Study location	Latvia, Riga
Type	Postgraduate, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years (180 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	Professional Master (Professional Master Degree in Clinical Optometry, qualification “Optometrist”)
Course code	21059
Accreditation	Study programme is accredited till 02.02.2029.

Tuition fee	€6,000 per year
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

Undergraduate diploma (or higher) First or second cycle higher education* in healthcare field, or first cycle higher education* in life sciences, chemistry or physics, medical engineering; *Bachelor’s degree or a diploma proving equivalent level of education 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. Applicants must upload education documents in original language, as well as translations into English. Diplomas and transcripts issued outside EU must be legalized with a legalization stamp 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 5.5 PTE General – at least level B2 PTE Academic – at least 51 points 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	The average grade in study courses must be 60% of the maximum. Pass of entrance examination As a part of the admission process applicants will be asked to participate in an online interview.

More information	lu.lv/..-study-programmes/master-optometry

Overview

The Professional Master’s study programme “Clinical Optometry” offers multidisciplinary studies based on visual science and contemporary primary vision care. Upon successful completion of the studies, students will be awarded a Professional Master Degree in Clinical Optometry and the qualification of “Optometrist”, in accordance with the established Latvian Professional Standard for Optometrists.

The study programme offers the opportunity to expand their knowledge and optometric skills in the field of clinical optometry. In addition, students gain academic knowledge and skills in vision science, which allows them to enrol in the next study level – doctoral programme.

Programme structure

The study programme (180 ECTS) contains compulsory (part A), optional (part B), free choice part (part C), and practical courses. The syllabus consists of professional (clinical) and scientific (experimental) subjects related to the evaluation, research, and understanding of the human visual system. In the first year, students get basic knowledge, which are necessary for an understanding of vision processes, their evaluation and correction possibilities: optics, general and ocular anatomy, cell biology, microbiology, neurophysiology, general pathology and pharmacology, as well as vision development and ageing. In the following years, the students develop and improve their practical and theoretical knowledge and skills in vision examination and correction, including disorders of binocular vision, contact lens correction, low vision, and ocular diseases. The optional courses allows deeper inside into paediatric optometry, vision training, refractive surgery, and other important fields of vision science.

Defence of the Master’s thesis and Qualification examination in Optometry are the final stages of the Professional Master’s study program aiming to evaluate students’ research skills, as well as theoretical and practical knowledge, and their correspondence to the requirements of qualification in optometry.