All qualifications attained abroad have to be academically recognised when applying for studies at Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU). Academic recognition refers to determining the academic value of a qualification – it determines whether the foreign qualification, in principle, meets general academic requirements for a similar qualification in Lithuania. As part of the recognition process, the authenticity of the document and the accreditation status of the awarding institution at the time the qualification was granted are always verified.
Academic recognition is carried out in accordance with the Lisbon Recognition Convention and its subsidiary documents. KSU was given the right to carry out the academic recognition of foreign qualifications related to higher education and acquired in accordance with the educational programmes of foreign states and international organisations on 26 June 2020 (Order of the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, No. V-961).
Recognition in admission procedure
Recognition and selection are two different but related steps in the admission procedure when handling applications with foreign academic backgrounds. The admission procedure encompasses the following:
- General access – whether the applicant has the necessary academic credentials for access to the programmes at a certain level (for example, a qualification which would give the right to be accepted to bachelor’s or master’s programmes);
- Access to specific programmes – whether the applicant meets specific admission requirements, such as a certain qualification profile, competency in certain subjects or subject groups (for example, a degree which would give the right to be accepted to the master’s programme in Management / Communication / etc.).
The process of academic recognition of foreign qualification is carried out together with the application process after the applicant fully uploads and submits the required documents in a single application on the DreamApply system, AND successfully passes an online motivational interview.
Processing time
Evaluation and academic recognition of foreign qualification is carried out within 1 month after the submission of all required documents, including any additional documents that have been requested. If the provided information is insufficient, the applicant will be notified about this via the DreamApply system, and the processing of the application will be suspended until the required documents are received.
Please note. The obligation to submit all the documents necessary for recognition rests with the applicant.
Fees
Evaluation and academic recognition of foreign qualifications are carried out free of charge.
Requirements for Documents
- All scans must be made from original documents the front and reverse sides (NOT copies), be in full colour, clear and legible. Any scans that do not meet such requirements will be disregarded.
- Diploma or degree certificate must be final and in the original language. If the final diploma is yet to be issued, please include a provisional certificate, which confirms the fact of graduation and provides the title of qualification in the original language.
- Diploma supplement / Academic transcript, records of grades, or a similar document must be in the original language. It should list all the subjects, grades, and credits and/or hours.
- The submitted credentials is a subject to verification, which requires a direct confirmation of the award of the qualification and an Official Academic Transcript from the issuing institution. An Official Academic Transcript should be emailed directly by the higher education institution to : academic@ksu.lt.
- All documents issued in languages other than English should be supplemented with an official translation. A translation is considered to be official when it is bound to a certified true copy of the document in the original language and is attested by the translator’s signature.
- Unified, national university entrance examination results. In some countries, additional exams are required for university entrance. If this is the case in your country, you have to submit your examination results certificate. The results of the examination cannot be lower than the minimum satisfactory grade approved by the state. Please refer to theCountry Specific Requirements.
- When apply for master programme, upload both – secondary and bachelor’s degree documents.
- Submit only FORMAL education documents (secondary education, bachelor). Do NOT upload any training certificates, CV, recommendation letters, language proficiency documents, statement of purpose etc.
- If the name in the credential differs from the name in the passport, a valid proof of name change issued by a competent official institution must be submitted.
- All scans must be in colour and high quality, saved as PDF or JPG formats, document photos are not acceptable.
- If there are multiple pages of a document, please save them together in one electronic file.
- If you have multiple degrees, attach them separately.
- Scans must be named understandably (secondary education; examination results; bachelor’s degree; passport; name change, etc.).
Please note. Requirements for submission of documents may vary by country. For more information, please refer to the Country Specific Requirements. If your country is not mentioned on the list, please upload all educational documents (certificates / mark sheets / diplomas / transcripts etc.) confirming qualification you attained.
Please note. The application will not be processed if the submitted documents are suspected to be fraudulent. By submitting the application, applicant confirms that documents submitted are correct, truthful and complete and that KSU can verify the authenticity and accuracy of the provided documents. KSU might contact the document issuing authority and/or national ENIC/NARIC centre (SKVC) for more information about the qualification.
Types of Recognition Decisions
- Recognition is granted if substantial differences are not identified.
- Limited recognition is granted to access only to specific types of study programmes.
- Conditional recognition is granted, and the applicant must fulfil additional requirements (for example, additional studies, university entrance exams) in order to be accepted.
- Non-recognition decision is made if substantial differences in the quality of learning outcomes, programme elements, programmes, or higher education institutions are identified.
The decision to recognise a foreign qualification does not mean a decision to accept to studies at KSU. The recognition of the qualification assessed by KSU is valid only for the selected study programme at KSU.
Right to Appeal
In case of a negative foreign qualification recognition decision or if the acquired qualification is not sufficient to enter the chosen programme, the International Admissions Office is sending an individual notification with the decision and a more detailed explanation to the applicant. KSU academic recognition decisions regarding foreign qualification can be appealed against to the Academic Recognition of Foreign Qualifications Concerning Higher Education Appeal Committee under the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education within 10 working days from the receipt of the decision. For more information please visit.
Please note. Only recognition decision can be appealed. If a candidate hasn’t met the specific requirements for the programmes at KSU, this decision can’t be appealed.
