Study and find schools in Latvia

Studying in Latvia

Latvia is one of the three Baltic states, on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, and a member of the European Union and the Schengen area. For international students it offers European degrees in a small, compact country, with most higher education concentrated in the capital, Riga. Latvian is the state language, and many universities also teach full programmes in English for international students.

Our directory lists four active schools in Latvia: three higher education institutions and one language school. Three of them are in Riga and one in Valmiera, in the northern region of Vidzeme. Popular subjects among these schools include Russian language and literature, business administration, communications, public administration and information technology.

The education system in Latvia

General education in Latvia lasts 12 years: nine years of compulsory basic education followed by three years of secondary education, according to the Academic Information Centre (AIC), the national recognition body. Secondary school can be general or vocational.

Higher education is provided by public and private institutions with a high degree of autonomy. Universities (universitāte) offer both academic and professional programmes; other institutions, such as academies and colleges (koledža), focus on professional programmes. Colleges provide first-level professional higher education, a shorter, career-oriented route.

The Ministry of Education and Science describes three levels of higher education:

• Bachelor's degree, academic or professional
• Master's degree, academic or professional, which is required for doctoral studies
• Doctorate, awarded after the public defence of a doctoral thesis

Since amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions that took effect in October 2022, Latvian credit points follow ECTS: 60 credit points correspond to one academic year of full-time study, and one credit point equals 25 to 30 hours of study work. This makes it easier to move between Latvian and other European universities, for example on Erasmus+ exchanges.

Admission and recognition of qualifications

Students apply directly to the university and programme they have chosen. Each institution sets its own admission rules and deadlines, and documents from previous education usually have to be legalised. At the University of Latvia, for example, all international candidates must prove their English level; an IELTS score of at least 6.0 is one of the accepted options, and the university also lists accepted tests for German, French, Spanish (DELE B2), Italian, Russian and Latvian.

Foreign qualifications are evaluated by the AIC. Academic recognition is needed to continue education in Latvia or to work in an unregulated profession. The AIC checks the authenticity of the document, the status of the institution and the programme, and then issues a statement on which Latvian qualification the foreign one corresponds to. The statement is prepared within a month, and the AIC may ask for translations into Latvian or another official EU language. Students who want to work in a regulated profession follow a separate professional recognition procedure.

Student visa and residence

Citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not need a visa. If they stay in Latvia for more than 90 days, they must apply in person for a registration certificate at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) within 90 days of arrival.

Students from other countries need a temporary residence permit for degree studies. The University of Latvia lists the main documents, as checked in October 2026:

• An invitation from the university, approved before the application
• Proof of payment of the study fee and a copy of the study agreement
• A bank statement showing at least €780 per month for living costs
• Proof of accommodation in Latvia and health insurance valid in Latvia
• Legalised documents on previous education and a criminal record certificate

The university notes that the procedure takes over 40 days and that the permit is issued for the period for which the study fee has been paid. Citizens of a list of countries, including Morocco, must apply in person at a Latvian embassy because an additional assessment applies. Requirements change, so always check the OCMA (pmlp.gov.lv) and the university's international office before applying.

Costs and scholarships

Latvia has state-funded study places and fee-paying places. The number of state-funded places is decided each year by the Ministry of Education and Science, and students who are not admitted to a funded place pay tuition fees, which each institution sets. According to Eurydice (updated March 2026, citing OECD data), the average tuition fee for bachelor's programmes at public institutions is USD 6,782 a year, and students from outside the EU/EEA pay on average USD 20,071 a year. Most institutions also charge an application fee of about €20.

For living costs, the €780 per month that migration rules require as proof of means is a useful reference. Under bilateral agreements, the Latvian government offers state scholarships to students from partner countries for up to two semesters within one study cycle; applications go through the State Education Development Agency. Erasmus+ supports exchanges with other European universities.

Where to study

Riga is the main study city, with three of the four schools in our directory. The University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitāte) is, according to the university, the largest in the country by number of students and carries out research in more than 50 research areas. Riga Technical University is the other large institution in the capital, and the Russian Language School of the Baltic International Academy teaches Russian to non-native speakers.

Outside the capital, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Vidzemes Augstskola, ViA) in Valmiera is a smaller institution that celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. A regional institution can be a good option for students who prefer a small campus and closer contact with teaching staff.

Practical life

Health insurance is compulsory. EU students need at least a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Students from outside the EU need a policy valid in Latvia and the whole Schengen area, covering emergency care, treatment and repatriation, with a minimum cover of €42,600, according to the University of Latvia. The emergency number in Latvia is 112.

Programmes for international students are often taught in English, but learning some Latvian helps in daily life and in finding a placement or job.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Latvia?

Yes. Many universities offer programmes in English for international students. They ask for proof of English, for example an IELTS score of at least 6.0 at the University of Latvia.

How much does it cost to study in Latvia?

Fees depend on the institution and the programme. According to Eurydice, the average bachelor's fee at public institutions is USD 6,782 a year, while students from outside the EU/EEA pay on average USD 20,071 a year.

Do I need a residence permit to study in Latvia?

Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a temporary residence permit for degree studies, with proof of at least €780 per month. EU citizens staying more than 90 days register with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

How is my foreign diploma recognised in Latvia?

The Academic Information Centre evaluates foreign qualifications and issues a statement within a month on which Latvian qualification they correspond to.

How are credits counted in Latvia?

Latvia uses ECTS-compatible credit points: 60 credit points equal one year of full-time study.