Higher Education Systems - Latvia
Higher education in Latvia is organized according to the Bologna agreement in four levels: a short-cycle program (called Pirmā līmeņa profesionālā augstākā izglītība), a Bachelor’s degree level (called Bakalaurs), a Master’s degree level (called Maģistrs), and a Doctor degree level (called Doktors). Degree programs are defined by the Ministry of Education and Science at a very high level in terms of teaching goals and required disciplines. Each higher education institutions (HEI) can then specialize this general framework, subject to approval by the Ministry. Universities can be public or private, but in either case they have to conform to Ministry regulations in terms of degree programs and their requirements.
Both public and private HEIs are regulated by national legislation concerning degree structures, teacher qualifications and examinations. All programs are accredited by national, independent accreditation agencies and the Accreditation Council.
There are four types of institutions offering higher education in Latvia, each with well-defined profiles: koledža, augstskola, akadēmija, universitāte.
Koledža (College) offers professionally oriented short-cycle programs (2-3 years, including internship with at least 24 ETCS). Colleges award diploma of first level professional higher education and fourth level (highest being fifth level) professional qualification.
Augstskola (sometimes called University of Applied Sciences) offers first, second and third (not always) cycle degree programs, offers academic and professional study programs, performs research and development, and artistic creation. In Augstskola 40% of elected teachers must have a doctoral degree.
Akadēmija (Academy) offers first, second and third (not always) cycle degree programs. It offers academic and professional study programs, performs research and development, and artistic creation. In Akadēmija at least 50% of elected teachers must have a doctoral degree.
Universitāte (University) is a HEI meeting the following criteria:
- to offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs (defence of doctoral works in every doctoral program takes place annually);
- at least 65 % of elected teachers must have a Doctoral degree;
- to publish scientific periodical journals in the fields of the HEI study programs;
- to have structural units or scientific institutions in the main scientific directions where research is performed.
Most of the HEIs are regulated by the Ministry of Education and Science. The Ministry of Culture regulates a small number of HEIs offering first, second and third cycle degree programs in fine and performing arts. There are some HEI regulated by other ministries (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence).
Any student with a secondary level diploma can attend a HEI. In the majority of the cases, as in Informatics, marks from a centralized final examination at secondary school are taken to decide the results of the competition. Teaching is usually organized in semesters of about 20 weeks each, around September-January and February-June. Course load is always given in Latvian credits (1 Latvian credit equals 1.5 ECTS).
Professional programs include mandatory company internship corresponding to 24-39 ECTS, academic programs may include internship. Both for Bachelor and Master there is some kind of final work to be done. It is typically 15 credits for Bachelor and 30 credits for Master. It is explicitly envisaged the production of a written thesis.
Degrees
The first level Professional Higher Education Diploma is awarded after 120-180 ECTS and includes a period of work placement of at least 24 ECTS. The programs are development-based and combine theoretical studies with a practical approach.
The Professional Bachelor’s degree is awarded after 240 ECTS and includes a period of work placement of at least 39 ECTS. The programs are applied development-based programs and combine theoretical studies with a practical approach.
The Bachelor’s degree is awarded after 180-240 ECTS. The programs are more research-based and are offered in all scientific fields.
The [Professional] Master’s degree is awarded after 60-120 ECTS (together with first cycle degree it must make at least 300 ECTS). The programs are more research-based and are offered in all scientific fields.
The PhD degree is awarded after 180 ECTS. PhD programs are offered by the Universities and some university level institutions offering degrees in the artistic and cultural field.
Admission and progression
General access to higher education in Latvia requires an Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate or comparable qualifications. Admission to some particular programs requires entrance examination or submission of a portfolio of artistic work.
Completion of a short-cycle degree qualifies students for admission to a first cycle program, usually in the second or third year. Completion of a first cycle degree qualifies students for admission to the second cycle.
The 10-point grading scale is used in all state-regulated education programs. Apart from the 10-point grading scale, pass/fail assessment may also be used. 4 is the minimum grade for passing an exam.