Study in Latvia

Study in Latvia from Uzbekistan: a European degree in Riga, taught in English

Latvia is in the EU and the Schengen Area, and studying there is affordable by European standards: an English-taught bachelor’s in Riga starts at €3,300 a year. We compare three universities, work out a budget and explain the residence permit rules under Latvia’s new Immigration Law, in force since 15 September 2026.

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OPAL Education

Latvia

TAS

Tashkent

RIX

Riga

a year for an English-taught bachelor’s: from €3,300
minimum score at EKA, RNU and RTU: IELTS 5.5
bachelor’s; master’s takes 1–⁠2 years: 3–⁠4 years
a week of work for bachelor’s students, 40 in holidays: 20 h

Why · Latvia

Why students choose this country

01
An EU degree at a fair price
An English-taught bachelor’s in Riga costs €3,300–⁠5,030 a year and a master’s €3,500–⁠6,150. Study in Latvia puts average living costs at €450–⁠700 a month.
02
Taught in English
All three universities admit international students to English-taught programmes. The minimum IELTS is 5.5, and you do not need Latvian to study.
03
The Schengen Area
A Latvian residence permit lets you travel in the Schengen Area — now 29 countries — for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
04
Work while you study
Under the new law, bachelor’s students may work up to 20 hours a week and up to 40 in holidays. Full-time master’s students have no limit on hours.
05
Two intakes a year
At EKA, studies start on 1 October and 1 February. RTU runs a spring intake for some programmes: apply by 15 November 2026, classes start on 25 January 2027.
06
Stay on after a master’s
Graduates of a full-time master’s can get a 9-month residence permit to look for work. The law gives no such right after a bachelor’s.

Levels of study

Programmes and entry requirements

Ages are recommended: within these ranges admission and visas go most smoothly for students from Uzbekistan. If you are older, message us and we will look at your case.

Bachelor’s

Bachelor’s degree

Cost: €3,300–⁠5,030 a year
Duration: 3–⁠4 years
Recommended age: 18–⁠27
Language and level: English, IELTS from 5.5
Requirements: school certificate with grades, an online test (a maths exam at RTU) and an interview

Your school certificate is checked by the Academic Information Centre of Latvia (AIC); at EKA this is included in the registration fee.

Master’s

Master’s degree

Cost: €3,500–⁠6,150 a year
Duration: 1–⁠2 years
Recommended age: up to 35
Language and level: English, IELTS from 5.5
Requirements: bachelor’s degree, transcript, CV, motivation letter and an interview

Full-time master’s students can work without a limit on hours.

Universities · Latvia

Universities we help students get into

Riga · Private university of applied sciences

EKA University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor’s
Master’s

A private university in Riga founded in 1998, permanently accredited since 2006. Its strengths are management, marketing, business economics and IT. Two intakes a year: studies start on 1 October and 1 February.

Bachelor’s: €3,500 a year
Master’s: €3,800 a year

Requirements

IELTS 5.5–⁠6.0 or TOEFL iBT 72+; an online test for bachelor’s applicants and an interview. The registration fee is €300 and includes recognition of your school certificate by AIC. Applicants from abroad apply by 15 October for the February intake and by 1 August for October.

Founded on 23 July 1998
Permanently accredited since 2006
Bachelor’s 3 years (IT 4 years), master’s 2 years
No own dorm; partner residences from €150 a month

Programmes (7)

Management
Marketing
Business Economics
Information Technologies (Programming)
Business Administration
Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship
International Cultural Project Management

Official website

Riga · Private university

Riga Nordic University (formerly ISMA)

Bachelor’s
Master’s

Formerly ISMA University of Applied Sciences: founded in 1994 and renamed Riga Nordic University (RNU) in 2025. Business, tourism and IT in English; the bachelor’s takes 4 years.

Bachelor’s (4 years): €3,300 a year
Master’s: €3,900 a year

Requirements

English at B2 or above: IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 95; a video interview. The registration fee is €300 (€500 for countries that require an additional test). Master’s: Business Administration and Computer Systems, 1–⁠2 years.

Founded in 1994 as ISMA
Riga Nordic University since 2025
Duolingo accepted from 95 points

Programmes (4)

Business Administration
Business Administration in Tourism
Information Systems
Computer Systems

Official website

Riga · Public technical university

Riga Technical University

Bachelor’s
Master’s

The oldest technical university in the Baltics, with more than 160 years of history. Its strengths are computer systems, electronics and engineering, and it also offers business and finance programmes. QS World University Rankings 2027: 751–⁠760.

Bachelor’s: €3,550–⁠5,030 a year
Master’s: €3,500–⁠6,150 a year

Requirements

IELTS 5.5+, TOEFL iBT 72 or PTE A 59 (Duolingo is not listed); an online maths exam for bachelor’s applicants and an online interview. Application fee €165, deposit €500. Spring intake for some programmes: apply by 15 November 2026, studies start on 25 January 2027.

QS World University Rankings 2027: 751–⁠760
Over 13,000 students from 100+ countries (incl. branch campuses)
Bachelor’s 3–⁠4 years, master’s 2 years

Programmes (11)

Computer Systems
Engineering Technology, Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering
Smart Electronic Systems
Finance Management Information Systems
Entrepreneurship and Management
Civil Engineering
Telecommunication Technologies and Data Transmission Engineering
Business Finance
Business Informatics
Cybersecurity Engineering
Industrial Engineering and Management

Official website

Universities update fees and requirements every year. Before you apply, we confirm the current intake’s conditions with the university and give you the exact amount. Data checked: 8 October 2026

Budget

What studying and living in Latvia costs

Fees for non-EU applicants, as published by the universities, in euros.

EKA: bachelor’s €3,500, master’s €3,800 a year
RNU (formerly ISMA): bachelor’s €3,300, master’s €3,900 a year
RTU: bachelor’s €3,550–⁠5,030, master’s €3,500–⁠6,150 a year
Application fee: EKA and RNU €300; RTU €165 + €500 deposit
Living in Riga: €450–⁠700 a month
Student housing: from €70–⁠120 a month; EKA partner residences from €150
Residence permit and visa: permit consular fee €180, type D visa €90

For the permit you must show funds based on the minimum wage, €780 a month in 2026. The Latvian embassy in Tashkent asks for a 3-month bank statement with a balance of at least €9,360.

Visa

Study residence permit for Latvia

A student from Uzbekistan needs a temporary residence permit for studies. Latvia’s new Immigration Law has applied since 15 September 2026.

The university files your invitation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), which decides within 2 working days.
You can file the permit application at the Latvian embassy in Tashkent: the consular fee for full-time students is €180. Once approved, you get a 30-day type D entry visa for €90.
The other route is a long-stay type D visa first: residents of Uzbekistan book through the VFS Global visa centre.
You need a bank statement for the last 3 months with a balance of at least €9,360 and health insurance covering at least €42,600.
A permit for full-time studies is issued for up to 2 years and renewed while you study. It lets you travel in Schengen for up to 90 days in any 180.
Work: bachelor’s students up to 20 hours a week (40 in holidays); full-time master’s students without a limit on hours.

How we help

From the first consultation to your flight

We work with every student personally — from choosing a country to the visa. We explain every step and name all costs upfront.

01
Consultation
We look at your grades, English, budget and goals — and tell you honestly which countries and universities fit.
02
Documents
We prepare your file: translated school certificate or diploma, motivation letter, references, portfolio.
03
Admission
We apply to the universities you choose, help with tests and interviews and get your offer letter.
04
Visa and flight
We help with financial documents and the visa form and advise on housing and flights.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study in Latvia?

English-taught bachelor’s: RNU (formerly ISMA) €3,300 a year, EKA €3,500, RTU €3,550–⁠5,030 depending on the programme. Master’s: €3,500–⁠6,150. There is a fee when you apply: €300 at EKA and RNU, €165 plus a €500 deposit at RTU. Living in Riga costs €450–⁠700 a month on average.

Can I apply without IELTS?

You need an English certificate, but not necessarily IELTS. RNU accepts Duolingo from 95, EKA accepts TOEFL iBT from 72, Cambridge and other tests, and RTU accepts TOEFL iBT 72 or PTE A 59. If you studied entirely in English, EKA accepts a letter from your school or university confirming it.

Can I work while studying?

Yes. Under the Immigration Law in force since 15 September 2026, bachelor’s students may work up to 20 hours a week and up to 40 in holidays. Full-time master’s students have no limit on hours. After a full-time master’s you can get a 9-month permit to look for work.

How do I get a Latvian study residence permit?

Once you are admitted, the university files an invitation with PMLP. You can submit the permit application at the Latvian embassy in Tashkent (fee €180); after approval you get a type D entry visa (€90). You need a 3-month bank statement with a balance of at least €9,360 and insurance covering at least €42,600. We can help you prepare the documents — contact us.

Do I need Latvian?

Not for your studies: the EKA, RNU and RTU programmes described here are taught in English. Latvian at A2 is only required for permanent residence.

Where do students live in Riga?

According to Study in Latvia, a place in a dorm or student hostel costs €70–⁠120 a month, a room in a shared flat €100–⁠200 and a flat of your own €250–⁠350. EKA has no dorm of its own but works with partner residences from €150 a month; RNU also works with partner hostels.

Is a Latvian degree recognised in Uzbekistan?

Foreign degrees are recognised by the Agency for Assessment of Knowledge and Qualifications via my.gov.uz. Degrees from universities on the annual top-1000 list of world rankings (QS, THE, ARWU) are usually recognised without a test; RTU is 751–⁠760 in QS 2027. For other universities the commission may set a test in core subjects.

What age is right for studying in Latvia?

We recommend a bachelor’s at 18–⁠27 and a master’s up to 35. These are our working guidelines, not university rules. If you are just finishing school, see the study abroad after school page.

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