Social Sciences

Degree to be achieved: Doctoral Degree of Science Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) in Social Sciences
Standard period of study: 6 semesters (3 years)
Type of studies: Full time
Amount of credits: 144 credit points or 216 ECTS
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level: Level 8
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) level: Level 8
Language of instruction: English or Latvian
Study program has been licenced and will be accredited within two years (according to national legislation)
Director and coordinator of the Programme: prof. Daunis Auers, daunis.auers@lu.lv

Tuition fee

Aim of the programme

The programme offers students the opportunity to obtain an internationally recognized advanced degree based on substantial individual fundamental or applied research in one of three research clusters –  media and communication, political science, sociology and social work.

Career opportunities

Graduates have the opportunity to develop their research capacity and career within a postdoctoral program and embark on an academic career. Other career options include consultancy, NGOs and charities, international organisations and senior roles within the public sector and government.

Admission requirements

The programme admits students with a master's degree in communication science, library science, political science, sociology, social work, or a master's degree in other social sciences and humanities, as well as natural sciences, or a higher education diploma equivalent thereto.

Enrolment takes place after a presentation of the doctoral thesis project outline to the doctoral study programme council, which evaluates the applicant’s project, level of knowledge in the relevant field of social sciences and foreign language skills.

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

ERASMUS+ exchange possibilities

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  

Autumn Intake (application start: 3 January 2022; studies start in Oktober 2022)

Full-time

Contact persons for more information about the programme:

Programme director
Prof. Daunis Auers
daunis.auers@lu.lv

Programme secretary

Inga Poļakainga.polaka@lu.lv

The programme has been developed within the framework of the project “Design of Internationally Competitive Study Programmes Promoting the Development of the National Economy of Latvia at the University of Latvia” (project No. 8.2.1.0 / 18 / A / 015).