Latvia
The admission procedure to Latvian graduate study programs is not centralised, each higher education institution has its own admissions board. Institutions may organise one or several competitive entrance examinations. In some cases, an interview by the admissions officers is also applied. The admission procedure of international students from EU member states is the same as those for Latvian students. Admission of students from Baltic countries follows the Baltic Recognition agreement, for students from other countries different admissions rules can apply.
The Higher Education System
The system of higher education in Latvia is twofold. There is a difference between academic and professional study programs and further amendments to the Law on Higher Education Establishments in December 2000 state a difference also between university type and non-university type higher education institutions.
Non-university type higher education institutions offer professional programs whilst university type higher education institutions offer both academic and professional study programs.
Credit Point System
The credit point system applied in Latvia is compatible with ECTS but the value of a credit point is different. A Latvian credit point is defined as a one-week’s full-time study workload. A study workload of a full-time study year is at least 40 Latvian credit points. To figure out the ECTS credit points, multiply the number of Latvian credit points by a factor of 1.5.
Academic Higher Education
Academic higher education offers Bachelor and Master's degrees. The Bachelor's degree is typically 3-4 years in duration and worth 180-240 ECTS. The Magistrs (Master’s) degree is 1 to 2 years in duration and worth 60-120 ECTS credits. A Master's degree is required for admission to doctoral studies. The degree Doktors is usually internationally recognised as equivalent to a Ph.D. Doctoral studies last three to four or years full-time.
Professional Higher Education
The higher education system in Latvia is currently in transition. Bachelor and Master's degrees used to be exclusively academic programs and professional courses led only to professional higher education diplomas. However, in December 2000, the law was amended in the spirit of Bologna declaration. According to these amendments, professional Bachelor's degrees (minimum of four years and worth 240 ECTS credits) and professional Master's degrees (minimum of five years higher education study in total and worth 300 ECTS credits) can now be awarded. These new awards enable Latvia to have a symmetric degree and qualification system.
Post-Bachelor professional higher education programs are 1-2 year programs with a Bakalaurs degree as an entrance requirement. If fulfilling the requirement that the total duration of higher education studies is no less than 5 years (or equal to 300 ECTS credits), these programs are likely to be transformed into professional Master's programs in the course of reforms.
Recognition of Overseas Educational Credentials in Latvia
The body that evaluates foreign credentials is the Latvian Academic Information Centre (AIC), which serves as Latvian ENIC/NARIC. The AIC issues recognition statements which have a status of recommendation.
The academic recognition of full degrees or diplomas is based upon the recognition statement issued by the ENIC/NARIC. As to recognition of study periods, higher education institutions do not have to ask for a recognition statement from ENIC/NARIC. Institutions assess and recognise the study periods fully by themselves.
