decision will be issued within the same 1 month. 

If application package is incomplete and/or additional information is required, applicant will be notified by e-mail. Then the processing of the application will be suspended, until the required documentation and/or information is provided. 

If the required documentation and/or information are not submitted within 3 months after the request, the processing of such application will be terminated. An applicant may reapply at any time, but it is required to resubmit a complete documentation package.