WENR

Bologna Country Update: Latvia

Legal Framework

On June 19, 1991, soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Latvia reformed its system of education with the adoption of the Law on Education. This law provided the legal background for changes roughly consistent with many of the principles of the Bologna Declaration [1]. The new law provided a framework that was later solidified and clarified by the Law on Higher Education Establishments, adopted four years later. The most significant reforms of 1991 and 1995 gave greater autonomy to institutions of higher education, created a division of academic and professional qualifications, introduced a two-tier system of bachelor- and master-level studies, allowed the establishment of private institutions and introduced a culture of quality assurance and accreditation. These reforms, and subsequent amendments introduced in 2000 are outlined below where relevant to the principles of the Bologna Declaration.

1. Easily Readable and Comparable Degrees

2. Degree Structure

3. Credit Transfer

Latvian Higher Education Grading Scale*
Latvian Grading Scale Estimated Corresponding ECTS Grading Scale Meaning Description
10 A++ Izcili / with distinction Knowledge is substantially higher than estimated normal level
9 A+ Teicami / excellent Knowledge is higher than estimated normal level
8 B Loti labi / very good Knowledge corresponds to highest expected level
7 B Labi / good Student knows the subject deeply and with understanding, is progressing within the expected limits, but makes minor mistakes
6 C Gandriz labi / almost good Student has generally achieved the course within the necessary limits but he or she is either reproducing the knowledge more than actively using it or makes more substantial mistakes
5 D Viduveji / satisfactory Student is progressing within the limits of his or her individual abilities, is generally not behind the appropriate age group, but makes substantial mistakes and is more fixing the facts than analyzing them

* Latvian ENIC/NARIC suggested ECTS grading scale equivalency

4. Mobility

5. Quality Assurance

6. Promotion of European Dimensions in Higher Education


References