phd latvia

Doctoral Studies

The next step after completing master’s studies or the equivalent - to continue your education and pursue a career in academia or research.

There are currently over 200 doctoral students at our university. All doctoral studies are full-time.

RSU is an open and modern European university that places people at its centre. By evolving with the times, we have shown that the quality of our education is outstanding. We have always emphasised the fundamental role that research plays in the life of the University. RSU actively supports its PhD students, for example by providing grants for purchasing reagents, paying for internationally cited publications and helping to purchase academic literature. RSU also has a Doctoral School, which aims to ensure the circulation of information, a high-quality doctoral experience and the development of professional competences in an interdisciplinary environment. Our university also provides other support services for excellent and internationally relevant research. We are interested in helping you further your research, which is why more and more young PhD students are choosing to pursue their careers at RSU. We invite you to join our research team and become a doctoral student at RSU! RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons

Doctoral studies at RSU provide an opportunity for all those who want to be involved in the development of health and social sciences to do so together with our lecturers and researchers - to learn and absorb their knowledge and experience, as well as to explore and develop new ideas together. Why study for a PhD? Many of our PhD students chose to do so because they want to pursue a career in academia. Others because the degree and the competences they will acquire will broaden their professional opportunities. Many of our PhD students are experienced professionals who want to deepen their knowledge related to their practice or, on the contrary, to change their academic and professional direction. Whatever the motivation of each individual PhD student, they all share a passion and deep interest in their field of research, perseverance, and commitment. These qualities and their passion for research are the basis for success in the doctoral studies during which we build our competence to create knowledge. PhD programmes at RSU are designed to provide our students with a broad knowledge and understanding of their academic or professional field. They also learn how to conceptualise issues, acquire and interpret knowledge, develop new theories, and design and implement international projects. All RSU PhD students have the opportunity to carry out research, participate in international conferences and, most importantly, publish their research results in internationally recognised scientific journals. For socialising with colleagues, we organise events such as  Doctoral School and Research Breakfast . Together we will succeed! Vice-Rector for Science Dr. phil. Agrita Kiopa

RSU offers opportunities for doctoral studies in a wide variety of fields - medicine and pharmacy, law, politics and management, psychology, sociology, communication culture, and multimedia. Such diverse and necessary fields! We are proud of this variety and the possibilities. Each supervisor of a doctoral programme at RSU has a wealth of experience, and the teaching process is constantly being improved with new ideas and activities. When you start your higher education studies in Europe, you join a community of peers who are active in both research and academia. New PhD students and new researchers in any field are a sign that it is evolving, that new discoveries and ideas are being generated and that progress is being made. RSU sees in young PhD students the leading researchers of its institutes and laboratories, future assistant professors and professors, employees working in other organisations, but above all - people doing important work for society and determining the future growth of our country.The journey you are about to embark on will be challenging, requiring motivation and patience, so I wish all PhD students the best of luck and good cooperation with your supervisor and colleagues! Good luck on your PhD journey! Dean of the Department of Doctoral Studies Prof. Sandra Lejniece

Study Programmes

Doctoral studies academic calendar.

Our Doctoral Students' Stories

Research Ethics Committee

Regulations governing fields and sub-fields of Latvian research (in Latvian)

Related links

Department of doctoral studies, related events, related news.

• Teacher of the Year
• CONFERENCE FORTHEM E-studies E-mail Library e-resources Photos Livestream Helpdesk IT Service UL real estate
• Study programmes
• Doctoral study programmes
• Study Programmes for International Students

Doctoral studies

• Scholarships
• Academic Calendar
• Short-Term Studies
• Student life
• RTU Grand Graduation
• Questions and answers
• Immigration regulations
• Request Refund
• Tuition fees
• Student Guide
• Research platforms
• Post-doctoral Research
• Research Activities
• Open science
• Publications
• Scientific Events
• Scientific Equipment Unit
• Collaboration opportunities
• Science and Innovation Centre
• Technology transfer and intellectual property
• Innovation Ecosystem Development
• Design Factory
• Development of Innovative Products
• High Performance Computing Center
• Sports Technologies
• Scientific service, equipment, and program register «Use science»
• Global Opportunities
• Incoming Exchange
• Outgoing Exchange
• International Institutional Collaboration
• RTU Ķīpsala Campus
• Constitution of Riga Technical University
• Facts and Figures
• Structure and administration
• Whistleblowing
• Subscribe to RTU Newsletter
• Photo & Video
• 🇱🇻   Latvian version

Doctoral Studies comprise theoretical courses, conducted in accordance with the curriculum, and scientific research. Upon finishing the Doctoral Studies, students have to defend Doctoral Thesis.

Duration of the full-time Doctoral Studies is four years. The part-time Doctoral Studies last for five years. The Doctoral Studies are conducted for 11 months p.a. in accordance with the Doctoral Studies schedule for the given academic year. The volume of the entire Doctoral study programme is 192 credit points.

• Doctoral study programmes

RTU is the leader in research and innovation in the Baltic States. University research is an integral part of the study process.

Promotion is defence of a scientific work as a result of which the PhD degree is conferred.

• Regulations on Promotion Councils and Pomotion process at RTU
• Library regulations
• Opening hours and contacts
• Ask librarian
• PRIMO search tool
• Electronic resources
• Electronic catalogue of RTU Scientific Library
• Databases, created by RTU Scientific Library
• New library acquisitions
• Branch information
• User training
• Available books
• Submission of books for sale
• Nanophotonics: Close-Up for the Future
• Global Leadership
• Intensive English and Cross-Cultural Communication
• Swarm Master: Drone Fleet Commander Bootcamp
• The NEXT | The Young Global Leaders Camp
• Time Capsule of Latvian Footprints
• General English Foundation
• Foundation Semester in Mathematics
• Study Abroad Semester and Internship
• Ķīpsala Campus dormitory
• Skolas Street dormitory
• Laimdotas Street dormitory
• Olaines Street dormitory
• Student ID Card
• RTU Campus and Faculty Map
• Student Parliament
• Robotics Club
• Immigration
• Riga, Latvia
• No visa required
• Entry visa-free
• Entry with Residence Permit
• Entry with visa
• Dormitory Security Deposit
• Visa/Residence Permit Refusal
• Study Security Deposit Refund
• Living Expenses Refund

17 programs found

• Administration Studies (1)
• Business Studies (3)
• Economic Studies (2)
• Education (2)
• United Kingdom (0)
• South Africa (0)
• Czech Republic (0)
• Doctor of Education (0)
• 2 years (0)
• 3 years (10)
• 4+ years (3)
• Full time (15)
• Part time (3)
• English (17)
• Latvian (4)
• Spanish (0)
• Portuguese (0)
• Italian (0)
• On-Campus (17)
• Distance Learning (0)
• Blended (0)

University of Latvia

PhD Computer Science and Mathematics

• Riga, Latvia

The aim of the PhD programme is to provide opportunities for the growth of researchers and teachers in the fields of computer science and mathematics by promoting the training of professionals in basic and applied research, economics or public administration whose knowledge, skills and competences meet the requirements of the highest level specialists in the field of mathematics and computer science in Latvia and internationally.

PhD Economics and Business - Economics and Management

Full time, Part time

The doctoral study programme "Economics and Business" is the only programme of its kind in Latvia, which will cover the sub-branches of the economy and entrepreneurship sector. The purpose of the doctoral programme is to prepare highly qualified researchers, industry and organization leaders, as well as academics capable of developing independent research in the field of economics and business, obtaining scientifically original and proven results, thereby demonstrating their competence in research, organization and management in economics, addressing business and educational development and innovation challenges; to prepare highly qualified professionals with internationally comparable competencies in the field of economics and business and an internationally comparable Doctor in Science degree, providing the national economy with highly qualified professionals.

PhD Education Sciences

The aim of the programme is to improve the doctoral student's research and academic competence in educational sciences to implement independent and innovative research activities for improvement and development of educational sciences theories, improve pedagogical practice at various levels of education (from pre-school to adult education) in Latvia and internationally, independently develop and publicly defend doctoral research containing original scientific research results and providing new knowledge in educational sciences.

PhD History and Archeology

The aim of the joint doctoral study program “History and Archeology” of the University of Latvia and Daugavpils University is to ensure the succession of historical science, training of leading staff of scientific, higher education and cultural institutions who have the competence to raise and solve the most important problems of modern history, in a broader sense, it means participation in the formation of the intellectual elite, as well as the ability to influence the development of the direction and priorities of national historical science.

PhD Human Factors, Occupational Safety and Health

This program aims to prepare doctors of science, highly qualified researchers and specialists with appropriate knowledge, skills and competences about the importance of the human factor in work processes, safety at work and occupational health, as well as to obtain internationally comparable competence and an internationally comparable Ph.D. degree.

PhD Language and Culture Studies

The PhD programme offers interdisciplinary and research-based studies, integrating linguistics, literary studies, folklore and theatre studies. Although the main task of the programme is the preservation and enhancement of national culture and science by preparing highly qualified researchers and specialists for researching the Latvian language, literature, folklore, theatre history and theory, the programme is also designed for aspiring specialists in other languages and cultures to enable postgraduate students to build their teaching and research careers at higher educational institutions and elsewhere.

PhD Natural Sciences

The aim of PhD programme is to prepare researchers and lecturers, as well as professionals for applied research, economics or public administration, whose knowledge, skills and competencies meet the requirements that exist internationally, taking into account the needs of the Latvian labor market.

PhD Social Sciences

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.

PhD Theology and Religious Studies

The doctoral study programme “Theology and Religious Studies” offers its students to learn the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to do independent research. Together with academic staff students can participate in research projects and giving lectures. The study programme also offers the opportunity to take part in processes that are connected with research and its communication to wider society – international and national conferences, lectures of guest lecturers, seminars of dissertation themes and also science popularization events. In this study programme, the important tendencies in theology and religious research are taken into account focusing its theoretical aspects on the globalised character of religious phenomena. Special attention during seminars is given to the methodology of research and the writing and publishing process of publications. Successfully graduating from this programme, PhD candidates will be prepared for work in academic and other research institutions, as well as they will be able to work as high-level professionals outside of the academic environment. Within this study programme, there will be a common module with the doctoral programme of Theology and Religious Studies School in Tartu University.

Transport and Telecommunication Institute

Digital Economy and Business

English, Latvian

TSI offers PhD studies that will expand knowledge in the field of economics and business, as well as will also identify and predict patterns in the development of technology and socio-economic environments, accelerate the transfer and market uptake of digital products and services, and more. The studies will open new opportunities for PhD students in the field of research and will allow them to improve their pedagogical skills in a multinational scientific environment, providing an opportunity to become a leader in the age of digital transformation.

Doctoral in Telematics and Logistics

The aim of the doctoral study programme is to prepare Doctors of Sciences, researchers and specialists of the highest qualification in the Telematics and Logistics sub-field, providing the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for the independent scientific research work and pedagogical work. Competences (learning outcomes) acquired as a result of studying at the doctoral programme: perform the independent critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation, be able to solve significant research or innovation tasks in Engineering and interdisciplinary fields;

Doctoral of Science in Digital Economy and Business

Riga Technical University

Ph.D. of Computer Science and Information Technology

Make real world impacts while participating in large-scale, interdisciplinary research that spans today's most exciting and sought-after fields and industries. The Ph.D. in Computer Science and Information Technology is a research degree that produces independent scholars, cutting-edge researchers, well-prepared educators, and top-level global tech leaders.

Rezekne University of Applied Sciences

PhD in Pedagogy

• Rēzekne, Latvia

The programme is designed to meet the needs of practitioners who wish to research some aspect of their field of practice. Candidates embark on high-level, practice-based research into one of the of research areas. It is a research degree whose purpose is to assist professionals to develop a relationship between research and their professional activities.

PhD in Sociotechnical Systems Modelling

The goal of the doctoral study program is to prepare researchers in the field of information technology industry systems analysis, modeling and design sector, to promote the students' theoretical knowledge and research skills and the application of research results in the following areas:

Popular degree type

Popular study format

PhD Programs in Latvia

Latvia has both fee-paying and state-financed higher education. The country has two kinds of higher education courses. These include the academic and professional programs. There are three levels of academic higher education – bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies. The climate in the country favors various winter sports and recreation activities such as ice skating, skiing and ice hockey. International students prefer studying in Latvia due to its social life, arts and cultural institutions. The country’s culture is easy to adopt to.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.