EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES

EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Exchange students are welcome to Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), where we participate in two main student exchange programmes: Erasmus+ and Nordplus, or based on individual cooperation agreements. We stand for international experience as an essential and invaluable part of the study process as well as personal development.

The Erasmus programme and its implementation is a part of the strategy and internationalization aims of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA). The Erasmus projects support a significant part of ViA internationalization and invest in improving and modernizing higher education in the EU and Latvia. Various stakeholders have been involved in the development of the Erasmus Policy Statement 2021-2027 of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. During the process, planning of the next period (2021-2027) was performed.

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) has been awarded the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) 2021 - 2027. The award of an ECHE is a pre-requisite for all higher education institutions located in an Erasmus Programme country and willing to participate and implement Erasmus+ projects by organizing the international exchange of students, teachers, and other staff; implementing intensive courses and workshops; modernization of studies, networking and other international events.

Erasmus+ or other exchange students are admitted on the basis of cooperation agreements with universities and colleges in many different countries. You can view our partner universities here. Nordplus programme facilitates exchange between partners in Nordplus EkoTekNord network.

We offer:

courses in English
friendly and helpful teaching staff
excellent library and computer facilities
studying and living together with local students
supportive International Office
Latvian student mentors
comfortable accommodation
reasonable living expenses and much more.

Important dates:

Note (!): BEFORE STUDENT APPLICATION WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE STUDENT NOMINATION FROM PARTNER UNIVERSITY (by filling out the official nomination form sent directly to ViA partner institutions).

Deadline for exchange student nominations: MAY 1 (autumn semester or academic year) and SEPTEMBER 30 (spring semester)
Deadline for exchange student applications (Erasmus+, Nordplus, other): MAY 15 (autumn semester or academic year) and OCTOBER 15 (spring semester)
Studies begin: September (autumn semester) and February (spring semester).

For information about study and practical issues connected with exchange period at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, check out our Practical Guide or contact our international team at [email protected].

HERE I CAN - VIDZEME UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

EPISODE 1: FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS LIFE IN LATVIA, VALMIERA!

EPISODE 2: FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS LIFE IN LATVIA, VALMIERA!

INTERNATIONAL STUDY MODULE

Within our International Study Module, we offer a variety of courses in English and you can view and choose those below depending on your study programme or interests. Prior to submitting your online application form, make sure you fill the information about your chosen courses within your Learning Agreement and attach it to your submission.

We have been using the Erasmus+ Dashboard and this means that we are working with Online Learning Agreements (OLA) in order to simplify Learning Agreement procedures. We would like to encourage to use the platform to fill in and submit your Learning Agreement online. The Learning Agreement should be signed by you and your institution. When your Online Learning Agreement is filled and signed, you can download the signed PDF and add it to your application. If for any justified reason it is not possible to submit OLA, it can be completed and submitted using the Learning Agreement form, which was sent to you via e-mail.

The core course curriculum is supplemented by English language classes with specialisation in business studies, communication and media studies, information technologies, tourism and leisure studies. Various general language classes are also offered: English, German, French, Russian and Latvian.

Each subject within the international study module addresses the dynamics of the contemporary world by creating opportunities for students to engage in learning, analysis and discussion. The module focuses on a range of different questions that offer a broad perspective on topical issues impacting our ever changing world.

Latvian Law on Institutions of Higher Education states the following: "For foreign students the acquisition of the official language shall be included in the study course compulsory amount if studies in Latvia are expected to be six months or more or 30 ECTS".

The Director of International Study Module is Ilgvars Ābols - [email protected] .

Masters 2025 Autumn semester

Courses can be chosen only from one master's program + compulsory Latvian language and culture (3 ECTS)

Course	ECTS	Program	Notes
Modul VR/AR project planning and implementation	9	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
VR/AR innovations and actuality in various industries	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
VR/AR hardware and physical structure	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Interractivity, scenarios composition and serious games	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Modul VR/AR authoring	21	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Development of advanced 3D interractive environments (Unreal)	6	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Web based VR and AR solutionsWeb based VR and AR solutions	6	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
3D modelling approaches and scripting (Blender)	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Development of advanced 3D interractive environments (Unity)	6	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Governance and Innovations	6	Strategic Communication and Governance
Theories of Democracy and Security	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Communication theory	6	Strategic Communication and Governance
Smart tehnologies and Data Security	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Civic Society and Participation	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Euro-Atlantic values in contemporary world’s geopolitics	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Organization Strategic Management	6	Strategic Communication and Governance
Interest representation (lobbying) and negotiations	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Policy Analysis	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Sustainable Development	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Corporate and Public Finances	6	Business Environment Administration
Organization Strategic Management	3	Business Environment Administration
Entrepreneurship Environment	3	Business Environment Administration
Human Resources Development	6	Business Environment Administration
Project Management Strategies and Tools	6	Business Environment Administration
Organisation Psychology	3	Business Environment Administration
Tourism Competitivness	4	Tourism Competitiveness Management
Strategic Leadership in Tourism	5	Tourism Competitiveness Management
Tourism Marketing Strategies	5	Tourism Competitiveness Management
Business Perspective to Research Methods	5	Tourism Competitiveness Management
Self leadearship	4	Tourism Competitiveness Management
Tourism Enterprise on global change	2	Tourism Competitiveness Management

Masters 2026 Spring semester

Courses can be chosen only from one master's program + compulsory Latvian language and culture (3ECTS)

Course	ECTS	Program	Notes
Qualitative research methods	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Persuasive communication	6	Strategic Communication and Governance
Ethics and Values in Communication	3	Strategic Communication and Governance
Strategic communication management	6	Strategic Communication and Governance
Strategic political communication and diplomacy	6	Strategic Communication and Governance
Legal and Institutional Framework of International Business	6	Business Environment Administration
Integrated Research Methods	3	Business Environment Administration
Corporative Responsibility and Ethics	3	Business Environment Administration
Optional module Export marketing (Global Marketing and Customer Relationship, Management, Advertising Trends, E-commerce and E-Business (E-Business Technologies)	9	Business Environment Administration	Optional study mudule– depends on group`s choice*
Optional module Business to Business (B2B Modern logistic systems), Sustainable Cooperation Development Planning and Management, Communication in International Business	9	Business Environment Administration	Optional study mudule– depends on group`s choice*
Optional module Business networking (Social Networks in Business Environment, External Communication of the Organization, Smart Technologies and Data Security)	9	Business Environment Administration	Optional study mudule– depends on group`s choice*
Modul User experience design and implementation	9	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
UX strategy framework	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Human factors and human-computer interaction	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Motion graphics and environmental effects	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Modul Recognition services and intellectual environments	9	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Geometry processing and visualization	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Augmented reality and computer vision algorythms	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Introduction in machine-learning and neural networks	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Modul VR/AR project sustainability and transformation	9	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Innovations and project management	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Hackathon and teamwork	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Simulation modelling and data 3D visualization	3	Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies and and programming
Revenue Management in Customer-Oriented Organizations	5	Tourism Competitiveness Management
Sales Excellence in Tourism Industry	3	Tourism Competitiveness Management
Toolbox for Business Data Management	5	Tourism Competitiveness Management
Field school	5	Tourism Competitiveness Management
New Product Development and Service Innovations	4	Tourism Competitiveness Management

* Elective module – the choice will be known by 1.11.2025, one of the three optional course modules in the amount of 9 ECTS will be provided

Bachelor 2025 Autumn semester

Course	ECTS	Program	Notes
English for Business Purposes I	3	Business Administration
German	3	Tourism Organisation and Management/Business Administration
Entrepreneurship in the Creative Industries	3	Media Studies and Journalism/Communication and Public Relations
French	3	Business Administration
English for Tourism	3	Tourism Organisation and Management
Body intelligence and well-being	6	Tourism Organisation and Management
Introduction to FinTech Business Models	5	Business Administration
Introduction to Fintech Regulation	5	Business Administration	This course can only be applied for if the Introduction to FinTech Business Models course has been previously selected.
FinTech Product Development and Prototyping	5	Business Administration	This course can only be applied for if the Introduction to FinTech Business Models course has been previously selected.
Business and Ethics	3	Business Administration
International Economics and Business	3	Business Administration
Mass Communication	6	Media Studies and Journalism/Communication and Public Relations	Courses available if the minimum number (3) of students sign up
Social Psychology	3	Media Studies and Journalism/Communication and Public Relations	Courses available if the minimum number (3) of students sign up
Latvian Language and Culture: Beauty from the Words to Identity	3	International	Compulsory for all incoming exchange students
English for Specialisation	3	Information Technologies	Information Technologies specialization
Javascript programming	3	Information Technologies
Object Oriented Programming Language (C++)	6	Information Technologies
Cultural intelligence	3	Information Technologies
Geoinformation Systems	3	Information Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies
Basic of programming	6	Information Technologies	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies
Industrial psychology	3	Information Technologies
Professional English II	3	Construction of Sustainable Buildings	Construction of Sustainable Buildings specialization
Principles of sustainable building design II	3	Construction of Sustainable Buildings
Building Acoustics	2	Construction of Sustainable Buildings

Bachelor 2026 Spring semester

Course	ECTS	Program	Notes
Principles of sustainable building design I	3	Construction of Sustainable Buildings
Professional English I	3	Construction of Sustainable Buildings
Project Management	6	Business administration/ Tourism organisation and management
Dark tourism and Visitor Motivation	3	TOV (tourism organisation and management)
Experiential Marketing	3	Tourism organisation and management
Public Speaking	3	Communication and Public Relations / Media and Journalism
Intercultural Communication	3	TOV Tourism organisation and management/Communication and Public Relations / Media and Journalism
English in Communication Science	3	Communication and Public Relations
Cinematic Voyage: Approaching Culture, Memory, Characters, Embodiment	3	Communication and Public Relations / Media and Journalism
Political Economy	6	Communication and Public Relations /MSŽ Media and Journalism
Latvian Language and Culture: Beauty from the Words to Identity	3	International	Compulsory for all international students
German intermediate	3	Tourism organisation and management
Data transmission networks II	3	IT (Information Technologies)	Courses for students with at least intermediate level of knowledge in technologies
Introduction to Python Programming and Data Exploration	3	IT (Information Technologies)
Basics of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning	3	Business administration
Data Security and Protection	6	IT (Information Technologies)

EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Welcome to our vibrant showcase of success and inspiration—our Erasmus student stories! At Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, we take immense pride in the achievements of our students who embark on the enriching journey of the Erasmus program. This section celebrates the diverse experiences, transformative learning, and cross-cultural connections forged through their adventures abroad.

Transformative Journeys: Celebrating an Erasmus+ Success Story at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) is thrilled to share the inspiring story of Lusine Tovmasyan, an Erasmus+ student from Brusov State University, Armenia, whose journey with us exemplifies ...