Founded in 1919, the University of Latvia is the largest and oldest university in the country, offering over 130 state-accredited programmes across 13 faculties. Popular areas include Business and Management, Computer Science, Law, Medicine, and Social Sciences. The university has a 40% acceptance rate, making it competitive but accessible. Application deadline for the September intake is July 31, 2026. Application fee: €170 (approximately ₹17,851).

Tuition (approx): €2,070 – €14,000 per year  |  Programmes in English: Business, Law, Computer Science, Medicine, Social Sciences

The top technical university in Latvia and one of the oldest engineering universities in the Baltic region, founded in 1862. RTU is particularly strong in engineering, architecture, computer science, and information technology. It has strong industry connections and offers several scholarships to international students. Highly recommended for Indian students targeting STEM careers in Europe.

Tuition (approx): €2,000 – €5,000 per year  |  Programmes in English: Engineering, IT, Architecture, Environmental Science, Business

RSU is Latvia’s leading health sciences university and one of the most popular destinations for Indian students pursuing medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy in Europe. The university is internationally recognised and its medical degrees are accepted for licensing exams in India (MCI/NMC screening test), UK (PLAB), USA (USMLE), and most European countries.

Tuition (approx): €10,000 – €15,000 per year for Medicine/Dentistry  |  Programmes in English: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Nursing

One of Latvia’s leading private universities, Turiba specialises in business, tourism, hospitality, communication, and law. It is highly regarded for its industry-connected curriculum and active international student community. Programmes are offered in English and the university has a streamlined admissions process for Indian students.

Tuition (approx): €3,000 – €6,000 per year  |  Programmes in English: Business Administration, Tourism, Hospitality, Law, Communication

Specialising in agriculture, food technology, environmental science, and veterinary medicine, LBTU is among the most affordable universities in Latvia. Located in Jelgava (30 minutes from Riga), it offers a more relaxed university town experience with lower living costs than the capital.

Tuition (approx): €1,600 – €3,500 per year  |  Programmes in English: Agriculture, Food Technology, Environmental Engineering, Veterinary Medicine

TSI is one of the few European universities offering Aviation Management as a degree programme, making it extremely popular among Indian students from aviation backgrounds. The institute also offers strong programmes in logistics, computer science, and management with excellent industry placement connections.

Tuition (approx): €3,000 – €6,000 per year  |  Programmes in English: Aviation Management, Logistics, Computer Science, Business Management

Apply directly to your chosen Latvian university. After acceptance, pay the required tuition deposit. The university will issue an OCMA-approved invitation letter and study agreement — both of which are required for your visa application. Start this process at least 6 months before your intended intake.

Upload all required supporting documents to the Hello Verify portal (visa.helloverify.com) as required by the Latvian Embassy. You will receive a confirmation once all documents are successfully uploaded. This is a mandatory step before scheduling your VFS appointment.

All long-term visa applicants (study purpose) must attend an interview at the VFS Global Latvia Visa Application Centre. The interview can be in person or by video call. The date and time are allocated by VFS. Bring all original documents along with copies. VFS service charge: ₹2,903 (as of March 2026). Visa fee: €60 for long-stay student visa (Masters and PhD students may be exempted from the visa fee — verify with the Embassy).

Standard processing takes 15 days from receipt of all documents at the Embassy. If additional verification is needed, processing may extend up to 60 days. Apply at least 2–3 months before your intended travel date to account for potential delays, especially during peak seasons (May to September).

Your Type D visa is valid for 90 days. Upon arriving in Latvia, you must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA). The TRP covers the full duration of your studies and must be renewed annually with proof of continued enrolment and valid insurance.

Offered by the State Education Development Agency of Latvia to students from eligible countries. Typically awarded for 1-year exchange or full-time study periods. Applications open in spring for the following academic year. Check the official Study in Latvia website (studyinlatvia.lv) to confirm current eligibility. Covers tuition and may include a monthly stipend for living expenses.

The EU’s flagship education scholarship programme. Erasmus+ is available to students participating in exchange programmes between Latvian universities and other EU partner institutions. If you are applying to a joint EU programme involving Latvia, Erasmus+ funding may provide a monthly stipend of €210 and travel support. Indian students applying to Erasmus Mundus joint master’s programmes that include Latvia are eligible to apply — the scholarship is one of the most competitive in Europe with a 3–5% acceptance rate but covers full tuition and living expenses.

Riga Technical University (RTU), University of Latvia, and Riga Stradins University all offer merit-based scholarships for high-achieving international students — typically after the first year of study. These range from partial tuition fee discounts to full tuition waivers for the top performers in their batch. Ask your university’s international office specifically about scholarships available after Year 1 — these are rarely advertised prominently but are genuinely available.

Under bilateral cooperation agreements between India and Latvia in education and science, specific scholarships may be available in certain academic years. These are managed through the Indian Ministry of Education and the Latvian Ministry of Education. Check the Ministry of Education portal (education.gov.in) under External Scholarships for current offerings.

Is Latvia a good option for Indian students to study in Europe?

Yes — Latvia is an EU member state and part of the Schengen Area, which means a Latvian degree has the same European recognition as degrees from Germany or France. Latvia offers tuition fees starting from ₹1.4 lakhs per year, no mandatory IELTS at most universities, a 90% student visa approval rate, and the right to work 20 hours per week during studies. For Indian students seeking an affordable, high-quality EU education with Schengen access, Latvia is one of the smartest choices available in 2026.

Is IELTS required to study in Latvia?

IELTS is not mandatory at most Latvian universities for Indian students. Many universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your previous institution confirming that your education was delivered in English. Some universities also conduct their own online English entrance test or interview. However, some specific programmes — particularly at research-oriented universities — may require an official IELTS or TOEFL score. Always verify with your specific target university before applying.

How much does it cost to study in Latvia for Indian students?

Tuition fees in Latvia range from approximately ₹1.4 lakhs per year for humanities bachelor’s programmes to ₹5.3 lakhs per year for master’s in business or engineering. Medicine costs ₹8.8 to ₹11.5 lakhs per year. Monthly living expenses in Riga range from ₹51,000 to ₹98,560 — covering accommodation, food, transport, insurance, and personal expenses. Students working 20 hours per week can offset a significant portion of living costs. Latvia is one of the most affordable EU countries for Indian students.

Can I study medicine in Latvia and return to practice in India?

Yes. Riga Stradins University (RSU) — Latvia’s leading medical university — offers MBBS and Dentistry programmes that are internationally recognised. To practice medicine in India after graduating from Latvia, you must clear the National Exit Test (NExT), which has replaced the older Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE/Screening Test). Latvian medical degrees also qualify you to apply for USMLE (USA) and PLAB (UK) licensing pathways. Always verify current NMC/NExT eligibility requirements at nmc.org.in before applying.

Can Indian students work while studying in Latvia?

Yes. Indian students with a valid Latvian student residence permit are legally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during official university holidays. No additional work permit is required. Part-time opportunities in Riga include retail, hospitality, tutoring, freelancing, and university assistant roles. Earning approximately €400–€700 per month from part-time work can significantly offset your living costs.

Can studying in Latvia lead to a European PR?

Yes, with planning. After completing your studies, Latvia offers a 1-year post-study visa to search for employment. If you secure a job in Latvia and remain legally resident for 5 years while earning at least €22,500 per year, you become eligible for Latvian Permanent Residency — which is also EU PR. Alternatively, because Latvia is in the Schengen Area, you can use your Latvian base to apply for jobs across all EU countries and transition to another EU country’s work visa after graduation.

What is the student visa approval rate for Indian students applying to Latvia?

The Latvia student visa approval rate for Indian applicants is approximately 90% when all documents are correctly submitted and complete. The most common reasons for rejection are incomplete document packages, financial proof that does not meet the minimum threshold (€10,000 or approximately ₹8 lakhs), name mismatches between documents, and insufficient interview preparation. With a properly prepared, complete application, Latvia has one of the most reliable student visa approval rates in Europe for Indian students.