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Life in Latvia

Study in Latvia

Study in Latvia

© University of Latvia

Pave the way for your brightest future

International community

Every year, Latvia’s 29 higher education institutions welcome thousands of students from Germany, Sweden, Italy, India, and more than 50 other countries seeking to pursue their passions and lay the groundwork for a successful future.

© University of Latvia

Areas of study

Medicine, business, law, and ICT are some of Latvia’s most popular internationally recognized study programmes, and the professionals they produce are in high demand both locally and globally.

The practical at a glance

    • Population: 1,893,223 (2022)
    • Capital: Riga
    • Official language: Latvian
    • Currency: Euro
    • Timezone: GMT+2
    • Latvia is a Schengen country and part of EU, NATO, and OECD
    • Latvia is an active participant in the Erasmus+ programme

  • The academic year in Latvia spans from September to June and is split into two semesters – autumn and spring. 

    Autumn intake starts in March and is open until July or August with studies starting in September. 

    Spring intake starts in November and runs until December with studies starting in February. 

    For specific application deadlines, please visit the website of your chosen university.

    • Bachelor’s degree programme: 3-4 years
    • Master’s degree programme: 1.5-2 years
    • Doctorate/PhD: 3-4 years

  • In short, EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens only need a valid travel document; some non-EU nationals may require a visa and all must apply for a residence permit; visa country residents must apply for one before traveling to Latvia. More info. 

  • General entry requirements can be found here. Each university may set its own additional entry requirements such as previous grades, exams, tests, interviews, and more. To find out the requirements for your programme of choice, please visit the website of your chosen university.

  • All students applying for studies in Latvia need to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the study language, which is usually English. The level of language knowledge must be equal or higher than B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). 

  • The following list of universities is based on a set of quality criteria defined by the Ministry of Education and Science such as having study programmes in an EU language, being fully accredited, and already hosting international students. 

    The list is ranked according to the 2022 Webometrics Ranking of World Universities:

    1. BA School of Business and Finance
    2. Turiba University
    3. University of Applied Sciences (RISEBA)
    4. Daugavpils University
    5. European Christian Academy
    6. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
    7. Latvian Academy of Culture
    8. Art Academy of Latvia
    9. Latvian Academy of Sports Education
    10. University of Latvia
    11. Liepaja University
    12. Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
    13. Riga Stradins University
    14. Riga Technical University
    15. Ventspils University of Applied Sciences
    16. Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences
    17. Rezekne Academy of Technologies
    18. EKA University of Applied Sciences

    For an easy overview of all the above universities and their offered study programmes, visit this page. 

A thriving international student body

Of Latvia’s 71,000+ students in higher education, nearly 10,000 are international ones, representing more than 60 countries from all over the world. German, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Italian, Indian, Israeli, and Portuguese students are among the most represented and often choose Latvia for its globally-recognized study programmes and enviable student life.

Among the most popular destinations for international students is Riga Stradins University (RSU), recognized globally for its high-quality medicine and dental study programmes. More than a quarter of RSU’s diverse student body is made up of international ones.

English is the language of instruction for the vast majority of higher education programmes for international students, and, with 42% of locals aged 15-34 being fluent in English, it’s easy to blend in, find like-minded peers, and enjoy student life to the fullest.

A world-class education that doesn’t cost a fortune

Latvia is a great value for money, with an affordable cost of living and accessible tuition fees for international students. This allows students to pursue their passions with internationally recognized diplomas in fields such as business, law, ICT, or medicine, without worrying about having to start their career chained to excessive debt.

Tuition fees in Latvia

Tuition ranges from less than 2,000–10,000 EUR per year in certain bachelor’s degree programmes (3-4 years of studies) to 15,000 EUR per year for a degree in Dentistry (5 years), and up to 25,600 EUR for an Executive MBA degree. You can find out more about tuition fees on the Study in Latvia website.

A low cost of living is another bonus, making it easy for students to manage all their expenses. Average monthly living expenses amount to €450-700, allowing students to enjoy everything Riga and Latvia have to offer. Moreover, student discounts are offered everywhere from museums to concerts, which is why indulging in culture is one of the most popular pastimes.

Scholarships

Scholarships and stipends are widely available – for international students, too – and can help cover cost of living expenses. Latvian state scholarships are available for citizens of more than 40 countries. For more information please check our website here or go to viaa.gov.lv.

The call for applications is usually open from February to April.

In addition to state scholarships, some higher education institutions offer their own scholarships, grants, and discounts. To find out if you are eligible for these, check with your chosen university.

A student life to be envied

Student life in Latvia is vibrant, affordable, and diverse, which makes it easy to find people to party with and difficult to get bored. From world-class ballet and modern museums to massive music festivals and roaring sports events, there’s something for every taste and every wallet.

© Lilita Baumane

You can experience sub-zero temperatures and cross-country or down-hill skiing in winter, spectacular spring blossoms and boating trips in the spring, spend the warm summers by the seaside and at various outdoor festivals, or let the autumn surprise you with amazing views of boldly coloured tree-tops while hiking or picking mushrooms.

The seaside, forests, and idyllic countryside are all just within a 30-minute drive from the capital.

Nature
Latvian Song and Dance festival

Latvia has amazing folk traditions and culture, which makes it an attractive and stimulating environment. We have a unique national song and dance festival which gathers more than 40,000 singers and dancers. For those who appreciate the classics, there are opportunities to meet Grammy-award-winning musicians and New York Metropolitan opera divas.

Similarly, Latvia is a cultural hotspot for summer music festivals, where internationally recognised music stars perform.

Arts & Culture

Start building a career while you study

Latvia boasts a tightly-knit academic and industry ecosystem, which means students have the opportunity to get a foot in the door of world-leading companies during their studies. Or be part of the production of new technologies thanks to joint research and innovation hubs. Placements and hands-on work are included in most programmes to equip students with the practical know-how and connections to thrive in their careers right out of university.

But you don’t have to wait that long – you’re allowed to work in Latvia during studies as an international student:

full-time bachelor’s students – can work for up to 20 hours per week (part-time) or 40 hours per week (full-time) during holidays
full-time master’s or doctoral students – no restrictions

#1

the most start-up friendly country in the world

3rd

in early entrepreneurial activity in Europe

@ LIAA Business Incubators

Get inspired by Latvians

Latvia’s dynamic and rapidly growing startup environment and friendly business ecosystem make it one of the best places in the world to develop your own business. A diverse range of institutional investors and business angels, as well as social gatherings and meetups are the secret sauce that has birthed such Latvian startup success stories as Printful, Lokalise, and Aerones. Latvia has produced innovative technological solutions for cancer treatment, world-class studio microphones, smart fabrics, wind tunnels, and so much more. Did you know that Latvians are behind the:

Erica Synths

synthesizer “Erica Synths” used by Lady Gaga and Hans Zimmer

MikroTik

routers that powered the SpaceX Falcon9 launch,

Printify and Printful

print-on-demand marketplaces Printify and Printful, with the latter becoming Latvia's first unicorn. 

Where to stay as a student?

Typically, students choose one of three options – university dormitories, private dormitories, or renting an apartment. With Latvia’s low cost of living, renting your own place is a popular choice and can be the cheapest option if you decide to share it with other students. It’s not difficult to find a modern two-room apartment in Riga for less than €500 a month.

Some universities have their own student dormitories, while others provide assistance with finding housing. For university dormitories, you can expect options from below €100 up to €450 per month, depending on amenities and if you’re sharing the room with other people.

Do not hesitate to ask your university of choice for recommendations.

Additional resources

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