Below is the full academic schedule used in Latvian medical universities that offer the full 6-year MD (Ķirurģijas un Medicīnas ārsts / Doctor of Medicine) program.
The curriculum is standardized across Latvia and aligned with EU medical education requirements (Directive 2005/36/EC – 360 ECTS).
Major universities:
- University of Latvia – Faculty of Medicine (Rīga)
- Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) – Faculty of Medicine (largest and most internationally recognized)
Both follow a very similar 6-year integrated curriculum.
🇱🇻 FULL ACADEMIC SCHEDULE — LATVIAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES (MD – 6 YEARS / 360 ECTS)
📘 DETAILED 6-YEAR CURRICULUM TABLE (LATVIA)
(Semester-by-semester structure)
| Year | Semester | Main Module Groups | Detailed Subjects / Components | Skills & Competencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sem 1 | Basic Biomedical Foundations | Anatomy I, Histology I, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medical Terminology, Latvian Language (for international students) | Cadaver dissection, microscopy, foundational science |
| Sem 2 | Basic Sciences II | Anatomy II, Histology II, Physiology I, Biochemistry I, Ethics & Professionalism | Basic clinical communication, scientific reasoning | |
| 2 | Sem 3 | Organ Structure & Function | Physiology II, Biochemistry II, Genetics, Immunology I, Embryology | Integrated understanding of normal human biology |
| Sem 4 | Preclinical Foundations | Microbiology I, Public Health I, Epidemiology (intro), Behavioral Sciences | Basic exposure to population health | |
| 3 | Sem 5 | Mechanisms of Disease I | General Pathology, Systemic Pathology, Microbiology II, Parasitology | Understanding origins of disease |
| Sem 6 | Diagnostics & Clinical Introduction | Pharmacology I–II, Pathophysiology, Radiology basics, Laboratory Diagnostics, Clinical Skills I | History-taking, physical examination, OSCE prep | |
| 4 | Sem 7 | Core Clinical Disciplines I | Internal Medicine I, General Surgery I, Neurology I, Psychiatry I, Dermatology | Ward rounds, diagnostic reasoning |
| Sem 8 | Organ System Clinical Rotations | Pediatrics I, Obstetrics & Gynecology I, ENT, Ophthalmology, Infectious Diseases | Outpatient and bedside teaching | |
| 5 | Sem 9 | Clinical Rotations II | Internal Medicine II, Surgery II, Orthopedics & Traumatology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology & ICU | Procedural skills, acute care |
| Sem 10 | Specialty Clinical Training | Cardiology, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Hematology, Oncology, Family Medicine | Intermediate clinical decision-making | |
| 6 | Sem 11 | Practical (Internship-style) Year – Part I | Long block rotations: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics | Near-independent supervised clinical practice |
| Sem 12 | Practical Year – Part II | OB/GYN, Emergency Medicine, Primary Care (GP), Elective Rotations | Night shifts, advanced competencies | |
| — | — | Final State Examination | Written + oral + practical clinical exam | Required for MD qualification |
🎓 AFTER COMPLETION
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Degree Awarded | Ārsta diploms / Doctor of Medicine (MD equivalent) |
| Licensing Pathway | Application to Latvian Medical Association + EU-compliant certification |
| Residency (Specialization) | 4–6 years depending on specialty |
| EU Recognition | Automatically recognized across EU/EEA under Directive 2005/36/EC |
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