Three ways to skip IELTS
- A free university test. KTU runs a free online English exam for applicants without a certificate, and MRU has a free online test too. VIKO tests every applicant itself, so IELTS does not help there anyway.
- A paid university test. Kauno kolegija (₹4,780 (€45)), Vilnius Business College (₹5,310 (€50)) and SMK (₹5,310 (€50) for a 15-minute conversation) are cheaper and faster than IELTS. LSMU and ISM also have their own tests.
- Proof that you studied in English. KTU accepts a school confirmation that teaching was fully in English; Klaipėda State UAS and SMK accept a letter from your school; VILNIUS TECH and VMU exempt you if previous studies were in English, with an official document.
When IELTS is still the better choice
Take IELTS (or TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo where accepted) if you are applying to Vilnius University, ISM or LCC, if you want a scholarship (a strong English score helps), or if you are applying to several universities at once and do not want to sit several tests. A score also helps in the residence permit stage: the Migration Department has criticised universities for admitting students whose English did not match their papers.
What to put in the MOI letter
- school or college letterhead, signature and stamp;
- your full name as in the passport, programme and years of study;
- a clear sentence that the medium of instruction was English throughout.
The full table of scores and alternatives for 16 institutions is on English requirements.