Bachelor of Materials Engineering
Riga, Latvia
BSc
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
* Application deadlines are country-dependent, and applications close as early as May 1 for some countries. Please check our applications timeline for more information: https://www.rtu.lv/en/studies/admission-1
Key Summary
About: Riga Technical University (RTU), the oldest technical university in the Baltic states, offers a multidisciplinary Bachelor's in Materials Engineering. The programme combines hands-on labs, sustainable innovation and flexible study pathways, with access to modern facilities, world-class faculty, research mentors and a green, international campus that supports STEAM and humanities learning.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue roles as materials engineers, R&D specialists, process engineers, quality engineers, polymer technologists, thin-film and coatings specialists, and nanotechnology engineers. Industries include aerospace, automotive, electronics, biomedical, energy and advanced manufacturing.
With strong practical skills, graduates are prepared for industry roles, research, postgraduate study or entrepreneurship.
RTU’s multidisciplinary Bachelor’s Materials Science programme offers its students a unique blend of engineering, innovation, and advanced technology expertise.
Students gain essential knowledge in developing high-value materials for industries such as power engineering, biomedicine, electronics, and construction, while also exploring sustainable cultural heritage preservation.
With flexible specialisation options in biomaterials, polymer materials, composites, inorganic materials, or conservation and restoration, students can tailor their studies to match their career ambitions.
The programme emphasises hands-on learning through internships and a research-driven bachelor’s thesis, solving real-world industry challenges with cutting-edge technologies. Accredited with excellent evaluations, this programme equips graduates with the technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities needed to drive innovation in material science and engineering.
Why Materials Engineering at RTU?
Materials scientists work at the forefront of technology, applying physics, chemistry, and biology to compose new products—many of which have the potential to greatly improve our quality of life. Whether it's creating more recyclable plastics, developing energy-efficient materials for solar panels, or designing prosthetics that are both durable and biocompatible, their work plays a crucial role in everyday life and major global initiatives like sustainability.
RTU’s Materials Engineering programme excels in innovation, sustainability, and hands-on learning, equipping students for careers in biomedicine, construction, cultural heritage conservation, and advanced manufacturing. Aligned with European Higher Education standards, the curriculum blends research with practical experience, ensuring graduates are prepared for roles in quality assurance, product development, restoration science, and sustainable materials engineering.
The RTU advantage:
- Gain access to our modern facilities, including the best-equipped prototyping workshop in the Baltic states and impressive supercomputing resources, and take advantage of our next-generation equipment.
- Learn from world-class faculty and dedicated research mentors and expand your academic horizons through study-abroad opportunities.
- Spend your days on a green campus that prioritises sustainability, exemplified by our ranking as the 57th greenest university in the world (GreenMetric University Rankings 2025).
- Build a global network by studying alongside students from over 100 countries, engaging in industry events, and participating in student-led innovation initiatives that connect you to the future of engineering.
Questions?
Want to learn more about the programme, accommodation options, or admission requirements? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Admissions team:
admission@rtu.lv
+371 67089766 (call)
+371 25714286 (WhatsApp, messages only)
Compulsory Study Courses
- Introduction to Materials Science
- General Chemistry
- Chemistry for Material Scientists
- Introduction to Unit Operation of Chemical Engineering
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics
- Supplementary Mathematics (for Materials Science)
- Introduction to the Programming Language MATLAB
- Fundamentals of Graphics Communication
- Programming in Materials Science
- Structure and Properties of Materials
- Material Surface Processes
- Organic Materials and Technology
- Inorganic Materials and Technology
- Composite Materials and Technology
- Materials Research Methods
- Material Selection, Ageing, and Recycling
- Management of Materials and Processes
- Innovation Product Development and Entrepreneurship
- Information Literacy in Chemistry and Materials Science
- Environment and Climate Roadmap
- Civil Protection
Field-Specific Study Courses
Biomaterials
- Biomaterials Chemistry and Technology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Methods for Materials Analysis
- Design of the Experiments and Experimental Data Processing
Conservation and Restoration
- Introduction to Cultural Heritage Preservation
- Textiles Dry and Wet Cleaning, and Maintenance
- Aging of Materials
- Paper Aging and Conversation
- Pigments and Paints
- Colour Science
- Basics of Stone Material Conservation
- Metals and Alloys
Inorganic Materials
- Technologies and Use of Glass-Like Materials
- Ceramic Materials, Their Production Technologies and Use
- Binders for Construction
- Introduction to Nanomaterials Technologies
- Experimental Research Methods for Silicate Materials and Nanomaterials
Polymer Materials and Composites
- Polymer Composites and Blends
- Polymer Adhesives
- Polymer Paint and Varnish Coatings
- Biopolymers and Sustainable Polymers
- Fibre Materials
- Recycling of Polymer Materials
- Basics of Additive Technologies and 3D Printing
- Organisation of Research Work
- Additives for Polymer Materials
- Advanced Polymer Materials
Humanities and Social Sciences Study Courses
- The Terminology Minimum in English
- General Sociology
- Sociology of Management
- Sociology of Personalities and Small Groups
- Fundamentals of Law
- Start-up Entrepreneurship
Practical Placement
- Internship in Biomaterials
- Internship in Polymer Materials and Composites
- Internship in Inorganic and Nanomaterial Technologies
- Internship in Conservation and Restoration of Materials
Other Courses
- Free Elective Study Courses
- Final Examination: Bachelor Thesis
Graduates of the study programme possess in-depth theoreticaland practical knowledge of materials scienceandengineering, enabling them to analyse, develop, and implement innovative solutions in various industries.
They are skilled in selecting appropriate methods and technologies for material processing, characterisation, and quality control while effectively interpreting and presenting research or production results.
Additionally, graduates are equipped to contribute to scientific and industrial projects, integrating modern materials and advanced technological solutions to drive innovation and meet market demands.
The Latvian government offers scholarships for RTU Bachelor’s and Master’s students from select countries.
To apply, you must receive provisional acceptance from RTU. For more information about the application process and the list of eligible countries, visit the Study in Latvia website.
Scholarship:
- €500 per month for Bachelor’s students for up to 10 months;
- €600 per month for Master’s students for up to 10 months.
Eligible applicants:
- Bachelor's students who have already completed at least 1 academic year at any higher education institution (HEI);
- Master’s students from any previous HEI.
Graduates of the Materials Engineering study programme have diverse career opportunities in fields such as product and material testing, quality assurance, and the development of innovative technologies for the biomedical and healthcare sectors.
They can work in cultural heritage conservation, specialising in the analysis, preservation, and restoration of materials and artefacts.
Additionally, career prospects extend to advanced material technologies, including vitreous coatings, thin films, nanotechnologies, and polymer materials, which are essential for industries like mechanical engineering, construction, medical equipment, and packaging.
With competitive knowledge and skills, graduates are well-prepared for both the Latvian and international job markets.
The ideal candidate for the Materials Engineering programme is a student with:
- a strong academic foundation, particularly in mathematics, chemistry, and physics;
- a keen interest in materials science, engineering, and the development of innovative technologies;
- a desire to contribute to fields such as power engineering, biomedicine, electronics, construction, and cultural heritage preservation;
- a motivation to develop their problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills while gaining practical experience through internships and research projects.
