Placed in North Eastern Europe, by the Baltic Sea, Latvia has always been a multi-ethnic country and rich in different cultural and education traditions and sees its role as a bridge between the East and the West. The higher education institutions in Latvia are members of international cooperation within many different fields of study.

The key tourist attractions are concentrated in Riga, the Latvian capital. In the Old Town of Riga you can enjoy middle age architecture such as the Riga castle, the Dome and the House of Blackheads. Latvia can also offer beautiful national parks and historical heritage remains outside of the capital city.

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 a 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.

Accommodation

Although you might not find plenty of 5 star hotels all around Latvia, you will find comfortable places to stay for a reasonable price. There are many hotels to choose from. Prices start from 20 LVL outside of Riga and from 40 LVL in Riga. The network of youth hostels is also developing. Dormitory rooms come around 10 lats, single, double rooms start from 20 lats and above.