8. Article

Information on the national higher education system. The secondary education is required for the admission to studies in a university/college. All holders of certificates and diplomas the general secondary education or vocational secondary education meet the general admission requirements. However, the universities/colleges are free to set specific admission requirements e.g. additional subjects that had to be taken at the school level to quality for admission to a particular programme. Bachelor (bakalaurs) and master (maģistrs) degrees are awarded in both, in academic and professional higher education programmes. The objectives of academic higher education (HE) are to prepare graduates for an independent research, as well as to provide theoretical background for professional activities. Academic programmes, leading to a bachelor degree, comprise 120 - 160 credits1: compulsory part - > 50 (75 ECTS) credits, electives >20 (30 ECTS) credits, thesis >10 (15 ECTS) credits, and the rest is left for students as free choice. Duration of full-time studies is 6 - 8 semesters. Academic programmes, leading to a master degree, comprise 80 (120 ECTS) credits, of which > 20 (30 ECTS) credits are allocated for thesis, compulsory part of the programme includes theoretical aspects of the specific field of scientific discipline > 30 (45 ECTS) credits and their practical application in solving of actual problems >15 (22,5 ECTS) credits. Academic education programmes are implemented according to the state standard of academic education. Higher education (HE) The objectives of professional HE are to provide in-depth knowledge in a particular field, preparing graduates for desing or improvement of systems, products and technologies, as well as to prepare them for creative, research and teaching activities in this field. Professional HE programmes, leading to a professional bachelor degree, are designed to ensure professional competence, they comprise at least 160 (240 ECTS) credits and they consist of: general courses >20 (30 ECTS) credits, theoretical courses of the chosen field >36 (54 ECTS) credits, specialization courses >60 (90 ECTS) credits, optional courses >6 (9 ECTS) credits, practical placement >26 (39 ECTS) credits, and state examinations including thesis >12 (18 ECTS) credits. Professional HE programmes, leading to a professional master degree, comprise no less than 40 (60 ECTS) credits: up-to-date achievements in the field - in theory and in practice >7 (10,5 ECTS) credits, practical placements >6 (9 ECTS) credits, state examinations including thesis >20 (30 ECTS) credits as well as research training, courses of design, management, psychology etc. Graduates of both types of the bachelor degree have access to master studies, graduates of the master degree - to doctoral studies. Studies in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy professional studies (5 and 6 year studies), are equal to the master degree and the graduates can continue their studies in doctoral level programmes. Apart from the programmes, leading to bachelor and master degrees, there are other types of professional higher education programmes. • first-level professional HE (university college) programmes comprise 80-120 (120-180 ECTS) credits and lead to the 4th level professional qualification. These programmes are targeted mainly to the 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 the 5th level professional qualification. Such programmes can comprise either at least 40 (60 ECTS) credits for holders of the bachelor degree or at least 160 (240 ECTS) credits for secondary school leavers. In both cases programmes should include a practical placement of at least 26 (39 ECTS) credits and graduation examinations including thesis >10 (15 ECTS) credits. Graduates of programmes including the 70 (105 ECTS) credits compulsory part of the bachelor programme, have access to master studies. Doctoral studies From January 1, 2000 a single type of doctoral (doktors) degree is being awarded in Latvia. The degree of master is required for admission to doctoral studies. Doctoral degree is awarded after public defence of doctoral thesis and successfully passed exams in the chosen scientific discipline. The doctoral thesis has to include original results of the research and new cognitions in the scientific discipline and may be a result of three to four years of doctoral studies at a higher education institution or an equivalent amount of independent research. The doctoral thesis may be a dissertation, assemblage of topically single peer reviewed publications or monograph. The rights to award the doctoral degree are delegated by decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to promotion councils established at the universities. The procedure for awarding the doctoral degree is controlled by the Commission of the Scientific Qualification. 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 Quality assurance. According to the 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) or college statute. Decisions on programme accreditation are taken by the Accreditation Board, while those on institutional accreditation - by the Higher Education Council. More information: