About the university
The University of Latvia (LU) was founded in 1919, shortly after Latvia became independent, and is the country's largest and most comprehensive university. It teaches across the sciences, medicine, economics, law, humanities and education, and is the main research university in Latvia. Its newer Academic Centre in Torņakalns, across the river from Riga's Old Town, houses modern science and technology buildings.
LU appears in the QS World University Rankings 2027 in the 781–790 band. For Indian students its main appeal is a wide range of English-taught degrees at low fees: most English bachelor's and master's programmes cost between €3,100 and €6,000 a year for non-EU students in 2026/27. It also runs English-taught Medicine and Dentistry degrees, which cost considerably more.
Admission to English-taught bachelor's degrees is competitive and structured. For Computer Science (EN), for example, non-EU applicants need a maths grade of 8 out of 10, an average of at least 6 out of 10, an SAT score of 1200 and an online interview. LU only accepts Indian applicants with first- or second-class (division) results, and asks for apostilled copies of education documents.
Riga is a compact, walkable capital with a medieval Old Town, good public transport and a lower cost of living than most EU capitals. LU's own dormitories are among the cheapest in the city. Latvia's immigration rules tightened on 15 September 2026, including limits on bringing family on a student permit, so check the current rules before you apply.
- Founded
- 1919, as the national university of independent Latvia
- Type
- Public research university, the largest in Latvia
- Faculties
- Economics and Social Sciences; Science and Technology; Medicine and Life Sciences; Humanities; Education Sciences and Psychology; Law; plus the UL FinTech Business School
- English-taught degrees
- Bachelor's and master's in computer science, business, engineering management, data science, medicine, dentistry, optometry and more
- Intake
- September; applications for international students open on 1 December (some programmes 1 January)
- Fees
- About €3,100–€6,000 a year for most English-taught degrees; Medicine €11,850 and Dentistry €17,310 a year (2026/27)
- Campus
- Academic Centre in Torņakalns, Riga, plus buildings in central Riga
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
781–790 in the world
QS Europe University Rankings 2026
Ranked (badge shown on the university site)
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €3,340
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September (applications from 1 December or 1 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (old scale), PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First (grade B)
- Postgraduate
Master's in International Business (EN)
- Fee / year
- €3,200
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September (applications from 1 December or 1 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (old scale), PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First (grade B)
- Postgraduate
Master's in Mathematics and Data Science (EN)
- Fee / year
- €5,400
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September (applications from 1 December or 1 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (old scale), PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First (grade B)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Business Administration (EN)
- Fee / year
- €3,300
- Duration
- 3 years (180 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September (applications from 1 December or 1 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (old scale), PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First (grade B)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €11,850
- Duration
- 6 years (360 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September (applications from 1 December or 1 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (old scale), PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First (grade B)
- Postgraduate
Master's in Project Management (EN)
- Fee / year
- €3,200
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September (applications from 1 December or 1 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (old scale), PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First (grade B)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering and Management (EN)
- Fee / year
- €3,100
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September (applications from 1 December or 1 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (old scale), PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First (grade B)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Biotechnology and Bioengineering (EN)
- Fee / year
- €4,200
- Duration
- 3 years (180 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September (applications from 1 December or 1 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (old scale), PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First (grade B)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Computer Science (EN) | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €3,340 | ≈ ₹3.5 lakh |
| Master's in International Business (EN) | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €3,200 | ≈ ₹3.4 lakh |
| Master's in Mathematics and Data Science (EN) | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €5,400 | ≈ ₹5.7 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Business Administration (EN) | 3 years (180 ECTS) | €3,300 | ≈ ₹3.5 lakh |
| Medicine (EN) | 6 years (360 ECTS) | €11,850 | ≈ ₹12.6 lakh |
| Master's in Project Management (EN) | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €3,200 | ≈ ₹3.4 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering and Management (EN) | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €3,100 | ≈ ₹3.3 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Biotechnology and Bioengineering (EN) | 3 years (180 ECTS) | €4,200 | ≈ ₹4.5 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 University of Latvia with similar universities in Latvia.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students
University of Latvia Foundation scholarships
Value: Varies by donor programme
Eligibility: Merit- and need-based awards funded by donors through the UL Foundation; most need an application during your studies.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's and doctoral; mostly for citizens of partner countries
State scholarships for foreign students (Latvian government, through the State Education Development Agency)
Value: Monthly stipend for the study period
Eligibility: Offered under bilateral agreements; check whether Indian citizens are eligible in the current year's call.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Enrolled students
Erasmus+ mobility grants
Value: Monthly grant for a semester or traineeship elsewhere in Europe
Eligibility: LU degree students through the university's Erasmus+ agreements.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 (Senior Secondary) certificate. LU accepts Indian applicants only with first- or second-class (division) results; CBSE graduates since 2016 must also submit their admit card.
- Programme rules for non-EU applicants: for example, Computer Science (EN) needs maths of at least 8/10 (about 80%), an overall average of at least 6/10, an SAT of 1200 and an online interview. Medicine (EN) needs biology and chemistry of at least 8/10, an average of 6/10, SAT 1200 and an interview.
- English: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge B2 First at grade B.
- Apply online at apply.lu.lv. Applications for international students open on 1 December (some programmes on 1 January) for September entry.
- Residence permit documents submitted after 20 August must use the 10-day express examination, so apply early.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree with specialisation, or a four-year bachelor's. LU treats a general three-year BA or BSc from India as equal to only two years of Latvian study, so you would also need a master's degree.
- First- or second-class (division) results only.
- English: IELTS 6.0 (7.0 for English Studies), TOEFL, PTE Academic 55 or Cambridge certificates.
- Education documents must be apostilled and submitted as certified copies in the original language and in English.
Documents
- Passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 certificates and mark sheets (bachelor's); CBSE admit card if required
- Bachelor's degree and transcript (master's)
- Apostilled education documents with certified English translations
- English test score (within the last five years)
- SAT score report, for programmes that require it
- Apostilled police clearance (statement on punishability)
- For the residence permit: proof of at least €780 a month for living costs and proof of paid tuition, as many universities require
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 | 6.0 (7.0 for the English Studies master's) |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 for tests before 22 January 2026, or 4 on the new scale |
| PTE Academic | 55 (67 for English Studies) |
| Cambridge | C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced at any level, or B2 First at grade B or higher |
| Exemptions | Previous study in English in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Ireland or New Zealand; studying in English in India does not count |
Accommodation and living costs
LU runs two student hotels in Riga, Prima and Valdemāra 161, which give priority to international degree and exchange students. You can apply only after you are admitted. Rooms have shared bathrooms, and prices rose from 1 July 2026. LU also works with GlobalHome to help students find private flats.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Prima, double room (per person)From 1 July 2026 | €202per month | ≈ ₹21,412 |
| Prima, single roomFrom 1 July 2026 | €291per month | ≈ ₹30,846 |
| Valdemāra 161, shared room (2–4 people)Per person, from 1 July 2026 | €114–181per month | ≈ ₹12,084 – ₹19,186 |
| Valdemāra 161, single roomFrom 1 July 2026 | €220–272per month | ≈ ₹23,320 – ₹28,832 |
| Minimum funds for the residence permitLatvian requirement for living costs | €780per month | ≈ ₹82,680 |
Campus and location
Riga is the capital of Latvia and the largest city in the Baltic states, with a UNESCO-listed Old Town, a busy tech and services sector and good bus, tram and rail links. LU teaches in central Riga and at its Academic Centre in Torņakalns.
- Historic main building on Raiņa bulvāris in central Riga.
- Academic Centre in Torņakalns with modern buildings for natural sciences and technology.
- UL FinTech Business School for business and finance programmes.
- Two LU student hotels (Prima and Valdemāra 161) with priority for international students.
- Riga International Airport is about 20–30 minutes from the city centre by bus.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Latvia's job market is small, but Riga has a growing IT, business services and logistics sector where English is common. 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 and doctoral graduates can apply for a nine-month permit to look for work.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time work, bachelor's students | Up to 20 hours a week in term, 40 in holidays | PMLP: residence permit for studies |
| Part-time work, full-time master's students | No fixed weekly limit | 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 |
| Indian students in Latvia | About 28% of roughly 11,000 international students (2024/25) | Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia |
Studying in Latvia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Latvia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Latvia
Photo: David Holt, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Olgerts V, CC BY 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Nursing & Allied Health, Law
Photo: RISEBA ( WWW.RISEBA.LV), CC BY-SA 4.0 PrivateOften chosen for Business & Management, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Hellboy kz, CC BY-SA 3.0 PrivateOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Business & Management
Photo: Chutinon Putthiwanit, CC BY-SA 4.0 PrivateOften chosen for Hospitality & Tourism, Business & Management, Law
Often chosen for Business & Management, Computer Science & IT, Hospitality & Tourism
FAQs
How much are the fees at the University of Latvia?
For non-EU students in 2026/27, most English-taught bachelor's and master's cost €3,100–€6,000 a year: for example €3,300 for Business Administration, €3,200 for International Business and €3,700 for International Economics. Medicine costs €11,850 a year and Dentistry €17,310.
Is my three-year Indian BSc enough for a master's?
Usually not. LU treats a general three-year BA or BSc from India as two years of Latvian study, so you need a four-year bachelor's or a bachelor's with specialisation (or a master's) for most master's programmes.
Do I need the SAT?
For several English-taught bachelor's degrees, including Computer Science and Medicine, non-EU applicants need an SAT score of at least 1200 as well as an online interview.
Can I work while studying?
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, but your studies must come first.
Is the LU Medicine (EN) degree accepted in India?
Any foreign medical degree must meet the National Medical Commission's rules for foreign medical graduates (course length, internship, English medium and registration in the country of study), and you must pass the NMC screening or licensing exam. Check the latest rules with our counsellor first.
What changed in Latvia in 2026?
A new Immigration Law took effect on 15 September 2026. Among other changes, bachelor's and master's students from non-NATO countries such as India can no longer bring family members on their student permit, and renewal documents must be in Latvian.
Sources
- University of Latvia: BSc Computer Science (EN) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Latvia: Business Administration (EN) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Latvia: Medicine (EN) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Latvia: International Business (EN) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Latvia: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- University of Latvia: country-specific requirements (India) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Latvia: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- University of Latvia: fees, grants and scholarships (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)
- Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: topicalities in higher education (2024/25) (opens in a new tab)
- Afortis: Latvia's new Immigration Law 2026, key changes (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.lu.lv/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details