Study in Latvia

1. Latvia’s internet speeds are among the fastest in the world, averaging 13.8MB/s, compared to 11.6 in the UK, 11.9 in the US, 7.5 in France, 3.4 in Brazil and 1.7 in Egypt.
2. Latvia produces more female models per capita that almost any country in the world.
3. Over half its territory covered by forest, so Latvia is a very green place. Locals love to pick mushrooms and berries, and at Midsummer young couples duck into the woods to look for the mythical flowering fern. No such plant exists, but the search goes on…
4. You don’t need to go to a health food store in Latvia to find organic food, because locals find fantastic ingredients on their own. From birch sap juice in spring to berries in summer and mushrooms in autumn, Latvians are a nation of foragers.
5. Latvia holds one of the largest song and dance festivals in the world

With over 40,000 (!) participants, it is recognized by UNESCO as World-class culture phenomena, while choir singers and conductors are celebrities in Latvia. Latvia also has one of the largest collections of traditional folk songs in the world, numbering over 300,000.

The Ventas Rumba in Kuldīga is the widest waterfall in Europe, and in spring you can see fish jumping up the rapids as they head for spawning sites.

The Latvian educational system comprises pre-school education, basic education, secondary education and higher education.

General education in Latvia in total lasts 12 years consisting of compulsory 9-years basic education and 3-years secondary education.

• Basic education stage comprises general basic education (grades 1-9) and vocational basic education.
• Secondary education stage comprises general secondary education, vocational secondary education and vocational education.

The Latvian higher education system is a part of the Bologna process, and follows the 3-cycle system:

• the 1st cycle includes short cycle programmes and academic or professional Bachelor’s degree programmes
• the 2nd cycle includes academic or professional Master’s degree programmes
• the 3rd cycle includes Doctor’s degree programmes

In Latvia, tertiary education programmes are provided by:

• university type institutions of augstskola,
• non-university type institutions of augstskola,
• koledža.

The Law on Institutions of Higher Education makes a distinction between university-type and non-university-type institutions. While non-university-type institutions run professional programmes, universities often offer both academic and professional programmes.

Latvia is using a national credit point system in higher education. One Latvian national credit point is defined as a one-week full-time study workload. The average full-time workload of an academic year in most higher education programmes is 40 credits. The Latvian credit point system is compatible with ECTS.

• 1 credit point = 1,5 ECTS = 1 week full-time study workload
• 1 academic year = 60 ECTS = 40 Latvian credit points

The objectives of academic higher education are to prepare graduates for independent research, as well as to provide theoretical background for professional activities.

• Academic programmes leading to a bachelor’s degree comprise 120 – 160 national credit points
• Academic programmes leading to a master degree comprise 80 national credit points (120 ECTS)

The objectives of professional higher education are to provide in-depth knowledge in a particular field, preparing graduates for design or improvement of systems, products and technologies, as well as to prepare them for creative, research and teaching activities in this field.

• Professional programmes leading to a professional bachelor’s degree comprise at least 160 national credit points (240 ECTS)

The duration of full-time studies is 8 semesters (4 years).

• Professional higher education programmes leading to a professional master’s degree comprise no less than 40 (60 ECTS) credits

Duration of full-time studies is 2-4 semesters (1-2 years).

Check out our video on Popular courses to study in Latvia

• Business
• Supply chain management
• Tourism & Hospitality
• Accounting
• Applied Science
• Humanities

Find out what are the minimum requirements for admission to Latvia

Entry requirements to Latvian Universities depend on the university, the type of program, and the level of competition to get into the said program.

Entry Requirements for Bachelor

1. Secondary (High) School Graduation Certificate and Transcript with good results, particularly in mathematics and/or physics. Education documents must be accompanied by English translations of all certificates and transcripts along with approval of the documents authenticity;
2. If English is not your native language, all international students are required to provide a proof of English language knowledge. Preferably you should submit one of the following certificates with a minimum scores of:

Entry Requirements for Master

In this video, we are discussing whether the IELTS is required for admission to Latvia.

1. Bachelor degree or other equivalent qualifications (official transcripts required). Education documents must be accompanied by English translations of all certificates and transcripts along with approval of the documents authenticity;
2.  If English is not your native language, all international students are required to provide a proof of English language knowledge. Preferably you should submit one of the following certificates with a minimum scores of:

• A copy of passport or ID card
• A passport picture
• A personal statement in English (should contain around 500-800 words answering questions such as: Why and what would you like to study at the university? What are your plans after graduation?)
• Copies of obtained secondary school diplomas, certificates and/or grade lists (uploaded diplomas and/or grade lists which are not in English need to be accompanied by an official English translation)
• Transcript of records
• Proof of English language proficiency

Some universities may require additional documents, such as:

• CV or resume (including two referees)
• Motivation letter
• Sample of academic written work

TUITION FEE

Watch our video on the expenses of studying in Latvia

Tuition fees for Latvian universities are relatively affordable compared to institutions from other countries in the EU.While the tuition fees in Latvia will vary depending on the chosen university and program, there is a recognizable difference in tuition rates between the local Latvian students and enrollees from other EU countries and Switzerland.Non-EU students are generally required to pay at an even higher sum than their domestic and EU counterparts.

Facts about Tuition Fees in Latvia

• The average tuition fee in Latvia for undergraduate programs is between EUR 3000 – EUR 5000 (USD 3,600 – USD 6,100).
• Medicine degrees are at higher rates, with the most being up to EUR 15,000 (USD 18,400) per year.
• On the other hand, master’s degree programs range from EUR 1,700 (USD 2,095) annually for EU/EEA and Swiss students to EUR 3,700 (USD 4,560) for other international enrollees.

COST OF LIVING

While living costs in Latvia will depend on the city, type of accommodation and one’s lifestyle, everyday expenses in this Baltic state are still generally cheaper compared to many European countries. It is estimated that around €450 – 700 (USD$ 553 – USD$ 861) is enough to cover necessities such as food, transportation, utilities and accommodation for a month.

Applicant must prepare following documents for Visa Application

• • Long Stay Visa Application Form of the Republic of Latvia
  • One photo (size 35mm x 45 mm) must be taken in the last 6 month,white background.)
  • Passport with a period of validity extending at least three months after the intended date of departure from Latvia or other Member State, and containing at least two blank pages.
  • Copies of the identification pages and the pages that contain information about previously issued visas
  • An invitation by applicant’s education facility in Latvia that is approved by the OCMA has to be submitted( dated not later than 6 months prior to the application date.)
  • A copy of a signed study agreement
  • A copy of a proof of your intended residence in Latvia
  • Original private bank account statement (movements during the last three months with balance confirmation letter from the bank duly stamped and signed by the bank)
  • Indian income tax return acknowledgment for the last three assessment years (please note that Form 26AS as well as Form 16/ 16 A has to be submitted along with ITR-V). In case university provides the service of issuing a statement on the availability of the necessary financial means in the university account, original of the statement duly signed and stamped by the university has to be submitted
  • In case you are sponsored by a family/relative, a notarised declaration of sponsorship to be submitted. Proof of professional status of the sponsor – contract of employment, pay slips for the last 3 months; self-employed – certificate of registration of the Company,Company’s bank statements for the last three months duly signed and stamped by the bank.
  • Originals presented and copies of your prior education diplomas and mark sheets
  • An air ticket reservation stating the intended entry to Schengen area
  • Travel insurance to be valid for the whole Schengen area and covering the entire period of the intended visit (90days).(minimum coverage of 42,600 EUR)
  • Police Clearance Certificate 

• “Hello Verify” confirmation slip

Applicants from India can schedule their appointment only after uploading documents on Hello Verify for verification. Provide all required details, Upload the mentioned documents and Make the Payment. Download your payment receipt and schedule an appointment with VFS.

Go to an official biometrics collection service point to Provide your biometrics and submit your Documents. It is mandatory to attend a visa interview through a Video Conference.Applicants from Kerala can attend biometric appointments in Cochin and Bangalore.

If a visa gets Approved Applicant will receive a visa for a duration of 90 days.Applicants need to apply for a Temporary resident visa 90 Days after entering into Latvia.

Latvia has a provision of international students to stay back in the country. The international students who are pursuing masters degree in Latvia are allowed to stay back in Latvia for the duration of six months once the study program is over. The students can opt for an internship in Latvia and have that ever valuable international experience, or they can seek permanent employment to elongate their stay in Latvia.