Vytautas Magnus University was founded in 1922. It was initially known as the University of Lithuania and was renamed to Vytautas Magnus University to commemorate 500 years of the death of Vytautas the Great, the Lithuanian ruler.
The university has ties with many universities in North America, Europe and East Asia such as the University of Bergen, University of Urbino, Fordham University and Kyung Hee University.
There are 13 academic divisions within the university including the faculty of economics and management, faculty of arts and the faculty of social sciences among others. The university adopts a liberal arts approach to learning.
The art spaces within the university are used as settings for cultural events for the entire city. This includes the Kaunas Jazz Festival and the International Festival of Modern Dance.