There are three levels of vocational education: 

• basic vocational education;
• secondary vocational education; 
• professional higher education (see section “Higher Education”).

Vocational education institutions can be public (state, local government) and private. Depending on the provided vocational education programmes, there are the following vocational education institutions: technical school (tehnikums), competence centre of arts education (mākslu izglītības kompetences centrs), vocational secondary school (profesionālā vidusskola), continuing vocational education centre (profesionālās tālākizglītības centrs) and college (koledža). Content of vocational education is based on the state vocational education standards and the relevant occupational standard.
To acquire a qualification (at EQF levels 2 to 4), learners must undergo qualification practice and take a state qualification exam at the end of the programme.
 

Vocational basic education programmes

Vocational basic education (1-3 years) is offered by vocational schools, but they attract rather limited number of learners as most of them finish compulsory general basic education. Young people (at least 15 years old) can enrol the programmes regardless of their previous education. In addition to acquisition of a professional qualification of EQF level 2, pupils also have the opportunity to complete their basic education. Vocation basic education programmes are mainly school-based.
Upon successful completion of the final examinations, pupils receive a certificate of vocational basic education (apliecība par profesionālo pamatizglītību) with a professional qualification of EQF level 2, which gives access to secondary education programmes.
 

Vocational education programmes at secondary education level

Vocational education (arodizglītība) programmes (3-years duration, EQF level 3) may be accessed by the graduates of basic education and do not provide access to higher education. These programmes lead to a certificate of vocational education (atestāts par arodizglītību) with professional qualification of EQF level 3. Graduates can enter vocational secondary education programmes. Graduates can also attend bridging courses (these programmes typically last 1 year) that give access to higher education. 

Vocational secondary education programmes (4-years duration, EQF level 4) may be accessed by the graduates of basic education and are offered by vocational secondary education institutions (mākslu izglītības kompetences centrs, profesionālā vidusskola, tehnikums). 
Each programme is comprised of both general and vocational education components. Structure of the programme is divided in two parts: 70% are mandatory subjects that include both vocational and general education study subjects (including eight compulsory general education study subjects) and 30% is variable part of the programme that can include either general or vocational study subjects.
Graduation requires passing four centralised state examinations (the same exams as in general secondary education, but vocational education students may choose exams of different complexity levels). In addition, vocational education students take professional qualification examination. To successfully complete secondary vocational education, all examinations must be passed with satisfactory grades. All the mentioned exams are organised according to the relevant regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Vocational secondary education programmes lead to the following certificates depending of the results of final exams:

•  If a person passes both general and vocational education examinations, they are awarded with a diploma of vocational secondary education (diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību) of EQF level 4 and a certificate of general secondary education (vispārējās vidējās izglītības sertifikāts) recording results of general education centralised exams that grants access to higher education; in addition, a certificate of professional qualification can be issued depending on the vocational education programme;
• If a person passes only vocational education examinations, they are awarded with a certificate of professional qualification of EQF level 3 or 4, which does not grant access to higher education;
• If a person passes only general education examinations, they are awarded with  a diploma of vocational secondary education (diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību), including reference “without professional qualification”, of EQF level 4, a certificate of general secondary education (vispārējās vidējās izglītības sertifikāts) recording results of general education centralised exams that grants access to higher education; a certificate of obtaining professional qualification part (apliecība par profesionālās kvalifikācijas daļas apguvi) and/or certificate of obtaining module (apliecība par moduļa apguvi) after modular vocational secondary education programmes may be issued.

Vocational education of EQF levels 2-8  

Vocational continuing education programmes of EQF level 2-8 are available to individuals with or without specific previous education. These programmes of EQF level 3-4 typically last 1–2 years; while minimum volume for the programmes of EQF level 5 is 760 hours or 30-60 ECTS, EQF level 6 – 45-90 ECTS, EQF level 7 – 30-60 ECTS and EQF level 8 – 60-90 ECTS. 
Additionally, professional development courses, lasting no less than 160 study hours, may also be undertaken and can count toward a qualification. These programmes are aimed at acquiring specific professional skills and knowledge aligned with the requirements of the relevant qualification level, and do not grant access to the next education level.
 

Latvian legislation differentiates between academic (EQF levels 6-8) and professional (EQF levels 5-8) higher education (HE). The objectives of the academic HE are to prepare graduates for an independent research work, as well as to provide theoretical background for professional activities. The objectives of the professional HE are to provide in-depth knowledge in a particular field, preparing graduates for design or improvement of systems, products and technologies, as well as to prepare them for creative, research and teaching activities in this field.
Higher education institutions may offer both types of programmes.

Short-cycle higher education (EQF level 5)

Short-cycle HE study programmes (2-3 years of full-time studies, 120-180 ECTS) may be accessed after the secondary education. The programme is a part of the first-cycle professional higher education. After completion of the programme a diploma of short-cycle professional higher education (īsā cikla profesionālās augstākās izglītības diploms) (from 03.04.2024) is awarded. The qualification allows accessing labour market. In addition, after completion of the programme, an individual may enrol a bridging-programme to obtain a first-cycle qualification. The duration of full-time studies in the bridging programme must be at least 1 year, provided that the total duration of the short-cycle and first-cycle studies is at least 4 years, in accordance with the state HE standards.

First-cycle higher education (EQF level 6)

Academic bachelor’s programmes (3-4 years of full-time studies, 180-240 ECTS) are acquired after the secondary education. The programme leads to a Bachelor’s diploma, which allows continuing studies in the second-cycle programmes or accessing labour market.
First-cycle professional HE may be acquired through the following types of study programmes:

• Professional bachelor’s programmes (at least 4 years, 240 ECTS) after the secondary education lead to a professional Bachelor’s diploma. The qualification allows continuing studies in the master’s study programmes or accessing labour market.
• Professional HE programmes (1-2 years, 60-120 ECTS, total length of HE studies at least 4 years) that are continuation of short-cycle professional higher education lead to a diploma of professional higher education, or a diploma of higher professional qualification. The qualification allows accessing labour market and master’s study programmes.
• Professional HE programmes (1 year, 60 ECTS, total length of HE studies at least 4 years) after a qualification of EQF level 6 lead to a diploma of professional higher education, or a diploma of higher professional qualification. These programmes allow obtaining an additional professional qualification, which grants access to the master’s programmes or labour market.

Second-cycle higher education (EQF level 7)

Academic master’s programmes (1-2 years of full-time studies, at least 60 ECTS; total length of HE studies at least 5 years) are acquired after bachelor’s or professional HE studies. After completed the programme Master’s diploma is awarded. The qualification allows continuing studies in the doctoral programmes or accessing labour market.
Second-cycle professional HE may be acquired through the following study programmes:

• Professional master’s programmes (at least 1 year of full-time studies, at least 60 ECTS; total length of HE studies at least 5 years) are acquired after bachelor’s or professional HE studies, the length of which is at least 4 years. The programme leads to a Master’s diploma.  and higher professional qualification diploma, allowing continuing studies in the doctoral programmes or accessing labour market.
• Professional HE programmes (4-6 years of full-time studies, 300-360 ECTS) after the secondary education lead to a diploma of professional higher education, or a diploma of higher professional qualification. The qualification allows continuing studies in the doctoral study programmes or accessing labour market.

Third-cycle higher education (EQF level 8)

Academic doctoral programmes (3-4 years of full-time studies) may be accessed with a HE qualification of EQF level 7 (duration of previous HE studies should be at least 300 ECTS) and lead to Doctor’s diploma. Doctoral studies are continued in the same or compatible field of academic knowledge, with a certain academic and professional experience which is determined by the higher education institution.
Professional doctoral programmes in arts (3-4 years of full-time studies, 180-240 ECTS) may be accessed with a HE qualification of EQF level 7 (duration of previous HE studies should be at least 300 ECTS) and lead to a professional Doctor’s diploma in arts.