Degree to be achieved: Master of Social Sciences in European Studies

Standard period of study: 2 years (4 semesters)

Type of studies: Full time

Amount of credits: 80 credit points or 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)

Language of instruction: English

Accreditation: 31.12.2015

Tuition fee:    

1) For EU, EEA citizens and their family members is 1500 LVL per year (the total tuition fee is 3000 LVL)

2) For other countries citizens is 2600 LVL per year (the total tuition fee is 5200 LVL)


Programme description:

This is a multidisciplinary modular study programme about the European economic, political and legal space, its common problems, European Union functional principles and procedures.

It is an excellent opportunity to acquire greater skills and competitive personal abilities in EU studies for practice oriented professions and careers in academia. 

Practical seminar week in Brussels:

Each year there is a possibility for students of European Studies Master’s programme to participate in a practical seminar week in Brussels, to visit the key EU institutions and NATO and participate in discussion about actual topics with specialists. 

The Curriculum of European Studies Master’s Programme

Why to study in Latvia:

• see Europe from the perspective of a new EU member country
• attend courses given by high-level national and international faculty and EU practitioners
• experience an interdisciplinary approach in interactive and innovative teaching in English, group work, case-solving, and discussion
• study in an international environment of linguistic and cultural diversity
• live in a city of great European cultural history and cultural life with many libraries, conferences, music, museums, exhibits, cinemas and youth clubs

We provide an opportunity for:

• study/research week in Brussels and Luxembourg, with visits and lectures at all main European institutions and NATO
• study/research week at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt and Applied Sciences University of the German Federal Bank on European financial issues
• a three weeks intensive EU Study Tour (Brussels, Frankfurt, Strasburg, and Luxembourg) in cooperation with Canadian European Studies Network
• studies at various partner universities within the EU Erasmus and other exchange schemes
• research skills development in funded projects on topical European themes
• French language courses

Career opportunities:

• EU/international and national public
• and private institutions
• political, economic, and legal advising
• diplomatic services
• lobbying at EU level
• international journalism
• doctoral studies with the option of an academic career

Admission requirements for academic year 2010/2011:

• Bachelor degree or an equivalent level of education;
• English language proficiency¹;
• Motivation letter (it should provide his/her motivation to study in the programme and include applicant’s ideas about Master thesis topic. Motivation letter should not exceed 2 pages).

¹If English is not your native language and/or your previous education was not obtained in English you must present one of the following documents:

1. A bachelor degree diploma with a positive grade in English;
2. A certified English proficiency document *

* TOEFL IBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test) at least 80 or TOEFL PBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Paper Based Test) at least 550; IELTS (International English Language Testing System) at least 6 points; Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English – C; Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English – B.

Necessary documents:  

1. Notarially certified copies of legalized undergraduate degree diploma and legalized diploma supplement. If these documents are not in Latvian or English a notarially certified translation of these documents shall be provided.
   Find more information about legalization procedure below.
2. Completed application form
3. Copy of passport
4. Motivation letter and CV
5. One photo
6. Document confirming English proficiency (if necessary)
7. Copy of application fee payment document.
   

The payment must be transferred to the bank account of the University of Latvia before applying for studies. The application fee is non-refundable.  

Please note! Application documents without all required attachments and application fee payment confirmation will be understood as not valid and will not be forwarded for further processing. 

 
Application fee:

1. For European Union, European Economic Area citizens and their family members* is 15LVL (21Euro);  
2. For permanent residents (including long-term residents of the European Community) and their family members* is 15LVL (21Euro);  
3. For other citizens is 35LVL (50Euro).

* Under this clause family members are spouse, parents and children.

 
The deadline for submitting application documents: August 27, 2010

Legalization (certification of document authenticity)

• Legalization is not a notarial act. It means verification of signature and seal of a document.

• If education documents are issued in a country which has joined the Hague Convention 1961 (e.g. USA, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Georgia, India, Moldova etc.) they should be certified with an Apostille. The Apostille is issued by a competent institution (usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in the country of origin.

• If education documents are issued in a country that has not joined the Hague Convention 1961 (e.g. Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka etc.) applicants should get a double legalization of their educational documents. The documents need to be legalized either by a competent institution (usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in the country of origin or by the diplomatic/consular mission of the country of origin and either by any Latvian diplomatic/consular mission or by Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department.

Words from the Director:

At the European Studies programme the international perspective is deeply rooted in all our activities. It is an excellent opportunity to acquire greater skills and competitive personal abilities in EU studies for practice oriented professions and careers in academia. It has been exciting to see our graduates entering successfully active professional life be it in the public or private sectors. We welcome you to join us.

Professor and Jean Monnet Chair
Dr. Tatjana Muravska 

Words from Graduates:

Česlavs Gržibovskis, (ministy of Economics of the Republic of Latvia)

If someone asks me, whether it has been worth it to study European Studies at the University of Latvia, my answer will be “yes”. My work was and still is connected with European issues; therefore I decided to apply for this programme. European Studies provided me with good understanding of European integration issues, how the European institutions work. I have improved my knowledge in economics, political science and European law. We had a great opportunity to participate in the practical research week in Brussels, where we visited various EU and international institutions together with other students from the University of Bremen. It was very good and positive experience, which helped me in my career.

Anna Parfjonova, (the European parliament)

In my opinion, the European Studies Master’s Programme at the University of Latvia is a tailor-made programme for those who plan to work in the ‘administrative heart’ of the European Union. A profound theoretical background in European affairs gained

during the lectures and participation in the International Study Week in Brussels were the starting points to pursue my career in Europe. A balanced combination of an academic and a practical approach throughout two years of studies taught me not only to acquire but also to apply the acquired knowledge, which is essential for young professionals.

Līga Sondore, (State Regional Development agency)

I am thankful to the European studies programme for developing my interdisciplinary analytical skills that I

now use daily in my profession. During the studies we had an opportunity to listen to several courses read by experienced foreign professors. I highly appreciated this way of gaining experience from other countries.

The studies sustained the connection with the university, and I currently continue my Ph. D. studies in management and participate in research projects – all of this is built on the basis that was given in the European Studies Master’s Programme.

 
Contact person for more information about the programme:

Programme Coordinator - Santa Jastrebova
E-mail: santa.jastrebova@lu.lv

Phone: +371 67034795
Fax: +371 67034721 

Faculty of Economics and Management 
University of Latvia 
Aspazijas blvd. 5 
Riga  LV-1050 
Latvia