The document provides an overview of the Legal Linguistics master's programme offered at RGSL. The programme covers legal and linguistic skills through translation of legal texts, terminology research, and comparison of legal systems. It has a modular structure beginning with foundation courses in law and language, followed by interdisciplinary courses and electives from other LL.M. programmes. The full-time programme takes one year to complete and the part-time programme takes two years, with both requiring 40 credits. Graduates will have career opportunities in both the public and private sectors working as lawyers, legal translators, or other law-related roles.

1. BEYOND
BORDERS
Master programmes at RGSL
Legal Linguistics

2. LEGAL LINGUISTICS: OVERVIEW
 Unique programme covering a select range of
legal and linguistic skills
 Translation of legal texts
 Terminology research for particular area of law
 Comparison of legal systems
 State funded study places

3. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Module 1
 Designed to bring students
with different backgrounds
to the same level
 Basic foundation courses in
Law and Language studies
Module 2
 Interdisciplinary law- and
language-related courses
Electives
 Choice of various electives
from LL.M programmes to
diversify legal knowledge or
provide specialisation
Module 1
• Introduction to Law
• Introduction to Language Studies
Module 2
• Interdisciplinary Courses
• Law Courses
• Legal Language Courses
Electives
• Selection of courses from various
LL.M Programmes
Thesis
• Interdisciplinary Master Thesis

4. Legal Linguistics: scope and duration
 Full-time programme:
 one academic year
 Part-time programme:
 two academic years
 40 Latvian credits = 60 ECTS
 Executive style with classes held out of working
hours
 Courses are typically 1 week on, 1 week off

5. Legal Linguistics: career opportunities
 Public and/or private sector
 Lawyers
 Lawyers linguists
 Legal translators and editors (in-house and/or freelance)
 Legal / legislative drafters
 Other professionals involved in cross-border cooperation,
lawyers and others
 Focus on Latvian and international market
 Equally directed at those currently involved or interested in
working in an EU-related or another market where law and
language interrelate

7. Specific admission requirements
 Undergraduate or professional degree acquired in at least four
years long programme (240 ECTS) in
 law
 philology
 other related fields
 English competency
 TOEFL 550
 IELTS 6,0
 other
 not needed for applicants with a degree in English philology

8. Legal Linguistics: tuition fees
 10 State funded grants
 Test for competition on 13 July at 16:00
 Evaluation of the ability to understand legal issues and
legal English proficiency
 Full-time studies (1 year)
5 500 EUR per academic year
 Part-time studies (2 years)
3 550 EUR per academic year

9. ADMISSIONS

10. APPLY TO STUDY AT RGSL
1. Fill in an online application at apply.rgsl.edu.lv
2. Write a motivation letter in English
3. Attach copies of your diploma and grade transcript and copy of
passport
4. Attach score in English language tests
 test requirements vary by programme
 not needed for applicants whose previous education was
conducted in English
 Deadline for early admission: 17 March 2015
Decisions by 17 April 2015
 Deadline for general admission: 8 July 2017
Decisions by 13 July 2015

11. TRY BEING A STUDENT!
 Apply at www.rgsl.lv or during Open Day
 We will arrange a meeting with RGSL student
 You will take a part in lectures and will be
introduced to RGSL student’s life
11

12. EARLY ADMISSION LOTTERY
Apply before 17 March 2015 and participate in
the Early Admission Raffle!
We will give away one free study place for an
academic year on the Bachelor programmes and
one on the Masters programmes for all eligible
applicants.

13. RGSL SCHOLARSHIPS
 RGSL Excellence Award for Outstanding
Foreign Applicants – one study place in Law
and Finance, Legal Linguistics and International
and European Law (and related) Masters
programmes
 Tuition fee waivers for siblings of students of
the RGSL, graduates of RGSL Bachelor
programmes, orphans, persons with 1st or 2nd
degree of disability, RGSL employees, children
of RGSL employees and graduates of SSE Riga.

14. OTHER SCHOLARSHIP POSSIBILITIES
 Students’ corporations scholarships for their
members (Beginning with 2nd study year; apply
at respective corporation)
 Latvian Government Scholarships for foreign
applicants

15. STUDENT LIFE

16. Balancing serious and fun
 RGSL Newspaper
 RGSL International
organisation
 Annual Sports games
 Charity events
 Christmas Ball
 Parties

18. GET IN TOUCH
 Contact us: study@rgsl.edu.lv
 Join us on facebook.com/rgsl.lv
 Learn more: www.rgsl.lv
 Apply: apply.rgsl.edu.lv