Language and Culture Studies

Degree to be achieved: Doctoral Degree of Science Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) in Humanities and the Arts
Standard period of study: 6 semesters (3 years)
Type of studies: Full time
Amount of credits: 144 credit points or 216 ECTS
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level: Level 8
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) level: Level 8
Language of instruction: English or Latvian
Study program is licensed, will be accredited within two years (according to national legislation)
Director and coordinator of the Programme: prof. Janīna Kursīte-Pakule, janina.kursite-pakule@lu.lv, Jolanta Stauga, jolanta.stauga@lu.lv

Tuition fee

Aim of study programme

The PhD programme offers interdisciplinary and research-based studies, integrating linguistics, literary studies, folklore and theatre studies. Although the main task of the programme is the preservation and enhancement of national culture and science by preparing highly qualified researchers and specialists for researching the Latvian language, literature, folklore, theatre history and theory, the programme is also designed for aspiring specialists in other languages and cultures to enable postgraduate students to build their teaching and research careers at higher educational institutions and elsewhere.

The programme has two sub-programmes:

“Linguistics and literary studies”

Two modules: “Linguistics” and “Literary studies”, leading to the degree of Doctor of Science (PhD) in Linguistics and Literary Studies.

“Folklore studies and theatre history and theory”

Two modules: “Folklore studies” and “Theatre history and theory”, leading to the degree of Doctor of Science (PhD) in Music, Visual Arts and Architecture.

International students are welcome to the module “Linguistics” of the sub-programme “Linguistics and Literary Studies”.

The goal of the sub-programme is to enhance the development of doctoral students’ research and academic competence, to prepare highly qualified specialists who can conduct independent and innovative research, work out and defend a PhD thesis, which makes a substantial original contribution to knowledge building in linguistics and literary studies.

Study plan

Admission requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a master’s degree in the humanities, social sciences, education sciences, or a higher education qualification of equivalent standing and to participate in an entrance interview.

Applicants should indicate their branch of science and sub-branch and submit a research proposal, worked out under the guidance of a supervisor. If applicants do not have supervisors, they should contact the relevant academic department at the Faculty of Humanities. The applicant may also be allocated a supervisor corresponding to their research interests.

During the admission interview, applicants present their research proposal (about 10 min) to the Commission. The submitted documents and the presentation of the research proposal are assessed according to the admission criteria approved by the University of Latvia, namely, the average grade of master level studies or a higher education qualification of equivalent standing, a grade for the master thesis, research publications (if any), the topicality of the PhD thesis, its connection with the supervisor’s research area, the quality of the written research proposal,  and the results of the admission interview.

The curriculum of the sub-programme brings together faculty with a range of research interests in general linguistics, comparative and contrastive linguistics, applied linguistics, Latvian synchronic linguistics, Latvian diachronic linguistics, Baltic linguistics, Germanic linguistics, Romance linguistics, Slavic linguistics, Finno-Ugric linguistics, Oriental studies, and Classical philology, which allows PhD students to undertake in-depth research of a topic of interest at the same time designing a focused and individualized study plan.

As a part of the admission process applicants will be asked to participate in an online interview.

ERASMUS+ exchange possibilities

UL full-time students, regardless of their citizenship, have the opportunity to apply for the ERASMUS + exchange program for studies or/and traineeship.  

More information:

ERASMUS + study mobility 
ERASMUS + traineeship moblity  

Autumn Intake (application start: 02 Jan 2023; studies start in Sept 2023)

Full-time

Contact persons for more information about the programme:

Programme director
Dr. habil. philol. Janīna Kursīte-Pakule
janina.kursite-pakule@lu.lv

Programme secretary
Jolanta Stauga
jolanta.stauga@lu.lv

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).