CONFERENCE
The responsiveness and joint effort of faculties’ management and study programme directors has enabled to establish this new approach, which will be made available in the academic year 2025/2026 to students of the 5th semester in six bachelor’s study programmes: Philosophy, History and Archaeology, Latvian Studies, Geography, Physics and Geology.
Students of these programmes were offered the opportunity to choose one of the 18 additional modules offered. These modules have been developed by lecturers from five faculties of the University of Latvia and the BA School of Business and Finance (BA). In the autumn, the UL will also offer the three additional programmes most in demand by students: the additional modules “Design of Learning Process” and "Human Behavioural Psychology" offered by the UL Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, as well as the additional module “Language Technologies” offered by the UL Faculty of Science and Technology.
This interdisciplinary approach will advance the students’ ability to solve complex multidisciplinary problems, expand the boundaries of innovation and creativity, develop analytical critical skills, improve collaboration and communication skills, and ensure readiness for the dynamic labour market.
Summarizing the results of the choice of study modules made by students of these study programmes, further planning the implementation of the modules continues (development of lecture and class schedules, preparation of the e-study environment, etc.), – these interdisciplinary additional modules will also be introduced already in the autumn semester of the academic year 2025/2026.
At the same time, a student survey concerning the implementation of the programme/additional module (major/minor) approach is underway to acquire relevant data regarding the current offer of additional modules and the motivation of students’ choices. UL SIU continues to cooperate with other structural units and faculties of the university regarding improvement of the procedural matters concerning the implementation of these modules.
In the coming years, it is planned to offer a choice of an interdisciplinary study module to the students in even more study programmes, as well as to expand the range of additional programme selection.
This approach will give UL graduates the opportunity to build a more sustainable career in the long term, to develop a more balanced expertise, and serve as a sound contribution to personal growth.
The implementation of a programme/additional module (major/minor) at the University of Latvia is one of the activities within the Recovery and Resilience Facility-supported project “Internal and External Consolidation of the University of Latvia” (No. 5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/007).
 Studies Innovation Unit (SIU) has begun implementation of the additional module approach, known in many leading universities around the world as the minor/major system. This approach allows undergraduate students to acquire an interdisciplinary additional module from another field worth 15 credits in addition to their core programme. This enables students to expand their competence in accordance with their professional development goals.){kind=link}