Secondary Education (ISCED level 3)

Secondary education lasts 3 years and is usually divided into two types: general and vocational. Everyone possessing the Certificate of the Basic Education is eligible to continue his/her studies at a secondary institution; otherwise one needs to hold entrance examinations. The curriculum of the secondary education with its 4 profiles (general comprehensive, humanitarian/social, mathematics/natural science, vocational/professional) is determined by the national standards. The content and procedures of 4 centralized national examinations are defined by the Ministry of Education and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. After a person has received positive assessment in all subjects as well as the national examinations, he/she is awarded with a Certificate of the Secondary Education. This document is necessary for continuing the studies in any higher educational institution in Latvia. Learn more about secondary education here.