Latvia, and Riga in particular, is a good choice for students looking for affordable education, English-taught programmes and a European environment.
Why Latvia?
- An EU degree and the Schengen area
- Riga — the largest student city in the Baltics
- English-taught programmes in business, IT, medicine and engineering
- Everyday life is easier for those who speak Russian
Education system and levels
- Bachelor’s: 3–4 years
- Master’s: 1–2 years
- Medicine: 6 years
Foreign qualifications are recognised by the Academic Information Centre (AIC).
Tuition and living costs
- Tuition fees: approximately €2,000–€5,000 per year; €12,000+ for medicine
- Living costs: €500–€800 per month
Scholarships
- Latvian state scholarships (through VIAA, based on bilateral agreements)
- Universities’ discounts and scholarships
- Erasmus+ exchange opportunities
Admission requirements and documents
- Diploma and transcript (apostille, translation)
- English language certificate (usually B2 level)
- Motivation letter, CV
- Online interview for some programmes
Student visa: step by step
- The university files an official invitation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).
- Submit your documents with the invitation number at the Latvian Embassy in Baku.
- Your residence permit is issued in Latvia.
Fees
- Visa: €60
- Residence permit: €70 (up to 30 days); master’s and doctoral students are exempt
- Fast-track: €200 (10 working days) or €400 (5 working days)
Can you work on a student visa?
You can work up to 20 hours a week during studies and up to 40 during holidays; master’s and doctoral students can work up to 40 hours.
Source: EU Immigration Portal — Latviya. Checked: October 2026. Rules and fees can change — check the official website before applying.
Universities and programmes in Latvia
5 programmes found
| University / programme | Country | Level | Deadline | Language requirement | Application fee | Annual tuition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Latvia Physics | Latvia Riga | Master's | ~ 18.06.2027 Estimated | €170 | €2,900 / year | Details | |
| Turība University Business Psychology and Human Resource Management | Latvia Riga | Master's | ~ 31.07.2027 Estimated | B2-level English | €200 | €6,000 / year | Details |
| Latvijas Makslas Akademija (koordinator) Joint Master’s Degree Programme in Service Design Strategies and Innovations (SDSI) — Erasmus Mundus | Latvia Consortium: Estonia, Finland, Latvia | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Riga Technical University (RTU) Chemistry and Chemical Technology (Polymer Materials) | Latvia Riga | Master's | The 2027/28 call has not been published yet To be confirmed | IELTS 5.5 (TOEFL iBT 72, Duolingo 100) | €165 | €5,890 / year | Details |
| Riga Technical University (RTU) Material Science and Nanotechnologies | Latvia Riga | Master's | The 2027/28 call has not been published yet To be confirmed | B2 English | To be confirmed | €4,830 / year | Details |
Note: amounts are approximate and vary by university, programme and year. It is important to check the official source before applying. Last updated: October 2026.
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