Higher Education in Latvia

Academic higher education programmes are more focused on theory and scientific research in the chosen field and provide less practical training.

Any academic bachelor’s programme can be started after general secondary education or vocational secondary education. The duration of bachelor’s programmes is between 3 to 4 years.

Bachelor’s studies may be followed by master’s studies. A master’s degree requires at least 5 years of university studies.

1. Academic bachelor’s programmes (3-4 years). Qualification – bachelor’s diploma. (ISCED-P/EQF level 6)
2. Academic master’s programmes (1-2 years). Qualification – master’s diploma. (ISCED-P/EQF level 7)

Professional study programs are more practical, focused on the skills necessary for the profession at the highest level. Professional study programmes include a mandatory practical placement period.

Any 1st level professional higher education programme or professional bachelor’s programme can be started after general secondary education or vocational secondary education. A master’s degree of higher professional education may be awarded if the total duration of studies is at least 5 years.

1. Short cycle - 1st level professional higher education (2-3 years). Also known as college education in Latvia. (ISCED-P/EQF level 5).
2. Professional bachelor’s programmes (at least 4 years). Qualification – professional bachelor’s diploma and higher professional qualification diploma. (ISCED-P/EQF level 6)
3. Professional master’s programmes (1-2 years). Qualification – professional master’s diploma and higher professional qualification diploma. (ISCED-P/EQF level 7)
4. Long cycle professional programmes (5-6 years). Studies in medical or veterinary field. Qualification – doctor’s or veterinarian’s degree.  (ISCED-P/EQF level 7)

A master’s degree or equivalent degree is required for admission to doctoral studies (Ph.D.).

Graduates of 5-6 year long-cycle professional higher education programmes in medicine may continue their education at postgraduate level directly.

Doctoral studies last 3-4 years full-time (ISCED-P/EQF level 8). They include advanced studies of the subject in a relevant study programme (or an equivalent amount of independent research while working at a university, research institution, etc.) and scientific research towards a doctoral thesis.

Publications in internationally quoted scientific journals are required before public defence of the thesis as an integral part of a doctoral study programme. The Council of Science appoints a promotion council and sets the procedures for awarding doctor’s degrees.

Students may participate in study mobility which enables students at higher education institutions to spend an integrated period of study (between 3 months and 12 months) in another participating country.

Erasmus+ study mobility enables students to benefit educationally, linguistically, and culturally from the experience of learning in another European country or Erasmus+ partner country, to promote co-operation between institutions and to enrich the educational environment of the host institution, to contribute the development of well-qualified, open-minded, and internationally experienced young people as future professionals.

More about study mobility here.

Students of higher education institutions may participate in traineeships that enable students to spend a period of 2 to 12 months in an enterprise or organisation in another Erasmus+ programme or partner country.

The aim of the Erasmus+ traineeships is to provide more and better opportunities for higher education students to improve their skills and competences and to attract the best talents from abroad.

More about traineeship mobility here.

Students of higher education institutions can also combine the two types of mobilities as they wish, but not exceeding 12 months during one study cycle. Students must apply for Erasmus+ grants through their higher education institution. Individual applicants are not eligible.