Study in Latvia – Skostudent

Education in Latvia

Officially, the Republic of Latvia is located in the north of Europe, and the country borders; It borders Estonia to the north, Russia and Belarus to the east, and Lithuania to the south. The Republic of Latvia was established on November 18, 1918, and the government is run by democracy, Riga is the largest city and capital of Latvia, the language spoken in the country is Latvian, and the currency used is the Euro.

Master’s education in Latvia Master’s programs can be completed in 1-2 years and doctoral programs in 3-4 years. In general, departments at the master’s level in Latvia: Applied Sciences and Specialties, Arts, Design and Architecture, Business and Management, Computer Science and IT, Education and Training, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences, Sport, Humanities, Journalism and Media, Law, Medicine and Health, they are Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Social Sciences

For a country of over two million people, Latvia has a rich culture of both public and private higher education opportunities. Programs taught in foreign languages (especially English and Russian, with a few German and Scandinavian language programs) cover various specializations, from architecture to the sciences. In particular, medical education and aviation industry specializations are the country’s most popular study programs. Master’s studies in Latvia are approximately 3,700 EURO for international students, and scholarships for master’s studies are valid for one academic year. Masters in Latvia

There are about 60 higher education institutions specializing in various fields of study in the country, and higher education institutions are mainly concentrated in big cities; Riga, Daugavpils, and Liepaja are the cities with the most universities. Some universities are ideal for those planning an academic future and research activities in agriculture and social sciences. In contrast, others are geared towards professional careers such as medicine. The most popular master’s fields in the country are business, finance programs and law.

What are the Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Latvia?

Although the required documents and registration procedures for studying a master’s degree in Latvia vary depending on the significant, university, and program you choose, in general, the following are required:

Completing the university application form and submitting the required documents
Payment of fees and completion of the registration process
If there is a university entrance exam, to attend and enroll in the university of your choice
Residence permit process and manual delivery of necessary documents to the university.

In order to be accepted to master’s programs in Latvia, international students must have achieved high marks in their undergraduate degree and Latvian universities must accept their diplomas.

In Latvia, one of Northern Europe’s most beautiful and must-see countries, daylight hours can reach about 20 hours in spring. Depending on the EU membership and the Bologna process, in Latvia, which has integrated its higher education system into the EU, language studies can be completed in 3-4 years and master’s studies in 1-2 years. Diplomas of students who graduated from universities in this country are recognized throughout Europe for the Blue Diploma.

Education in Latvia

Being located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, Latvia plays the role of a bridge between East, West, North, and South. Due to the favorable physical and geographical position of the region, the quality of the management system, and the hard work of the population, Latvia today is a somewhat developed state despite being a small country. Latvia has a population of about 2 million. Riga’s capital has a rich cultural history with opera, ballet, art galleries, and museums. Even in 2014, Riga was chosen as the “Cultural Capital of Europe”.

The official language of the state is Latvian. Most of the population speaks Latvian and English. In addition, due to being part of the USSR for a long time, the Russian language is considered one of the most widely used languages in the country.

Being a member of international organizations such as NATO and the European Union, Latvia allows international students to study according to world standards. Engineering, Medicine, Business Administration, Tourism, Public Relations, Banking, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, etc. Up to 5,500 young people choose to get their higher education in Latvia every year. Latvia attracts the attention of international students year after year due to its modern and safe learning environment, academic teaching staff and educational programs known in the international arena, affordable tuition fees, and budget-friendly accommodation.

The education system in Latvia is built on interactive learning and hands-on learning. There are 58 higher education institutions in the country. Universities offer more than 200 English-language courses to international students. Most of these majors are at the Bachelor’s level. The capital city, Riga, is home to most universities, including the largest, the University of Latvia. This university is almost 100 years old, and many English-language specialties are taught here, including medicine and stomatology.

Unlike other countries, many higher education institutions in Latvia do not require an international language certificate when accepting international students. Language skills testing is usually done during online interviews with international students. According to the Bologna system, all three higher education levels – Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate – are represented at a high level in Latvian universities. In Latvia, Bachelor’s education lasts 3-4 years, Master’s education lasts 1-2 years, and Doctoral studies lasts 3-4 years.

University fees in Latvia are affordable compared to other EU countries. Tuition fees may vary depending on the university and specialty program you choose. Generally speaking, tuition fees in Latvian higher education institutions are as follows:

✓ 3000-7000 € per year for undergraduate studies
✓ A maximum of €9,000 for Master’s studies
✓ Fee for doctoral education is 1200-5500€.

Public universities often offer lower tuition fees than private institutions.

Higher education in Latvia

There are numerous study programs and many student scholarships available for international students.
Diplomas of Latvian educational institutions are globally recognized.
Education fees and living expenses in Latvia follow the “student budget.”
Being an economically developing country, Latvia offers international students a wide range of career opportunities for the future.
From university time, students can work, gain experience, and ensure financial independence. Thus, students can work 20 hours a week during their studies. It is possible to work even 40 hours during holidays. In addition, many universities send international students to internship programs during the summer.

What documents are required for admission to Latvian universities?

✓ A valid citizenship passport
✓ 6 document photos of 35*45 cm size and white background
✓ High school graduation certificate for Bachelor’s degree
✓ A bachelor’s degree from the university you graduated from to get a master’s degree
✓ International English language certificates – IELTS, TOEFL or PTE (Pearson Tests of English)
✓ Curriculum Vitae
✓ Official certificate of non-conviction
✓ Reference from the bank showing the student’s name, date of birth, and passport number
✓ International debit card with a minimum balance of €4763 from the same bank
✓ Letter of motivation

Living in Latvia.

Latvia’s living cost is affordable compared to other leading European countries. Universities in the form of dormitories and hostels usually provide student accommodation in the country. The living expenses depend on the city where the students will live and the living conditions. A monthly average of 450-700€ is enough for a student, including food, transport, utilities, and accommodation.

If students want to live in rented apartments instead of the dormitories offered by the universities, the prices will be like this: a single-person rental house in the city center costs 372€, and the same house in the suburb’s costs 261€. A 3-person apartment for rent in the city’s outskirts is 673€, and the same apartment outside the city center is 475€.

As for food costs, 1 liter of milk – 0.91€, 500 g of white bread – 0.87€, 12 eggs – 1.76€, 1 kg of chicken fillet – 5.31€, 1 kg of beef – 7.76€, 1.5 liters of water – 0.63€, 1 kg of potatoes – 0.46€. If you want to order from a restaurant, a meal for one person in an inexpensive restaurant will be 6.50€, a 3-course meal for two people in a medium-class restaurant will be 35.00€, and 0.33 liters of water will be 0.78€.

Utility costs are 175€ per month, including electricity, heating, water, and garbage disposal in a residential apartment with an average area of 85 m2. The 1-minute pre-paid mobile tariff will be 0.10€, and the monthly internet-WIFI payment will be 16€.

Regarding transportation costs, a public transport ticket for one person is 1.15€, and a one-time ticket for a monthly trip is around 50.00€. The price of a taxi for a distance of 1 km at the average rate is 0.70€. If you want to use a private car, the price of 1 liter of gasoline is 1.28€.

For your relaxation and health, a monthly fitness club fee is €33.64 per person, and a cinema ticket is €8.00 per person.

Latvian universities

Riga Technical University 1001+; 2,000 – 5,000 euro

University of Latvia 801-1000; 3,000 – 7,000 euro

Riga Stradiņš University 801-1000; 8,000 – 12,000 euro

Vidzeme University 1001+; 1,500 – 3,000 euro

Daugavpils University 1001+; 1,000 – 2,000 euro

Liepaja University 1001+; 1,500 – 3,000 euro

Rezekne University 1001+; 1,500 – 3,000 euro

Universities in Latvia where you can study on a low budget

Many universities in Latvia offer low-budget study programs. Below are the names of universities where you can study on a budget in Latvia and their average tuition fees:

University of Vidzeme: 1,500 – 3,000 EUR/year
University of Daugavpils: 1,000 – 2,000 EUR/year
University of Liepaja: 1,500 – 3,000 EUR/year
University of Rezekne: 1,500 – 3,000 EUR/year

Although these universities offer high-quality educational programs, they cost less than other universities. Therefore, they are ideal for students who want to study in Latvia on a budget. However, the choice of university depends not only on the budget but also on the student’s interests, career goals, and other factors.

Working in Latvia

Latvia is a developed country that offers many job opportunities, especially in Riga’s capital. Some of these job opportunities are also suitable for applicants. Some of the job opportunities are mentioned below:

Part-time work: Many shops, restaurants, and cafes in Riga offer part-time work to students. These jobs are usually suitable for working weekends and evenings.

Language teaching: Students who speak a foreign language can earn extra income by teaching at language schools or privately.

Tourism sector: Since Riga is a prosperous city in terms of tourism, there are opportunities to work in the tourism sector. Museum, tourist guide, and hotel jobs can be good student options.

Consulting services: Students can earn income by providing research and consulting services for universities or consulting firms.

Information technology: The information technology sector in Latvia is growing, and students can work in jobs such as software development or web design.

Sales and marketing: Students can work in sales and marketing positions in many companies in Riga.

What are the Advantages of Studying a Master’s Degree in Latvia?

About 60 higher education institutions specializing in various fields of study operate in the country, and higher education institutions are mainly concentrated in large cities: Riga, Daugavpils, and Liepaja are the cities with the most significant number of universities. Some universities are ideal for those planning an academic future and research activities in agriculture and social sciences. In contrast, others are geared towards professional careers such as medicine. The most popular master’s programs in the country are business, finance, and law.

Many countries and their culture have influenced Latvia; therefore, the country has many different and colorful cultures. Some towns have historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, and some of the best Art Nouveau architecture in Europe can be seen here. Military history and castles play an essential role in a country with many museums, and the country also has many art galleries with abundant statues and monuments.

Is it possible to get a master’s degree in Latvia without an exam?

At Latvian universities, prospective students can study in the specialty and program of their choice, and thus prospective students can be admitted to master’s programs without taking any exams. For this, they can apply to higher education institutions in Latvia with notarized and certified copies of the diploma documents obtained from the institutions they graduated from in our country and get higher education without taking any exams.

Bachelor studies in Latvia

About 60 higher education institutions specialize in various fields in Latvia, and higher education institutions are mainly concentrated in big cities. Riga, Daugavpils and Liepaja are the cities with the most universities. Some universities are ideal for those planning an academic future and research activities in agriculture and social sciences. In contrast, others focus on professional careers such as medicine, and the most popular master’s programs in Latvia are business, finance, and law.

What are the majors you can study as a bachelor in Latvia?

Bachelor’s and Master’s studies in Latvia are offered depending on the Bologna curriculum. Master’s programs can be completed in 1-2 years and doctoral programs in 3-4 years. In general, master’s degrees in Latvia;

Applied Sciences and Specialties, Arts, Design and Architecture, Business and Management, Computer Science and IT, Education, and Science, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences, Sports, Humanities, Journalism and Media, Law, Medicine and Health, They are Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Social Sciences.

Is getting a bachelor’s degree in Latvia without an exam possible?

At Latvian universities, prospective students can study in the specialty and program of their choice, and thus, prospective students can be admitted to bachelor’s programs without taking any exams. For this, they can apply to higher education institutions in Latvia with notarized and certified copies of the diploma documents obtained from the higher education institutions they graduated from in our country, and get higher education without taking any exams.

Latvian education visa

In addition, Latvia is part of the Schengen zone with no border controls, which means visa requirements are the same as countries such as France and Germany. Any member of the Schengen area can issue a visa to that area, but you must enter the area through the visa-issuing country; for example, You cannot cross France with a Schengen visa issued by Poland.

The Latvian student visa is issued for 2 to 4 weeks. As this period will differ in all applications, applications should be made up to 1 month before the trip.

How to Apply?

Before applying for a Latvia student visa, you must decide whether you will get a student visit or a general student visa. A student visitor visa is issued to those who will be in the country for up to 3 months of language or summer school, and in this case, it is not possible to extend the visa or work permit. You need a general student visa if you study for more than 90 days and can prove that you have enough income to live in Latvia.

However, they will not be allowed to work because they will study in the first year of the preparatory program. However, they will be allowed to work 20 hours a week with a residence permit from the first year after admission to the university. You can get a Latvian student visa at your nearest visa application center. If there is a Latvian consulate or Latvian embassy where you are, you can also apply here.

How to Get a Student Visa to Study in Latvia?

There are documents required to obtain a student visa to study in Latvia, and the completeness of these documents is essential to the smooth running of your visa process. Latvia student visa requires passport, two passport size cards, visa application fee, visa application form, application, and an acceptance letter. Apart from these, health certificates, valid birth certificates, criminal records, military service certificates, and family information are also required from those who are married.

When applying, you must also have your student certificate, diploma and documents showing your financial status. You may be invited for an additional interview if your documents are complete. If invited, you will be interviewed and take a language test. At this point, there will inevitably be delays or extensions of the visa issuance period with appointments.

What Documents Are Required for Latvia Student Visa?

In the form of a list, we would like to reiterate that the requirements vary depending on your nationality and what type of visa you are applying for, but in general, here is what you need and the documents you are required to have for a Latvia Schengen visa:

Completed application form
Your passport and two passport photos
Flight confirmation letter explaining why you want to enter Latvia
Proof of sufficient funds for your stay – at least €14 ($16.50) per day
Proof of enrollment from the university

You must submit these documents with a notarized translation in Latvian. Your student visa is valid for the duration of your studies, and remember that if you have an EU, EEA or Swiss passport, you can freely enter Latvia and stay as long as you like after registration. The requirements listed here are only valid for the third country’s citizens, let us note that UK citizens are already third country citizens.

How long does a student visa expire?

If everything is fine with your documents, the Latvian student visa will be finalized within 2 weeks from the date of application. Otherwise, if your visa application is negative or rejected, you can appeal it. You can request a new review or re-evaluation of your documents for objection. However, you may have to pay the visa application fee again for the new exam. It is recommended that you start applications 1 month before the date of travel, as the process of issuing visas may take longer.

If there is no problem, your visa will be issued within 2 weeks and you can get your visa from the visa processing centers you applied for, if your documents are complete, the time can still be extended and in that case, you will not be able to get them before your travel date, so please be aware of holidays and it is beneficial to calculate the weekends.