Study location	Latvia, Riga
Type	Doctoral, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years (216 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	Doctorate (Doctoral Degree of Science Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) in Social Sciences)
Accreditation	Study program is licensed, will be accredited within two years

Tuition fee	€5,500 per year Please note that the tuition fee may change in 2025.
Application fee	€170 one-time The application fee is 170.00 EUR. The application fee is non-refundable. Payment of the application fee and the diploma recognition fee should be paid only after the receipt of the invoice and must be paid BY the deadline of the invoice, if for any reason you have failed to pay the fees by the said deadline please contact the admission coordinator. The application will be processed only after the payment receipt (the official receipt issued by the bank) has been uploaded in the Apply system, take note: in the event of any changes made in the application, you are to resubmit the application to confirm and save the changes.
Deposit	€500 one-time A one-time payment for students coming from third countries outside the EU/EEA is to be paid in full together with the full-year tuition fee payable upon arrival. The deposit is intended for coverage of possible immigration expenses and paid back upon request after graduation.

Entry qualification

Postgraduate diploma (or higher) Master’s degree in education, pedagogy or psychology, as well as a master’s degree in humanities, social sciences, medicine, sports and natural sciences or equivalent higher education and at least two years of pedagogical work experience in an educational institution. 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 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: LanguageCert International ESOL at least Level Communicator B2 (Written and Spoken exams); TOEFL IBT – at least score 72 TOEFL Essential – at least 8 points IELTS – at least score 6.00 PTE General – at least level B2 FCE – at least level B CPE – Proficiency/C2 Proficiency: any level CAE – C1 Advanced: any level If your previous studies have been obtained in English but not in the country listed below, then you have to present an official letter from your previous educational institution (University, 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: • Australia • The Bahamas • Canada • Ireland • New Zealand • St Vincent and the Grenadines • 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 in Europass format

More information	lu.lv/..octoral-studies/education-sciences

Overview

The Joint Doctoral Study programme (JDSP) “Educational Sciences” is jointly implemented by four Latvian higher education institutions – the University of Latvia (UL) in partnership with Daugavpils University (DU), Liepaja University (LiepU) and Rezekne Academy of Technologies (RTA). The programme is unique in Latvia and the Baltics, as it is implemented as a joint inter-university doctoral study programme in educational sciences, the modules of which will be implemented in several universities in different regions of the country.

The aim of the programme is to improve the doctoral student’s research and academic competence in educational sciences to implement independent and innovative research activities for improvement and development of educational sciences theories, improve pedagogical practice at various levels of education (from pre-school to adult education) in Latvia and internationally, independently develop and publicly defend doctoral research containing original scientific research results and providing new knowledge in educational sciences.

Programme structure

The Joint Doctoral Study programme (JDSP) “Education Sciences” students acquire general study courses at the University of Latvia, as well as choose a specialization module according to their scientific interests:

Module 1: Didactics of study subjects (implemented by UL and DU);

Module 2: Inclusive education and technology integration in school, university and adult education (implemented by UL);

Module 3: Education for sustainable development at school and university (implemented by DU);

Module 4: Special and social pedagogy (implemented by RTA);

Module 5: Preschool and primary school pedagogy (implemented by LiepU).