Study location	Latvia, Riga
Academic field	Environmental science (ISCED 422) Botany (JACS C200)
Type	PhD, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years (216 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	(Doctor in Biology, Doctor in Geography, Doctor in Economics, Doctor in Chemistry)

Tuition fee	€6,402 per year
Application fee	€100 one-time
Deposit	€500 one-time
Registration fee	€100 one-time Baltic Center Registration Fee Includes: – Consultations for selection of HEI – Migration & visa consultation – Registration in the Baltic Center database – HEI admission documents’ check – General testing for all Baltic Center HEIs – Admission Examination – Student’s admission to HEI, maximum 3 registrations per one fee. & In case of HEI change at the request of a student, after the admission letter receiving from HEI, a transfer to another HEI is for an extra cost. – Documents’ arrangement for the payments to HEI – Bonus – on the written application of a student, preparation and transfer of the invitation for the embassy. & The period of preparation from week to two months

Entry qualification	Postgraduate diploma (or higher) Master’s degree in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, environmental science The entry qualification documents are accepted in any language

Language requirements	English Accepted proof of proficiency: FCE or CAE, IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL 69+ Baltic Center examination Applicants must prove their English language knowledge. University accepts the following international language tests: TOEFL IBT – at least score 80; IELTS – at least score 5.5; PTE General – at least level B2; FCE – at least level B; CPE – satisfactory pass; CAE – satisfactory pass.

Overview

Doctoral (PhD) study program in Environmental Science

The aim of the doctoral study program in environmental science at University of Latvia is to train highly qualified specialists with interdisciplinary environmental science background in specialization in one of research directions (environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology, nature conservation or environmental management) able to do research at internationally accepted level on urgent environmental problems and publish its results internationally. Graduates of doctoral study program in environmental science should be able to work as scientists in research institutions, as lecturers at universities or find employment in state authorities or act as leading level experts in EU labour market in corresponding positions. The degree is intended to be fully internationally comparable, allowing graduates to participate in and contribute to national and international debates on academic issues.

During studies doctoral students learn new scholarly knowledge about the recent trends in development of environmental science, improve interdisciplinary methodological skills, engage in independent scholarly research, publish the results of their research in national research journals and journals listed in leading databases, like Web of Science and write doctoral dissertations. Students learn generic skills and competences to be able to compete in the international academic environment and in the labour market.

Students who fulfil the study requirements and successfully defend their doctoral thesis receive a doctoral degree, as awarded by the Environmental Science Promotions Council, composed from experts in various fields and directions of environmental science.

The doctoral degree awarding process in environmental science is done accordingly to national legislation. Accordingly to this regulation the discussions of the Doctoral thesis have to be done at Promotional councils composed of experts recognised by Latvian Science Council. Accordingly to decision of Latvian Science Council the doctoral degrees in environmental sciences can be awarded in 5 branches of science: doctoral degree in chemistry (if the thesis work is dedicated to studies in environmental chemistry or ecotoxicology), biology (if the thesis work is dedicated to studies in environmental biology, nature conservation), geography (if the thesis work is dedicated to studies in nature conservation, environmental geography), economics (if the thesis work is dedicated to studies in environmental management), engineering (if the thesis work is done in area of environmental engineering). Recently Science Council of University of Latvia approved rights to award Doctoral degree in Environmental Science (Dr. env.sc.). However it should be marked that presently in Latvia there are suggested changes in the process of discussion to award a single doctoral degree (analogue to PhD degree) and in this case the logistics of the discussion organisation will become much easier and will support development of truly interdisciplinary research.