Study in Latvia

Thinking about studying abroad? Think Europe. Think Latvia.

Why do we suggest Latvia as your best choice?

It is the geographical hot spot of Europe, with a land area of about 65 sq km, similar in size to countries like Denmark, Georgia, and Sri Lanka.

With its 500 km long picture-esque coastline and natural untouched nature, Latvia is a great choice for those who like to live in a clean environment.

When speaking about education in Latvia, you can get European education and a degree that is valid and acknowledged not only in Europe but also worldwide.

Latvia has 56 higher education institutions (HEIs) with a total number of more than 85,000 students of which 10% of them are foreign students from other countries.

Latvia has a dynamic study environment with systems designed to ensure that education is dispensed at some of the highest standards on the continent.

During your study period, you can get to know the country and enjoy four distinct seasons. You also get the chance to witness European culture, art, and entertainment.

Higher education institutions (HEIs) in Latvia offer a wide range of study programs in any field of your interest such as Business, Tourism, Engineering, Medicine, Arts, Languages, Information technology, and many more.

Moreover, you can study in Latvia at all levels starting from the bachelor undergraduate level to the doctoral Ph.D. levels. About 13 higher educational institutions have joined together to form the Higher Education Export Association that promotes studies for foreign students.

Studying at any of the institutions of the association means obtaining higher education that meets the highest quality standard.

Universities in Latvia also offer comfortable student dormitory facilities, student support, a safe study environment, and modern academic campuses with laboratories, libraries, and business start-up centers.

A survey carried out amongst foreign students in Latvia by their higher institutions shows that 80% of international students are satisfied with their studies and life in Latvia. Therefore, choosing to study in Latvia is a smart decision. Apply now on RocApply and begin your journey to the future you desire.

Studying in Latvia is a brilliant option that we highly recommend, the country is opening up to welcome more international students from around the world. There are many reasons why pursuing a higher degree in Latvia might just be a great decision.

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AboutLatvia

Latvia is located in the northern European region known as The Baltics, due to the location on the Baltic Sea and surrounded by 4 other countries; Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus.

The country is divided into 110 municipalities and 9 republic cities with the capital city, Riga located along the aptly named Gulf of Riga. The largest cities after Riga are Daugavpils and Liepāja.

One thing about Latvia is that makes it stand out is the architecture. Riga is famously known for its “Nouveau” style buildings which won the title of “European capital of culture” in 2014.

The city has over 4,000 historic wooden buildings more than any other European city and its iconic building dubbed the “House of Blackheads” which was built in the 1400s.

Latvia is located on the East European Plain and about 10% of the country is made up of peak bogs and swamps and over half of the country is forested. The country also has over 12,500 rivers, the longest one being the Daugava, and Latvia has the widest waterfall in Europe which is the “Ventas Rumba” standing at 250m wide. The largest lake in the country is the Lake Lubāns.

The national animals are the white wagtail bird and the two-spotted ladybug, however, Latvia is also famous for the blue cows of Kurzeme. When it comes to its demographics, Latvia has a population of about 2 million people with the second-lowest ratio of men to women in the world at 0.85 men per 1 woman.

The country is made up of a significant 63% of people that identify as ethnically Latvian, about a quarter of the population is Russian and the remaining 12% is made up of others such as Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Poles, and Belarusians.

Latvia is a member of the European Union (EU) having joined in May 2004, they use the European Euro as their currency and the drive on the right side of the road.

Today Latvian and Lithuanian are the only two Baltic languages left in existence, the last relative Old Prussian, went extinct around the 1800s. Most Latvians are at least trilingual, learning Russian in their formative years with English which is now favored for business and global outreach.

Faith wise, about a third identity with the Lutheran church, a quarter with the Catholic denomination and about 20% as Orthodox most of which are Russians.

As a member of the EU since 2003 as well as NATO and the Council of Europe Latvia has significantly opened up to their western counterparts, seeing tons of diplomatic measures taken from the Germans, French, Polish, and Italians.

About Latvia Economy

The country also has a fast-rising economy and business environment that seeks to make them a global force. Economically Latvia has seen an overall huge GDP resurgence since the independence from the Soviet Union. They switched everything from state-owned to privatization and with that they became more creative.

Their economy is mostly run off of industrial goods like textiles, wood products, pharmaceuticals, and processed foods. Agriculture-wise Latvians love meat and dairy and produce huge amounts every year.

The capital city, Riga is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the Baltic Sea region and the largest industrial, business, financial, cultural, and sports centers in the Baltics. It is also an important port city and transport hub between the west and the east connecting students to explore the rest of Europe.

Latvia has a fast-growing and dynamic business environment, and its GDP is increasing every year by 2 to 3%. According to the annual Doing Business Index, the Latvian business environment indicators are increasing and export is rapidly growing accordingly.

In the next few years, Latvia has goals to become the next best European center for startups as a lot of innovative and inspiring business ideas in recent times have origins in Latvia.

Latvia has the 7th fastest internet in the world and since 2014 has been the European capital of free wifi internet. The largest Latvian internet technology producer, MikroTik works in close association with enterprises such as Siemens, NASA, and SAAB.

Within Latvia, they use the European Euro and its GDP PPP which stands at $63.490 billion (2020) of which exports stand at $14.5 billion making them the 78th largest exporter in the world.

Latvia’s biggest exports are broadcasting types of equipment, sun wood which takes the largest portion of exports, and even hard liquor. Imports, however, come in at $18.4 billion and include cars, broadcast types of equipment, refined petroleum, hard liquor, and packaged medicaments.

Why Study in Latvia

Affordable Tuition Fees in Latvia
Geographical Hotspot
Latvia is a geographical hotspot and is easily accessible internationally, by air from more than 80 cities, and by train, bus, and ferry from more than 100 cities worldwide. The country also has a fast-rising economy and a business environment that seeks to make them a global force. Latvia offers a high quality of life, a clean city environment, cultural diversity, safe urban environment with low crime rates. Latvia’s landscape leaves plenty of room for imagination which leads to creativity and innovation.
Affordable Accomodation in Latvia
Fastest Internet Speeds
Latvia has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world, which is also free with the 4th fastest broadband connection globally. Latvia’s culture and art are very unique and only peculiar to the country. Latvia has about 50% of natural forests and they are a bit closer to nature than the average European.Latvians are extremely friendly and warm to foreigners, they open their doors and hearts to many international students.
International Environment in Latvia
International Students
International students are on the rise in Latvia and the country is making more room to accommodate this growing number with many opportunities for scholarships and awards. Latvia has one of the highest university enrollment rates in the world, and almost everyone speaks three languages: Latvian, Russian, and English. The country also has the most competitive labor force in all of the EU across different sectors.
Great Weather in Latvia
Range of Programs
Latvian universities offer a wide range of programs at all levels, more and more courses are introduced yearly so that students have suitable career options. Science, Technology, and ICT are key fields that have contributed to the development of Latvia. The country is the regional head in research and development in biotech and the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the Baltics.

Scholarships in Latvia

The financial commitment of university education abroad often restricts many foreign students from applying to study away from their home countries. Interestingly, Latvian universities and the government find many ways to make studying in the country less monotonous for its foreign students with the availability of scholarship schemes and tuition funding programs.

Presently, a good number of foreign students in Latvia have received some form of tuition support for their studies in the country, and there are further plans to increase this number.

Latvia Student Visa

Visa requirements in Latvia are dependent on the students' country of origin, students with EU/EEA citizenship do not require a visa to come and study in Latvia. Similarly, several countries are outside the EU/EEA region that its nationals enjoy the same visa-free privileges.

Notwithstanding, citizens from these countries have a 90-day stay limit under 6 months in which they can remain in Latvia after which they must apply for a residence permit. Therefore, international students under this category traveling to study programs longer than 6 months must apply for their residence permit before they arrive or within 90 days of their arrival in Latvia