Failing Medical School at Vilnius University? Exams, Dismissal and Transfer (2026)

Failing Medical School at Vilnius University: The Rules in Brief

Medicine at Vilnius University is a six-year integrated programme of 360 ECTS credits. Graduates receive the degrees Medical Doctor and Master in Health Sciences. The English-taught programme runs at the Faculty of Medicine in Vilnius and follows the same Study Regulations as every other programme of the university.

Key facts:

• One retake of a failed final assessment, within 14 calendar days from the start of the new semester.
• A result below the pass threshold after the retake is recorded as a debt.
• A debt is cleared by repeating the course unit, by an external retake or by substitution.
• These options are open while debts and academic debts total no more than 20 study credits.
• Above 20 study credits, expulsion for academic failure is possible.
• Final grades can be appealed within 7 calendar days of publication.

Exam Retakes in Medicine at Vilnius University

Item 60 of the Study Regulations sets the retake rule. If your result on a final assessment is below the pass threshold, you may retake it once. The retake takes place within 14 calendar days from the start of the new semester.

If the assessment was postponed, the 14 days run from the end of the postponed period. Retake dates are published in the timetables. If none is listed for your subject, ask the lecturer or your academic advisor.

The first retake is free. Costs start when the retake is failed and the debt has to be cleared by repetition.

Exam Rules at Vilnius University at a Glance

Academic Debt and Repeating a Course Unit at Vilnius University

The Study Regulations use two terms. A debt arises when your result stays below the pass threshold after the retake. An academic debt arises when your result is below the threshold again after you repeated the course unit, retook it externally or substituted it.

Item 65 gives three ways to clear a debt:

• Repeat the course unit. Submit the request in the study information system (VUSIS or eStudent) at least 14 calendar days before the semester starts. The head of the faculty decides within three working days.
• Retake it as an external student after self-study. Submit the request before the end of the first month of the semester. The course unit must not be on the list of units that cannot be taken externally.
• Substitute it with another course unit. Submit the request at least 14 calendar days before the semester starts. The study programme committee reviews it within five working days.

After approval, an order and a fee appear in eStudent under Finances. The fee is due within the first month of the semester.

Final-year students have one extra option. With debts and academic debts of no more than 20 study credits, they may retake assessments from the next-to-last semester once more (Item 66). This must happen no later than three working days before the final thesis is submitted or the final examinations start.

The 20-Credit Limit: When Studies End at Vilnius University

Item 77 lists the grounds for expulsion. Academic failure is the first one: debts and academic debts above 20 study credits.

The other grounds are not exam-related. They are cheating or plagiarism, unmet financial obligations, failure to enrol after academic leave, more than one reprimand in a calendar year, failure to pass or defend the final thesis or final examination, and breach of the study agreement.

The Rector or an authorised Pro-Rector decides, on the proposal of the head of the faculty (Item 78). A student can avoid reaching the limit by taking academic leave before the debts grow past 20 credits and clearing subjects during that time.

Appeals Against Exam Results at Vilnius University

There are two appeal routes. Both are written and need reasons.

• Final grade: appeal to the Dispute Resolution Commission of the faculty within 7 calendar days after the result is published.
• Procedural violation in an interim or final assessment, exam or thesis defence: appeal within 3 working days of the assessment date.

Final examinations and thesis defences are excluded from the general grade appeal route. The faculty commission is made up of staff and student representatives. Its decision on an exam assessment is final.

Short deadlines matter. Check the publication date of your result and write the appeal the same week.

Illness, Missed Exams and Academic Leave at Vilnius University

If you miss a final assessment for illness or another valid reason, apply to the head of the faculty for a new date. The application is due no later than one month after the new semester begins. Submit proof within three working days of the scheduled date (Items 55 to 57). A missed interim assessment is rescheduled with the coordinating teacher.

Academic leave is granted by the head of the faculty and counts from the application date (Items 74 and 75):

• Illness: up to two years, on the recommendation of a physician or medical board.
• Pregnancy and childbirth: up to one year.
• Child care: the period set by law, up to three years.
• Personal reasons: once per study period, up to one year.
• Compulsory military service: once per study period, up to one year.
• Temporary inability to study: suspension of up to one year with the head's approval.

Disability, Individual Study Plans and Support

The Study Regulations allow the study process to be adapted to individual needs arising from a disability or a temporary health impairment. Flexible forms of assessment can be used. A separate university procedure on the individualisation of studies describes how to apply.

An individual study plan is another tool. It rearranges course units and assessments for a semester and needs the approval of the study programme committee and the head of the faculty (Item 3.8). Talk to your academic advisor early.

Why Students Get Stuck in Medicine at Vilnius University

Medicine at Vilnius University is a demanding programme, as any six-year medical degree is. Students stall for reasons that have little to do with ability.

• Pace. The first years combine anatomy, histology, biochemistry and physiology in short blocks.
• Language. Studying in English while living in Lithuanian is a daily extra load.
• Fit. Some students find that the teaching style does not match how they learn.
• Personal reasons. Illness, family matters and money problems affect results.

None of this says that you cannot become a doctor. It says that the setting may need to change.

Switch Early: A Checklist

• Write down your current credits, debts and academic debts in study credits.
• Note the next deadline: retake window, repetition request or appeal.
• Collect your transcript of records and course descriptions.
• Ask for the syllabus of every passed course unit.
• Keep your passport, school certificate and language certificate ready.
• Do not wait for a decision on expulsion before you seek advice.
• Book the free consultation with Medschool Experts.

Your Next Four Weeks After a Failed Exam

• Week 1: Read the result, check the appeal windows (7 calendar days or 3 working days) and decide whether to appeal.
• Week 2: Register for the retake in the 14-day window and book the free consultation with Medschool Experts.
• Week 3: Send your transcript for review. Compare repeating the course unit with a transfer.
• Week 4: Decide. File the repetition request 14 calendar days before the semester, or start the transfer application.

Transfer Abroad From Vilnius University Medicine

A study transfer is a complicated undertaking. Credits have to be assessed, the right year of entry has to be found and the paperwork has to meet deadlines at two universities. Our experts have almost ten years of experience with study transfers worldwide and therefore plan and carry it out confidently.

Medschool Experts has 25+ partner universities in Europe. Many offer English-taught Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. We aim for no loss of time, with entry into a higher year where your profile allows. Every case is checked individually.

Returning Home After Medicine at Vilnius University

Lithuania is an EU member state. A medical degree from an EU or EEA country is recognised in other EU/EEA countries under Directive 2005/36/EC. The national licensing body of each country handles the practical steps for registration.

If you complete your degree, you can apply for recognition in your home country. If you transfer, the degree of the new European university is recognised under the same directive.

What Continuing Medicine Abroad Costs

It does not have to be expensive. Tuition at our partner universities starts at these levels:

• English-taught Medicine and Dentistry: from €1,750 per semester.
• Pharmacy: from €1,500 per semester.
• Veterinary Medicine: from €3,000 per semester.

Living costs depend on the city. We show the full picture in the free consultation.

How Medschool Experts Helps Students From Vilnius University

Medschool Experts are experts in exactly this situation. We:

• review your transcript and credits;
• find the partner university that fits your profile;
• handle the whole application process abroad;
• aim for no loss of time, with entry into a higher year where possible;
• stay with you until you start.