9 Social Science Degree Programs in Riga Latvia

The Ph.D. in Social Sciences program aims to provide opportunities for talented and motivated students to carry out innovative interdisciplinary research in social sciences based on individual research work. The research should address issues that require a multifaceted approach and extend the traditional boundaries of social science disciplines, emphasizing a dynamic approach in the fields of law, political science, business, health management, communication, sociology, social anthropology, and social work. The program offers opportunities for inclusive and sustainable education that contributes to the development of society.

The "Research and Protection of Cultural and Environmental Heritage" is a unique study program in Latvia providing academic education at the Bachelor's level in the Natural Sciences. The uniqueness of this study program is in its pronounced interdisciplinarity – it has been developed in close cooperation with the Art Academy of Latvia. Apart from the lecturers from the Academy and the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, the courses are taught also by the teaching staff from the Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of History and Philosophy, and Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Latvia.

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.

The study programme offers in-depth studies of international economic relations, paying special attention to the theoretical and applied problems of international economics and economic diplomacy. Students will develop analytical abilities and in-depth understanding of political, social and economic changes in Europe, as well as skills to identify the causes and consequences of these changes.

The study programme provides students with a solid base of anthropological knowledge and research skills upon which to build in their later academic or professional career.

Anthropology is becoming increasingly relevant given shrinking distances in terms of global mobility, intensification in migration and ever-increasing inter-cultural contact. Further, once seemingly homogenous local societies display increasing inner diversity. The study programme helps students develop a thoroughly anthropological approach to the themes of self and agency, gender, state and power, borders/migration, consumerism, art/performance.

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.

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.

The aim of the programme is to prepare highly qualified specialists who will be able to work in state, private and international institutions and will have good command in issues of international economy and commercial diplomacy, will be able to make independent decisions, handle everyday tasks and cooperate with Latvian and foreign organizations, offices and enterprises.