1 : Universitāte : University
Description:Universities implement bachelor, master’s and doctoral study programmes.
2 : Augstskola : Higher Education Institution
3 : Akadēmija : Academy
5 : Koledža : College
Pre-Higher Education System
entry:5
exit:16
Pre-Primary :
Length of program:2
Age level from:5
Age level to:7
Basic :
Length of program:9
Age level from:7
Age level to:15
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Apliecība par pamatizglītību (Certificate of Basic Education)
General Secondary : Vidusskola, Gimnāzija
Length of program:3
Age level from:16
Age level to:18
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Vocational Secondary : Vocational Secondary School, Vocational Gymnasium
Length of program:4
Age level from:16
Age level to:19
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību (Diploma of Secondary Vocational Education)
Two years of pre-primary education are compulsory, from 5 to 7 years of age, which is then followed by nine years of compulsory basic education in an integrated primary and lower secondary cycle. General secondary education of three years is then provided in general secondary schools (3 years) and vocational schools (2 to 4 years). General secondary schools award the Certificate of General Secondary Education (Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību). Vocational schools award certificates and diplomas but only holders of a diploma of the vocational secondary education (diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību) are eligible for access to tertiary education.
Higher Education System
The system of higher education in Latvia is binary since the Law on Education Establishments sets a difference between academic and professional higher education but it is not strictly institutionalised. Universities and other institutions of higher education mostly run both academic and professional programmes. There can be distinguished three groups of programmes: academic programmes leading to academic degrees, professional programmes based upon a standard of the first academic degree thus making graduates eligible for further academic studies and the applied professional programmes oriented towards higher professional qualifications but not providing background for direct admission to further academic studies..
Law on General Education (1999)
Description:General education institutions, programmes, credentials
Law on Professional Education (1999)
Description:Vocational education institutions, programmes, credentials
Education Law (1998)
Description:Educational regulations
Law on Higher Education Establishments (amended 2000) (1995)
Description:Higher education institutions, programmes, credentials, autonomy of higher education institutions, relations between State and higher education.
Russian, Latvian, English
Non-university level : College education
Description:College education lasts for 2 to 3 years and can lead to the professional qualification diploms par pirmā līmeņa profesionālo augstāko izglītību.
University level first stage : Bakalaurs
Description:The first cycle leads to the award of a Bakalaurs (Bachelor' degree), which in most cases includes the preparation of a thesis. The duration of studies varies from three to four years. Holders are eligible for further studies towards a Magistrs degree or higher professional education qualifications.
University level second stage : Maģistrs
Description:The second cycle leads to the award of the Magistrs (Master's degree), a terminal higher education qualification awarded one to two years after the Bakalaurs. This degree also includes the presentation of a thesis. In Medicine and Dentistry, studies are not divided into two stages but the degrees Ārsta grāds (degree in Medicine) - six years - and Zobārsta grāds (degree in Dentistry) - five years - are considered equivalent to the Maģistrs.
University level third stage : Doktors
Description:Doctor's degrees are awarded three to four years after completion of the Master degree and following the public defense of a thesis.
Bodies
Izglītības un Zinātnes Ministrija
Role:The Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for education, science, sports, youth and state language policies in Latvia.
Street:Vaļņu iela 2
City:Riga
PostCode:1050
Tel:+371 6722 6209
Fax:+371 6722 3905
Contacts:Ilga Šuplinska (Head), Job title : Minister
Valsts izglītības attīstības aģentūra - VIAA
Role:The aim of the activities of VIAA is to implement national policy in the field of higher education and science, lifelong learning, vocational education and general education, and to implement and monitor projects financed by the European Union (EU) Structural Funds, EU programmes, and other financial instruments, programmes, projects and initiatives.
Street:Vaļņu iela 1
City:Riga
PostCode:1050
Tel:+371 6781 4322
Fax:+371 6781 4344
Contacts:Dita Traidās (Head), Job title : Director
Augstākās Izglītības Padome - AIP
Role:Independent institution which develops the national strategy for the development of higher education and higher education institutions in both quality and quantity.
Street:Zigfrīda Annas Meierovica bulv. 12
City:Riga
PostCode:1050
Tel:+371 6722 3392
Fax:+371 6722 0423
Contacts:Janis Vetra (Head), Job title : Chairman
Street:Raina bulv. 19
City:Riga
PostCode:1586
Tel:+371 6703 4338
Fax:+371 6703 4368
Akadēmiskās informācijas centrs - Latvijas ENIC/NARIC
Services provided and types of students dealt with:Recognition of foreign higher education credentials; consultations of Latvian higher education institutions on foreign educational systems.
Street:Vaļņu iela 2
City:Riga
PostCode:1050
Tel:+371 6722 5155
Fax:+371 6722 1006
Contacts:Baiba Ramina (Head), Job title : Director
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību
At the level of the institution
Definition:A student who is a resident of another country and pursues studies in Latvia.
Admission Requirements:Foreign students must present a School Leaving Certificate (original) with a transcript which can be recognized as being equivalent to the Latvian secondary education certificate.
Quotas:No
Health:A health certificate is required.
Language Proficiency:Students must prove proficiency in Latvian for programmes offered in Latvian.
Entry Regulations:Students must hold a residence permit. Latvian diplomatic missions abroad provide all the necessary information to the applicants, make an initial recommendation and issue entry visas to candidates who have been accepted.
Application to Individual Institution:Yes
Application to Central Body:No
Recognition of Studies
The Ministry of Education and Science is the education policy-making institution that issues licenses for opening comprehensive education institutions and sets educational standards along with the teacher training content and procedures.
For Access to University Level Studies:AIC evaluates a credential and issues a statement which serves as a recommendation for universities and other higher education institutions which take the final decision upon recognition for further studies.
For Access to Advanced Studies/Research:AIC evaluates a credential and issues a statement which serves as a recommendation for universities and other higher education institutions which take the final decision upon recognition for further studies.For the Exercise of a Profession:AIC evaluates a credential and issues a statement which serves as a recommendation for employers (in non-regulated professions) or competent professional bodies (in regulated professions) which take the final decision upon recognition for professional purposes.Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region. Lisbon, 11 April 1997 (1999)
Study in Latvia
Year of publication:0
Credentials
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Description:Certificate awarded after a three-year general secondary course taken after successful completion of nine years of compulsory education. Courses are taken in general secondary schools or gymnasium.
Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību
Description:Diploma awarded after a four-year vocational secondary course taken after successful completion of nine years of compulsory education. It is offered in vocational secondary schools.
Diploms par pirmā līmena augstāko profesionālo izglītību
Description:Professional qualification awarded after 2 to 3 years' study in higher education colleges.
Credential required for entry:Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Type of institution where credential is offered:Koledža (College)
Augstākās profesionālās izglītības diploms
Description:Professional qualification awarded after completion of at least four years of professional higher education studies or 1 year or more after the Bakalaurs
Bakalaurs
Description:Academic or professional degree. The duration of studies varies between three and four years. The degree corresponds to 160 to 180 ECTS in academic programmes, and 240 ECTS in professional ones. Studies include the preparation of a short thesis.
Credential required for entry:Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universitāte (University)
Ārsta grads
Description:Professional degree in Medicine awarded after a total of 6 years of study.
Credential required for entry:Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Zobārsta grads
Description:Professional degree in Dentistry awarded after a total of 5 years of study
Credential required for entry:Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Maģistrs
Description:The degree of Maģistrs is generally awarded two years after the Bakalaurs and corresponds to 120 ECTS. It requires the presentation and defence of a thesis. It is required for admission to doctoral studies.
Credential required for entry:Bakalaurs
Doktora
Description:The Doctor's degree is awarded after three to four years' study beyond the Maģistrs and defense of disertācija (major thesis).
Credential required for entry:Maģistrs
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universitāte (University)
Data Provided by
From:2019
To:2020
IAU from the websites of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Academic Information Centre, Riga, May 2020.
Updated on 25-05-2020