Study in Riga, Latvia

About Riga

Riga is the capital of Latvia and the largest city in the Baltic states. According to the city council, it was officially founded in 1201; its historic core lies on the right bank of the Daugava River, about 10 kilometres from where the river flows into the Gulf of Riga. The old town, the wide boulevards of the centre and the seaside close by give the city a compact, walkable feel.

Students come to Riga for degree programmes taught in English, for exchange semesters within the European Union, and for language courses. Latvian is the official language, and Russian and English are widely heard in the city.

Studying in Riga

Our directory lists 3 schools in Riga: two universities and a language school. The University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitāte) states that it is the largest university in the country by total number of students. It is a comprehensive university that combines teaching with research in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, technical sciences and medicine. Riga Technical University, the other university in our list, covers engineering, architecture, computer science and related technical fields. For Russian, the directory lists the Russian Language School at the Baltic International Academy.

International degree students at the University of Latvia must prove their English, for example with an IELTS score of at least 6.0 for most programmes. The 2026-27 academic year at the University of Latvia starts on 31 August 2026, and the spring semester starts on 8 February 2027. Latvia offers state scholarships to students from partner countries for up to two semesters per study cycle, and the Baltic Universities Scholarship awards €2,000 a year to a student who speaks all three Baltic languages.

Cost of living for students

The University of Latvia runs two student hotels for international students. From 1 July 2026, a single room at Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela 161 costs €220 to €272 a month and a place in a double room €152 to €181; the minimum stay is two months. The university says that public transport takes about 20 minutes from its student housing to the city centre, the main university building and the old town.

Students from outside the European Union who need a residence permit must show subsistence of at least €780 per month, according to the University of Latvia. The same amount applies to EU citizens who register their stay. Examining the documents for a temporary residence permit costs €160 within 30 days, and the whole procedure takes more than 40 days, so apply early.

Getting around and daily life

The city centre and old town are easy to explore on foot, and trams, trolleybuses and buses run by the municipal company Rīgas satiksme cover the rest of the city; trolleybus 15, for example, connects the main university building with the Prima student hotel. Riga has a maritime climate. The city council gives an average temperature of 16.9 °C in July and -4.7 °C in January, and snow usually lies from mid-December to mid-March, so warm winter clothing is essential.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Riga?

Yes. The University of Latvia admits international degree students who prove their English, for example with an IELTS score of at least 6.0. Check the language of each programme before you apply.

How much does student housing cost in Riga?

At the University of Latvia's student hotel at Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela 161, a single room costs €220 to €272 a month from 1 July 2026, and a place in a double room €152 to €181.

How much money do I need to show for a Latvian residence permit?

The University of Latvia states that students must document at least €780 per month for subsistence. The document check for a temporary residence permit costs €160 for the standard 30-day procedure.

When does the academic year start in Riga?

At the University of Latvia, the autumn semester of 2026-27 starts on 31 August 2026 and the spring semester on 8 February 2027.