RULES OF ADMISSION AND ORDER OF MATRICULATION
Masters programmes
Riga Graduate School of Law

Study year 2010/2011

The Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) Rules of admission and order of matriculation (‘the Rules’) are issued in accordance with the requirements of Article 46 of the Law on Higher Education and according to Regulations No 846 of 10 October, 2006 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia on Requirements, criteria and procedure of admission in study programmes.

The Rules contain norms on the mutual rights and obligations of those who wish to study at the Riga Graduate School of Law and of the RGSL itself during the process of admission, as well as requirements as to applicants’ previous education, background, and special aptitude for the particular studies.
 

1. TERMS USED IN THE RULES

1.1. The right to study – rights of a person to become an applicant and to participate in the competition to become a student at RGSL.

1.2. An applicant – a person who has certified willingness to participate in the competition and applies for studies at RGSL by written application.

1.3. Candidate – a person who may register for studies.

1.4. Matriculation – registering a person in the list of persons studying in higher educational establishments (matricula).

1.5. Admissions Committee – a committee that conducts and evaluates the competition.

1.6. Undertaking studies – start of the study programme.

2. GENERAL PROVISIONS

2.1. The Admissions Committee is appointed by order issued from the Rector of RGSL and operates under terms of reference.

2.2. All persons matriculated into the RGSL are students.

2.3. Studies at RGSL are open to citizens or residents of all countries without any discrimination, if the norms of legislation of the Republic of Latvia and requirements of the Rules are fulfilled.

3. APPLICATION FOR THE STUDIES

3.1. The Master of International and European Law (LL.M) academic programme is available to individuals with bachelor or masters degree in law or related fields, obtained in at least four years long studies, if basic knowledge in law and corresponding work experience is acquired; second level professional higher education, professional bachelor or masters degree in law or other related fields, if basic knowledge in law and corresponding work experience is acquired.

3.2. The Master of International and European Law (LL.M) professional programme is available to individuals with bachelor or masters degree in law or related fields, if basic knowledge in law and corresponding work experience is acquired; second level professional higher education, professional bachelor or masters degree in law or other related fields, if basic knowledge in law and corresponding work experience is acquired

3.3. Public International Law and Human Rights (LL.M) programme is available to individuals with bachelor or masters degree in law or related fields, obtained in at least four years long studies, if basic knowledge in law and corresponding work experience is acquired; second level professional higher education, professional bachelor or masters degree in law or other related fields, if basic knowledge in law and corresponding work experience is acquired.

3.4. Transborder Commercial Law (LL.M) programme is available to individuals with bachelor or masters degree in law or related fields, obtained in at least four years long studies, if basic knowledge in law and corresponding work experience is acquired; second level professional higher education, professional bachelor or masters degree in law or other related fields, if basic knowledge in law and corresponding work experience is acquired.

3.5. European Union Law and Policy (MA) programme is available to individuals with bachelor or masters degree in law, politics or related fields, obtained in at least four years long studies; second level professional higher education, professional bachelor or masters degree in law, politics or other related fields.

3.6. The Law and Finance (LL.M) programme is available to individuals with an undergraduate or graduate degree in law, business, finance, or economics from any accredited university or institution of higher education.

3.7. The application should be submitted in the format determined by the RGSL. Application forms are available on the RGSL home page www.rgsl.edu.lv.

3.8. The following documents should be attached to the application form:

3.8.1.    a certified copy of the diploma and diploma transcript with an English translation,

3.8.2.    a copy of passport (page with photo and personal data),

3.8.3.    official results of TOEFL or IELTS not older than 3 years – the required minimum result is 500 points for TOEFL (for a computer test -173; Internet based test - 61) and 6 for IELTS. Applicants who have acquired higher education in the English language are released from taking TOEFL or IELTS,

3.8.4.    a letter of motivation. 

3.9. Applicants who will receive their diploma from previous studies later than on the date of application can submit the application with a reference to the expected date of receipt of their diploma, which, however, may not be later than the date on which the study year at RGSL starts.

3.10. If the diploma or degree is obtained outside Latvia, academic recognition has to be made by the Latvian Academic Information Centre (AIC). The application is registered after review from AIC is requested and received by the RGSL. The final decision regarding the qualification for admission is taken by RGSL.

3.11. An application is considered completed only when the RGSL has received all required documents. 

3.12. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to invite applicants for personal interviews.

4. ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAMME AND PUBLISHING OF THE DECISION

4.1. The final decision for admission is taken by Admissions Committee.

4.2. Applicants will be notified electronically within three working days after the decision has been made (after the deadlines).

4.3. All information about the admission procedure applicants can obtain from the RGSL Head of Study Department or Programme Director.

4.4. The decision of the Admissions Committee may be appealed within two working days by application to the Rector of RGSL. The decision of the Rector may be appealed to the court as stated by the Administrative Procedure Law of Latvia.

5. MATRICULATION

5.1. The candidate is matriculated only after the study contract is signed and the first fee is paid.

5.2. The order of matriculation is issued by the Rector or Prorector of RGSL.