Higher Education in LATVIA Mobility in Bulgaria 12/09/2016- 17/09/2016 Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Diagram of the national education system Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Access to higher education. All holders of general secondary education certificates and vocational education diplomas are eligible for admission to higher education. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

The Law on Higher Education Establishments (1995) sets a difference between academic and professional institutions of higher education and programmes and between university and non- university type institutions or programmes. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Types of Higher Education Institutions In Latvia, tertiary education programmes are provided by: • university type institutions, • non-university type institutions, • colleges. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Four determinant criteria for a university status implementation of bachelor, master and doctor study programmes; assertion of doctoral thesis occurs annually, at least half of persons elected in academic posts hold a doctor’s degree, institution issues scientific publications and establishes scientific institutions or units in the main scientific disciplines corresponding to the implemented study programmes. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

First Cycle Programmes Higher academic education programmes last three or four years for Bachelor degree. Academic Bachelor degree allows continuing studies in the same or a related branch of science in Master programme. Professional higher education is divided into first and second-level professional higher education. • First-level professional higher education programmes are short-cycle programmes or college programmes and are mainly aimed at preparing specialists for the labour market. These short-cycle programmes last two or three years. • Second level professional higher education programmes lead to professional Bachelor's degree. These programmes encompassing first-level studies last at least four years. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

The amount of full-time and part-time Bachelor study programmes is from 120 to 160 credit points including at least 10 credit points for Bachelor thesis. (1 Latvian credit point is equal to 40 student work hours and 1.5 ECTS credit point) The study programme is divided into compulsory (at least 50 credit points), restricted optional (at least 20 credit points) and optional courses. Professional higher education Bachelor study programmes (second-level professional higher education programmes) last at least 160 credit points. The structure of study programmes consists of study courses, internship outside educational institution and state examinations including development and defence of Bachelor or Diploma thesis. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Education programmes are available in the following study fields: • Education, • Humanities and Arts, • Social Sciences, Business and Law • Natural Sciences, Mathematics and IT, • Engineering, Production and Construction, • Agriculture, • Health and Welfare, • Services (for example, personal services, such as hotel, restaurant, beauty treatment etc., transport services, environmental protection and civil and military defence). Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Graduates receive: after academic Bachelor study programme - a diploma certifying Bachelor’s degree and a Diploma Supplement. after professional higher education Bachelor study programmes – a diploma certifying the Professional Bachelor degree and fifth-level professional qualification; after professional higher education study programmes – fifth-level professional qualification. The Diploma Supplement is also issued. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Short-Cycle Higher Education The Vocational Education Law (1999) stipulates professional higher education at two levels and first are first level higher professional education or college programmes. First level higher professional education programmes (2-3 years after upper-secondary education) are available at college and higher educational institution. The volume of programmes in credit points is, of which general courses constitute minimum 20 credits, courses in speciality – minimum 36 credits, training practice – minimum 16 credits, diploma paper minimum 8 credits. Graduates receive a certificate on professional qualification verifying fourth-level professional qualification. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

First level higher education programmes are available in the following study fields: • Humanities and Arts, • Social Sciences, Business and Law • Natural Sciences, Mathematics and IT, • Engineering, Production and Construction, • Agriculture, • Health and Welfare, • Services (for example, personal services, such as hotel, restaurant, beauty treatment etc., transport services, environmental protection and civil and military defense). Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Second Cycle Programmes Master’s degree is awarded after the second stage of academic education and requires total duration of university studies 5-7 years. The duration of Master’s programmes is 1-2 years. Degrees in medicine and dentistry (6 and 5 years of studies respectively), are considered equal to Master’s degree. Only candidates with Bachelor degree or at least four-year studies leading to professional qualification are eligible to second-level professional higher education programmes offered as Master or Professional (higher level of studies after an academic degree) programmes. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

The amount of Master study programmes is 80 credit points including at least 20 credit points for Master thesis. The compulsory content of Master programmes includes research on theoretical conclusions (at least 30 credit points) of the respective area in the field or sub-field of science and approbation of theoretical conclusions (at least 15 credit points) currently important in the field or sub field of science. Graduates receive a diploma certifying the professional Master degree; graduates with previous academic education also obtain fifth-level professional qualification. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Master’s education programmes are available in the following study fields: • Humanities and Arts, • Social Sciences, Business and Law • Natural Sciences, Mathematics and IT, • Engineering, Production and Construction, • Agriculture, • Health and Welfare, • Services (for example, personal services, such as hotel, restaurant, beauty treatment etc., transport services, environmental protection and civil and military defense). Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Third Cycle (PhD) Programmes The objective of doctoral studies programmes is to obtain an internationally recognized doctoral degree in a branch of science and to acquire principles of research organization and management. Only university-type institution universitāte may run doctoral programmes. The access to doctoral studies is granted to holders of Masters’ degree (both academic or professional) or an equivalent. Doctoral study activities last three or four years for Doctoral scientific degree. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Doctoral candidates are usually affiliated to faculties / institutes. The amount of full-time Doctoral programme is 120-160 credit points (of which 40-60 credit points are awarded for teaching a certain number of courses). Generally, doctoral status candidates in Latvia are considered as students. Doctoral candidates are usually affiliated to faculties / institutes. Graduates receive a Doctor’s diploma. Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

The doctoral programmes are offered in the following fields: • Social Sciences and Law • Humanities and Arts • Natural Sciences • Technical Sciences • Medicine Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

State universities and higher educational institutions Daugavpils University Latvia University of Agriculture Riga Stradiņš University Riga Technical University University of Latvia University of Liepāja Latvian Academy of Art BA School of Business and Finance Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music Latvian Academy of Culture Latvian Academy of Sport Education Latvian Maritime Academy National Defence Academy of Latvia Rezekne Higher Education Institution Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy Ventspils University College Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Non-university type colleges State colleges Daugavpils Medical College Fire Safety and Civil Defence College Jēkabpils Agribusiness College Latvian Cultural College at the Latvian Academy of Culture Liepāja Maritime College Malnava College Olaine Mechanics and Technology College Red Cross Medical College at Riga Stradiņš University Riga 1st Medical College Riga Building College Riga Business College at the BA School of Business and Finance Riga Medical College at the University of Latvia Riga Technical College State Agency for Social Integration College State Border Guard College State Police College Stradiņš Medical College at the University of Latvia Non-university type colleges Baltic International Academy (including the Baltic Psychology and Management College) College of Economics and Culture International School of Practical Psychology ISMA University Latvian Christian Academy Luther Academy Riga Aeronautical Institute Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) Riga International School of Economics and Business Administration School of Social Technologies Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Transport and Telecommunication Institute Turība University Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Colleges established with legal personality Albert College Christian Leadership College College of Accounting and Finance College of Business Administration College of Law Cosmetology College Latvian College of Business Novikontas Maritime College Foreign university affiliates Newport University CED, Latvia, affiliated with the Tomsk State University Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences, under the Pontifical Lateran University Riga Institute of Theology, under the Pontifical Lateran University Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Faculty of Engineering Study programmes PhD in Sociotechnical Systems Modelling (in Latvian and English) Master in Sociotechnical Systems Modelling (in Latvian and English) Bachelor in Information Technologies (in Latvian and English) College level programme in Information Technologies College level programme in Mechatronics College level programme in Wooden Houses and Eco-building Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Faculty of Society and Science Study programmes Master in Business Environment Administration (in Latvian and English) Bachelor in Business Administration Master in Governance and Communication Bachelor in Communication and Public Relations Bachelor in Media Studies and Journalism Bachelor in Governance and Innovation Master in Strategic Tourism Management Joint Masters in International Tourism Events Management Bachelor in Tourism Organisation and Management Bachelor programme 'Tourist Guide – Travel and Event Manager' Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609

Thank you for your attention! Project No. 2015-1-LVO2-KA205-000609