Study in Latvia

Higher education in Latvia is generally split between academic and professional studies. Academic programs are designed to improve students’ independent research skills and provide a theoretical background to careers, while professional programs are more vocational, preparing students for graduate careers in the design or enhancement of systems, products and technologies, as well as preparing them for creative, research and teaching activities in their chosen field.

Latvian universities follow the Bologna system, offering three levels of study (bachelor’s, master’s and PhD). Most bachelor degrees take three or four years to complete, while master’s degrees are one or two years long. The academic year runs from September to June, with exams taking place in May and June.

The language of instruction at Latvian universities is mainly Latvian, but there are a small number of English-taught programs available, many of which are specifically aimed at foreign students.

Read on for information on three of the top Latvian universities, each ranked in the top 200 of the latest QS University Rankings: EECA – a ranking of the best performing universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

University of Latvia 

Ranked 47^th in the QS University Rankings: EECA 2016 and 651-700* in the overall QS World University Rankings® 2016/17, the University of Latvia is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the Baltic States, located in Riga and home to around 15,000 students. Established in 1919, the university has been rated four out of five stars overall in the QS Stars rating system, and achieves five-star ratings in the categories ‘internationalization’, ‘teaching’, ‘facilities’ and ‘innovation’.  The university offers a number of international programs taught either partly or completely in English, including medicine and dentistry.

Riga Technical University 

Riga Technical University (RTU) is ranked joint 64^th in the EECA ranking this year and was the first technical university of the Baltic States to be founded, dating back to 1862, when it was known as Riga Polytechnicum. In 1958, the technical institutes of the University of Latvia were separated to form the renewed Riga Technical University (RTU). Today, RTU is responsible for a great deal of research which is essential to the Latvian economy, and the university achieves three QS stars, including a five-star rating in the ‘employability’ category.

Riga Stradins University

The final Latvian university to feature in the EECA ranking is the public Riga Stradins University (RSU), ranked in the 111-120 range. Riga Stradins has 7,875 students currently enrolled, including 1,775 international students, with 50 countries represented in the student body overall, placing it in the EECA top 10 for proportion of international students. Originally founded as Riga Medical Institute in 1950, RSU has a particularly strong reputation for the health sciences and is the only Latvian university to have traditionally been integrated into the country’s healthcare system.

*For information about ranking categories, and answers to other frequently asked questions, click here.

See how Latvian universities compare in the EECA rankings 

Life in Latvia 

Latvia is a safe, welcoming country with an intriguing and varied culture. It’s known worldwide for its choral singing traditions (even the movement to gain the Baltic States’ independence was called ‘the Singing Revolution’) and folk singing is one of the national treasures, with the distinctive daina style dating back centuries. Latvians are also big fans of contemporary music, theatre, ice hockey and literature.

Another strong aspect of cultural life to enjoy while you study in Latvia is the variety of traditional and modern food available, including brown rye bread, grey peas with bacon, beetroot soup, Janis’ cheese, debesmanna (a cranberry mousse) and more.

Find out about the main cities you could be based in if you study in Latvia…

Riga 

Many international students looking to study in Latvia will be keen to spend time in the country’s capital. Rich in culture, architecture and a range of attractions, Riga is also the largest city in the country, home to around 700,000 people (more than a third of the nation’s overall population). Riga was a European Capital of Culture in 2014 and is famous for its mix of fantastic architecture both old and new, including what is thought to be the largest collection of art nouveau buildings in the world. The city is one of the key economic and financial centers in the Baltic region and generates more than half of the country’s GDP. Riga’s historic center, Vecrīga, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is famous for its medieval churches and cathedrals.

Riga is also a center of higher education, home to a wide range of universities. As well as the three highest-ranked Latvian universities – the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University (RTU) and Riga Stradins University (RSU) – Riga is also home to the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, which offers all courses in English, the Latvian University of Agriculture, and the Art Academy of Latvia.

Daugavpils 

Daugavpils is Latvia’s second-largest city, home to around 95,000 people and located in the south-east of the country. Daugavpils’ name literally translates to ‘Daugava Castle’ and like Riga, the city also has a historic center with a rich architectural heritage, and is particularly known for its red brick buildings. A multi-ethnic city, Daugavpils has a large number of Russian speakers and is an important cultural center in eastern Latvia, often hosting music events and festivals. Dauvavpils is home to Daugavpils University, and Riga Technical University has an affiliate located here.

Liepāja 

The country’s third-largest city with around 82,000 inhabitants, Liepāja is located on the west coast, overlooking the Baltic Sea. Its pristine Blue Flag beaches make it an ideal destination either to study in or to visit during your studies for a seaside break. In terms of culture, Liepaja is often called the capital of Latvian rock music and has three concert halls, as well as many events throughout the summer, including the massive ‘Summer Sound’ beach party. Recent years have seen a significant amount of investment in higher education development and quality in Liepāja, and again a branch of Riga Technical University can be found in the city.

See how Latvian universities compare in the EECA rankings

Tuition fees and living costs 

Tuition fees at Latvian universities vary depending on the institution, program, and where you’re from – non-EU students usually pay more than EU/EEA and Swiss students. In general you should expect to pay €3,000-5,000 (~US$3,300-5,540) per year for an undergraduate degree. Courses such as dentistry and medicine are more expensive, costing up to €15,000 (~US$16,600) a year.  At master’s level, most courses range between €1,700 (~US$1,900) per year for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens and about €3,700 (~US$4,100) for all other overseas students.

Living costs are lower than in many other European countries. You’ll need to budget €5,400-8,400 (~US6,000-9,300) to cover everything including food (up to €250 per month), accommodation, travel and other personal expenses. Most Latvian universities have student halls of residence, which is likely to be the cheapest accommodation option. If you want to travel beyond Latvia to explore neighboring countries such as Russia or Estonia, you’ll of course need to budget more.

How to apply to Latvian universities 

Each university’s admission procedures vary, but generally in order to apply to study in Latvia, you’ll first need to have your educational documents (academic transcript, degree certificate/diploma) certified to show that you’re eligible to apply. You should therefore send the appropriate documents to your chosen university’s admission office. The university will guide you through the process and inform you of what exams you need to pass, including any language test result/s (such as IELTS or TOEFL if you want to study in English). You may also have a video interview and/or need to submit your CV or a personal statement.

Once your eligibility is confirmed and you’ve been accepted, you’ll receive a conditional acceptance letter, receive and sign an agreement, and pay your tuition fees for the first year of study (some institutions may ask for a security deposit).

Applying for a Latvian student visa 

Once you’ve successfully and enrolled and paid your fees, your university will inform you of what you need to do next to gain a Latvian student visa and residence permit, and may apply for these on your behalf. Citizens of the European Union (EU) do not need a visa to study in Latvia, but will need to obtain a residence permit within three months of arrival, which in most cases will be applied for by your university. It’s mandatory for all students to have health insurance which covers you for the entire duration of your intended stay.

Non-EU students will need to apply for a visa and residence permit, and should apply for these in plenty of time before the course start date. Once accepted by a Latvian university, you’ll need to submit the required documents to your nearest Latvian embassy (you can search for yours here). If there is no Latvian embassy in your country, you should contact your university for advice on how to proceed. 

The usual documents you need to present for your Latvian student visa are:

• Completed application form
• Passport photo
• Original copy of passport
• Original copy of your study agreement, showing you’ve been admitted to a Latvian university
• Academic record
• Proof you’ve paid your tuition fees (provided by the receiving university)
• Bank statement showing you have enough funds to support yourself during your studies
• Rental agreement or guarantee letter from the university concerning your prospective accommodation
• Proof that you’ve arranged adequate health insurance
• Statement on fluorography or X-ray examining results  

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