Study location	Latvia, Riga
Type	Doctoral, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years (216 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	Doctorate (Doctoral degree (Ph.D. equivalent) in Psychology)

Tuition fee	€4,300 per year
Application fee	€141 one-time The application fee consists of a 100 € registration fee and a 41 € payment for education documents recognition from the Academic Information centre of Latvia. Application fee is non-refundable. Payment of application fee and diploma recognition fee should be paid only after receiving invoice, and must be paid ONLY till deadline of invoice, if for any reason you couldn’t pay fee’s till deadline please contact with admission coordinator. Application will be proceeded only after uploading payment receipt (official receipt issued by bank) in apply system, remember: after any changes you have to resubmit application, to confirm and save them.
Deposit	€500 one-time A one-time payment for students coming from outside the EU/EEA to be payed in full along with the first semester payment upon arrival. The deposit is intendend to cover possible immigration expenses and payed back upon request after graduation.

Entry qualification

Postgraduate diploma (or higher) Masters Degree in psychology The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / Latvian. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. Diplomas and transcripts issued outside EU must be legalized with legalization stamps or Apostille. More information available HERE You must take the original entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university.

Language requirements

English Applicants must prove their English language knowledge. University accepts the following international language tests: TOEFL IBT – at least score 72; IELTS – at least score 5.5; PTE General – at least level B2; FCE – at least level B; CPE – satisfactory pass; CAE – satisfactory pass. If your previous studies have been obtained in English but in the country where English is not native language, then you have to present an official letter from your previous educational institution (secondary school, etc.) where is stated that all your studies were in English (medium of instruction is English), and you have to pass interview where the University of Latvia will evaluate your language skills. Applicants who have obtained previous education in English in one of the bellow listed countries do not need to provide separate language proficiency: • Antigua and Barbuda • Australia • The Bahamas • Barbados • Belize • Canada • Dominica • Grenada • Guyana • Ireland • Jamaica • New Zealand • St Kitts and Nevis • St Lucia • St Vincent and the Grenadines • Trinidad and Tobago • United Kingdom • United States of America

Other requirements	Successful pass of entrance examination where applicants will be invited to an interview via Skype. Applicants are obligated to upload: 1) A justification and framework (3-5 pages) for the chosen dissertation (no specific form defined); 2) Filled out Curriculum Vitae available HERE

Overview

Aim of the Programme is to prepare highly qualified scientists and teaching staff in various areas of psychology (general, clinical, development, personality, social/organisational psychology) through improvement of their research work organisation, management and implementation skills based on greater in-depth understanding of psychology theories and methodology in at least two sub-areas of psychology, skills in national and international cooperation with other specialists in the area, and through preparation of an original scientific research study (dissertation study) to be defended to acquire an internationally recognised doctoral degree in psychology. The programme additionally offers specialisation in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to the students studying for their doctoral degree in clinical psychology. These additional studies are aimed at improvement of their professional skills in psychotherapy (within the Baltic States, such specialisation at the doctoral level is available only at the University of Latvia). Tasks of the Programme are:

(1) To facilitate scientific research in the branches of the science of psychology represented in the programme.

(2) To assure acquisition of the skills required for research, academic and professional work.

(3) To facilitate doctoral students’ mutual, national and international cooperation in research.

(4) To support motivation for life-long education and personal growth of doctoral students.

Upon completion of the doctoral programme in psychology, the students will have acquired the following knowledge, skills, and competences:

1. Knowledge – an understanding of the overall tendencies in the development of the contemporary science of psychology, and in-depth knowledge in the area of specialisation.

2. Skills – to prepare and conduct an original research study, critically assess its results in the form of a dissertation paper, to prepare scientific articles, and to present then at conferences; to present lectures or, in the case of doctoral students in CBT, to provide counselling to clients.

3. Competences – to independently carry out of scientific and academic work as required in the context of the contemporary science of psychology.

The knowledge, skills, and competences acquired in the programme correspond to EQF Level 7.

At present there is a considerable shortage of highly qualified psychology experts who do scientific and professional work in Latvia, and this hinders the development of psychology itself as well as development of education, mental health, and social well-being.