8. Article

Information on the national higher education system. General education (overall duration - 12 years). After completion of compulsory basic education (9 years) four types of programmes are offered at general secondary education (vispārējā vidējā izglītība) (grades 10-12): a general one or others emphasizing liberal arts and social sciences; or mathematics, natural sciences and technical subjects; or vocational subjects. Latvian language and literature, first foreign language, second foreign language (minority language in minority schools), mathematics, history, physical education, basics of economics and ICT are compulsory in all programmes. Each type of programmes has its own set of compulsory and optional subjects. School year lasts 36 weeks (except examination periods) - from the beginning of September till the end of May. The total number of study hours in 3 years of general secondary education may vary from 3150 to 3780 (i.e. 30-36 per week) depending on the programme and individual choice of subjects. To be awarded a certificate of general secondary education (atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību) candidates sit examinations in at least five subjects and pass/fail tests in up to four other subjects. Examinations are taken in: Latvian language, a compulsory subject of the particular programme, a subject chosen by school and two subjects chosen by the candidate. Leavers of 4-year vocational secondary education (profesionālā vidējā izglītība) have to pass a qualification examination and 4 centralised compulsory examinations (the same as after general secondary education) in order to receive a diploma on vocational secondary education. Centralized school-leaving examinations serve as a basis for the admission to higher education. Higher education Access to higher (tertiary) education (HE). All holders of general secondary education certificates and diplomas on vocational secondary education meet the general admission requirements. However, the universities are free to set specific requirements, e.g. to choose which subjects have to been taken at school level to qualify for admission to a particular programme. Grading system. The state standards for higher education set the following ten-point marking bakalaurs (bachelor) and maģistrs (master) degrees are awarded both in academic and professional HE. Both types of bachelors are eligible for studies in master pro­grammes and both types of masters (including holders of degrees in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy - 6 and 5 years respectively) - in doctoral programmes. Academic higher education follows academic education standard and is aimed at preparing graduates for research and providing theoretical background for professional activities. Bakalaurs (bachelor) degree in a branch of science is awarded after the first cycle of academic studies. Bachelor programmes comprise 120-160 credit points (180-240 ECTS) or 4-6 semesters of full-time studies. They include: compulsory part ≥50 CP (75 ECTS), optional part ≥20 CP (30 ECTS), thesis ≥10 CP (15 ECTS) and some subjects of free choice to earn the rest of necessary CP. Maģistrs (master) degree in a branch of science is awarded after the second cycle of academic studies comprising 80 CP (120 ECTS), out of those thesis results in ≥20 CP, compulsory part includes theoretical aspects of the field (≥ 30 CP) and their practical application in solving actual problems (≥15 CP). According to Standards of first and second level professional higher education, its aim is to provide in-depth knowledge in a field, enabling graduates to design and improve systems, products and technologies as well as to prepare graduates for creative, research and teaching activities in this field. Professional bakalaurs (bachelor) programmes are designed to ensure professional competence, they comprise at least 160 CP (240 ECTS), out of those: general courses (≥15 CP), theoretical courses of the field (≥36 CP), specialization courses (≥60 CP), optional courses (≥6 CP), practical placement (≥26 CP), and state examinations including thesis (≥12 CP). Professional HE programmes leading to maģistrs (master) degree comprise no less than 40 CP (60 ECTS), out of those: up-to-date achievements in the field - in theory and in practice (≥7 CP), practical placements (≥6 CP), state examinations including thesis (≥20 CP) as well as research training, courses of design, management, psychology etc. Apart from the programmes leading to bakalaurs (bachelor) and maģistrs (master) degrees, there are other types of professional higher education programmes. First-level professional HE (university college) programmes comprise 80-120 CP (120-180 ECTS) and lead to a CEDUC 4th level professional qualification. These programmes are targeted mainly at labour market. Yet, the graduates of the first-level programmes can continue their studies in second-level professional programmes. Second-level professional HE programmes lead to a CEDUC 5th level professional qualification. Such programmes can comprise either at least 40 CP (60 ECTS) for holders of bakalaurs (bachelor) degrees or at least 160 CP (240 ECTS) for secondary school leavers. In both cases programmes should include a practical placement of at least 26 CP (39 ECTS) and graduation examinations including thesis (≥10 CP). Graduates of pro­grammes including the 70 CP (105 ECTS) compulsory part of the bakalaurs (bachelor) programme, have access to master studies. Doctoral studies. From January 1, 2000 onwards a single type of doctoral degree Doktors (Dr.) is being awarded in Latvia. Maģistrs (master) degree (or the equivalent) is required for admission to doctoral studies. Doktors (Dr.) degree can be achieved at public defence of a doctoral thesis which may be a result of three to four years of full-time doctoral studies at a university or an equivalent amount of independent research while working at a university, research institution etc. Latvian Council of Science appoints promotion councils and sets the procedures for awarding doctoral degrees. Credit point system. Latvian credit point is defined as a one-week full-time study workload. An average workload of a full-time study year in most HE programmes is 40 CP. Latvian credit point system is compatible with ECTS. The number of ECTS credits is found by multiplying the number of Latvian credit points by a factor of 1.5. Grading system: a 10-point grading scheme for knowledge assessment. Achieve­ment level Grade Meaning Approx. ECTS grade very high 10 izcili (with distinction) A 9 teicami (excellent) A high 8 ļoti labi (very good) B 7 labi (good) C medium 6 gandrīz labi (almost good) D 5 viduvēji (satisfactory) E 4 gandrīz viduvēji (almost satisfactory) E/FX low 3-1 negatīvs vērtējums (unsatisfactory) Fail It must pointed out that approximation with the ECTS scale is unofficial and cannot be used for official comparison with marks recorded in a Latvian education certificate or diploma. Quality assurance. According to Latvian legislation, state-recognized degrees/diplomas may be awarded upon completion of an accredited programme in an accredited HE institution holding a state-approved Satversme (by-law). Quality assessment includes self-evaluation report by the higher education institution and peer evaluation. Evaluation teams consist of at least three experts, with only one from Latvia. In most cases the other two experts are selected from Western Europe or from the Baltic States. Decisions on programme accreditation are taken by the Accreditation Board, while those on institutional accreditation - by the Higher Education Council. The first accreditation cycle was completed in 2001. Recurrent assessments have to take place once every six years. More information: