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Study in Latvia: A Guide for International Students

Latvia is one of the three Baltic States, located at the intersection of Northern and Eastern Europe. It borders Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. Latvia may not be a large country, back it certainly packs a lot in.

Jul 30, 2024
  • Study Abroad in Europe
  • Study Abroad in Latvia

Latvia is one of the three Baltic States, located at the intersection of Northern and Eastern Europe. It borders Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. Latvia may not be a large country, but it certainly packs a lot in.

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Latvia is a country covered in woodland, winding rivers and placid lakes. From the ancient woodland of the east, to the pristine beaches of the west, Latvia is a treasure trove of natural beauty. But there’s much more to Latvia than just the outdoors.

Latvia - Quick Facts & Figures

CapitalRiga
LanguageLatvian
Population1.9 million
Area Size64,589 km²
Students (International students)5,000+
Academic YearSeptember - June
CurrencyEuro (€)
Calling Code+371
Time zoneGMT+2

Riga is the capital of Latvia and is colloquially known as the Paris of the East. It’s here where most international students find themselves. Riga is a city in three distinct parts: old, Soviet and new. This interesting mix means that Riga has everything - from an artsy café district through to a vibrant financial district. Offshore, there’s a thriving natural gas industry, adding to Latvia’s growing economic success.

The official language is Latvian, an Eastern Baltic language that’s closely related to Lithuanian and Latgalian - a dialect of Latvian spoken in the east of the country. As Latvia is a part of the EU, Latvian is now a language with a higher profile. Russian is also widely spoken and understood in some areas of the country.

snow latvia

However, younger Latvians are increasingly learning English as their second language. Across the country, but particularly in Riga, English is widely spoken and understood by Latvians from all walks of life.

With all of this just waiting for you, Latvia is a country that makes for a fantastic study-abroad destination. Find out more about the Land of Blue Lakes in this guide.

Education in Latvia

Want to learn about how the higher education system works in Latvia? Latvia is a good destination for a variety of students, given its good programs, lifestyle and internship opportunities. Take a minute to find out more about the structure of the education system in Latvia!

Student Visas

Do you need a visa to enter Latvia to study? Learn more about the student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizenship. 

Housing & Living Costs

No matter where you study abroad, it’s important to create a budget in advance so that you’re prepared. Therefore, we’ve detailed average living and housing costs so that you can get a better idea of what you would be paying as a student in Latvia.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for degree programs in Latvia can vary. Both international and domestic students are expected to pay tuition fees in Latvia, but these fees can vary a lot. We've put together information on how this works, and on scholarships, in this section.

Language & Culture

Latvia is a country rich in culture heritage and significance. Find out more about what the country offers in terms of languages, culture, and more! We also talk about safety in Latvia in this section.

Application Process

Learn more about how to apply to Latvian schools and the documentation you need to do it in this section.

Programs

Ready to look at education in Latvia? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Latvia today!