Structure of Education
System
Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 7
Age of exit: 16
Structure of school system:
Basic
Type of school providing this education: Pamatskola
(Basic School)
Length of program in years: 9
Age level from: 7 to: 16
Basic Vocational
Type of school providing this education: Arodpamatskola
(Vocational basic school)
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 16 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Aplieciba par profesionalo
pamatlzglitibu (Certificate of basic vocational
education
General Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Vidusskola
(General Secondary School), Gimnazija (Gymnasium)
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 16 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Atestats par Visparejo
Videjo Izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary
Education)
Vocational Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Arodvidusskola
(Vocational Secondary School)/Arodgimnazija (Vocational
Gymnasium)
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 15 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploms par profesionalo
videjo izglitibu (Diploma of Secondary Vocational
Education)
Vocational
Type of school providing this education: Arodskola
(Vocational School)
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 15 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Atestats par Arodizglitibu
(Certificate of Vocational Education)
School Education:
After nine years of basic education, secondary
education is provided in general secondary schools
(3 years), vocational schools (2 to 3 years),
and vocational secondary schools (4 years). General
secondary schools award the Certificate of General
Secondary Education (Atestats par Visparejo Videjo
Izglitibu). Vocational schools (2-3 years) award
Certificates of Vocational Education. Vocational
secondary schools award a Diploma of Vocational
Secondary Education which is also valid for university
entrance.
Higher Education:
There are four universities and a number of other
higher education institutions in Latvia. The main
split between university and non-university higher
education is between the programmes rather than
between the institutions since the law allows
academic and professional programmes to be organised
within the same institution. All universities
and 17 other institutions are state run. In addition,
there are a number of private institutions of
which 10 are state-recognized. All the recognized
institutions enjoy autonomy. Recognition of higher
education institutions and programmes is based
upon quality assessment, which is carried out
as self-assessment followed by an evaluation visit
with the participation of foreign experts. Higher
education institutions confer academic degrees
and professional higher education qualifications.
Academic Year:
Classes from: Sep to: Jun
Long vacation from: Jul to: Sep
Languages of instruction:
Latvian/Lettish, Russian, English
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational
type):
Non-university level:
Since 1999, studies in "college programmes"
of two- to three-years' duration leading to a
first-stage higher professional education Diploma
are available. These lead to Level IV professional
qualifications. Holders are eligible to continue
their studies towards the Bakalaurs Degree or
a (full) Higher Professional Education Diploma.
University level studies:
University level first stage: Undergraduate:
The first cycle leads to the award of a Bakalaurs
(Bachelor' degree), which in most cases includes
the preparation of a thesis. The duration of studies
varies from three to four years. Holders are eligible
for further studies towards a Magistrs degree
or higher professional education qualifications.
University level second stage: Postgraduate:
The second cycle leads to the award of the Magistrs
(Master's degree), a terminal qualification of
higher education awarded one to two years after
the Bakalaurs. This degree also includes the presentation
of a thesis. The total duration of the course
of study is no less than five years. In Medicine
and Dentistry, studies are not divided into two
stages but the degrees Arsta grads (degree in
Medicine) - six years - and Zobarsta grads (degree
in Dentistry) - five years- are considered equivalent
to the Magistrs.
University level third stage: Doktors (Doctorate):
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.
Teacher Education:
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school
teachers
Secondary school teachers (skolotajs) follow
either a teacher training course parallel to their
academic studies towards a Bakalaurs degree or
a one- to two-year professional teacher training
programme following completion of the Bakalaurs
programme. |
