EKA University
About
EKA (Ekonomikas un Kultūras augstskola) is a private university agents rate highly for hands-on admissions support, English-taught business/IT/design programmes from €3,500/year, and a downtown campus. A pragmatic, low-risk EU degree with a fast, responsive application process.
Riga offers a low-cost EU base with startup energy and a student scene that's active without being saturated. Living costs stay under €600/month for students. The city is walkable; the business district is embedded in the old town, not isolated in a corporate zone.
Application deadlines
- SeptemberAug 01
For students outside Latvia. Sep intake semester starts Oct 1.
- FebruaryOct 15
February intake.
Accommodation
Sep semester starts Oct 1 (not Sep). Application fee (registration): €300.
SourceScholarships
- 🏛Latvian State Scholarship: €500–700/month (UA/KZ/UZ only)
Latvian State Scholarship available for UA/KZ/UZ (cycle 2026/27 currently closed; check studyinlatvia.lv). RU/BY not eligible for state scholarship.
National funding for this destination
Citizenship restrictions
- Does not admit applicants holding citizenship of: Russia, Belarus, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan.
Honestly
Why this works
- Lowest tuition among EU/Schengen private universities for this field — €3,500/year, locked for the full programme.
- English-taught bachelor's with no foundation year required — direct entry after 11–12 years of school.
- IELTS 5.5 is one of the lowest English bars in the EU; conditional admission with a language module is possible.
- Riga's cost of living is the lowest of the three Baltic capitals — ~€600–800/month all-in.
- 20h/week work rights during term, full-time in holidays; Riga has a real English-speaking IT/business job market.
- EU degree → access to the EU Blue Card and post-study job-search residence across the Schengen area.
What to check
- Private university — degree is state-accredited, but brand recognition is lower than a flagship state university.
- Does not admit applicants from Russia, Belarus, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Tajikistan.
- Latvian State Scholarship excludes RU/BY citizens; the UA/KZ/UZ cycle 2026/27 is currently closed.
- Smaller institution — fewer programmes and a thinner alumni network than a large university.
- Latvian-language environment outside campus; you will need basic Latvian for daily life and most local jobs.
Need help with your application?
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Figures are indicative and change by academic year. Always confirm tuition, deadlines and visa requirements on the official institution and government sources before applying.