Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) · Rīgas Juridiskā augstskola

The Law School

Situated in the beautiful Art Nouveau district of Riga, the Riga Graduate School of Law is a premier law school in the Baltic region. Students from throughout the world are welcome to apply.

Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) offers legal education at an advanced level. The teaching methodology is research-based and extends beyond the field of law itself, offering access to related fields such as economics, business, and policy. Current degree courses include LL.M in International and European Law, LL.M in Law and Finance, and MA in Legal Linguistics. The following Masters programmes offered from academic year 2009/2010: LL.M in Public International Law and Human Rights, LL.M in Transborder Commercial Law, and MA in European Union Law and Policy.

As a centre of excellence, RGSL is an independent institution within the University of Latvia and teaching is conducted exclusively in English. RGSL boasts an international student body, from the various European Union member and non-member states, the Balkans, CIS states, and the Americas. The international aspect of student life is a core element of RGSL development and diversity. In addition, the library facilities at RGSL are recognised as representing the very top level of law libraries.

The Program

LL.M in International & European Law
The LL.M programme in International and European Law integrates course tracks in Public International Law, International Commercial Law, and European Union Law, preparing students for careers in practice or administration at national or European level. The teaching methodology is interactive and based on a mix of lectures and seminars. In keeping with the Bologna model, we offer a 1 year programme for students who have completed equivalent of a four year undergraduate degree. Other students are offered a 2 year programme. The interaction of law with other disciplines is emphasised within each course track.

M.A. in Legal Linguistics
The programme is designed as an interdisciplinary programme, covering a range of legal and linguistic skills useful for lawyers and language specialists working with legal texts. The interdisciplinary approach allows development of comparative legal and linguistic analysis skills in national, multilingual and international contexts. The programme is directed to the Latvian market and to the EU-related market where law and language inter-relate.

LL.M in Law & Finance
The programme is designed with regional, European and international needs in mind and aims to address this challenge by arming both law and finance specialists with relevant knowledge in both areas to facilitate mutual understanding.

The following Masters programmes offered from academic year 2009/2010:
LL.M in Public International Law and Human Rights
The programme is intended for students who are interested in pursuing their professional carriers in international organisations, private law firms, public authorities, or in academia. The programme allows for a combination of courses from three tracks: European Union Law, International Commercial Law, Public International and Human Rights Law.

LL.M in Transborder Commercial Law
The programme is designed to focus on practical aspects of transborder trade within the European Union and on international conditions framing European Union trade. It is designed to meet the needs of lawyers working in the private sector.

MA in European Union Law and Policy
The programme is designed to promote highly qualified experts with theoretical knowledge of both European Union law and policy issues. It covers integration, the role of the European Court of Justice, selected aspects under the second and third pillars, as well as policy implementation and negotiation.

Please visit the RGSL website for up to date information.

The Faculty

The RGSL faculty is an important part of RGSL’s standing as a reputable institute of higher learning. The resident members of faculty offer in-depth knowledge in their respective fields of competence. Visiting professors from internationally recognised universities and organisations conduct much of the teaching. Leading practitioners from European and financial institutions as well as law firms appear as guest speakers on courses.

Entry Requirements

The RGSL accepts international students interested in its programmes who are eligible and qualified to undertake studies at master’s level. Entry requirements vary slightly between different programmes and is available from the Admissions section of the RGSL homepage.

Students with English as a native language or who have completed their schooling or first degrees at an English speaking university are generally exempt from the English-language requirements.

Application Procedure

Admission for the all Master programmes for the academic year 2010/2011 will start on January 2010.

For applicants who are European Union citizens applications must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the programme.

For applicants who are not European Union citizens, and must obtain a residency permit, applications must be received at least 50 calendar days before to the stated programme application deadline.

Tuition and Fees

Information about tuiton fees for each program you can find on Admissions section of the RGSL homepage.

Student Life

As the main capital city in the Baltic region, Riga offers an excellent opportunity to explore law, languages and culture in one of the new EU Member States ideally located for travel within Eastern Europe. Students at RGSL come from a variety of countries and cultures. RGSL student association representatives attend faculty meetings and participate actively in the life of the school. Students contribute to the development of the school’s excellence. They do so partly by evaluating the quality of each course taught. Classes at RGSL are generally small; students work closely in groups and form lasting personal and professional relationships. Life beyond the school is equally exciting. Riga is a beautiful city with a fortified Old Town. Its location makes travel to other parts of Europe highly convenient and inexpensive through the large number of low cost carriers serving the city.