CONFERENCEProgramme level: Master's Degree Programme
Language of instruction: English
Study form and duration: full time – 2,5 semesters
Credits: 75 ECTS
Obtainable degree or qualification: Master's degree in educational sciences
Number of study places for admission in 2026/2027: State-funded study places - 0, study places for tuition fee - 30
Tuition fee per year: 2700 EUR for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, EU Long-term resident permit holders and their family members; 4700 EUR for citizens of other countries.
Study location: Riga
The aim of the study programme is to promote the development and competitiveness of students' professional pedagogical, management and research competencies in the field of education, innovative and research activities, the change management and pedagogical activities and to motivate further academic growth.
The programme defines several goals:
to promote students' research skills by integrating the latest scientific knowledge and innovative ideas in interdisciplinary contexts;
to promote the development of students' pedagogical competence, readiness to plan, implement, evaluate and develop educational work in accordance with the learning needs of educational target groups, various abilities and prior knowledge, internal and external conditions of development of educational institutions and education system and various contexts;
to promote the competence of students' management and leadership by implementing the change management;
to facilitate students' participation and shared responsibility by promoting the development of a competent, responsible and motivated personality for lifelong learning;
to encourage students' understanding of professional and academic ethics standards and their observance in practical activities.
Director of the study program:
prof. Dita Nīmante
In the short module in 4 specializations:
Teaching and Learning for Competence,
Diversity and Inclusion in Education,
Education Management,
Human Behaviour and Education.
The specialization ‘Human Behaviour and Education’ will address the behavioural aspects of learners who have become relevant in education in the last decade. Educators need both knowledge and skills and competencies to understand this phenomenon and to know possible pedagogical techniques for solving behavioural issues. In the specialization, students will study various factors that affect human behaviour, as well as learn practical pedagogical solutions for the promotion of positive behaviour in the educational environment.
In the specialization ‘Education Management’ students' understanding will be developed and theoretical and practical knowledge about education management, about education policy in the state and local governments, management of organizations, leadership in education, education economics, educational work management will be supplemented.
In the specialization ‘Teaching and Learning for Competence’, students will solve the diverse problems of modern education, which are related to new challenges and changes in education policy and practice, implementation of the project “School 2030” in Latvian schools, introduction of new educational standards.
In the specialization ‘Diversity and Inclusion in Education’ will promote understanding of human diversity as an enriching factor in education. In the age of globalization and digitalisation, diversity is an integral part of daily lives. The term ‘diversity’ includes differences and similarities such as gender, age, experience, beliefs, patterns of behaviour, language, ethnicity and religion, special needs and sexual orientation.
In the long module ‘Pedagogy’ there is an opportunity to acquire pedagogical, pedagogical leadership and research competence for students with or without previous pedagogical education.
By entering the programme, the candidate must make a choice of which module and in which specialization the studies will be chosen.
Within all the specializations and both modules, it will be possible to choose Part B courses that are not directly related to the specialization. The following courses are offered:
Development of ‘Methodological Materials’, ‘Mentoring in Education’, ‘Organization of Technology Enriched Learning Process’, ‘Management Psychology’, ‘Critical Thinking Approach in Learning Process’, ‘Social Emotional Teaching’, ‘System Approach in Educational Management’, ‘Sociology of Education’, ‘Values and Human Self-Image in the Cultural Context’, ‘Intercultural Dialogue in Education’, ‘Violence in School’, ‘Assessment and Evaluation in Modern Pedagogy’.
The right to study for a Doctoral programme.
The opportunities for further studies: in European Union programmes for mobility and cooperation in higher education, for instance, Erasmus; European Union programmes for professional development and the provision of global education, such as Erasmus +; in further education, self-study.
Job opportunities
The employment opportunities at the level of the main third, second and first group, in correspondence with the classification of professions of the Republic of Latvia.
Leaders: legislators, officials, and managers; officials of associations and foundations; administrative managers and commercial directors; Research and Development managers; production and specialized services managers; managers of children's social care and social rehabilitation services; education leaders.
Specialists: business and administration specialists, conference and event organizers.
Senior specialists: senior specialists in the field of education, academic staff of universities and other higher education institutions, vocational education teachers, secondary education teachers, primary education teachers, pre-school teachers, other senior education specialists, educational methodology specialists, special education teachers, others: music teachers, Information Technology, communications and vehicle instructors and trainers, senior education specialists, training and staff development senior specialists.
Admission Requirements for Teacher Mentor:
- Previous education:
- Pedagogical education – first-cycle higher education* with a completed program of at least 160 credit points/240 ECTS;
*Bachelor’s degree or a diploma proving equivalent level of education - Language proficiency:
- English language proficiency (for foreigners);
*Latvian nationals are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. This may be confirmed through internationally recognised English language test results, other evidence of English proficiency at a minimum of B2 level, or a grade in English on a previous educational certificate (the grade must be no lower than 6 on a 10-point scale), except where previous education was obtained in English. - Passed entrance examination:
The entrance examinations will consist of two components:
- Written Component: An essay on current issues and challenges in education within the chosen specialisation (300–500 words).
- Oral Component: An interview during which the applicant’s communication, leadership, and foreign language skills will be assessed.
*Applicants whose previous education was completed outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or the Swiss Confederation must submit one of the following recognised standardised test results issued within the past five years:
- SAT: minimum score of 1200
- GMAT: minimum score of 595
- GRE: minimum score of 320
If applicants submit SAT and GMAT or GRE results with equivalent scores, and the number of study places is limited, preference will be given to applicants with GMAT or GRE scores.
*Additional admission requirements for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and non-EU long-term residents
The average grade in study courses must be 60% of the maximum;
All grades must be passing (at least 4 in a 10 point grading system);
All non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants, except University of Latvia graduates, will be required to take part in an online interview as part of the admissions process.
*Information on 10 points grading scale
Admissions open: 1 December 2025 (Foreign applicants)
Admission Requirements for Education Management:
- Previous education:
- Pedagogical education – first-cycle higher education* with a completed program of at least 160 credit points/240 ECTS;
*Bachelor’s degree or a diploma proving equivalent level of education
or
- Bachelor's degree or second-level professional higher education in any other field with a completed program of at least 160 credit points/240ECTS and work experience or completed courses (at least 2 credit points in the amount) in the relevant field of education or scientific sector. - Language proficiency:
- English language proficiency (for foreigners);
*Latvian nationals are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. This may be confirmed through internationally recognised English language test results, other evidence of English proficiency at a minimum of B2 level, or a grade in English on a previous educational certificate (the grade must be no lower than 6 on a 10-point scale), except where previous education was obtained in English. - Passed entrance examination:
The entrance examinations will consist of two components:
- Written Component: An essay on current issues and challenges in education within the chosen specialisation (300–500 words).
- Oral Component: An interview during which the applicant’s communication, leadership, and foreign language skills will be assessed.
*Applicants whose previous education was not obtained in a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or in the Swiss Confederation, must provide one of the following standardised test results issued within the last five years:
- SAT: minimum score of 1200
- GMAT: minimum score of 595
- GRE: minimum score of 320
If candidates submit SAT and GMAT or GRE results with equivalent scores and the number of study places is limited, preference will be given to applicants with GMAT or GRE scores.
*Additional admission requirements for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and non-EU long-term residents:
The average grade in study courses must be 60% of the maximum;
All grades must be passing (at least 4 in a 10 point grading system);
*Information on 10 points grading scale
Admissions open: 1 December 2025 (Foreign applicants)
Information about admission:
Email: studies@lu.lv