Social Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work

Programme Fact File

Study direction:
Management, Administration and Real Estate Management

Doctor's study programme
accredited until 25.11.2027.

Degree conferred / qualification obtained:
Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Social Sciences

Language: Latvian

Credit points/ECTS: 176/264

Study location: Rīga

4 years

Places:

6786 EUR/year

2600 EUR/year

Aim

The aim of the programme is to train social anthropologists, social workers and sociologists who are, upon graduation, able to analyse and solve practical problems at the national and international level, engage in academic work and research, as well as advise non-governmental and business organisations, while ensuring scientific excellence in the sub-sector.

Objectives

To provide doctoral students with the opportunity to acquire an innovative interdisciplinary and dynamic approach to research in social anthropology, social work and sociology, and to carry out field-relevant, original and innovative research leading to increased scientific excellence within the sub-programme;
To enable doctoral students to acquire the competence and expertise to independently upgrade their scientific qualification in order to implement and manage research and development projects that meet international criteria;
The results of the sub-programmes are in line with the results of the DSP Social Sciences, which apply both more broadly to the social sciences as a whole and more narrowly to the sub-programmes.

Syllabus

Compulsory research component

Independent original research, participation in conferences, preparation and publication of publications, participation in scientific projects;
Publication in an internationally peer-reviewed scientific journal, or acceptance for publication in a journal listed in such databases as Scopus, Web of Science, ERIH PLUS;
Publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal in Latvia, or confirmation of acceptance for publication in journals included in such databases as Scopus, Web of Science, ERIH PLUS;
Publication of the full text of the proceedings of an international conference or congress (at least three pages);
Oral report or presentation on the topic of the thesis at an international congress or conference;
Oral report or presentation on the topic of the thesis at a local congress or conference;
Abstract for an international congress, conference or seminar;
Abstract at a local congress or seminar;
Scientific monograph (sole author);
A section in a scientific monograph;
Research work abroad;
Participation in research projects.

By the end of your studies, you must have at least two citable publications in internationally reviewed scientific journals, or one citable publication in an internationally reviewed scientific journal (Scopus, Web of Science, ERIH PLUS), or one monograph.

Compulsory education component

Philosophy of Science, Research Principles, Methods, Methodology and Practice in Social Sciences from an Interdisciplinary Research Perspective
Scientific Writing and Scientific Communication
Doctoral Examination in a Foreign Language
Doctoral Examination in the Field and Sub-Field of Science
Independent Teaching Activity
Independent Scientific Research Work
Development of Doctoral Thesis

Restricted elective component (courses to be chosen in the amount of 6 – 8 CP)*

* Courses from the restricted component may be replaced by free elective courses up to a maximum of 2 CP

Conceptual Approaches to Innovative Healthcare Organisation
Civil Defence and Environmental Protection
Mathematical Statistical Methods in Social Sciences
English in Social Sciences: Drafting a Scientific Manuscript
Topical Issues in Social Anthropology, Sociology and Social Work
Information Literacy in Science (for Social Sciences)
Participation in projects on the thesis topic

Elective component (courses to be chosen in the amount of 0 – 2 CP)

The free elective component (C) offers elective courses corresponding to level 8 of doctoral studies.

Documents

Doctoral students have the opportunity to go on an Erasmus+ exchange during their studies.
Erasmus+ conditions and RSU partner universities

Admissions regulations for the 2024/2025 academic year

Testimonials

This doctoral programme provides students with an opportunity to defend their doctoral thesis and obtain a scientific degree from influential professionals in applied sociology and academia, who strengthen the Latvian social sciences community with their research . Doctoral students actively present themselves at Latvian and European conferences to promote their research results and contribute to increasing the number of internationally peer-reviewed publications. The will to develop a doctoral thesis in sociology is an opportunity to build a career as a researcher in a field with the richest accumulation of theoretical and empirical knowledge, which can deservedly be considered the ancestral home of the social sciences and the main source of contemporary applied data. Education and a degree in sociology offer excellent career opportunities for senior and middle-level managers in public institutions and the commercial sector, as well as for those working in research, education, expertise and consultancy.
Individual work of supervisors with doctoral students in the development of their thesis, targeted planning of conferences and publications, integration into academic and applied research contribute to the success of all doctoral students in defending their thesis.
May all interested persons succeed in identifying the most topical social issues of Latvian society and may their research generate new, problem-solving knowledge. May a successfully drafted doctoral thesis serve as a contribution to the development of the field of sociology in Latvia, an addition to the RSU doctoral study programme and a satisfaction for the author!
Prof. Anda Laķe, thesis supervisor

The decision to pursue a doctoral degree is an important continuation of one's professional path and at the same time a serious challenge to students' intellectual abilities. Studies require a great deal of self-discipline and independent work. Receiving support of the university you have chosen in the shape of professional academic staff, a research-based learning environment, and the material provision of this learning environment plays an important role in this process.
I graduated from the Sociology programme of the Faculty of European Studies at RSU in 2007. I have good memories of the high quality and variety of study courses that we were offered, the professional and supportive lecturers, as well as my great groupmates with whom I have remained friends. Therefore, it was quite natural to decide to continue my studies at RSU at a completely different level – the doctoral level. I am glad that Dr. sc. soc. Anda Laķe, Dr. sc. soc. Ritma Rungule and Dr. sc. soc. Maruta Pranka are among the university's lecturers as they specialise in the field in which I developed my doctoral thesis. They gave me both professional and personal support in the research process.
I have benefited a lot from the opportunity to study together with students from other RSU doctoral programmes in some of my courses. Exchanging ideas and being in a creative environment helps to broaden the perspective on important problems in different fields of science, the methods used, as well as provide human support and a helping hand during the study process.
Ginta Elksne, graduate