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Pre-higher Education System
Duration of compulsory
education
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 15
Structure of school
system
Type/level of education:
Elementary
Type of school:
SAKUMSKOLA (ELEMENTARY SCHOOL)
Length of program (years): 4
Age level:
from 6 to 10
Type/level of education:
Basic or General Basic
Type of school:
PAMATSKOLA (BASIC SCHOOL)
Length of program (years): 5
Age level:
from 10 to 15
Type/level of education:
Comprehensive
Type of school:
ARODPAMATSKOLA (VOCATIONAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL)
Length of program (years): 2
Age level:
from 15 to 17
Certificate awarded:
DIPLOMS PAR ARODPAMATIZGLiTiBU
Type/level of education:
Comprehensive
Type of school:
ARODVIDUSSKOLA (VOCATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL)
Length of program (years): 3
Age level:
from 15 to 18
Certificate awarded:
DIPLOMS PAR VIDEJO ARODIZGLiTiBU
Type/level of education:
Vocational
Type of school:
ARODGIMNAZIJA (VOCATIONAL GYMNASIUM)
Length of program (years): 4
Age level:
from 15 to 19
Certificate awarded:
IEGUSTOT VISPAREJO VIDEJO IZGLiTiBU (ACHIEVING GENERAL SECONDARY
EDUCATION)
Type/level of education:
Specialized Secondary
Type of school:
TEHNIKUMS
Length of program (years): 4
Age level:
from 15 to 19
Certificate awarded:
TEHNIKUM (T) DIPLOMA
Type/level of education:
General Secondary
Type of school:
VIDUSSKOLA (GENERAL SECONDARY SCHOOL), GIMNAZIJA (GYMNASIUM)
Length of program (years): 3
Age level:
from 15 to 18
Certificate awarded:
ATESTATS PAR VISPAREJO VIDEJO IZGLiTiBU (CERTIFICATE OF GENERAL
SECONDARY EDUCATION)
Type/level of education:
Vocational
Type of school:
ARODSKOLA (VOCATIONAL SCHOOL)
Length of program (years): 1
Age level:
from 18 to 19
Certificate awarded:
DIPLOMS PAR AUGUSTAKO ARODIZGLiTiBU (DIPLOMA OF HIGHER
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION)
Description of secondary
school system
After five years of elementary and basic education, secondary
school education is provided in general secondary schools (3 years), vocational
secondary schools (2, 3, or 4 years), technical secondary institutions
(4 years) and in different types of art and music-oriented secondary schools
(not less than 3 years). All general secondary schools, technical secondary
institutions and 4-year vocational schools, and most of the art and music-oriented
secondary schools award the Certificate of general secondary education.
Higher Education System
Structure of system
There are several state recognized higher education institutions
which enjoy autonomy in the preparation of study programmes. However, a
quality assessment process resulting in state accreditation of all study
programmes is currently under development. Private institutions, which
are allowed to operate under the 1991 Education Act, have a licence for
beginning higher education activities, but in most cases their diplomas
are not yet accredited (most were only granted licences in 1993). Institutions
of higher education provide academic and professional higher education.
Main types of higher
education institutions in country
Type of institution: UNIVERSITATE
Translation:
UNIVERSITY
Type of institution: AKADEMIJA
Translation:
ACADEMY
Type of institution: AUGUSTAKA
MACiBU IESTADE
Translation:
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION
Type of institution: AUGUSTSKOLA
Translation:
HIGHER SCHOOL
Type of institution: INSTITUTS
Translation:
INSTITUTE
Main laws/decrees governing
higher education
Name of law/decree:
Law on Education
Date:
1992
Name of law/decree:
Education Act
Date:
1991
Name of law/decree:
Education Act
Date:
1991
Institution type: private
higher education institutions
Administrative
structure of higher education
Name of body:
Ministry of Education and Science
Role:
Responsible for long-term planning of higher education, as well as for
assessment,
organization, and general administration.
Address:
Street: Valnu iela 2
City: Riga
Postal code: 1098
Telephone: 371-7-222415
Telex: 161172 tema su
Fax: 371-7-213992
Name of body:
Higher Education Quality Evaluation Center
Address:
Street: Valnu iela 2
City: Riga
Postal code: 1098
Telephone: 371-7-213870
Fax: 371-7-243126
Name of body:
Rectors Council of Latvia
Address:
Street: Raina bulvaris 19
City: Riga
Postal code: 1050
Telephone: 371-7-7228928
Fax: 371-7-7820113
E-Mail: zakis@lanet.lv
Academic year
Classes start:
September
Classes end:
July
Languages of instruction
Latvian/Lettish, Russian
Stages and Organization of Higher
Education Studies
Higher
vocational/technical studies
Professional study programmes can take place independently
of academic studies. Non-university higher education institutions offer
four-year programmes leading to professional qualifications.
University
level studies
Stage 1:
Undergraduate
Description: The first cycle leads to the award of a Bakalaurs
(Bachelor' degree), which includes the preparation of a thesis. The duration
of studies varies from three to four-and-a-half years. This is considered
as an intermediate qualification but is treated as completed higher education
if the student studies for four or more years.
Stage 2:
Postgraduate
Description: The second cycle leads to the award of the
Magistrs (Master's degree), a terminal qualification of higher education
awarded two years after the Bakalaurs. This degree also involves the presentation
of a thesis. The total duration of the course of study is five to seven
years. In medicine, studies are not divided into two stages but the degrees
awarded after 5 to 6 years (Doctor of dental surgery and Doctor of medicine)
are considered equivalent to the Magistrs.
Stage 3:
Doktors (Doctorate)
Description: Doctoral studies are available at both higher
education institutions and research institutes. A doctor's degree is awarded
three to four years after completion of the Magistrs and following the
public defence of a thesis.
Stage 4:
Habilitets doktors (Post doctorate)
Description: The habilitets doktors is awarded after the
defence of a thesis which is usually a short summary of several scientific
publications.
Teacher
education
Training of secondary school
teachers
Secondary school teachers (skolotajs) follow either a
teacher training course parallel to their academic studies (bakalaurs and
magistrs) or a professional teacher training programme. Some school teachers
follow a postgraduate teacher training course.
Grading system
Usual grading system in (upper)
secondary school
10:izcili (with distinction); 9:teicami (excellent);
8:loti labi (very good); 7:labi (good); 6:gandriz labi (almost good); 5:viduveji
(satisfactory); 4:gandriz viduveji (almost satisfactory); 3-1:neapmierinisi
(unsatisfactory).
Highest on scale: 10
Pass/fail level:
4/3
Lowest on scale:
1
Main grading system generally
used by higher education institutions
Traditionally, a 5-grade marking system has been used
in Latvia. 5: teicami (excellent); 4: labi (good); 3: apmierinosi (satisfactory,
fair); 2: neapmierinosi (unsatisfactory); 1:loti vaji (totally unsatisfactory).
Highest on scale: 5
Pass/fail level:
3/2
Lowest on scale:
1
Admissions to Higher Education
Admissions
to university level
Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s)
required for entry
Name of sec. school credential:
ATESTATS PAR VISPAREJO VIDEJO IZGLiTiBU
Total number of years of primary
and secondary school study: 13
Other admission requirements
established at national level:
Access is regulated by examinations, by ranking of secondary
diplomas or by interview, or a combination of these methods. Knowledge
of the Latvian language is assessed when the language of instruction in
secondary education was not Latvian.
Numerus clausus established in
the country for students entering university level education
At level of institutions: Y
At country/state level: N
Admission
for foreign students
Quotas established for foreign
students:
At institution level: N
At country/state level: N
Special entry regulations
for foreign students in country/state:
Foreign students must present a school-leaving certificate
(original and certified translated copy) and 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.
Health requirements:
visa health required.
Language proficiency requirements
for foreign applicants whose first language is not the language of instruction
Are there examinations at institution
level? Y
Requirements at national level
Name of exam or requirement:
Knowledge of Latvian.
Authority to whom foreign
student applications should be addressed:
Application to individual institutions:
N
Application to national/central
body: Y
For entry to: all programmes.
Name of national/central body:
Ministry of Education and Science
Address of body:
Street: Valnu iela 2
City: Riga
Postal code: 1098
Telephone: 371-2-222415
Fax: 371-7-213992
Reference to further
information materials on foreign students admissions
Title:
The World Guide to Higher Education
Author:
UNESCO
Publisher:
UNESCO Publishing House
Year of publication: 1996
Title:
Higher Education Establishments of Latvia
Author:
Latvian ENIC
Recognition of studies and
qualifications
System of "recognition"
or "accreditation" of studies completed and credentials awarded within
the country:
Description:
Studies completed and credentials
awarded within the country are recognized by the State.
Recognition of studies
completed and credentials awarded in foreign countries
Bodies primarily addressing
questions relating to the recognition of foreign credentials and studies
in higher education
Name of body: Akademiskas
Informacijas Centrs
Address:
Street: Valnu iela 2
City: Riga
Postal code: 1098
Telephone: 371-2-225155
Fax: 371-7-820171
E-Mail: enic@izm.gov.lv
Description of services provided
and types of students dealt with:
Recognition of foreign diplomas of higher education;
consultations of Latvian higher education institutions on foreign educational
systems.
For access to university level
studies:
Bilateral agreements on the equivalence of educational
levels and certificates are in effect.
For access to advanced studies
and research:
The Science Council of Latvia recognizes scientific research
degrees obtained abroad in all fields of science, technology and culture.
Student services
Principal national
student associations and unions
Name: Students' Association
of Latvia
Address:
Street: Kramu iela 2
City: Riga
Postal code: LV-1658
Telephone: 371-7-214135
Fax: 371-2-610493
E-Mail: studpart@rsf.rtu.lv
Student expenses and financial
aid
| Tuition and fees for national students |
Tuition and fees for foreign students |
| Minimum: Latvian Lats 0 |
Minimum: |
| Maximum: Latvian Lats 1100 |
Maximum: US Dollar 3500 |
Publication(s)
listing scholarships/grants/loans available
Title:
Study Abroad, 1996-1997
Publisher:
UNESCO
Year of publication: 1995
International Cooperation
Principal national bodies responsible for facilitating international
cooperation and exchanges in higher education
Name: Ministry of Education
and Science
Address:
Street: Valnu iela 2
City: Riga
Postal code: 1098
Telephone: 371-7-222415
Fax: 371-7-213992
Cable: 161172 tema su
Participation of country in multilateral or
major bilateral higher education exchange programmes
Name of programme: TEMPUS
Name of programme: BALTIC SEA
PROJECT
Name of programme: BALTIC PILOT
PROJECT
Date:
1995/1996
Source:
International Association of Universities (IAU)
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