Why Latvia — The Case for Indian Students in 2026

🇫🇴  Full EU and Schengen membership. Latvia is part of the European Union and Schengen Area, giving you European exposure without the heavy financial burden of Germany, the Netherlands, or Sweden. A degree from a Latvian university is a European degree — recognised across all 27 EU member states.

💰  Genuinely affordable tuition. An English-taught Master’s in Latvia costs around €4,000 to €6,000 per year. For context, postgraduate fees in the UK range from approximately ₹9.5L to ₹32L per year — in Latvia you can pursue the same level of qualification for ₹2.2L to ₹5.4L per year.

📚  English-taught programmes across all major fields. English is the language of instruction for the vast majority of higher education programmes for international students, and with 42% of locals aged 15 to 34 being fluent in English, it is easy to blend in and find like-minded peers.

📋  IELTS not mandatory at many universities. IELTS is not required for many universities in Latvia — making it one of the easiest ways for Indian students to enter Europe, with high visa approval rates and low tuition fees.

🎓  Growing Indian student community. Around 2,000 Indian students are already studying in Latvia, and international student numbers grew by 25% in one year. Universities offer dedicated support and student groups that help you settle in easily.

🔧  Research and innovation hub. Latvia invests heavily in innovation — particularly in smart materials, biomedicine, and cancer treatment research. Foreign investment projects in Latvia created nearly half of all new jobs in the Baltics in 2025, with AI and defence sectors growing at 96% and 84% respectively.

Major Universities in Latvia — Fees, Programmes and Apply Links

Latvia has 59 universities and colleges. Below are the six most relevant institutions for Indian students — with tuition fees in both Euros and Indian Rupees, key programmes, and direct application links:

University 1

Riga Technical University (RTU)

Riga Technical University is the oldest technical university in the Baltic countries, established in 1862. RTU offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programmes in engineering and social sciences taught in English for international students. With a total enrolment of 14,000 students including over 5,000 international students from more than 100 countries, RTU is Latvia’s most internationally diverse university. RTU offers over 35 study programmes in English at three different campuses across the country, granting students internationally recognised degrees in high-demand career fields.

Best for: Engineering, IT, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Data Science, Business
Apply at: rtu.lv/en/studies/admission

University 2

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU)

Among the most popular destinations for international students, Rīga Stradiņš University is recognised globally for its high-quality medicine and dental study programmes. More than a quarter of RSU’s diverse student body is made up of international students. RSU offers programmes in English in fields including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, public health, health management, international business, and international governance. RSU is ranked within the top 1,000 universities in the QS 2026 world rankings. This is the top choice for Indian students targeting Medicine and Health Sciences in Europe at a fraction of UK or US costs.

Best for: Medicine (MD), Dentistry (DDS), Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Health Management
Apply at: rsu.lv/en/study-here/admissions

University 3

University of Latvia (LU)

The University of Latvia is ranked between 1001 and 1200 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2026. Latvia’s largest and most comprehensive university, covering law, social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and business. Strong in Computer Science, Law, Business Administration, and Social Sciences. Good option for students who want a broad academic environment in the heart of Riga.

Best for: Law, Business Administration, Computer Science, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences
Apply at: lu.lv/en/studies/admission

University 4

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU)

LBTU is Latvia’s specialist land-based university covering environmental engineering, veterinary medicine, food technology, agribusiness, and engineering. Based in Jelgava, 40 km from Riga, with 3,756 students including 104 doctoral students. Strongly aligned with Latvia’s Green Deal priorities and growing demand for agri-tech, food science, and environmental engineering professionals across Europe. An underrated option for Indian students targeting food technology or environmental sciences.

Best for: Agricultural Sciences, Food Technology, Environmental Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Agribusiness
Apply at: lbtu.lv/en/studies/admission

University 5

BA School of Business and Finance

Latvia’s specialist business and finance university, fully accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia. Focuses entirely on business, finance, accounting, and management — strong industry links with Latvian and Baltic corporate employers. Programmes fully in English. Smaller class sizes and a highly practical, career-focused curriculum make this a good option for Indian students targeting finance or business careers in Europe.

Best for: Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, International Business
Apply at: ba.lv/en/studies/admission

University 6

Liepāja University

Latvia’s arts, education, and social sciences university located in the coastal city of Liepāja — Latvia’s third-largest city. Notably offers some of the most affordable tuition fees in Latvia alongside monthly stipend scholarships for international Master’s students. Best for students interested in education, social work, music, or the arts in a smaller, more affordable city than Riga.

Best for: Education, Social Sciences, Music, Arts, Social Work
Apply at: liepu.lv/en/studies/admission

Latvia vs Other Countries — Fees at a Glance

Living Costs in Latvia

Scholarships Available for Indian Students

Scholarship 1 — Latvian Government State Scholarships

Available to students from over 40 eligible countries including India. Provided by the Latvian government to foster international cooperation in education and science — intended for international students, researchers, and academics. Monthly stipend: €500 for Bachelor’s and Master’s students (approx. ₹44,000/month) and €700 for PhD students (approx. ₹61,600/month).
Apply at: viaa.gov.lv/en/bilateral-cooperation

Scholarship 2 — Liepāja University Scholarships

Monthly stipend ranging from €430 to €500 (approximately ₹38,000 to ₹44,200) for Master’s degree students. One of the most generous university-level scholarships in Latvia for international postgraduate students.
Apply at: liepu.lv/en/studies/scholarships

Scholarship 3 — RTU Scholarships

Amount and duration vary based on agreements and the student’s qualifications. Awarded on academic merit — check directly with RTU International Office.
Apply at: rtu.lv/en/international/scholarships

Scholarship 4 — University of Latvia Foundation Scholarships

Amount and duration vary depending on the specific scholarship. Awarded for academic excellence and financial need. Apply directly through the University of Latvia’s admissions office.
Apply at: lu.lv/en/studies/scholarships

Student Visa and Work Rights

Most Popular Fields for Indian Students in Latvia

💊  Medicine and Health Sciences — RSU’s MD programme attracts a large number of Indian students each year. Medicine in Latvia costs a fraction of UK or Eastern European medical school fees, with full English instruction.

💻  Information Technology and Computer Science — RTU and the University of Latvia offer strong IT programmes with direct links to Latvia’s growing tech sector. Riga is increasingly recognised as a Baltic technology hub.

⚙️  Engineering — RTU’s engineering programmes in mechanical, electrical, civil, and environmental engineering are internationally recognised with a strong practical focus.

📈  Business and Finance — BA School of Business and the University of Latvia offer strong business programmes at a fraction of UK or French business school costs.

🌿  Agriculture, Food Science, and Environmental Engineering — LBTU’s programmes align directly with EU Green Deal priorities — making graduates highly employable across Europe in sectors facing severe worker shortages.

Latvia 2026 — Complete Quick Reference