CONFERENCEProgramme level: Master's programme
Language of instruction: Latvian
Study form and duration: full-time - 4 semesters
Credits: 120 ECTS
Obtainable degree or qualification: Master of Social Sciences in Political Science
Number of students accepted each year: State-funded study places - 18, study places for tuition fee - 20
Tuition fee per year (ac. year 2025/26): 2800 EUR for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, permanent residence permit holders and their family members. 4700 EUR for citizens of other countries
Study location: Riga, Latgale
The study programme provides in-depth knowledge of the policy-making process in national and international institutions and improves the skills and abilities necessary for this process. According to the students' interest, the programme offers three specialisations:
“European Public Administration” – for students who associate their career with work in European Union or Latvian government institutions.
“International Relations” – advances knowledge of international politics and supranational organizations, providing an excellent basis for further work in the diplomatic service or in international organizations.
“Political Theory and Comparative Politics” – particularly useful for analysts of political processes who want to build a career in the media, think tanks, non-governmental organizations. Graduates of any specialisation can continue their studies in the doctoral programme in political science.
Director of the Study Programme
Professor Jānis Ikstens
Graduates of the programme have successful careers in state and municipal institutions, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, as well as in journalism, public relations and public communication. For example: Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia; Andis Kudors, Executive Director of the Centre for East European Policy Studies, Laura Anteina, Deputy Director of the Regional Policy Department at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.
A number of graduates have chosen to enhance their knowledge in the doctoral programme at the University of Latvia or abroad; some of them have already become lecturers at the University of Latvia (Iveta Reinholde, Valts Kalniņš, Toms Rostoks).
General conditions
Previous education:
Bachelor's degree or second level professional higher education, or equivalent higher education.
Competition result calculation formula: entrance examination (1 x 1000 = 1000), the minimum score obtained in the entrance examination valid for admission – 400;
Those holding a bachelor’s degree or second level professional higher education in political science can participate in the competition with the following competition result calculation formula: weighted average grade (60 x 10 = 600) + total (or average) grade of final examinations (40 x 10 = 400);
Eligibility for noncompetition registration: the graduates of the UL bachelor’s study programme “Political Science” of academic year 2022/2023, whose weighted average grade in bachelor studies is not lower than 8 and the evaluation of the bachelor thesis is not lower than 9 (excellent).
Additional requirements:
1) persons who have obtained a bachelor's degree in other fields of science (not political science) must additionally pass the course “Basic Questions of Political Theory” during the acquisition of the master's study programme (2 credit points);
2) Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Graduate reviews
“Political science is worth pursuing to see beyond stereotypes, to be able to generalize and analyse causes, as well as effects. It can be said that studies in this science not only prepare for professional life, but for life in general – because only an educated person can be truly free, and in-depth knowledge in this field of science enables to distinguish the essential from the insignificant, to participate and influence political processes, and thus – one's own life.”
“It seems to me that FSS has very strong foreign and international policy lecturers and a sufficient number of guest lecturers to provide for an international political dimension. I think that for young people who want to work in Latvia and are particularly interested in Latvia's domestic politics, the place to study is UL FSS, where they would get to know and study exactly the events and processes in Latvia. Foreign countries offer very good education abroad, but the understanding of how things actually work here differs, for example, in Germany, Great Britain or Sweden. If a person is ready to obtain knowledge and has motivation – he or she can acquire a lot at FSS.”
