Through the continuous development of its joint admissions processes and information system, Association of Lithuanian Higher Education Institutions for Joint Admissions (LAMA BPO) is strengthening its position as one of Europe’s leading developers of digital solutions. At the international event “Europe Goes Once-Only: Malta Edition”, held in Malta on 11–12 June, LAMA BPO was represented by Chief Programmer Giedrius Deveikis. The Lithuanian delegation also included Rasa Tiaškevičienė, Advisor to the Digital Initiatives Group at the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, Agnė Šniukienė, Product Manager of the Product Division at the State Digital Solutions Agency (VSSA), and four representatives of the state-owned enterprise Regitra. As part of the programme, LAMA BPO Chief Programmer Giedrius Deveikis was invited to present the organisation’s experience in implementing and further developing educational data exchange processes that support higher education admissions.

The international event, co-organised by the European Commission and the Ministry for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects (METP) of Malta, brought together Single Digital Gateway national coordinators, technical experts and representatives of competent authorities from across Europe. The main objective of the meeting was to accelerate the implementation of the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS).

Throughout the two-day event, experts exchanged best practices, examined and refined technical solutions, and discussed the next stages of OOTS deployment across Europe. A live demonstration of a service developed by LAMA BPO and demonstrated in cooperation with its Estonian colleagues attracted particular interest in Malta. International experts had the opportunity to see how smoothly data from an international applicant reaches Lithuania’s joint admissions information system in real time, without any manual document submission or translation being required.

The successful deployment of the OOTS will ensure that EU citizens carrying out administrative procedures across the European Union will no longer be required to repeatedly submit paper documents. Instead, the necessary data (such as diplomas or extracts from official registers) will be exchanged securely and directly in digital form between the relevant authorities.

At this stage of Europe’s digital transformation, Lithuania is demonstrating significant progress, with LAMA BPO becoming one of the first institutions in the country and across the EU to successfully deploy this solution in practice. On 1 June 2025, LAMA BPO became the first organisation in Europe to implement the OOTS solution for admissions to first-cycle (bachelor’s degree) higher education studies. The most significant technological advancement this year has been the expansion of the system: from the current admissions cycle, OOTS has also been extended to support admissions to master’s degree programmes.

Lithuania has been actively involved in the implementation of the Once-Only initiative for several years – a similar international event was organised in Vilnius in 2025 on the initiative of the State Digital Solutions Agency (VSSA). The successful integration of LAMA BPO and other Lithuanian institutions into the OOTS ecosystem will enhance the international accessibility of the country’s education services while making admissions and document submission procedures more straightforward, transparent and efficient both nationally and across borders.

Photo: event organisers

The 2026 joint admission to Lithuanian universities and colleges is well underway. Foreign citizens, as well as individuals who completed their education abroad or through international programs, are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to study in Lithuania. Applications for the main admissions stage can be submitted through the LAMA BPO information system until 12 P. M. (noon) on 23 July.

This year, admissions are open at 15 universities and 13 colleges in Lithuania. Applicants who have obtained their qualifications abroad, as well as foreign nationals, may be eligible not only for self-funded study places but, in certain cases, also for state-funded study places and scholarships.

Who is Eligible for State-Funded Places?

Applicants who have obtained their qualifications abroad may be eligible for state support for studies in Lithuania if they belong to one of the following categories:

• Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, other European Union (EU) Member States or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, and their family members;
• Non-EU/EFTA citizens and stateless persons holding a permanent residence permit in Lithuania;
• Members of the Lithuanian diaspora and other persons of Lithuanian origin residing abroad;
• Foreign nationals with the right to temporary or permanent residence in Lithuania, provided that they completed their secondary education within the Lithuanian education system.

Applicants who do not meet these criteria but are willing to study on a self-funded basis are advised to contact their chosen higher education institution directly regarding admission requirements, visa procedures and residence permits.

Key Steps to Complete by July 23

Applicants holding foreign qualifications who wish to participate in the joint admissions process must complete the following steps by 23 July:

• Apply to the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) or an authorised higher education institution for the recognition of secondary education acquired abroad (this is not required for the European Baccalaureate or certain diplomas from Latvia and Estonia obtained from 2019 onwards);

• Register in the LAMA BPO online application system and submit their study preferences;
• Upload the required documents to their account so that their grades can be assessed and converted in accordance with the Lithuanian grading system;
• If the chosen study programme is delivered in Lithuanian and the applicant does not hold an official document certifying their Lithuanian language proficiency, they must take a Lithuanian language test;
• Applicants of Lithuanian origin who wish to receive an additional admission point must submit documents confirming their Lithuanian origin through the system by the specified deadline.

Calculation of the Competitive Score

Grades and examination results obtained abroad are converted to the Lithuanian grading system. The applicant’s competitive score (except for arts, sports and theology study programmes) is calculated based on the following grades and examination results from the Maturity Certificate (secondary school leaving certificate):

• the state examination (the Lithuanian Maturity Examination) grade for the first (main) subject (coefficient – 0.4);
• the state examination grade or annual grade for the second subject (coefficient – 0.2);
• the state examination grade or annual grade for the third subject (coefficient – 0.2). This component may include the result of any subject that does not overlap with other subjects included in the competitive score and for which a state examination is held in the year of admission (the result most favourable to the applicant is selected);
• the state examination grade or annual grade for the fourth subject – Lithuanian language and literature (or another subject provided instead if Lithuanian language is the first subject) (coefficient – 0.2).

Key Dates for the Main Admission Stage:

• Until 23 July, 12:00 PM (noon) – submission of applications, entering preferences and uploading documents to the LAMA BPO system.
• 30 July, by 3:00 PM – announcement of the main admission results and distribution of invitations to study.
• From 30 July, 4:00 PM to 1 August, 3:00 PM – signing of study agreements with higher education institutions.

Applicants who have not made use of the opportunity during the main admission stage will still be eligible to participate in two additional admission rounds to be held in August (applications for the first additional round will be accepted from 4 to 7 August).

Higher Education Admission Requirements

• Universities: https://lamabpo.lt/en/bachelor-s-studies/universities/
• Colleges: https://lamabpo.lt/en/bachelor-s-studies/colleges/

More detailed information on admission requirements, the calculation of the competitive admission score, and the contact details of higher education institutions is available on the official LAMA BPO website in English: lamabpo.lt/en.

LAMA BPO contact details for inquiries: tel. +370 37 280400, email: aukstasis@lamabpo.lt.

Photos by VDU and KU