Study Regulation

2.1. Academic leave - a student's right to suspend their studies for a specified period while retaining student status, for example, for health, family or other reasons.
2.2. Academic year - a study year consisting of two semesters: the Autumn Semester and the Spring Semester. The UL academic year may also include a third semester, the Summer Semester, lasting up to eight weeks. The UL academic year is determined in accordance with the UL Academic Calendar.
2.3. Academic integrity - a set of ethical principles that require independent, honest and responsible conduct in the study and research process. It includes refraining from plagiarism, falsification, cheating, unauthorised collaboration or other breaches of academic standards, as well as the obligation to properly acknowledge sources used and respect intellectual property.
2.4. Feedback - evaluations or recommendations provided by students or university lecturers to improve the study process, the quality of a study course or teaching materials.
2.5. Free elective courses (Part C) - study courses that a student selects and completes in accordance with the procedures established by the UL from the UL free elective course offer or outside the UL.
2.6. Exmatriculation - the removal of a student from the student register.
2.7. Mobility abroad - mobility within the framework of international mobility programmes and UL bilateral cooperation agreements, providing students with the opportunity to study or undertake an internship for a specified period at another higher education institution or enterprise abroad, thereby promoting international experience, academic development and intercultural understanding.
2.8. Formal education - a state-recognised education system comprising primary, secondary and higher education levels, the completion of which is certified by a state-recognised educational or professional qualification document.
2.9. Formal evaluation - evaluation carried out in accordance with an established methodology and affecting the final grade in a study course (for example, examinations, tests and final tests).
2.10. Restricted elective courses (Part B) - a set of study courses from which students select courses amounting to a specified number of credit points.
2.11. Matriculation - the enrolment of a person in a higher education institution by entering them in the student register (matriculation register).
2.12. Consultations - support provided by a university lecturer to a student outside contact hours in order to explain study materials in greater depth, assist with preparation for examinations, support research work or address other study-related matters.
2.13. Contact hours (scheduled classes) - university lecturer-led learning activities conducted either in person or remotely in which a student participates directly, including lectures, seminars, laboratory work and other classes.
2.14. Credit point (ECTS) - a unit that reflects a student's workload. At the UL, 1 ECTS credit point corresponds to 25-27 hours of study work, including contact hours and independent work.
2.15. Lifelong learning (continuing education) - the continuation of previously acquired education and the enhancement of professional competence in accordance with the requirements of a particular profession.
2.16. Non-formal education - purposeful learning outside the formal education system (for example, courses, seminars and workplace training), usually without an official qualification but with the possibility of obtaining a certificate or other proof of completion.
2.17. Informal evaluation - feedback and recommendations received by a student during the learning process in order to improve their knowledge and skills, without directly affecting the final grade.
2.18. Mandatory study courses (Part A) - study courses that are compulsory for all students enrolled in a study programme.
2.19. Major/minor module - a major module constitutes the principal specialisation of a study programme and forms its core, while a minor module is an additional specialisation that deepens or broadens knowledge beyond the main field.
2.20. Internship - a component of the study process through which a student acquires professional skills and experience in a real working environment in accordance with the objectives of the study programme and the specifics of the relevant field.
2.21. Rotation - the annual competition for state-funded study places.
2.22. Student independent work - study activities carried out individually by a student outside contact classes, including theoretical study, completion of assignments, project work, preparation for examinations and other tasks.
2.23. Study cycle (level) - short-cycle study programmes (up to two years), first-cycle study programmes, second-cycle study programmes and third-cycle study programmes.
2.24. Types of studies - studies may be pursued on a full-time, part-time or distance-learning basis, including blended studies combining in-person and remote learning methods.
2.25. Study course - a component of a study programme with a defined topic, learning content, volume expressed in credit points and evaluation procedure. A study course may be a mandatory (Part A), restricted elective (Part B) or free elective (Part C) course.
2.26. Study agreement - an agreement between a student and a higher education institution setting out the rights and obligations of the parties during the period of study.
2.27. Study level - undergraduate studies, advanced studies and doctoral studies.
2.28. Study module - a combination of study courses that are thematically and purposefully linked and for which a study module description has been defined, including its objectives, tasks and study results, the courses included in the module, and the sequence in which those courses are taken and/or the possibility of taking them concurrently.
2.29. Nominal duration of studies - the period prescribed for completing a study programme in full where a student studies on a full-time basis and successfully fulfils all requirements in accordance with the established procedures.
2.30. Final theses - research-based or practice-based work prepared at the final stage of a study programme, demonstrating the student's ability to independently address issues related to the relevant field, including a bachelor's thesis, master's thesis, qualification paper or diploma paper.
2.31. Study plan - the arrangement of the study courses included in a study programme in a logical sequence and distribution across study semesters.
2.32. Study programmes - academic and professional study programmes, including short-cycle, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes. UL study programmes are developed and approved in accordance with the regulatory enactments of Latvia and international requirements.
2.33. Study programme volume - the volume of a study programme expressed in credit points, reflecting the total workload required for successful completion of the programme, including various types of classes, independent work, internships and the final thesis.
2.34. Study results - the knowledge, skills and competence acquired by a student upon successful completion of a study course or study programme.

 

3.1. Admission to studies at Latvian higher education institutions is governed by the following external regulations:

     3.1.1. the Higher Education Institutions Law (Sections 45 and 46);

     3.1.2. Cabinet Regulation No. 846 "Regulations Regarding the Requirements, Criteria and Procedures for Admission to Study Programmes";

     3.1.3. Cabinet Regulation No. 70 "Mandatory Provisions to Be Included in a Study Agreement";

     3.1.4. Cabinet Regulation No. 932 "Procedures for Commencing Studies at Later Stages of Studies".

3.2. Admission to studies at the University of Latvia is governed by the following internal regulations:

     3.2.1. Admission Regulations of the University of Latvia;

     3.2.2. The admission procedure for each study cycle (level) at the UL shall be governed by admission regulations for the relevant admission year, which shall be drafted, approved and published by 30 November of the current year:

           3.2.2.1. Admission Procedure for Undergraduate and Advanced Study Programmes for the 2026/2027 Academic Year;

           3.2.2.2. Admission Regulations for the Academic Doctoral Study Programmes of the University of Latvia for the 2026/2027 Academic Year;

           3.2.2.3. Joint Admission Regulations (RSU and UL);

           3.2.2.4. Application of Foreign Nationals for Studies at the UL for the 2026/2027 Academic Year;

     3.2.3. Admission Requirements and Criteria for Undergraduate Study Programmes for the 2026/2027 Academic Year;

     3.2.4. Admission Requirements and Criteria for Advanced Study Programmes for the 2026/2027 Academic Year;

     3.2.5. In study programmes where a foreign language is assessed as an admission criterion, the International Language Test Score Equivalency Tables shall be applied by order of the Rector;

     3.2.6. Regulations on Commencing Studies at Later Stages at the University of Latvia.
 

4.1. The academic year in undergraduate and advanced study programmes is a 40-week period of study divided into the Autumn Semester and the Spring Semester. The academic year may also include a Summer Semester of up to eight weeks, where provided for by the study programme; in such cases, the duration of the academic year may be up to 48 weeks. The schedule of the academic year for each academic year shall be approved by the Rector.

4.2. Academic Year Schedule

5.1. Study planning is a description of the process of fulfilling the requirements specified in a study programme. Study planning includes the development of a standard study plan, students’ individual semester study plans, class schedules and examination schedules.

5.2. Standard study plan - specifies the workload and content of studies for one study semester. The completion requirements of the study programme as a whole are determined by a set of standard study plans, the number of which corresponds to the number of semesters prescribed for the completion of the programme.

5.3. Individual semester study plan - a student's study plan prepared for a study semester before the beginning of the respective semester. Individual study plans are developed on the basis of the standard study plan(s).

5.4. Mandatory study courses shall be included in the individual study plan from the standard study plan for the respective study semester, while restricted elective courses and free elective courses shall be included from the list of courses selected by the student.

5.5. Restricted elective courses shall be selected by the student from the list of courses offered in the standard study plan.

5.6. Free elective courses shall be selected by the student at their discretion from the list of free elective courses offered by the UL or from the course offerings of other higher education institutions with which a cooperation agreement has been concluded.

5.7. Student registration for restricted elective courses and free elective courses for the following academic year shall take place in accordance with the registration schedule for elective courses for the respective academic year.

5.8. The registration process for elective courses and the development of individual study plans shall be supervised by the director of the study programme.

5.9. Classes and examinations shall be scheduled in accordance with the study course plan prepared for the respective semester within the study programme. The prepared class schedule shall be approved by the Dean of the faculty. The procedure for preparing and publishing class and examination schedules is determined by the Rector-approved procedure Procedure for Preparing and Publishing Class and Examination Schedules at the UL.

5.10. Lecture and class schedule - specifies the distribution of planned classes (contact hours) for each day and week and indicates the location of classes (lecture room, laboratory), as well as the name, surname and academic position of the university lecturer.

5.10.1. Class times for each day shall be scheduled in accordance with the standard class scheduling timetable.

5.10.2. One scheduled class shall last two academic hours. A break may be included by agreement with the university lecturer. One academic hour shall be 45 minutes in duration.

5.10.3. Study weeks within a semester during which scheduled classes take place shall be assigned sequential numbers from 1 to 20 and shall be divided into odd and even weeks. The first week of the semester shall be an odd week, the second week an even week, and so forth.

5.10.4. Class schedules for each student group shall be prepared before the beginning of the respective semester and published on the UL website no later than the first day of the registration week of the respective semester.

5.11. Study planning for part-time studies shall be organised by the respective faculty.

5.12. If classes do not take place for justified reasons or are rescheduled, the university lecturer or the faculty filing clerk shall notify students through the communication channels established by the faculty. The rescheduling of classes or replacement of a university lecturer shall be governed by the internal procedure On the Replacement of Classes and recorded in the faculty's Register of Replacement Classes.

5.13. If a student is unable to attend classes for which attendance is mandatory or is unable to participate in an examination, the student shall inform the university lecturer or the filing clerk and, upon request, provide supporting documentation. For example, in the event of illness, a medical certificate shall be required. In the case of urgent family circumstances or other justified reasons where supporting documentation cannot be obtained, the student shall provide written notification.

5.14. Examination schedule - specifies the list of examinations to be taken at the end of the semester, the names and surnames of the responsible university lecturers, and the dates, times and venues of consultations and examinations. The examination schedule shall be published no later than two weeks before the start of the examination session.

6.1. The progress of studies shall be governed by the following external regulations:

      6.1.1. Higher Education Institutions Law (Section 59.3);

      6.1.2. Cabinet Regulation No. 203, Procedures for Establishing and Updating a Student Personal File;

      6.1.3. Cabinet Regulation No. 994, Procedures for Financing Institutions of Higher Education and Colleges from the Funds of the State Budget;

      6.1.4. Cabinet Regulation No. 818, Regulations on Scholarships;

      6.1.5. Cabinet Regulation No. 68, Procedures for Granting Scholarships to Foreigners;

      6.1.6. Cabinet Regulation No. 505, Regulations on the Recognition of Competences Acquired Outside Formal Education or Through Professional Experience and Study Results Achieved in Previous Education;

      6.1.7. Cabinet Regulation No. 202, Procedures for Issuing State-Recognised Higher Education Documents;

      6.1.8. Cabinet Regulation No. 74, Regulations on Higher Professional Qualifications.

6.2. The progress of studies shall be governed by the following internal regulations:

      6.2.1. Regulations on Student Personal Files;

      6.2.2. Procedure for Registration for a Study Semester and Study Courses at the University of Latvia;

      6.2.3. Procedure for Changing an Undergraduate Study Programme During the First Semester of Studies at the University of Latvia;

      6.2.4. Regulation on Individual Study Plan;

      6.2.5. Procedure for Preparing and Publishing Class and Examination Schedules at the University of Latvia;

      6.2.6. Regulations on the Organisation of Student Internships at the University of Latvia;

      6.2.7. Procedure for Organising Study Course Examinations at the University of Latvia;

      6.2.8. Regulations of the Commission for the Recognition of Knowledge, Skills, Competences Acquired Outside Formal Education or Through Professional Experience, or Study Results Achieved in Previous Education;

      6.2.9. Regulations on the Recognition of Competences Acquired Outside Formal Education or Through Professional Experience and Study Results Achieved in Previous Education at the University of Latvia.
 

6.3.1. Registration for a semester and study courses (except for the registration of Erasmus+ students) shall be governed by the internal regulation Procedure for Registration for a Study Semester and Study Courses at the University of Latvia.

6.3.2. Registration for a study semester shall take place electronically through the UL Information System (LUIS) using the student's UL username and password. A password may be reset at the Student Service (Raiņa bulvāris 19, Room 125). Registration shall be completed during the semester registration week in accordance with the Academic Calendar.

6.3.3. In the Spring Semester, only those students holding state-funded study places who have no academic debts, and students holding fee-paying study places whose total volume of academic debts does not exceed 15 credit points, shall be entitled to register. In the Autumn Semester, only those students who have no academic debts or whose total volume of academic debts does not exceed 9 credit points shall be entitled to register. Students whose volume of academic debts exceeds the above limits and who wish to continue their studies shall submit a submission to the Dean. Such students shall be registered for the semester by the filing clerk with the Dean's permission.
 

6.6.1. The procedure for the recognition of study courses and of study results achieved outside formal education or through professional experience is governed by the external regulation Regulations on the Recognition of Competences Acquired Outside Formal Education or Through Professional Experience and Study Results Achieved in Previous Education (pursuant to Section 59.2, Paragraph Five, and Section 59.3, Paragraph Two of the Higher Education Institutions Law).

6.6.2. The process of course referencing and recognition at the UL is governed by the internal regulation Regulations of the Commission for the Recognition of Knowledge, Skills, Competences Acquired Outside Formal Education or Through Professional Experience, or Study Results Achieved in Previous Education.

6.6.3. The University of Latvia provides its students and prospective students with the opportunity to obtain recognition of:

      6.6.3.1. knowledge, skills and competence acquired outside formal education;

      6.6.3.2. knowledge, skills and competence acquired through professional experience;

      6.6.3.3. study results achieved in previous education.

6.6.4. The basic requirements for the recognition of study courses and of study results achieved outside formal education or through professional experience, as well as information on the forms to be completed, supporting documents to be submitted, submission deadlines and the evaluation process, are set out in the Regulations on the Recognition of Competences Acquired Outside Formal Education or Through Professional Experience and Study Results Achieved in Previous Education at the University of Latvia.

6.6.5. Recognition, as well as the completion of additional study courses or the taking of examinations, is a service for a fee during the study process in accordance with the UL Price List for Services for Fees During the Study Process (see the section Fee-Based Services).

6.6.6. In order to obtain recognition, a student or prospective student shall complete the relevant form:

       6.6.6.1. Submission for the Recognition of Competences Acquired Outside Formal Education or Through Professional Experience and Study Results Achieved in Previous Education;

       6.6.6.2. Comparison/Evaluation of Knowledge, Skills and Competences Acquired Outside Formal Education;

       6.6.6.3. Comparison/Evaluation of Knowledge, Skills and Competences Acquired Through Professional Experience;

       6.6.6.4. Comparison/Evaluation of the Study Results of a Study Course Against an Equivalent Study Course;

       6.6.6.5. Comparison/Evaluation of the Study Results of a Study Course Against the Study Results of a Study Programme;

       6.6.6.6. Information on the Study Course / Evaluation by the Study Programme Director.

6.6.7. To facilitate the completion of the forms, samples of completed forms are also available.

6.7.1. A student may receive individual consultations from a university lecturer. The consultation schedule and registration procedure shall be specified in the e-course or by the faculty. Before attending a consultation, the student shall verify whether prior registration is required.

6.8.1. A student is entitled to develop an individual study plan that differs from the plan offered within the study programme, in accordance with the Rules on Individual Study Plan, while observing the prerequisites for completion of study courses set out in the course description.

6.8.2. An individual study plan may be developed starting from the second semester of studies. At the University of Latvia, an individual study plan may be used for: selecting an individual, slower pace of studies, or creating individual study modules within the restricted elective part (Part B) of a study programme. An individual study plan shall be approved by the director of the study programme.

6.8.3. Students who have chosen a slower pace of studies shall conclude a supplementary agreement as an annex to the study agreement and shall pay for the completed study courses in accordance with the volume of the selected study courses and the prices for services for fees during the study process applicable in the respective academic year. In such cases, the total cost of studies shall exceed the tuition fee established for the standard duration of studies.

6.9.1. A student shall be entitled to temporarily interrupt their studies (take an academic leave of absence) while retaining student status. The procedure for taking a leave of absence shall be governed by the UL Senate-approved Procedure for granting and Academic Leave of Absence in the University of Latvia.

6.9.2. In order to arrange an academic leave of absence, a student shall submit a written submission to the Dean or a person authorised by the Dean by the end of the semester registration week. A leave of absence due to pregnancy and childbirth, parental leave or illness may also be requested during the semester. The maximum duration of a leave of absence shall be two semesters. During a leave of absence, no tuition fee shall be payable and the student shall not receive a scholarship.

6.9.3. To resume studies after an academic leave of absence, a student shall, during the registration week, complete registration for the relevant semester and study courses and conclude a supplementary agreement to the Study Agreement at the University of Latvia concerning changes to the tuition fee and payment schedule, where studies are financed by legal or natural persons.

6.9.4. Following an academic leave of absence, the student shall retain the previous source of funding. Where studies are financed by legal or natural persons, the student shall, upon resuming studies after the leave of absence, pay the tuition fee applicable to the respective semester.

6.9.5. If changes have been made to the study programme during the period of academic leave of absence, the student shall continue their studies in accordance with the requirements of the updated study programme. Recognition of study courses completed before the leave of absence shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures established by the UL.

6.10.1. A student shall be entitled to change their study programme in accordance with the Regulations for Commencing Studies at Later Stages of Study at the University of Latvia.

6.10.2. To change a study programme, a student shall submit a submission to the director of the current study programme and the director of the new study programme no later than the first day of the registration week of the current semester. Upon obtaining the consent of both study programme directors, the student shall conclude a study agreement for studies in the new study programme.

6.10.3. A student shall complete the study courses and pass the examinations (additional requirements) prescribed by the new study programme if these have not been completed within the current study programme or have been completed to a lesser extent than required by the new study programme. Study courses prescribed by the new study programme that were not completed during the previous period of study may be completed by the student in course attendee status at the UL.

6.10.4. Studies at the UL are organised as full-time and part-time types of studies. A student shall be entitled to change from a full-time type of studies to a part-time type of studies, and vice versa, without changing the study programme, provided that the study programme is offered in the respective type of studies and that vacant study places are available. To change the type of studies, a student shall submit a submission to the director of the study programme and conclude a new study agreement with the UL.

Eligibility for Student Mobility

Students of the University of Latvia may apply to participate in a study or traineeship mobility programme if they:

• have fulfilled all academic and financial obligations within the prescribed deadlines;
• have successfully completed all academic requirements from the previous semester (applicable to short-term mobility);
• are not on an approved interruption of studies (leave of absence);
• have sufficient proficiency in the required foreign language(s) in accordance with the requirements of the host partner institution.

Study Mobility Credit Requirements

The courses selected in the Study Mobility Learning Agreement must correspond to a full semester workload, amounting to at least 30 ECTS credits.

Selection Procedure

Students are selected through an open and transparent competition process designed to ensure fair and impartial selection. The selection committee evaluates applications and decides on student nominations based on the following criteria:

• academic performance;
• motivation;
• foreign language proficiency;
• any additional criteria established by the relevant Faculty Council.

Recognition of Mobility Results

Academic and traineeship achievements completed during the mobility period are recognised by the Director of the relevant University of Latvia study programme, provided that the courses or traineeship programme were approved in writing in the Learning Agreement before the mobility period commenced. Courses and/or traineeship programmes that have been agreed in writing and successfully completed are recognised in full.

Further information about mobility opportunities

6.13.1. Regulations on Final Examinations at the University of Latvia.

6.13.2. To obtain an academic degree or a professional qualification, a student shall take final examinations at the end of the study programme.

6.13.3. Final examinations comprise bachelor’s final examinations, master’s final examinations and State examinations (for professional study programmes). Final examinations include the preparation and defence of a final thesis (bachelor’s thesis, master’s thesis, diploma paper or qualification paper). In addition to the final thesis, a study programme may provide for the assessment of theoretical and practical knowledge by means of an examination as part of the final examination. The requirements and evaluation criteria for final examinations shall be approved by the Faculty Council. Students who have completed the theoretical part of the study programme, including any internships required by the programme, no later than three weeks before the meeting of the Final Examination Board, shall be entitled to participate in the final examinations. The procedure for organising final examinations shall be governed by the Regulations on Final Examinations at the University of Latvia.
 

6.14.1. Procedure for granting and Academic Leave of Absence in the University of Latvia.

7.1. Exmatriculation is governed by Section 49 of the Higher Education Institutions Law. A student may be removed from the student register if:

7.1.1. the student so requests;

7.1.2. the student has fulfilled the requirements of the study programme and has been awarded a degree or qualification;

7.1.3. the student has fulfilled the requirements of the theoretical part of the study programme but has not passed the final examinations (Paragraphs 5.17 and 5.18 of the Regulations on Final Examinations at the UL);

7.1.4. it is established that the student's admission was influenced by deception, bribery or other conduct that violated the principle of equal treatment of applicants;

7.1.5. the student has failed to fulfil the requirements set out in the Study Agreement.

7.2. A student shall be exmatriculated by an order of the Rector upon the proposal of the Dean of the faculty. A student who wishes to be exmatriculated shall submit a submission to the Rector. A decision on exmatriculation may be contested within one month from the date on which the decision entered into force by submitting a submission to the UL Academic Arbitration Court.

8.1. To evaluate and improve the quality of studies at the University of Latvia, a survey system has been established together with the Regulations on the Conduct of Surveys at the University of Latvia, which provide for the regular collection of student opinions and levels of satisfaction, as well as the use of such information for the improvement of the internal quality management system for studies. Within the survey system, a regular survey on the content of study courses and the quality of university lecturers’ work is conducted each semester.

8.2. Students enrolled in short-cycle, first-cycle and second-cycle study programmes shall complete a survey on the commencement of studies and a first-year study experience survey at the beginning of their studies, and a final-year study experience survey at the end of their studies. Other surveys for the evaluation of the quality of the study process are also organised.

8.3. Centrally organised regular student surveys are conducted through the UL Information System (LUIS). In order to obtain representative survey results, participation in regular surveys is mandatory for students.

8.4. More information about the survey system for the evaluation of the study process is available in My LUIS under the “Studies” section, subsection “Surveys” (select the item “About Surveys”).

9.1. Study programmes are governed by the following external regulations:

     9.1.1. the Higher Education Institutions Law (Section 55.3);

     9.1.2. Cabinet Regulation No. 240 "Regulations on the State Academic Education Standard";

     9.1.3. Cabinet Regulation No. 305 "Regulations on the State Standard for Professional Higher Education";

     9.1.4. Cabinet Regulation No. 795 "Regulations Regarding Licensing of Study Programmes".

9.2. Study programmes in short-cycle, first-cycle and second-cycle studies are governed by the following internal regulations:

     9.2.1. Regulations on Study Management at the University of Latvia (approved by Resolution No. 2-3/94 of the UL Senate of 22 December 2025);

     9.2.2. Rector's Order On the Implementation of Remote Learning in UL Study Programmes;

     9.2.3. Regulations on the Development and Updating of UL Study Courses;

     9.2.4. the Study Programme Quality Assessment Commission and the binding regulations governing the activities of the Study Programme Quality Assessment Commission;

     9.2.5. Regulations of the Doctoral School of the University of Latvia;

     9.2.6. Procedure for Receiving Doctoral Support Funding at the University of Latvia.
 

13.1. Other binding documents of the UL are available here.