Study in Latvia: Complete Guide for Indian Students

Dreaming of a European degree without a very high budget? Study in Latvia is a smart option for Indian students. Latvia offers affordable tuition, EU-recognized degrees and strong IT and engineering programmes. This complete guide explains country facts, visa documents, document legalization, the higher education system, credit structure, tuition fees and scholarship options.

Also explore free education or no tuition fees in Europe and other options in our study abroad section. For personal guidance, apply now for free counseling.

About Latvia

Latvia is a comparatively small country in North-eastern Europe, on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. It is bound by Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania and Russia. Situated on a trade crossroads, it has long served as a bridge between Western Europe and Russia.

• Population of about 2.3 million, with nearly one third living in Riga, the capital
• Landscape of lowland plains and rolling hills
• An extensive network of rivers and thousands of lakes
• Hundreds of kilometers of undeveloped seashore lined by pine forests, dunes and continuous white sand beaches
• Official language is Latvian; the most widely used foreign languages are English, Russian and German

Why Choose Latvia for Higher Education?

• Lower costs: Tuition fees and living costs are generally lower than in most Western countries.
• IT and engineering strength: Universities are well known for producing high quality IT and engineering graduates.
• EU recognition: Latvia is an EU member, so a Latvian degree is equivalent to degrees from other EU countries and credentials are easier to get recognized.
• European lifestyle: Enjoy all the benefits of living in a European country at a lower cost than many Western EU nations.

Documents Required for Latvia Student Visa

Keep the following documents ready for visa processing:

• A fully completed and signed visa application form
• Letter of admission from the university or college in Latvia
• Confirmation of payment of the tuition fee
• Invitation letter from the university or college in Latvia
• Two photocopies of student educational documents (10th and 12th mark sheets, certificates, provisional certificate, diplomas and work experience)

Level-wise Document Requirements

• Bachelors: 12th certificate and mark sheet with apostille
• Masters: Highest degree of the student legalized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the state
• PhD: Bachelors and Masters degrees both legalized by the MEA and the state

Preparing for entrance or language tests? See our entrance exams guides for preparation help.

Document Legalization for Latvia: Does It Apply to You?

Documents issued in a foreign state must be legalized to be recognized by Latvian state institutions, including the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Detailed information is available on the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalization page.

When Can a Temporary Residence Permit Be Denied?

The complete list of reasons is published by the Latvian migration authority. In short, a permit is usually refused when:

• The applicant has provided false information
• The applicant has a criminal record
• The applicant is blacklisted in Latvia or another country
• All required documents have not been submitted
• Something is wrong with the documents, for example they are not legalized
• There is no credible proof that the applicant has sufficient means of subsistence

Higher Education System in Latvia

The Latvian educational system includes pre-school education, 9-year basic education, upper-secondary education and higher education. Formal post-secondary non-tertiary education is classified within the secondary education level.

Latvia has a binary system of higher education. Universities and other institutions run both academic and professional programmes, for example lawyer, teacher, translator and marine mechanic, although the difference between the two is not institutionalized. Bachelor’s (bakalaurs) and master’s (maģistrs) degrees are awarded in both. Graduates of both types of bachelor’s degree can move to master’s studies, and master’s graduates can move to doctoral studies. A master’s degree requires at least 5 years of university studies in total.

Bachelor’s or master’s degrees are not awarded in medicine or dentistry, but a degree in medicine or dentistry is equated to a master’s degree.

Credit Point System

Latvia uses a national credit point system. One Latvian national credit point equals one week of full-time study. The average full-time workload of an academic year in most programmes is 40 credits. The system is compatible with ECTS: multiply the number of Latvian credit points by 1.5 to get ECTS credits.

Academic Higher Education

Academic programmes prepare graduates for independent research and give the theoretical background for professional activities. They follow the national standard of academic education and are based on fundamental and applied science.

Academic bachelor structure:

• Compulsory subjects: not less than 50 national credit points (75 ECTS)
• Electives: not less than 20 national credit points (30 ECTS)
• Thesis: not less than 10 national credit points (15 ECTS)
• The remainder is left for the student’s free choice

Academic master structure:

• Thesis: not less than 20 national credit points (30 ECTS)
• Compulsory theory of the specific scientific discipline: not less than 30 national credit points (45 ECTS)
• Practical application of theory to actual problems: not less than 15 national credit points (22.5 ECTS)

Professional Higher Education

Professional programmes provide in-depth knowledge in a particular field. They prepare graduates to design or improve systems, products and technologies, and for creative, research and teaching work in that field.

Professional bachelor (at least 160 national credit points or 240 ECTS, 8 semesters or 4 years):

• General courses: not less than 20 credit points (30 ECTS)
• Theoretical courses of the chosen field: not less than 36 credit points (54 ECTS)
• Specialized courses: not less than 60 credit points (90 ECTS)
• Optional courses: not less than 6 credit points (9 ECTS)
• Practical placement: not less than 26 credit points (39 ECTS)
• State examinations including thesis: not less than 12 credit points (18 ECTS)

Professional master (not less than 40 credit points or 60 ECTS, 2 to 4 semesters or 1 to 2 years):

• Up-to-date achievements in the field, in theory and practice: at least 7 credit points (10.5 ECTS)
• Practical placements: at least 6 credit points (9 ECTS)
• State examinations including thesis: at least 20 credit points (30 ECTS)
• Research training and courses in design, management, psychology and similar areas

Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy professional studies (5 and 6 year programmes) are equal to a master’s degree, and graduates can continue to doctoral level.

College and Second-Level Programmes

• First-level professional (college): 80 to 120 national credit points (120 to 180 ECTS), aimed mainly at the labour market. Graduates can continue to related second-level or professional bachelor programmes.
• Second-level professional: at least 40 credit points (60 ECTS) for bachelor’s degree holders, or at least 160 credit points (240 ECTS) for secondary school leavers. Both include a practical placement of at least 26 credit points (39 ECTS) and graduation examinations with thesis of at least 10 credit points (15 ECTS).

Doctoral Studies

A master’s degree or equivalent is required for admission. A doctoral degree is awarded after public defense of a doctoral thesis and successfully passed exams in the chosen scientific discipline. The thesis must contain results of original research and new insights. Doctoral studies last 3 to 4 years at different institutions.

Universities and Institutions in Latvia

Latvia has six universities and a number of other higher educational institutions. All universities and 32 other institutions (including 18 colleges) are state-run. There are also 22 private institutions (including eight colleges), all state-recognized. All recognized institutions enjoy autonomy.

Tuition Fees and Living Costs in Latvia

The cost of study depends on the institution and the programme. Fees range from about 1,000 EUR per year for teacher training (4 years of study) to about 10,000 EUR per year for dentistry. Overall, costs are generally lower than in most Western countries. Also see our guide on free education in Europe.

Scholarships in Latvia for Indian Students

The Latvian higher education system is open to international students. The Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia offers scholarships to students and teaching staff of selected countries for study and research in state higher education institutions, and for summer schools. Eligible countries include Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Greece, Belgium (Flanders Community and Belgian French Community), China, Estonia, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia and Hungary.

At present no government scholarships are available for Indian students, but enrollment in the Latvian higher education system is possible. Contact us to avail a tuition fee waiver for all levels of study programmes in Latvia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Studying in Latvia

Is a Latvian degree valid in other European countries?

Yes. As Latvia is an EU member, a degree from Latvia is equivalent to degrees from other EU countries, which makes recognition of credentials easier.

Which language is used in Latvia?

The official language is Latvian. English, Russian and German are the most widely used foreign languages.

Are scholarships available for Indian students in Latvia?

Government scholarships are currently not available for Indian students, but tuition fee waiver options can be explored through our counselors.

How long is a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Latvia?

Academic bachelor programmes last 3 to 4 years, and master programmes last 1 to 2 years. A master’s degree needs at least 5 years of university study in total.

Get Free Counseling for Study in Latvia

Not sure which course, university or budget suits you? Send your academic documents, budget and preferred location for personalized counseling. Apply now or WhatsApp us at +91 9001099110.

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