Officially the Republic of Latvia, Latvia is located in Northern Europe and sits on the Baltic Sea. Sometimes called ‘Europe’s best kept secret’, Latvia has an abundance of forests, rivers and lakes, as well as modern cities with an ethnically diverse population. With plenty to do, and the welcoming nature of Latvians, it is the perfect place for any international student.
Splitting their higher education system into academic and professional studies, Latvia caters for all students, no matter your interest. Academic study programmes tend to focus on research skills and prepare students for theoretical careers. Professional study programmes tend to focus on vocational skills and prepare students for careers in technical and engineering fields. Latvian institutions have adopted the Bologna Process, and therefore offer three levels of study. These are bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral.
There are 2 of Latvia’s higher education institutions in the 2023 QS World University Rankings top 1,000. The highest ranked is Riga Technical University (RTU), which is ranked in the 751-800th place group. RTU has also been given 5 QS stars for internationalisation, employability and inclusiveness, showing that education in Latvia is open for students from all over the world.
There are lots of interesting places to see and visit in Latvia. These include Riga, Liepāja, Jūrmala and Daugavpils.
International students who wish to attend university in Latvia will need to obtain a student visa or temporary residence permit. For more information about this, see our Latvia Student Visa Guide.
| Capital City | Riga |
|---|---|
| Currency | EUR, Euro |
| Language(s) | Latvian |
| Universities on StudyLink | 4 universities |
| Major Student Cities | Liepāja |
The official language of Latvia is Latvian.
It is common for Latvian people to speak English to a good standard, and most university courses are offered in English. This should mean that you have no problem getting around when you first arrive in Latvia. If you are studying in a non-native language, you will likely have to provide proof of your proficiency. If you do not meet the required teaching standards, you might be able to take an English language course to help you improve.
Even if you are able to communicate in English, you should still try to learn as much Latvian as you can. Speaking to locals and other students is a great way to practice. Having some foreign language skills will not only make your everyday life more enjoyable, it will also look fantastic on your CV/resume!
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