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Doctoral studies

Please, submit application documents electronically on the APPLY website of each programme.

Venue and time of admission interview in doctoral study programmes at the UL in academic year 2025/2026

The results are announced in the faculties by 19.09.2025.

 

Registration for studies takes place at the  Kalpaka Blvd 4, Room 218 from September 22 to 26th, 2025.

 

Requirements regarding previous education for admission in doctoral study programmes in academic year 2024/2025

 
No. Doctoral Study Programme Indication on required previous education
1.  Human Factors, Occupational Safety and Health

1. Business, Law, Education, Psychology, Labor Protection or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
2. Master’s degree in Engineering or equivalent education to the listed degree.
3. Master’s degree in Natural Sciences: Biology and Chemistry, Computer Science and Informatics, Environmental Management or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
4. Master’s degree in Pharmacy, Health Sciences or professional Medical doctor’s degree or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
5. Entrance examination.
6. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level
2.  Natural Sciences  
2.1. Natural Sciences (Biology)

1. Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, Sports Science or professional Medical doctor’s degree or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level
2.2. Natural Sciences (Physics and Astronomy)

1. Chemical Technology, Material Science, Engineering Mechanics or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
2.3. Natural Sciences (Material Science)

1. Master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Material Science, Engineering Mechanics or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
2.4. Natural Sciences (Earth Sciences, Physical Geography and Environmental Science)

1. Master’s degree in Natural Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Forestry or Social and Economic Geography, or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
2.5. Natural Sciences (Social and Economic Geography)

1. Master’s degree in Natural Sciences, Economics and Business, Sociology and Social Work, Social and Economic Geography or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
2.6. Natural Sciences (Chemistry)

1. Master’s degree in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Material Science, Pharmacy or equivalent education to the listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
3. Computer Science and Mathematics  
3.1. Subprogramme “Computer Science and Electronics” with specialisation in Computer Science and Informatics

1. Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or Information Technology, or higher education equivalent to the listed degrees and entrance examination.
2. Master’s degree in other specialisation or higher education equivalent to listed degree with at least of 3 years of work experience in Information Technology and entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
3.2. Subprogramme “Computer Science and Electronics” with specialisation in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies

1. Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or Electronics, or higher education equivalent to the listed degrees and entrance examination.
2. Master’s degree in other specialisation or higher education equivalent to listed degree with at least 3 years of work experience in fields of Information Technology or Electronics and entrance examination.
3.. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
3.3. Subprogramme “Mathematics”

1. Master’s degree in Computer Science or Mathematics, or higher education equivalent to the listed degrees and entrance examination.
2. Master’s degree in other specialisation or higher education equivalent to listed degree with at least 3 years of work experience in Mathematics and entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
4.  Economics and Business  
4.1. Economics and Management

1. Master’s degree in Management Science, Economics and Business, or comparable education.
2. Master’s degree in other social sciences, educational sciences or comparable education, for person with at least two years of professional experience in management of enterprises and institutions.
3. Master’s degree in natural sciences, engineering sciences or comparable education, for person with at least two years of professional experience in management of enterprises and institutions.
4. Entrance examination.
5. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
4.2. Economics and Management (in English)
4.3. Education Management
5. Philosophy

1. Master’s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Educational Sciences, Natural Sciences or higher education equivalent to listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
6. Educational Sciences (joint)

1. Master’s degree in Education, Pedagogy or Psychology, Master’s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Medical Sciences, Sports Science and Natural Sciences or higher education equivalent to listed degrees, and at least 2 years of pedagogical work experience in educational institution.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
7. Medicine and Health Sciences

1. Master’s degree in Biology, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nutritional Science, Nursing Science or professional Medical doctor’s degree, Pharmacist’s degree, Dentist’s degree, professional Master’s degree in Clinical Optometry.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
8.  Psychology

1. Master’s degree in Psychology or Master’s degree in Social Sciences, if Bachelor’s degree in Psychology awarded after completion of Bachelor’s degree study programme.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level
9. Social Sciences

1. Master’s degree in Social Sciences and Humanities or higher education equivalent to listed degrees and entrance examination.
2. Master’s degree in other sciences or higher education equivalent to listed degree, at least 1 year of work experience in the areas of socio-economic processes and market analysis, communication, information management, diplomatic duties, policy planning, policy implementation or administration.
3. Entrance examination.
4. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
10. Theology and Religious Studies

1. Master’s degree in Humanities, Educational Sciences, or Social Sciences (Sociology and Anthropology, or higher education equivalent to listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
11. Law

1. Master’s degree in Law or education equivalent to it in Law.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
12. Language and Culture Studies

1. Master’s degree in Humanities or higher education equivalent to listed degree, entrance examination.
2. Master’s degree in Social Sciences or higher education equivalent to Master’s degree in other fields of science, at least 1 year of professional/creative experience in areas related to Humanities, entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
13. History and Archaeology (joint)

1. Master’s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Educational Sciences, Natural Sciences or higher education equivalent to listed degrees.
2. Entrance examination.
3. Studies in English require English language skills at least at B2 level.
  Additional information If the applicant has obtained an education document or degree in foreign country, the application must be accompanied by a statement from Academic Information Centre indicating which education document or degree awarded in Latvia the education document or degree obtained in foreign country corresponds to.
 

Number of study places for admission in doctoral study programmes at the UL in academic year 2025/2026

No.Doctoral Study ProgrammeNumber of state subsidised study places (FTS)Number of study places for tuition fee  (FTS/PTS)
1.Human Factors, Occupational Safety and Health015
2.Natural Sciences  
2.1.Natural Sciences (Biology)52
2.2.Natural Sciences (Physics and Astronomy)

 

10

 

10

2.3.Natural Sciences (Material sciences)
2.4.Natural Sciences (Earth Sciences, Physical Geography and Environmental Science)55
2.5.Natural Sciences (Social and Economic Geography)23
2.6.Natural Sciences (Chemistry)75
3.Computer Science and Mathematics  
3.1.Subprogramme “Computer Science and Electronics” with specialisation in Computer Science and Informatics92
3.2.Subprogramme “Computer Science and Electronics” with specialisation in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies  
3.3.Subprogramme “Mathematics”45
4.Economics and Business  
4.1.Economics and Management310
4.2.Economics and Management (in English)010
4.3.51345 Education Management35
5.Philosophy33
6.Educational Sciences55
7.Medicine and Health Sciences65
8.Psychology36
9.Social Sciences55
10.Theology and Religious Studies25
11.Law515
12.Language and Culture Studies510
13.History and Archaeology45

Admission criteria in doctoral study programme of the UL in academic year 2025/2026

1. Excellence of the proposed research (maximum score – 10) 

  • Relevance and scientific novelty of the planned research
  • Scientific quality of the research proposal and its alignment with the planned doctoral thesis (research goal, tasks, hypothesis)
  • Design and methodology of the planned research (research participants, data collection methods)
  • The academic supervisor is working on the topic of the planned doctoral thesis, which will ensure the quality of research supervision and knowledge transfer between supervisor and doctoral student
  • Scientific publications related to the topic of the planned doctoral thesis (supporting documents: copy of the publication or a link to the website, or confirmation of acceptance for publication)
  • Presentation at a conference on the topic of the planned doctoral thesis (supporting documents: copy of the conference program) 

2. Expected Impact (Relevance) of the Planned Research (maximum score – 10) 

  • Expected results, anticipated contribution to the scientific field (including interdisciplinary approach)
  • Relevance of the topic to the priority research areas of the University of Latvia or its cooperation partners
  • The doctoral thesis will be developed within an international, Latvian Council of Science (hereinafter – LCS), UL, or other scientific institution's research project on the topic of the planned doctoral thesis (supporting documents: confirmation letter from the project director)
  • The doctoral thesis will be developed in a research project with external funding for the implementation of research at UL, e.g., from industry or public organizations (supporting documents: confirmation letter from the project director) 

3. Implementation of the Planned Research and Applicant’s Experience (maximum score – 10) 

  • Presentation or discussion of the planned research with members of the Doctoral Council of the Field (topic knowledge, presentation quality, information sources used in the presentation, answers to questions) 
  • Applicant’s motivation and ability to execute the work 
  • Scientific publications not related to the topic of the planned doctoral thesis (supporting documents: copy of the publication or a link to the website, or confirmation of acceptance for publication)
  • Presentation at a conference not on the topic of the planned doctoral thesis (supporting documents: copy of the conference program)
  • Participation in an international, LCS, UL, or other scientific institution’s research project on the topic of the planned doctoral thesis (supporting documents: confirmation letter from the project leader)
  • Participation in an international, LCS, UL, or other scientific institution’s research project not related to the topic of the planned doctoral thesis (supporting documents: confirmation letter from the project leader)
  • Participation in a research project with external funding (e.g., from industry or public organizations) for the implementation of research at UL (supporting documents: confirmation letter from the project leader)
  • Applicant’s academic or research work experience at UL (or another higher education institution or research institute), evidenced by a CV
  • Mobility – work/studies/internships at foreign universities or research institutions (supporting documents: certificate from the employer, university, or research institution) 
 

See Registration fee