4 best universities in Riga 2024

Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, an Eastern European country bordering Lithuania and Estonia. Riga is home to nearly 700,000 residents and is well known for its centuries-old history, cultural attractions, concert halls, and other entertainment venues. Riga is known as a great European city for young people due to its low cost of living and bright, lively energy.

According to the QS World Rankings, the majority of students in Riga give the city high marks for student services and overall livability. The city ranks 101st in the world for job opportunities, which is often an important factor for international students. Since more than half of Riga's residents, especially young people, are fluent in English, it will also be easy for you to travel and communicate in the city.

Latvia actively participates in international scientific cooperation with other European countries. Higher education in Latvia offers the opportunity to gain a high level of qualification and expand one's knowledge through exchange programs.

The Baltic countries are known for their accessibility to education. The high level of organization in education for foreign students is the norm. All private and public universities are open to foreign citizens and offer education in Russian, and various programs are available in English.

There's an opportunity for internships in other European countries. Latvian students have the chance to go to other EU states through international exchange programs, where assistance is provided to extend their studies or find employment.

Tuition fees in Latvia are relatively low. Among Eurozone countries, Latvian education is one of the most affordable, costing only about $2000 per year. This is a highly attractive factor considering the decent quality of education.

Students have the possibility to receive grants and scholarships. Universities assess students' performance, and the most successful and active students may qualify for grants and high scholarships. Sometimes, full-time students are partially exempt from tuition fees.

You can combine your studies with work (with a total work time not exceeding 20 hours per week). Keep in mind that special permission is required for this.

Foreign students are provided with comfortable accommodation in university campuses (dormitories). The average cost of living is approximately $100 per month.

Latvians are friendly towards foreigners, and many speak Russian, although not always enthusiastically.

Latvia's higher education system comprises colleges and universities, both public and private. Specializations related to tourism, programming, innovative technologies, pharmacy, and agriculture are considered particularly attractive and in demand. All universities are included in a rating based on teaching quality, technical equipment, and other factors.

Most of the best institutions are located in the capital of Latvia, Riga, making the most current specialties accessible to local residents. Colleges represent the first level of higher education (or the fourth stage of vocational education) and focus on developing specific skills.

Foreign students can attend universities of any type and choose from various courses. The primary language of instruction is Latvian, although in some cases, Russian or English may also be used.

Some universities offer special programs for foreign students and provide education based on international agreements. However, an important limitation is that if a foreign language is used, it must be an official language of one of the EU countries. Latvia also widely implements distance learning, which is very convenient for students from other countries.

College programs typically last from 2 to 4 years, depending on the chosen specialization, while universities offer master's or bachelor's degrees. To obtain a master's degree, one must study for 5-6 years, while a bachelor's degree typically takes 4 years. The academic year in Latvia runs from September to May, similar to Russia.

1. University of Latvia

2. Transport and Telecommunication Institute — TSI University of Applied Sciences

3. Riga Technical University

4. The College of Law Riga

The cost of education for foreign students in Riga is quite affordable, ranging from $2000 to $6000 per year for most diploma programs. Some courses, such as medicine, may be more expensive, costing up to $18,000 per year, and some specialized postgraduate programs can even cost up to $30,000 per year.

As for living expenses, according to estimates by the Riga Graduate School of Law, foreign students should budget $500-$600 per month. This figure includes $200-$300 for accommodation (shared rental), $100-$125 for food expenses, $50-$75 for transportation and utilities, and an additional $100-$150 for entertainment and other expenses.

Latvian student visas currently allow students to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks. Many foreign students can find part-time work and internships in Riga to offset their living and education costs.

Riga is conveniently located in Central and Eastern Europe, allowing foreign students to travel during weekends, academic breaks, and explore popular European countries, including Germany and Italy. Foreign students can easily reach Riga International Airport from their home countries through major European airports like Amsterdam and Paris. As for the city itself, Riga is full of cultural and historical attractions, excellent restaurants, and open spaces. You can spend a day in the sun by the Daugava River flowing through the city or on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Below are some places that foreign students should definitely visit in Riga:

1. Freedom Monument
2. Latvian National Museum of Art
3. St. Peter's Church
4. Latvian Museum of Architecture
5. Riga Cathedral
6. Art Nouveau Museum
7. Riga Motor Museum
8. Riga Castle
9. Latvian National Opera
10. Bastejkalns Park
11. Riga Zoo
12. Riga History Museum
13. National Library of Latvia
14. Dzintari Forest Park
15. Vermanes Garden
16. Powder Tower
17. Riga TV Tower
18. Laima Chocolate Museum