Study abroad at Riga

Riga is the cosmopolitan, vibrant, and architecturally stunning capital city of Latvia and the largest metropolis in the Baltic States, situated along the Daugava River at the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea), home to Riga International Airport (RIX - airBaltic global hub, the largest airport in the Baltics). Globally celebrated for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town (Vecrīga - featuring the medieval House of the Black Heads, Riga Cathedral, St. Peter's Church), the world's finest and largest collection of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture along Alberta Street, the historic Central Market (Europe's largest market housed in former German Zeppelin hangars), and a booming digital, fintech, IT, and pharmaceutical economy. Riga is one of Europe's premier medical and technical higher education capitals, home to world-renowned institutions: Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU - established in 1950, premier public research university and the undisputed medical education powerhouse of northern Europe enrolling over 10,000 students from more than 70 countries, with international students comprising nearly 30% of the student body, globally acclaimed for the Faculty of Medicine offering the 6-Year Doctor of Medicine MD in English, Faculty of Dentistry offering 5-Year Dental Medicine DMD in English, and modern Medical Education Technology Centre MITC - recognized across the European Union, UK GMC, and Arab medical councils across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt), alongside the University of Latvia (LU - founded in 1919), Riga Technical University (RTU - leading engineering powerhouse ranked in the QS World Top 800), and Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga). Degrees are taught 100% in English within the European Higher Education Area (ECTS). International students benefit from affordable EU tuition fees, low living costs, modern European student dormitories, and Latvia's Schengen Student Residence Permit.

Tuition fees in Riga for international students at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) are €13,500 per academic year for the 6-Year Doctor of Medicine (MD in English) and €15,000 per academic year for the 5-Year Dental Medicine (DMD in English). At Riga Technical University (RTU) and University of Latvia (LU), international undergraduate tuition in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Business Administration ranges between €3,200 and €4,500 per academic year. Modern on-campus university student residences (RSU: Āgenskalns and Dzirciems Student Hostels; RTU: Olaines, Ķīpsala Student Hotels - fully furnished student rooms with high-speed Wi-Fi, utilities, and kitchens) cost between €150 and €350 per month (inclusive of utilities), while private student apartments in Riga City Centre, Quiet Centre (Klusais Centrs), and Āgenskalns range from €300 to €600 per month. General monthly living expenses range between €550 and €900 (among the most affordable in Northern Europe).

International non-EU students require a Latvian Long-Stay Study Visa (Type D Visa) and a Latvian Schengen Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) processed by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA / PMLP). Key requirements include: official Study Agreement from Rīga Stradiņš University or RTU, invitation letter approved by OCMA, proof of financial resources (minimum €700 per month for living expenses in a verified bank account), clean criminal record certificate (police clearance with apostille/attestation), medical certificate (including chest X-ray for tuberculosis), and international health insurance. Upon arrival at Riga Airport (RIX), the university guides the student through biometric registration to receive their Latvian European Union / Schengen Residence Card.