Study location	Latvia, Riga
Type	Postgraduate, full-time
Nominal duration	2 years (120 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	Master (Master of Humanities in English Studies)
Course code	22536
Accreditation	The programme is accredited till 07.12.2029.

Tuition fee	€3,700 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

Undergraduate diploma (or higher) Admission requirements: 1. Previous education: Version 1 of previous education: first-cycle higher education* or equivalent higher education in linguistics, literature or cultural studies; persons who have obtained such education are admitted without an entrance examination Version 2 of previous education: first-cycle higher education* or equivalent higher education in other humanities or teacher education (language, literature and/or culture teacher education); pass the entrance examination by submitting a written 1-page motivation letter Version 3 of previous education: first-cycle higher education* or equivalent higher education in another field and one year of professional/creative experience in a field related to the humanities; pass the entrance examination by submitting a written 1-page motivation letter 2. The average grade in study courses must be 60% of the maximum. 3. All grades must be passing (at least 4 in a 10-point grading system). 4. English language proficiency. *Bachelor’s degree or a diploma proving equivalent level of education Enrolment criteria (for students competing for the state-financed study place) For applicants who have completed previous education in linguistics, literature or cultural studies: 1. The average grade obtained in final exams (40%); 2. The grade point average of undergraduate studies (60%). For applicants who have completed previous education in other fields: 1. The average grade obtained in final exams (35%); 2. The grade point average of undergraduate studies (35%); 3. Entrance examination (30%) Please note! Only EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and EU long-term resident status holders can compete for a state-financed study place. 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 the original language, as well as translations into English. Diplomas and transcripts issued outside the 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. The University accepts the following international language tests: LanguageCert International ESOL C1 Expert (Written and Spoken); TOEFL IBT – at least score 90; TOEFL Essential – at least 10 points; IELTS – at least score 7; PTE General – at least level C1; PTE Academic – at least 67 points 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 (secondary school, etc.) where is stated that all your studies were in English (medium of instruction is English), and you have to pass an interview where the University of Latvia will assess 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	As a part of the admission process applicants will be asked to participate in an online interview.

More information	lu.lv/..s-study-programmes/english-studies

Overview

This study programme seeks to provide an opportunity for in-depth understanding of English studies from literary, linguistic, and language acquisition perspectives and ability to undertake independent research. These areas are in the focus of the core courses, while elective courses aim at enhancing the knowledge in particular areas. As English is the language of instruction and assignments, the study programme is fully accessible for international students.

Study period and classes time

The full–time degree programme covers two academic years. Classes are in the evenings of working days from 4.30 pm (or 6.15 pm) till 9.30 pm.

The programme has been developed within the framework of the project “Design of Internationally Competitive Study Programmes Promoting the Development of the National Economy of Latvia at the University of Latvia” (project No. 8.2.1.0 / 18 / A / 015).

Programme structure

The Master’s degree is completed in two years (four semesters) and it consists of coursework and a research thesis. During the first three semesters, the focus of attention is on deepening the knowledge through course work. It includes lectures, independent reading, and seminars in the stimulating environment of a whole range of core courses (54 credits), e.g., Literature and society, Discourse analysis and critical discourse analysis studies, Foreign language acquisition – theory and practice, Research methodologies, and other courses as well as elective courses (33 credits), e.g., Literature and media, Postcolonial novel, Syntax, Introduction to computational linguistics and other courses. In addition to course work, an elective internship (3 credits) is available during the third semester. The fourth semester is devoted to writing the research thesis (30 credits) in the selected area of interest. Some of the studies can be completed abroad by taking part in a student exchange programme.

Career opportunities

Studies enable students to consider a whole range of employment options – at educational institutions, public administration agencies, translation and terminology centres, non-governmental organizations, the EU structures as well as in media or publishing, business or international organizations. In addition, students’ exposure to job situations related to MA students’ study fields and consolidation of skills in these fields during their internship, expand their future employment opportunities. Master’s degree holders can also continue their studies at the Ph.D. programme.