Study in Latvia

Each university manages its own admissions process.

Bachelor's programmes

Applicants normally need:

• Recognised secondary-school certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Valid passport
• Proof of English-language proficiency
• Completed application
• Motivation letter
• Application-fee payment
• Online interview or entrance examination, where required

Master's programmes

Applicants generally need:

• Relevant bachelor's degree
• Complete academic transcript
• CV and motivation letter
• Proof of English proficiency
• Academic or professional references, where required
• Portfolio or entrance examination for selected courses

Medical and Dentistry programmes generally require satisfactory grades in Biology and Chemistry and may include an entrance test or interview.

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals do not need a student visa but must register their residence when staying in Latvia for an extended period.

Non-EU/EEA students generally require:

• A long-stay Type D visa, when applicable; and
• A temporary residence permit for studies

Common supporting documents include:

• Valid passport
• University study agreement or admission confirmation
• Approved university invitation
• Proof of tuition payment
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Accommodation confirmation
• Valid health insurance
• Police-clearance certificate, where required
• Legalised educational documents
• Passport photographs or biometric information

The university's international office usually coordinates the invitation and guides the student through the process. Requirements depend on nationality and intended duration of stay.

Well-known institutions among international applicants include:

• University of Latvia
• Riga Technical University
• Rīga Stradiņš University
• Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
• Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
• Turība University
• RISEBA University of Applied Sciences
• Transport and Telecommunication Institute
• BA School of Business and Finance
• Daugavpils University
• Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences
• Art Academy of Latvia

Medicine and Dentistry applicants frequently consider Rīga Stradiņš University and the University of Latvia. Engineering and technology applicants commonly consider Riga Technical University.

Foreign educational documents must be assessed before final admission. The university normally sends the applicant's documents to Latvia's Academic Information Centre or completes the required recognition procedure. Applicants may need:

• School certificate or university diploma
• Complete transcript or diploma supplement
• Certified translations
• Apostille or legalisation, where applicable
• Confirmation of the qualification's academic status
• Valid identification

Recognition takes time and may involve a separate fee. Students should provide complete, authentic documents as early as possible.

International students should budget approximately €450 – €700 per month, depending on accommodation and lifestyle. Typical expenses include:

• University dormitory or private accommodation
• Food and household costs
• Utilities
• Public transportation
• Health insurance
• Telephone and internet
• Books and personal expenses

Riga generally has higher rental costs than Daugavpils, Jelgava, Liepāja and other smaller cities. Dormitories and shared apartments offer the most economical accommodation.

The post-study period depends on the qualification:

• Bachelor's graduates normally receive an additional four months after completing their studies to seek employment or apply for further study
• Master's and doctoral graduates also receive four additional months and may apply for a further residence extension of up to nine months to seek employment
• The additional nine-month period is not automatic and must be requested before the current permission expires

Graduates who secure employment must obtain the appropriate work-related residence status.

Edu Consultancy can assist students with:

• Initial academic and financial assessment
• University and programme selection
• Application preparation and submission
• Qualification-recognition guidance
• Academic-document review
• Motivation letter and CV preparation
• Scholarship application support
• Visa and residence-permit documentation
• Accommodation and pre-departure planning
• Post-arrival guidance

Latvia can be a suitable choice for students seeking affordable European education, particularly in IT, Engineering, Business, Logistics and Health Sciences. Before paying tuition, applicants should verify the institution's accreditation, total programme cost and professional recognition in their intended country of employment.