About the university
EKA University of Applied Sciences is a private university in Riga founded in 1998. Its Latvian name means University of Economics and Culture, which reflects what it teaches: management, marketing, business economics, accounting, law, IT, interior and game design, and cultural management. It is small and practical, with more than 6,000 alumni working in around 30 countries.
Most of EKA's programmes are in Latvian, but it runs a focused set of English-taught degrees for international students: bachelor's degrees in Management, Marketing, Business Economics and Information Technologies (Programming), and master's degrees in Business Administration, Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship, and International Cultural Project Management. It also hosts Erasmus+ exchange students from across Europe.
EKA is one of the cheapest options in Latvia for English-taught study, at €3,500 a year for a bachelor's and €3,800 a year for a master's. It charges tuition only after Latvia's Academic Information Centre recognises your previous qualification and you pass its online test and interview, and it refunds tuition on written request before studies start.
EKA does not run its own dormitory but lists partner hostels and apartments in Riga, several from about €150 a month. It is not ranked in the global rankings, so look closely at the curriculum and the internship links of your programme. Latvia's immigration rules tightened in September 2026, so check the current permit conditions before you pay.
- Founded
- 1998
- Type
- Private university of applied sciences (economics, business, IT, culture and design)
- Alumni
- More than 6,000, working in about 30 countries
- English-taught degrees
- 4 bachelor's and 3 master's
- Fees
- €3,500 a year for bachelor's and €3,800 a year for master's
- Intakes
- 1 October (apply by 1 August) and 1 February (apply by 15 October)
- Registration fee
- €300, covering document processing, AIC diploma recognition and residence permit advice
Rankings
QS and THE World University Rankings 2027
Not ranked
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Information Technologies (Programming)
- Fee / year
- €3,500
- Duration
- 4 years (professional bachelor's)
- Intakes
- October and February
- English
- IELTS 5.5–6.0, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 605 or LanguageCert B2 (or a letter confirming English-medium education)
- Postgraduate
Master's in Business Administration
- Fee / year
- €3,800
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- October and February
- English
- IELTS 5.5–6.0, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 605 or LanguageCert B2 (or a letter confirming English-medium education)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,500
- Duration
- 3 years
- Intakes
- October and February
- English
- IELTS 5.5–6.0, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 605 or LanguageCert B2 (or a letter confirming English-medium education)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Business Economics
- Fee / year
- €3,500
- Duration
- 3 years
- Intakes
- October and February
- English
- IELTS 5.5–6.0, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 605 or LanguageCert B2 (or a letter confirming English-medium education)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,500
- Duration
- 3 years
- Intakes
- October and February
- English
- IELTS 5.5–6.0, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 605 or LanguageCert B2 (or a letter confirming English-medium education)
- Postgraduate
Master's in Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship
- Fee / year
- €3,800
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- October and February
- English
- IELTS 5.5–6.0, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 605 or LanguageCert B2 (or a letter confirming English-medium education)
- Postgraduate
Master's in International Cultural Project Management
- Fee / year
- €3,800
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- October and February
- English
- IELTS 5.5–6.0, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 605 or LanguageCert B2 (or a letter confirming English-medium education)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's in Information Technologies (Programming) | 4 years (professional bachelor's) | €3,500 | ≈ ₹3.7 lakh |
| Master's in Business Administration | 2 years | €3,800 | ≈ ₹4 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Management | 3 years | €3,500 | ≈ ₹3.7 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Business Economics | 3 years | €3,500 | ≈ ₹3.7 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Marketing | 3 years | €3,500 | ≈ ₹3.7 lakh |
| Master's in Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship | 2 years | €3,800 | ≈ ₹4 lakh |
| Master's in International Cultural Project Management | 2 years | €3,800 | ≈ ₹4 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at EKA University of Applied Sciences with similar universities in Latvia.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students
EKA grants and scholarships
Value: Awards for achievements (amounts set by EKA)
Eligibility: Students with strong study results or other achievements; ask EKA which awards are open to non-EU students.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Enrolled students
Erasmus+ mobility grants
Value: Monthly grant for a study period or traineeship elsewhere in Europe
Eligibility: EKA degree students through the university's Erasmus+ partnerships.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 certificate and transcript with at least 60%, notarised, with a notarised English translation if needed.
- English: IELTS 5.5–6.0, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, TOEIC 605, Cambridge or LanguageCert B2; or a letter confirming your previous education was fully in English.
- Email all documents as scanned PDFs (not photos or ZIP files) to EKA's admissions address with the completed application form.
- Online entrance test; applicants scoring 60% or more move on to a video interview.
- Pay the €300 registration fee when invoiced. Deadlines: 1 August for October and 15 October for February.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree and transcript with at least 60%, plus your Class 12 diploma.
- CV and motivation letter in PDF.
- English certificate as for bachelor's degrees.
- Video interview (all master's applicants).
- Tuition is paid only after the Academic Information Centre recognises your degree and you pass the interview.
Documents
- Completed application form (Word format)
- Passport scan
- Notarised Class 12 diploma and transcript (and bachelor's diploma and transcript for master's)
- Notarised English translations where needed
- English certificate (original shown on arrival)
- CV and motivation letter (master's)
- Confirmation of accommodation before enrolment
- For the residence permit: proof of at least €780 a month for living costs and proof of tuition payment
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5–6.0 |
| TOEFL | iBT 72 or PBT 513 (Home Edition not accepted) |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| Other | TOEIC 605, Cambridge FCE/CAE/CPE, BEC Vantage, Linguaskill 160, LanguageCert IESOL B2 |
| Exemption | A letter from your school or university confirming your previous education was fully in English |
Accommodation and living costs
EKA has no dormitory of its own. It lists partner hostels and apartments across Riga; you must confirm your accommodation before enrolment. Sample prices from EKA's list are below.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel or shared room (Elizium, Prusu Nams, Xpert)From €150 | €150per month | ≈ ₹15,900 |
| Merkela Apartment, shared room€150–€180 plus a €60 utilities flat rate | €210–240per month | ≈ ₹22,260 – ₹25,440 |
| UNIFLOW studio apartmentFrom €400, utilities and Wi-Fi included | €400per month | ≈ ₹42,400 |
| Registration feeNon-refundable if a visa or recognition problem stops you starting | €300one-off | ≈ ₹31,800 |
| Minimum funds for the residence permitLatvian requirement | €780per month | ≈ ₹82,680 |
Campus and location
Riga is Latvia's capital and the largest city in the Baltic states, with a medieval Old Town and good public transport. EKA teaches at its campus in Riga, with partner hostels across the city.
- Small classes and a practical, applied-sciences approach.
- Programmes in business, IT, culture management and design.
- Erasmus+ exchange students from Spain, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France and other countries.
- Two intakes a year: October and February.
Careers and graduate outcomes
EKA's programmes are designed around practical skills and internships, and its alumni work in about 30 countries. Bachelor's students can work up to 20 hours a week in term and 40 in holidays; full-time master's students have no fixed weekly cap. Master's graduates can apply for a nine-month permit to look for work in Latvia.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alumni | More than 6,000, working in about 30 countries | EKA University of Applied Sciences |
| Part-time work, bachelor's students | Up to 20 hours a week in term, 40 in holidays | PMLP: residence permit for studies |
| Stay after graduation | Up to 9 months to look for work (master's and doctoral graduates) | PMLP: residence permit after graduation |
Studying in Latvia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Latvia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does EKA cost?
€3,500 a year for an English-taught bachelor's and €3,800 a year for a master's, plus a €300 registration fee. Tuition is paid only after your qualification is recognised and you pass the test and interview.
Which programmes are taught in English?
Bachelor's: Management, Marketing, Business Economics and Information Technologies (Programming). Master's: Business Administration, Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship, and International Cultural Project Management.
When are the deadlines?
1 August for studies starting on 1 October, and 15 October for studies starting on 1 February, for applicants living outside Latvia.
Is the registration fee refundable?
No. The €300 fee is not refunded if you cannot start because of diploma recognition, visa or residence permit problems. Tuition, however, is refunded on written request before studies begin.
Is there an entrance exam?
Bachelor's applicants take an online test; those scoring 60% or more are invited to a video interview. All master's applicants have an interview.
Sources
- EKA University of Applied Sciences: tuition fees (English-language programmes) (opens in a new tab)
- EKA University of Applied Sciences: study programmes (opens in a new tab)
- EKA University of Applied Sciences: admission requirements for foreign students (opens in a new tab)
- EKA University of Applied Sciences: accommodation in Riga (opens in a new tab)
- EKA University of Applied Sciences: English homepage (opens in a new tab)
- PMLP (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs): residence permit for studies (opens in a new tab)
- PMLP: residence permit after graduation (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.augstskola.lv/?lng=eng (opens in a new tab)
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