The Doctoral Study Programme “Regional Economy and Economic Policy” (RE&EP) obtained the akkreditation No. 068-2147 on 29.06.2011.

In details...

3. Place of implementation

The program is implemented in Riga.

4. Language

Latvian, English, Polish and Russian.

5. Qualification

Doctor of Economics Degree (Dr.oec.)

The International Inter-University Doctoral Study Programme in Economics, in sub-sectors of Regional Economy and Economic Policy has been developed and is being implemented on the basis of Latvian Republic Law on Higher Educational Establishments, Latvian Republic Law on Scientific Activity and Regulations No.1001 of the Latvian Republic Cabinet of Ministers „Procedures and Criteria for Conferral of a Doctoral Degree in Science (Promotion)” dated 27.12.2005.

Economic growth of Latvian Republic can hardly be imagined without highly qualified economists capable of evaluating the economic situation in the country, giving recommendations to the government and business leaders in addressing problem situations as well as forecasting future development of macroeconomic indicators. The task proves to be especially urgent under the circumstances of the current global crisis when a well-considered and scientifically based economic policy is most needed.

In compliance with the Latvian Republic Education Classifier the BIA Doctoral Study Programme in Economics includes the following sectors of regional economy and economic policy:

6. Content of doctoral program

The goal of the Doctoral Study Programme in Economics is to provide an opportunity for doctoral students to master higher level study methods and the principles of organisation and management of research work, prepare the students for independent scientific and pedagogical work and let them acquire internationally compatible qualification in the science of economics and internationally compatible Doctor’s degree in Economics. Implementation of the Doctoral Study Programme “Regional Regional Economy and Economic Policy” is carried out in cooperation with Podlaska State University (Poland). The suggested Doctoral Study Programme makes use of various study methods and forms: analysis, expert advice, research, lectures and consultations, doctoral seminars. One thing that all the programmes have in common is that their learning courses can be split into three groups:

The total volume of Doctoral studies is 120 credit points; out of these theoretical studies constitute 33 credit points and research work is set equal to 87 credit points.

For achievement of the specified goal doctoral students in the process of studies are supposed to master the following disciplines (table 1)

Part B of BIA programme differs from the rest of university doctoral programmes in their B part because this part provides for seminars in sub-sectors of economics selected by doctoral students such as regional economics, marketing, finance and credit and national economy of EU countries. As regards the other three university programmes, students may choose particular subjects out of the wide range of learning courses in Part B that mostly refer to Economics.

The size of the Doctoral tuition fee is determined by the BIA Senate. Full-time doctoral studies during the 3-year period and part-time correspondence studies (4 years) are financed from private or corporate sources or from the state or EU funds.

7. Matriculation requirements

Applicants to Doctoral Programme are discussed at the open meeting of BIA Doctoral Board. The Board Members are: Programme Director, four leading BIA professors, one professor from Podlaska University, and one doctoral student.

The following persons are eligible for Doctoral Study Programme in Economics: persons with Master of Social Sciences degree in Economics or Management or Master’s degree in Social Sciences and experience in the sphere relevant to the area of doctoral research (or certain sub-sector of economics selected by scientific publications, which is evaluated by the admission board of the Doctoral Programme).

Compatibility of foreign diplomas is determined on the basis of expert evaluation performed by Latvian Academic Information Centre.

Those doctoral students who do not have any publications should write a report and sit for an interview with the Admission Board, which composition is approved by BIA Rector based on Programme Director’s recommendations. Students with Master’s degree in Social Sciences will be required to present publications (at least one publication for the last 6 years), they should have at least one year working experience in economy or management sphere; besides they will need to submit a report on the topic of planned research and sit for an interview with the matriculation board.

Matriculated doctoral student together with his/her scientific supervisor is required within a month’s time to develop and present substantiation of the chosen topic and the research programme, which then need to get approval at the open meeting of BIA Doctoral Study Programme Board.

Practical implementation of the Study Programme

The doctoral student and the thesis supervisor together develop an individual study plan (Appendix 1) that is to be approved by the Doctoral Board.

Acquisition of the programme is monitored by the Doctoral Board, Doctoral Programme Director and scientific supervisor.

Within a month’s time following beginning of the semester the doctoral student should submit the work plan for the current year to the Head of Doctoral Studies; the plan is developed and agreed upon with the scientific supervisor. Once per year the doctoral student submits progress reports to the Doctoral Board concerning the course of studies and research. TheDoctoral Board makes about the volume of knowledge acquired in theoretical course, compliance to the requirements of the Doctoral Study Programme and quality of the results, by bringing in the scientific supervisor.

Upon completion of the term of Doctoral studies, the study and research results are evaluated and discussed at the enlarged meeting of the Doctoral Board; as a result, a decision is passed whether the research paper may be prepared for final defence or still requires further development and improvement.

After completion of the doctoral studies under BIA Doctoral Study programme a doctoral programme graduation certificate is issued. The mandatory prerequisite for issuance of such certificate is positive evaluation of the completion of development of the doctoral research paper.

Doctoral Programme also offers the synthesis of individual independent work and group work when each student outside lecture time performs an independent case analysis and having a group discussion presents the report to the class audience

SEE DESCRIPTION OF STUDY PROGRAMME HERE!


Work plan for Ph.D. research