The short answer
You can study in Latvia in English, and the cost is among the lowest in the EU: English-taught tuition at public universities runs roughly €2,000–8,000/year, plus living costs of €600–850/month in Riga (university programme pages and Study in Latvia, 2026-27). Medical programmes (popular with international students at Rīga Stradiņš University) cost more — verify the programme page. This is a realistic route for an applicant with budget around €9,000–13,000 for the first year; it is not a "free degree" route.
We do not promise admission or a visa. Below is what the route requires and where the risks sit.
Where you study
The main public universities carrying English-taught programmes:
- University of Latvia (lu.lv) — the largest; broad coverage across sciences, social sciences, humanities, IT.
- Riga Technical University (rtu.lv) — engineering, IT, architecture, business.
- Rīga Stradiņš University (rsu.lv) — medicine, health, social sciences; a major destination for international medical students.
The English-taught range is narrower than in Western Europe, so verify your specific field is offered before committing to the route.
Cost — first year, realistically
| Item | Amount (2026-27) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (English-taught, public) | €2,000–8,000/year | university programme pages |
| Living costs (Riga) | €600–850/month | Study in Latvia |
| Financial proof (residence permit) | ~€3,600/year | pmlp.gov.lv |
Exact tuition depends on the programme — medicine and some professional programmes sit well above this band. Check the programme page, not a country average.
English requirements
Public universities accept IELTS and TOEFL. The exact minimum varies by programme and is not published as a single national figure — read your programme's admission page for the score it requires. Note: Duolingo is not universally accepted in the Baltics; do not assume it qualifies you without confirming on the specific programme page.
Student visa and financial proof
Non-EU students apply for a temporary residence permit for study (or a long-stay D-visa), usually after admission, through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) and the Latvian embassy in your country of residence (pmlp.gov.lv). Financial proof is roughly €3,600/year for the study period. Work rights come with the student residence permit (up to 20 hours/week during term).
For Russian citizens: SWIFT transfers from Russian banks are blocked. Plan tuition payment and financial proof through a non-Russian account (an EU Wise account, or a bank in Armenia/Georgia) and expect heightened consular scrutiny.
Diploma recognition
Secondary and higher diplomas from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are assessed by the Academic Information Centre (AIC / ENIC-NARIC Latvia) (aic.lv). Each university then sets country-specific entry requirements, so request your recognition statement early.
Scholarships
State and institutional schemes exist but are competitive and limited: Latvian State Scholarships administered by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) (viaa.gov.lv). Eligibility is by citizenship and is reviewed annually — at the time of research Ukrainian applicants were eligible and no scheme was open to Russian applicants. Confirm current eligibility on viaa.gov.lv before counting on it. Treat scholarships as a bonus, not the base plan.
Bottom line
Latvia is a low-cost, realistic Baltic route: among the lowest EU tuition, a predictable Schengen visa, English-taught provision across IT, engineering and medicine, and 20h/week work rights. The main risks to check up front are programme availability in your field (and the higher cost of medicine), payment routing if you hold a Russian passport, and early diploma recognition.
Take the quiz to see whether the Latvian route fits your profile — citizenship, budget, field and language — with backup destinations.