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Study in Latvia

An EU degree, taught in English, at Baltic prices

Latvia is a European Union, Schengen and eurozone country on the Baltic Sea, and its degrees follow the same Bologna three-cycle structure and ECTS credits used across Europe, so a Latvian qualification is read directly by universities and employers elsewhere in the EU.

Get free Latvia counsellingBrowse Latvia universities
Latvia148 programmes · 72 universities
8Universities listed
$800Avg. monthly living cost
IELTS 5.5–6.0 overall, depending on programmeEnglish requirement
RigaCapital city148English-taught programmes

Overview

Why study in Latvia?

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Latvia is a European Union, Schengen and eurozone country on the Baltic Sea, and its degrees follow the same Bologna three-cycle structure and ECTS credits used across Europe, so a Latvian qualification is read directly by universities and employers elsewhere in the EU. Consumer prices sit well below the EU average and the biggest saving is housing, although groceries often cost more than newcomers expect, so build a budget around cheaper rent and a realistic weekly shop. Indian students are the largest international group in the country by a wide margin, which means established communities in Riga and admissions offices that are used to South Asian qualifications. Tuition for English-taught degrees at our partner universities starts at around EUR 2,500 a year with the middle of the range close to EUR 4,000; medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine sit in a different class entirely, from roughly EUR 9,600 to EUR 20,000. Many universities publish two tuition rates, a lower one for EU citizens and a higher one for everyone else, so always confirm the rate that applies to you before you commit.

Quick facts

Everything you need to know at a glance.

Language of instruction
Latvian
Tuition fees
EUR 2,500 – 20,000 / year
Avg monthly cost
$800 / month (approx.)
English test
IELTS 5.5–6.0 overall, depending on programme
Top student cities
Riga, Jelgava, Daugavpils, Liepaja
Currency
EUR
Riga · Wikimedia

Where students go

Top student cities

From the capital to quieter university towns — where our Latvia students actually enrol.

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  • Riga7 universities · 137 programmes
  • Jelgava1 university · 11 programmes

City photographs from Wikimedia Commons · Riga, Jelgava

Before you travel

Student visa

Get your student visa with a simple and transparent process.

Students from outside the EU taking a full degree apply for a temporary residence permit on study grounds, issued for the length of the programme plus four months. Your university issues an invitation number first; you then apply at the Latvian embassy in your country of residence (New Delhi for India, by appointment) and the decision is made by the migration authority in Latvia.

Read the full guidance

You must evidence subsistence funds pegged to the Latvian statutory minimum monthly wage, currently EUR 780 a month for an adult applicant and EUR 234 for each accompanying child, and hold health insurance meeting the authority's minimum cover. At standard 30-day processing the state fees are EUR 160 to examine the application and EUR 75 to register the permit, plus EUR 90 for the long-stay D visa used to travel and collect the card; faster processing costs more and the fees are not refundable. The permit is a biometric ID card, so biometrics are taken in person. Older pages still show a lower subsistence figure than the one in force, so confirm the current amount on the migration authority's subsistence page before you budget.

  1. 1Apply to a universitySecure your admission offer
  2. 2Prepare your documentsWe check every page with you
  3. 3Submit the applicationLodged with the consulate or online
  4. 4Receive your permitTravel with your study permit in hand

Documents we prepare with you

  • Valid passport
  • Admission letter
  • Proof of funds
  • Academic certificates
  • Passport photos

While you study

Work while studying

Earn, gain experience and build your future.

  • Full-time bachelor's students may work up to 20 hours a week for any employer, and up to 40 hours a week during study breaks.
  • Full-time master's and doctoral students may work without an hours limit, provided their studies are running.
More on working here
  • The right comes with the residence permit itself, so there is no waiting period after arrival.
  • The permit already runs four months past graduation, and master's and doctoral graduates can apply, before it expires, for a further period in which to look for work; it is granted at the migration authority's discretion rather than automatically, and the length of that window is set by the authority, so confirm the current position with them or with your university.
  • A stay granted only to search for work does not by itself carry the right to be employed.

Work today, build tomorrow

Our counsellors explain the hours, permits and paperwork before you land.

Funding

Scholarships and funding

Programmes in Latvia that list a scholarship on our catalogue.

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  • RISEBA UniversityCheck university website: Check programme pageAudiovisual and Immersive Technologies Art

Programmes

Top programmes in Latvia

Popular programs from our catalogue — Empire Overseas Education verified ones carry a verified badge

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Institutions

Top universities in Latvia

Institutions we can apply to on your behalf.

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Compare Latvia with other countries

Tuition, living costs and work rights, side by side.

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Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to common questions about studying in Latvia.

What are the tuition fees in Latvia?
Programmes on our catalogue for Latvia range from EUR 2,500 – 20,000 per year. Fees are set by each university and programme.
What are the living costs in Latvia?
Budget around $800 a month for accommodation, food and transport. Costs vary by city.
Is IELTS required for Latvia?
IELTS 5.5–6.0 overall, depending on programme. English-test requirement derived from 128 of our 143 verified Latvia programmes. Individual programmes set their own; your counsellor confirms the exact score.
Can I work while studying in Latvia?
Full-time bachelor's students may work up to 20 hours a week for any employer, and up to 40 hours a week during study breaks. Full-time master's and doctoral students may work without an hours limit, provided their studies are running. The right comes with the residence permit itself, so there is no waiting period after arrival. The permit already runs four months past graduation, and master's and doctoral graduates can apply, before it expires, for a further period in which to look for work; it is granted at the migration authority's discretion rather than automatically, and the length of that window is set by the authority, so confirm the current position with them or with your university. A stay granted only to search for work does not by itself carry the right to be employed.
Which cities do international students choose?
Riga, Jelgava, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jurmala
How does the student visa work for Latvia?
Students from outside the EU taking a full degree apply for a temporary residence permit on study grounds, issued for the length of the programme plus four months. Your university issues an invitation number first; you then apply at the Latvian embassy in your country of residence (New Delhi for India, by appointment) and the decision is made by the migration authority in Latvia. You must evidence subsistence funds pegged to the Latvian statutory minimum monthly wage, currently EUR 780 a month for an adult applicant and EUR 234 for each accompanying child, and hold health insurance meeting the authority's minimum cover. At standard 30-day processing the state fees are EUR 160 to examine the application and EUR 75 to register the permit, plus EUR 90 for the long-stay D visa used to travel and collect the card; faster processing costs more and the fees are not refundable. The permit is a biometric ID card, so biometrics are taken in person. Older pages still show a lower subsistence figure than the one in force, so confirm the current amount on the migration authority's subsistence page before you budget.