CONFERENCEPre-Trial Investigation (LV)
Programme level: Professional Bachelor
Language of instruction: Latvian
Study form and duration: full-time - 8 semesters, part-time - 11 Semesters
Credits: 240 ECTS
Obtainable degree or qualification: Investigator (in the field of criminal law)
Number of students accepted each year: Full time state-funded study places - 120, study places for tuition fee - 0. Part-time: regular studies state-funded study places - 45, study places for tuition fee - 0.
Tuition fee per year: only state-funded study places
Study location: Riga, city centre
The aim of the “Pre-trial Investigation” programme is to offer students the opportunity to gain excellent professional higher education in law, aligned with Level 6 of the Latvian Framework of Educational Qualifications. The programme provides professional legal studies that align with state requirements and labour market demands. It is built on a solid theoretical foundation, adheres to the professional standard for investigators, and emphasizes practical applicability. Graduates gain the skills and knowledge needed to independently conduct professional investigative work.
Programme Director
Doc. Edmunds Broks
The program offers comprehensive knowledge in law and its sub-disciplines, with a strong emphasis on in-depth learning of criminal law and other specialized areas that enhance investigative competencies. Throughout the programme, students will develop key attributes such as responsibility, initiative, conscientiousness, and punctuality, supporting their overall personal growth. They will also cultivate essential skills in analysis, presentation, and reasoning, which are critical for investigative work. In addition to theoretical studies, the programme provides practical training in criminal investigation.
Before enrolling, students must enter into an agreement with the Ministry of the Interior regarding the financing of their studies and subsequent employment in investigative bodies. They are required to commit to an employment relationship and work within the investigative bodies for five years after graduation. Graduates will have opportunities to work in investigative institutions such as the State Police and Anti-Corruption agency.
General Conditions
- Completion of secondary education.
Criteria for applicants who completed secondary education from 2004 onwards:
- Centralised Examination (CE) in Latvian.*
- CE in English, French, or German.*
- CE in Mathematics.*
- Annual grade in History, or Social Studies and History, or History and Social Studies, or Social Studies .
- Average of the CE aggregate grades as a percentage of the applicant’s pass marks in all subjects.*
*Note: The EU does not require a specific CE level for admission, but conversion coefficients are applied to ensure result comparability:
- A coefficient of 0.75 is applied to exams at the optimal learning level, equating them to the highest learning level exams.
- A coefficient of 0.50 is used for exams at the general learning content level, equated to the higher content level.
- CE results obtained before 2022 are equated with the optimal learning level and weighted by 0.75.
- For applicants who completed secondary education before 2008, the centralised exam in mathematics may be substituted with the annual grade in mathematics or the average grade in algebra and geometry from the secondary school leaving certificate.
Competition criteria for applicants who completed secondary education before 2003, those who completed education abroad, and those exempt from CE:
- Annual average grade in Latvian language and literature.
- Annual grade in English, French, or German.
- Annual grade in History or Social Studies and History, or History and Social Studies, or Social Studies.
- Annual grade in Mathematics (or average grade in Algebra and Geometry).
- Annual average grade in compulsory subjects.
Additional Points for Full-time Students:
- In 2025, individuals passing the final examination of the UL Young Lawyers University with at least 70% will receive 50 additional points.
- In 2024 and 2025, winners of the 1st-3rd grade diploma in the social sciences branch of the Latvian National Student Conference will receive 40 additional points.
- Additional points for full-time students are awarded for 1st - 3rd place winners of the UL Young Lawyers University final test in 2025.
Citizens who have volunteered for and completed national defence service and meet the programme’s admission conditions will be offered state-funded study places without competition, provided they apply no later than two years after completing their service and are in the Retirement Reserve.
Special Conditions:
For admission to full-time studies, the applicant must:
- Be a Latvian citizen.
- Not be convicted of a criminal offence, regardless of whether the conviction has been expunged or quashed.
- Not be convicted of a deliberate criminal offence, with exemption from a sentence.
- Has not been held criminally liable for committing an intentional criminal offense, except in cases where the individual was prosecuted but the criminal proceedings were terminated on rehabilitative grounds.
- Not be under guardianship.
- Be no older than 35 years.
For admission to part-time studies, the applicant must be in service with the Latvian investigative authorities. Applicants are matriculated in line with the “Internal Security Academy” consortium’s conditions and the Ministry of the Interior’s list, considering the selection requirements and evaluation criteria set by investigative bodies.
An agreement concerning the financing of the studies and subsequent employment at the investigating authority (for full-time studies) or the costs associated with the official’s education (for part-time studies) is established between the student and the relevant investigating authority in the Republic of Latvia.
