University admission in Latvia

Official entry requirements

As classified by the country with UNESCO (ISCED 2011), reference year 2020. Universities may set higher requirements.

School-leaving qualification (upper secondary)

• Secondary (upper secondary) General Education implemented after acquisition of basic education3 years, from age 16

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of general secondary education

• Upper Secondary General education, acquisition of full upper secondary level education, following vocational education prog.32.00(1). Duration of programme 1 year.1 years, from age 17

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of General Secondary education

Bachelor's or equivalent (first degree)

• Academic higher education (bachelor degree) implemented after acquisition of general or vocational scondary education. Duration of programme 34 years.3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Bachelor's diploma

• Second level of professional higher education (acquisition of 5th level professional qualification and a degree of professional bachelor) or second level of professional higher education (acquisition of 5th level professional qualification) implemented af4 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Professional bachelor's diploma and Diploma of higher vocational qualification or Professional higher education diploma and Diploma of higher vocational qualification

• Second level of professional higher education (acquisition of 5th level professional qualification) continuation of college (short cycle) education. Duration of programme 1-2 years. Cumulative duration in higher education at least 4 years.1 years, from age 21

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 554)

  Awards: Professional higher education diploma and Diploma of higher vocational qualification

• Second level of professional higher education (acquisition of 5th level professional qualification and a degree of professional bachelor) or second level of professional higher education (acquisition of 5th level professional qualification) implemented af4 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 345, 354)

  Awards: Professional bachelor's diploma and Diploma of higher vocational qualification or Professional higher education diploma and Diploma of higher vocational qualification

Short-cycle tertiary (diplomas)

• First level of professional higher (college) education (acquisition of 4th level professional qualification), implemented after acquisition of general or vocational secondary education. Duration of programme 2-3 years (short cycle).2 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: First level higher education diploma