01
Affordable Education
Tuition starts as low as €2,000/year, with low living costs compared to Western Europe.
Study destination
Study in Latvia
Latvia is a beautiful country located in Northern Europe, bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus, with a coastline along the Baltic Sea. A member of the European Union, Schengen Area, and NATO, Latvia offers a high standard of living, a safe environment, and globally recognized education at affordable costs.
At a glance
Key facts
Everything you need to know about Latvia before you start planning.
Continent
Europe
Capital
Riga
Languages
Latvian (English widely spoken)
Currency
Euro (€)
Population
~1.8 million
EU/Schengen
Yes (Since 2004)
Int. Students
Over 8,000 annually
Main Industries
IT, Logistics, Engineering
Why this destination
Why study in Latvia?
Discover the benefits of choosing Latvia for your education.
02
Globally Recognized
Degrees are fully compliant with the Bologna Process and recognized worldwide.
03
Gateway to Europe
Valid student visa allows travel across all 26 EU Schengen countries.
04
Safe Environment
Latvia is known for being one of the safest nations in the EU.
Education system
How studying in Latvia works
The levels of education and how your work is graded.
Levels of education
1
Bachelor's Degree
3–4 yearsUndergraduate program using ECTS
2
Master's Degree
1–2 yearsPostgraduate program using ECTS
3
Doctorate (PhD)
3–4 yearsResearch-focused degree
Grading system
Excellent / Outstanding
First Class / 4.0 GPA
Very Good / Above Average
Upper Second / 3.5 GPA
Good / Average Performance
Lower Second / 3.0 GPA
Satisfactory / Pass
Pass / 2.0–2.5 GPA
Fail (Further work required)
Fail / 0.0 GPA
Essential guide
Costs & key aspects
Tuition, living costs, intakes and other essentials at a glance.
| Key aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Fees (Undergraduate) | €2,000–5,000 |
| Annual Tuition Fees (Postgraduate) | €2,500–6,000 |
| Estimated Monthly Living Costs | €450–700 (covers accommodation, food, transport, and utilities) |
| Part-Time Work Rights | Up to 20 hours/week during academic semesters, full-time during scheduled university vacations. |
| Post-Study Work Opportunity | Eligible graduates can apply for a Post-Study Work (PSW) or Job Seeker visa ranging from 1 to 3 years. |
| Main Admission Intakes | Primary intake in September/October (Autumn/Fall) and secondary intake in January/February (Winter). |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS (6.0–6.5 average), TOEFL iBT (80–90+), or PTE Academic (58–65). Duolingo accepted by select universities. |
Entry requirements
What you need to get in
Academic and English language requirements for international students.
| Program level | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation / Pathway | Class 12th (10+2) with minimum 50%–60% marks from a recognized board. | IELTS 5.0–5.5 / TOEFL 60 / PTE 45 |
| Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) | Class 12th (10+2) with minimum 65%–85% aggregate marks in relevant subjects. | IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL 80+ / PTE 58+ |
| Postgraduate (Master’s) | Recognized Bachelor’s degree with 60%–75% aggregate marks (First/Second Class). | IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL 90+ / PTE 65+ |
| Doctoral (PhD / Research) | Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with strong research proposal and faculty mentorship. | IELTS 6.5–7.0+ / TOEFL 95+ / PTE 68+ |
Institutions
Types of institutions
Understanding the different kinds of universities and colleges available.
Universities
Offer academic and professional higher education and conduct research.
University Colleges
Focus on applied sciences and professional qualifications.
Non-university Institutions
Specialize in specific fields like medicine, business, and arts.
Funding
Scholarships & aid
Financial aid opportunities for international students.
Latvian State Scholarships (VIAA)
€500/month (Bachelor/Master) or €670/month (PhD) for living expenses. (Does not cover tuition).
University-Specific Scholarships
E.g., RTU and RSU offer up to 100% tuition fee waivers based on academic merit.
Erasmus+ Scholarships
Monthly stipend (€850–€1,200/month) + waiver of tuition fees during exchange mobility.
Doctoral and Research Fellowships
Monthly stipend (€670–€1,200) for PhD/postdoc funding in collaboration with the Latvian Council of Science.
Summer School Scholarships
VIAA funded participation cost, accommodation, and meals for short-term courses.
Intakes
When you can start
Admission cycles for international students in Latvia.
Fall Intake
Most preferred and widely available intake. Almost all Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs are open.
Best for: All students, especially for engineering, business, IT, and medicine.
Spring Intake
Limited number of programs, mostly focusing on business, IT, management, and selected Master's.
Best for: Students who missed the fall intake or prefer a flexible start.
Top universities
Where to apply
Leading universities in Latvia, ranked by the QS World University Rankings.
| Rank (QS) | University | UG fees / year | PG fees / year | Popular courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 801–850 | University of Latvia | €2,000–€6,000 | €2,000–€6,000 | Business, CS, Medicine |
| 751–800 | Riga Technical University | €3,000–€5,500 | €3,000–€5,500 | Engineering, Architecture, IT |
| 801–850 | Rīga Stradiņš University | €6,000–€15,000 | €6,000–€15,000 | Medicine, Dentistry, Public Health |
| 1001+ | Latvia Univ. of Life Sciences | €2,000–€4,000 | €2,000–€4,000 | Agriculture, Forestry, Vet |
| 1001+ | Turiba University | €2,800–€4,000 | €2,800–€4,000 | Business, Law, Management |
| 1001+ | Daugavpils University | €2,000–€3,500 | €2,000–€3,500 | Humanities, Social Sciences |
| 1001+ | Ventspils UAS | €2,500–€4,000 | €2,500–€4,000 | IT, Electronics, Translation |
| 1001+ | Liepaja University | €2,200–€3,800 | €2,200–€3,800 | New Media, Physics, Education |
| - | Art Academy of Latvia | €3,500–€6,000 | €3,500–€6,000 | Visual Arts, Design |
| - | Baltic International Academy | €2,000–€3,000 | €2,000–€3,000 | Business, Tourism, Languages |
*Fees vary by course. Tuition fees are per year for international students.
Admission requirements
Your application checklist
What you need to apply to universities in Latvia.
Fall Timeline
Application: Feb-Jul. Visa Process: Jul-Aug.
Spring Timeline
Application: Sep-Nov. Visa Process: Nov-Jan.
Important Note
Start preparing documents (transcripts, SOPs, LORs, IELTS/TOEFL) 3-4 months before deadlines.
Careers
Career growth & post-study work
High-demand sectors and the work options open to you after graduation.
6-Month Job-Seeking Visa
After graduation, students can apply for a 6-month job-seeking visa to find employment and convert it to a work permit.
IT & Software Development
- Outlook: Rapidly expanding tech scene
- Roles / employers: TietoEVRY, Accenture
€1,200 – €3,500/mo
Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Outlook: High demand for researchers & nurses
- Roles / employers: National Health Service
€1,000 – €3,000/mo
Business, Finance & Management
- Outlook: Multinational hubs
- Roles / employers: SEB, Swedbank
€1,200 – €3,000/mo
Engineering & Manufacturing
- Outlook: Investing in automation
- Roles / employers: Latvijas Finieris
€1,000 – €2,800/mo
Transport & Logistics
- Outlook: Strategic EU/CIS hub
- Roles / employers: AirBaltic, DHL
€900 – €2,500/mo
Permanent residency
The road to PR
International students can transition to permanent residency (PR) and citizenship after fulfilling specific criteria.
1
Complete Studies
Graduate from a recognized Latvian institution.
2
Job-Seeking Visa
Apply for a 6-month job-seeking visa to search for full-time work.
3
Work Permit (TRP)
Secure a job offer and apply for a work-based Temporary Residence Permit (TRP).
4
Permanent Residency (After 5 Years)
Eligible after 5 years of legal continuous stay on a TRP. Requires stable income and A2 Latvian.
5
Latvian Citizenship (After 10 Years)
Apply after 10 years of legal residence (5 yrs TRP + 5 yrs PR). Requires B1 Latvian.
Visas
Latvia visa types
A quick overview of the visas international students use.
| Visa type | Purpose | Work allowed? | PR pathway? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type D (Student Visa) | Full-time study | 20 hrs/week | Up to 12 months |
| Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) | Long stay for study/work | Yes | 1–5 years |
| Work Visa | Full-time employment | Full-time | 1–5 years |
| Type C (Schengen) | Short stay | No | 90 days in 180 days |
| Startup Visa | Start an innovative business | Yes | 1–5 years |
01 Is there a Post-Study Work visa in Latvia?
Yes, international graduates can apply for a 6-month job-seeking visa to find employment after graduation.
02 Are there fully funded scholarships in Latvia?
The Latvian State Scholarships provide a monthly stipend (e.g., €500/month) for living expenses, but they do not cover tuition fees. Some university-specific scholarships may offer up to 100% tuition waivers.
03 Can international students get Permanent Residency in Latvia?
Yes! After living continuously in Latvia for 5 years on a Temporary Residence Permit, with stable income and A2 Latvian language proficiency, you can apply for Permanent Residency.
04 Do I need to speak Latvian to study in Latvia?
No. Latvia offers many English-taught programs. However, learning basic Latvian is required if you plan to settle there and apply for Permanent Residency.
Free counselling
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