Study in Latvia

Language

The people of Latvia speak Latvian, a language that has many similarities with Lithuanian, but not with the Estonian language.

Education in Latvia

In Latvia, there is both state-financed and fee-paying higher education. In order to single out the most able students, whose studies are publicly financed, higher education institutions carry out a procedure of student selection. Latvia has two sorts of higher education programs – academic and professional (for example translators, bank staff, business lawyers, pilots etc.). University-type higher education institutions offer both academic and professional education, while the “non-university type” institutions provide only professional education. Academic higher education in Latvia follows the Bologna system and is divided into three levels: bachelor’s studies, master’s studies, and doctoral studies. A Bachelor degree is received after three or four years of study, while a master’s degree is obtained on successful completion of the second phase of academic higher education, lasting one or two years. Only graduates holding a master’s degree or equivalent higher education diploma may take up doctoral studies. These last three to four years, involving advanced studies, examinations and the preparation and defense of a doctoral thesis.

Admission

The right to enter a higher education institution is held by all those who have completed the general secondary education program. If a certificate of secondary education has been obtained abroad, it must first be submitted for analysis to the Academic Information Centre, where it is evaluated, passing a conclusion on the validity of the foreign certificate in Latvia.

Visa

International students are advised to contact the Latvian Embassy in their home country to receive detailed information about how to complete a residence permit application. You can get information about where to find the closest embassy from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. EU citizens have the right to reside in Latvia and do not need to apply for a residence permit.