Choosing between universities in Latvia starts with the degree you want to study. A familiar university name is useful, but the programme's content, language, accreditation and entry requirements determine whether it fits your plans.
Latvia has research universities, specialist academies and institutions with an applied focus. Many are based in Riga, while cities such as Jelgava, Daugavpils, Ventspils and Valmiera offer other settings. International applicants can find English-taught options, although availability varies by subject and degree level.
Research universities and specialist institutions
The University of Latvia offers study across fields including the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. Riga Technical University is a major institution for engineering and technology-related study. Rīga Stradiņš University is particularly familiar to international applicants researching medicine, dentistry and other health subjects, alongside its other academic fields.
In Jelgava, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies has roots in agriculture and related disciplines, with a broader range of science and technology study. Daugavpils University offers another location to research, while Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences are worth examining for the programmes they currently offer.
Specialist arts institutions include the Latvian Academy of Culture, the Art Academy of Latvia and the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. Applicants in these fields should expect requirements tailored to the discipline, which may include a portfolio, audition or other assessment.
Business, design and applied study
Institutions often considered by international applicants include Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, RISEBA University of Applied Sciences, Turība University and the Transport and Telecommunication Institute. Their subject profiles differ, so compare the curriculum and qualification awarded rather than grouping them together as interchangeable business schools.
The list here is a starting selection, not a complete ranking or register. For a particular institution or a less familiar name, check the current Latvian higher education records and the exact programme before paying any application or tuition fee.
Check current names and affiliations
Older university lists can become misleading after institutional changes. The former Liepāja University joined Riga Technical University and now appears as RTU Liepāja Academy. Applicants should use the current admissions arrangements for the campus and programme concerned.
The BA School of Business and Finance became part of the University of Latvia in September 2025. From September 2026, its current name is UL FinTech Business School. An old prospectus may therefore use a name different from the one on the current programme page.
Where a university has merged or changed structure, confirm which institution will issue the qualification, where classes take place and which office handles your application. A new organisational name does not necessarily mean that teaching has moved to another city.
Degree structure and teaching language
Latvian higher education uses the European credit framework, with bachelor's, master's and doctoral routes as well as professional qualifications. Course length depends on the programme. Read the number of credits, full-time or part-time status and any placement requirements rather than assuming that every degree follows one duration.
For English-taught study, check the accepted language evidence and minimum result for your course. Some applicants may qualify for an exemption, but that is a university decision based on stated criteria. A programme taught in English may still involve local-language requirements in a clinical placement or another professional setting.
Admissions, fees and recognition
Applications commonly require previous qualifications, transcripts, identity documents and language evidence. A master's programme may also require a relevant prior degree or specific completed subjects. Documents obtained abroad may need recognition, translation or legalisation according to the university's instructions.
Tuition fees in Latvia vary considerably by subject, institution and applicant category. Request the current fee schedule, payment dates and refund terms. Budget separately for accommodation, utilities, insurance, travel and study materials; an advertised annual tuition price is only one part of the cost.
Do not assume that an EU location makes every qualification automatically sufficient for professional practice worldwide. Check the recognition rules in the country where you intend to work, particularly for regulated professions. Academic recognition and permission to practise a profession are separate questions.
A useful shortlist
Compare a small number of programmes using the same headings: curriculum, teaching language, entry criteria, accreditation, campus location, total cost and next application deadline. Contact the international admissions office with any unanswered questions and retain its written replies.
Once an offer is confirmed, arrange the entry and residence procedure appropriate to your nationality and study period. Admission is an academic decision; immigration approval and any future right to work follow their own rules. Keeping those steps separate makes the move easier to plan.