There are many reasons to choose Latvia as a study option. The major reason why one should study in Latvia is inexpensive education. The tuition fees and other living costs are lower when compared with various other western countries. Latvia is a multicultural country and rich in different cultural and educational practices. Universities in Latvia offer an advanced education system. Latvian Institutes offer the benefits of the world-class higher education system, the majority of programs are taught in English, and qualifications are accepted across Europe.
The different universities in Latvia have different procedures for admission of students from overseas. Check the admission requirements of your chosen university and send an application online from the university website. You must have completed your high school education and you must be at least 18 years old. You will need an application form. Assemble and submit all the documents such as transcripts, Letter of Recommendation, Statement Of Purpose, etc. A proper and complete application form will increase your possibilities of getting enrolment.
Most European countries including Latvia do not mind the study gap. The Study gap is accepted in most of the universities of Latvia. If you are going for a bachelor's then a gap of up to 5 years is acceptable while for a master's up to 10 years is acceptable from a visa point of view. But you need to have a valid gap reason and you need to show the proof for the same.
There are few top student cities in Latvia where you can pursue your higher education. Riga is known for its blend of new and old architectural brilliance, and Vecriga has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Daugavpils is the 2nd largest city in Latvia, which can be called the cultural center of the country. Liepaja is the 3rd largest, situated on the West Coast, and faces the Baltic Sea. It is home to Summer Festivals and Quality Education.
The basic university entry requirements for Latvian universities include an attested certificate of secondary education or higher education diploma allowing you to pursue the desired studies. You will also need Sufficient study language proficiency, usually English. This must be equivalent to or higher than B2 as per CEFRL levels. Please check the university website of find out the exact entry requirements in detail.
Yes, international students are allowed to work in Latvia during their studies but with some restrictions depending on their study level. A full-time bachelor's student at a university in Latvia is allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week or 40 hours per week (full-time) during vacation. A full-time master's or doctoral student at a Latvian university has the right to work with no restrictions.
Living in Latvia is way cheaper compared to many other European Countries. Average monthly living expenses in Latvia can range from 450 EUR to 700 EUR, depending on your choice of accommodation and your general lifestyle. This would be enough to cover your expenses for food, accommodation, utilities, transportation, and other expenses.
Universities in Latvia have lower tuition fees and highly beneficial programs for international students. The cost of studies depends on the institution, the study level as well as the chosen program. Tuition fees range from less than 1 600 EUR per year for certain bachelor’s degree programs to 15 000 EUR per year for a degree in dentistry (5 years) and 25 600 EUR for an Executive MBA degree.
To apply for a Latvian Student Visa, you need to have a few supporting documents with your filled application form. Generally, you will need a Cover Letter, Original Passport, Passport size photographs, Apostle of Police Clearance Certificate (P.C.C.), Academic Documents, Acceptance letter from the University, Financial documents, etc.
The minimal application fee may be charged by the Latvian university which is not refundable. There are also a few universities that do not require any registration fee, you need to check the university’s website for that. Generally, the application fee for all international students is 160 EUR and 300 EUR for applicants.
A: If you don’t want to appear for IELTS, you can still study in Latvia without IELTS. Students who are native speakers of English, need not submit an English proficiency test score. Students who have completed basic, secondary, vocational or higher education in English or have studied in English as full-time students for at least 1 year in the english country do not have to certify English language proficiency. Students who do not have an internationally recognized test score will be requested to opt for English courses at the Latvia university itself.
Scholarships are an excellent way to fund the expenses of international students to study abroad in Latvia. There are government offered scholarships, the university offered scholarships, and scholarships offered from private entities available for international students to pursue their higher education in Latvia. These Scholarships can be availed in the form of either a tuition fee waiver or financial aid. These can help you get your studies for free or make a way for free studies.
The universities in Latvia are some of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in Eastern Europe, Some of the best universities in Latvia are Riga Technical University, Riga Stradins University, University of Latvia, University of Liepaja, Turiba University, etc.
The September intake is the main intake in Latvia. Some of the Latvian universities offer other secondary intakes such as January-February, March-April, and November. The least number of courses and universities offer the summer intake. Many of them only offer language courses in the summer. International students should focus more on the September intake as they will find the most number of courses available for that intake only.
The Visa Processing time for Latvia may vary with the country you are applying from, however, the average time is 15 working days from the day of the submission. If there is some additional information required, it can take up to 60 days. Once you have applied, wait for 2 weeks or 15 days to be notified about the visa statutes, or you can track the proceedings online from your VFS account.
