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Asian and Intercultural Studies

Bachelor's study programme "Asian and Intercultural Studies"

Programme level: Bachelor's Degree Programme
Language of instruction (sub-programme "Asian Studies"): Latvian
Language of instruction (sub-programme "East-West Intercultural Studies"): English
Study form and duration: full-time - 6 semesters
Credits: 180 ECTS
Obtainable degree or qualification (sub-programme “Asian Studies"): Bachelor’s Degree in Asian Studies
Obtainable degree or qualification (sub-programme East-West Intercultural Studies): Bachelor’s Degree in East-West Intercultural Studies
Number of study places for admission in 2026/2027 (sub-programme “Asian Studies": Middle East Studies): state-funded study places - 10,  study places for tuition fee - 30
Number of study places for admission in 2026/2027 (sub-programme “Asian Studies": Korea Studies): state-funded study places - 4, study places for tuition fee - 30
Number of study places for admission in 2026/2027 (sub-programme “Asian Studies": Japanese Studies): state-funded study places - 4, study places for tuition fee - 30
Number of study places for admission in 2026/2027 (sub-programme “Asian Studies": China Studies): state-funded study places - 4, study places for tuition fee - 30
Number of study places for admission in 2026/2027 (sub-programme "East-West Intercultural Studies"): state-funded study places - 0, study places for tuition fee - 50
Tuition fee per year (ac. year 2026/2027): 2600 EUR for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, EU Long-term resident permit holders and their family members. 3500 EUR for citizens of other countries
Study location: Riga, city centre

The Bachelor's degree programme in "Asian and Intercultural Studies" prepares competitive professionals who understand the current issues in Asian and intercultural studies and can effectively engage in the work of governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations and private businesses in a globalised world. The program encourages interdisciplinary knowledge through cultural understanding and language learning, focusing on the interactions, development processes, and specific factors that shape the global and regional cultural environment.

The programme consists of two (2) sub-programmes which students choose before starting their studies:

Sub-programme “Asian Studies” (LV)

The sub-programme provides an in-depth study of the language and culture of the chosen region at the level of everyday and professional communication, as well as an understanding of its history, religious beliefs and literature. The aim is to train specialists who have acquired research methodology, communication skills in Asian languages and appropriate digital skills, an academically oriented and practically grounded understanding of the cultural specificities of the Asian region, and an insight into the situation of Oriental studies in the world. Studies are conducted in Latvian and English.

The sub-programme consists of four (4) modules: “China Studies", "Japanese Studies", “Korean Studies” un “Middle East Studies”, which offer Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic language courses.

Sub-programme “East-West Intercultural Studies” (EN)

The sub-programme offers an international qualification that is equally important for European (Western) and Asian students. It is oriented towards a mutual understanding, based on analogies, of Eastern and Western civilisations. The programme does not simply provide information about other cultures; it also helps students choose the right way to communicate with representatives of other cultures by explaining religiously, socially and mentally important nuances in the context of each culture that non-specialists may miss. Arabic, Chinese, Korean and Japanese as well as French, German and other languages are taught in this programme not only as a means of communication but also as bearers of certain labels and patterns of behaviour rooted in specific cultures, which is extremely important when establishing international contacts.

The sub-programme aims to train professionals pursuing careers in East-West intercultural dialogue, which requires knowledge of both Eastern and Western languages, competence in intercultural relations, and practical skills related to regional and everyday culture.

The sub-programme consists of two (2) blocks: Eastern cultural block - regional studies and languages (East Asian Region and Languages, Middle East and North Africa Region and Languages) and Western cultural block - regional studies and languages (Western European Region and Languages, Baltic Region and Languages).

 

Study Programme Director

Assistant professor Ingrīda Kleinhofa

The programme consists of a mandatory part common to both sub-programmes and separate, specialised compulsory and optional elective courses for the sub-programmes.

The programme is staffed by foreign teachers who teach in their native languages.

The common mandatory study courses of the programme includes the most important theoretical courses, which form the knowledge base for further specialised courses, such as: Contemporary West, Asia and Middle East: Regional studies; Introduction to Linguistics and Translation Theory; Introduction to Applied Linguistics and Digital Humanities; Introduction to Academic Studies and Research; Introduction to Culture Semiotics: Literary Heritage and Topicalities.

Sub-program “Asian Studies” courses: Asian Literature and Culture; Fundaments of Asian Religious Culture: Texts, Ideas, Traditions; Middle East: Global Perspectives; Japanese Cultural Heritage, Korean Heritage, Chinese Cultural Heritage.

In the elective part of the sub-programme “Asian Studies”, students can choose courses from the regional specialisation modules. These include both regional specialisation and language and communication culture courses relevant to the chosen specialisation.

Sub-program “East-West Intercultural Studies” courses: Intercultural communication; Values and Ideas of Asian and European Culture and Literature in the Comparative Perspective; The Connections and Relations Between Europe and the Middle East in Science and Law; Internship in the East-West Intercultural Studies.

English language skills are reinforced in the mandatory courses: English for Academic Studies and others.

In the elective part of the sub-programme "East-West Intercultural Studies", students can choose regional and interregional studies courses, specialised courses and additional language courses according to their specialisation and individual plan. 

As part of cooperation agreements and the Erasmus+ study exchange programmes, students have the opportunity to study at universities in Japan, South Korea, China, Jordan, etc., as well as to apply for scholarships from partner universities.

Graduates of the bachelor’s programme will be able to work in the diplomatic service, embassies, NGOs, political, cultural and social research, public relations and policymaking and evaluation, city and regional administration, the tourism industry and culture as well as in research centres, think tanks, and business structures engaged in East-West communication.

Graduates of the programme can continue their studies at Master's level. 

East–West Intercultural Studies – Admission is open to applicants of all nationalities who have completed secondary education in any country.

Admission Requirements for Foreign Nationals with Secondary Education Completed Outside Latvia:

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and EU long-term residents:

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and Non-EU long-term residents:

  • General secondary school diploma;
  • English language proficiency;
  • The average grade on the secondary education certificate across all subjects must be at least 6 on a 10-point grading scale;
  • All grades must be passing (at least 4 on a 10-point grading scale);
  • SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) overall score no lower than 1200

*Information on 10 points grading scale

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

When registering for studies, you must specify the module: East Asian Region and Languages, Middle Eastern and North African Region and Languages, Western European Region and Languages, or Baltic Region and Languages.

Admissions open: 1 December 2025

Admission Requirements for Latvian Citizens/Non-Citizens and Foreign Nationals with Secondary Education completed in Latvia:

Admission criteria for individuals who obtained their secondary education from 2004 onwards:

  • CE in Mathematics*;
  • CE in English language at least Level B2;
  • CE in Latvian language;
  • Average score of all CEs completed by the individual;
    * For individuals who have completed secondary education before 2008, the centralised examination in mathematics may be replaced by the average mark in mathematics indicated in the secondary education document (or the average mark in algebra and geometry)

Admission criteria for individuals who completed their secondary education up to and including 2003 and individuals with special needs:

Asian Studies – Admission is open to applicants of all nationalities who have completed secondary education in Latvia.

Admission Requirements for Latvian Citizens/Non-Citizens and Foreign Nationals with Secondary Education completed in Latvia:

Admission criteria for individuals who obtained their secondary education from 2004 onwards:

  • CE in Mathematics*;
  • CE in English language at least Level B2;
  • CE in Latvian language;
  • Average score of all CEs completed by the individual;
    * For individuals who have completed secondary education before 2008, the centralised examination in mathematics may be replaced by the average mark in mathematics indicated in the secondary education document (or the average mark in algebra and geometry)

Admission criteria for individuals who completed their secondary education up to and including 2003 and individuals with special needs:

  • final grade in English language no less than 6 on a 10-point grading scale (can be substituted with an internationally recognised English-language test result at a minimum of level B2);
  • average grade in Latvian language and literature;
  • final average grade in mandatory subjects

*Additional points: Graduates of the University of Latvia’s Asia Minor Studies Academy in 2026 who have conducted research and obtained a certificate are awarded an additional 20 points.

*Advantages: Holders of 1st–3rd degree diplomas from the Latvian National Student Research Conference in the Humanities and Arts in 2025 and 2026; winners of 1st–3rd places in the highest-level categories (where levels apply) of Asian language speech contests organised by the University of Latvia and its partners in 2025 and 2026; graduates of the University of Latvia’s Asia Minor Studies Academy with distinction (diploma for outstanding research) in 2026.

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

Information about admission:
Email: studies@lu.lv

Programme assistant:
Natālija Ambrosova

Apply now – Foreign applicants with education completed outside Latvia