Degree studies

Detailed information about the study programmes and admission requirements for the 2026/2027 academic year:

Bachelor’s Programmes:

• Biotechnology and Bioengineering;
• Business Administration;
• Business Process Management;
• Computer Science;
• Computer Science (Dual Award Programme with Lincoln University, UK);
• Cultural and Social Anthropology;
• English, European Languages and Business Studies;
• East-West Intercultural Studies;
• Finance Management Information Systems;
• Industrial Engineering and Management;
• International Economics and Commercial Diplomacy;
• International Finance;
• Philology (French, German or Russian);
• Optometry;

Professional study Programmes:

• Dentistry;
• Medicine

Master’s Programmes:

• Business Administration;
• Chemistry;
• Clinical Optometry 2 years;
• Clinical Optometry 3 years;
• Cultural and Social Anthropology;
• Cybersecurity Management;
• Educational Sciences;
• English Studies;
• Epidemiology and Medical Statistics;
• European Studies and Economic Diplomacy;
• International Business;
• International Finance and Banking;
• Linguistics, Literature and Regional Culture Studies (Germanic, Romance or Russian and Slavic studies)
• Mathematics and Data Science;
• Physics;
• Project Management;
• Sports science;
• Technological innovations and design for education

Before applying for studies at the University of Latvia, applicants should assess their conformity with the following general admission criteria (these may differ slightly for some bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programmes):

• Application deadlines: As stated above.
• Enrolment documents:
  • Depending on the level of the chosen study programme, applicants must provide the original final diploma and transcript of records, or final examination results in the original language, along with a notarised translation into English.
  • Language proficiency.
  • Other requirements can be fulfilled during the application process.

Applicants’ educational documents (certificates and transcripts of records) must be recognised as suitable for enrolment at a university in their home country, or the country where the degree was awarded.

If the applicant is in the process of completing their final semester and has not yet received their diploma, they cannot submit an application with provisional results from their school. The obtained diploma must be submitted for the diploma recognition procedure.

If the applicant meets these general criteria, they are welcome to proceed with the next steps and apply for studies at the University of Latvia.

The online application form must be submitted in order to apply for studies at the University of Latvia. Applicants must create an account to complete the online application. The form can be saved and completed across multiple sessions.

Please submit your application form only after all the required documents have been uploaded!
NOTE: Documents are only accepted in .pdf format.

Applying for a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programme requires the completed application form and upload of the following documents:

• General secondary school diploma/certificate in the original language and a notarised copy in English (for Bachelor's degree applicants);
• Bachelor’s degree diploma in the original language and a notarised copy in English (for Master's degree applicants);
• Two Bachelor's diplomas and Master's degree (at least a two-year programme) diploma in the original language and a notarised copy in English (for PhD applicants);
• Transcript of grades or final examination results in the original language and a notarised copy in English;
• Diploma supplement or transcripts of records (both in the original language and a notarised translation in English);
• Motivation letter (if required);
• CV (if required);
• English language proficiency document. This is not required if previous education was obtained in English in one of the below-listed countries:
  • Australia
  • The Bahamas
  • Canada
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
• Passport copy;
• Residence permit card copy (if applicable);
• One photograph;
• For PhD applicants: Successful completion of an entrance examination, after which applicants will be invited to an online interview.

Applicants are required to upload:

1. A justification and framework (3-5 pages) for the chosen dissertation (no specific form required);
2. A completed Curriculum Vitae form.

After uploading all the required documents and submitting the application, the applicant will receive the application fee invoice (170 EUR). The application will only be considered once proof of payment has been provided. The application fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee acceptance. Applicants can only cover any fees after receiving the invoice or upon request from the admissions officer.

The application fee must be paid by the end of the admission deadline. Even if the invoice deadline passes the admission deadline, the application fee cannot be paid after the admission deadline has passed.

Bank details:

Beneficiary: UNIVERSITY OF LATVIA 
Address: Raiņa bulvāris 19, Riga, Latvia, LV-1586 
VAT number: LV90000076669 
Bank: Swedbank
Account No. IBAN: LV47HABA0551055080524
BIC code (SWIFT code): HABALV22

Payment description text: Application fee, FIRST NAME, LAST NAME, and DATE OF BIRTH of the applicant.

NOTE: The applicant is responsible for covering the bank commission fees for transfers; these cannot be included in the application fee or tuition fee amount.

After completing the payment, the applicant will receive a notification from the UL coordinator, who will submit the applicant’s documents to the Academic Information Centre (AIC) for diploma recognition (the estimated duration of this process is 4 to 6 weeks), and to the study programme director for a decision regarding admission.

Once approval is received from both the AIC and the programme director, the UL coordinator will send (via regular mail or email) the following documents to the applicant:

• Study agreement and appendix (2 originals) – one of which must be returned to the University of Latvia, while the second original stays with the student until graduation;
• AIC approval (if required for visa or residence permit);
• Invitation (for visa or residence permit);
• Reference from the UL regarding placement in the UL residence hall (if necessary for visa or residence permit).

Once the above requirements are completed, the applicant can proceed to Step 3.

After receiving an acceptance letter from the UL coordinator, the applicant must complete the legalisation of their educational documents (verification of document authenticity). The documents (original diploma and transcript) must be legalised in accordance with the Hague Convention on the Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents. Please note that legalisation of documents is not a notarial act. Further information about the legalisation process.

NB! Applicants are advised to complete the legalisation of their documents before applying for studies, and this step must be fully completed before applying for a visa or residence permit.

The International Students Unit assists international students in finding accommodation if they wish to apply for a place in the University residence halls. Students should apply for residence hall accommodation as soon as they have received their acceptance letter. Places in the residence halls are limited, and securing alternative housing may take time. More information about accommodation.

• EU citizens must apply for a registration certificate in person at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) in Riga within 90 days of their first day of entry, if they intend to reside in the Republic of Latvia for more than 90 days from that date.

   

• Citizens of visa-free countries must apply for a residence permit themselves after arriving in Latvia. 

   

• Citizens of other countries who require a visa to enter Latvia have two options for applying for a residence permit.

  1. Apply for a residence permit.

  2. Apply for a visa and upon arrival to Latvia apply for a residence permit at the The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) in Latvia during the validity period of the visa.

  In either case, admitted students must submit their application to the Embassy of Latvia in their country of origin or to the embassy of another country authorised to issue visas on behalf of Latvia

   

• Citizens of other countries requiring additional assessment.

  The countries whose citizens require an additional assessment in order to receive a visa or residence permit are specified in legislation. Citizens of these countries must apply for a residence permit and visa in person at the Embassy of Latvia in their country of origin, or at the embassy of another country authorised to issue Latvian visas. The University has no authority to undertake this process. 

  NB! If the issuance of a residence permit has been approved by the OCMA, the applicant must obtain an entry visa at the Embassy of Latvia in their country of origin, or at the embassy of another country authorised to issue Latvian visas.

  NB! If the applicant’s residence permit is approved but their visa application is refused, the University of Latvia will refund the tuition fee paid by the applicant.

Further information on the required documents

ATTENTION! The University does not cover bank transfer fees; these must be added by the payer to the transferred amount.

NB! Before applying for a visa or residence permit, applicants must pay the tuition fee for the entire first year of study.

NB! Applicants are required to inform the University of Latvia Admissions Officers of every action taken during the migration process. Any unauthorised action may affect the migration process. Applicants are not permitted to travel to Latvia unless approved by the University of Latvia Admissions Unit. Any unauthorised arrival will be considered illegal immigration.

Upon arrival and moving into University residence halls or an apartment, applicants should:

1. Visit the International Students Unit to apply for a student card, receive guidance on residence matters, and obtain login credentials for the University of Latvia Information System (LUIS). Students must present all original documents required for admission. A prior appointment is required; please email studies@lu.lv to arrange a visit.
2. Visit the faculty to meet the study programme secretary, receive an introduction to the facilities, and take part in orientation activities.
3. Register for the study semester, courses, and sports during registration week using the University of Latvia Information System.
4. Apply for or collect the residence permit card at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).
5. If required for the residence permit, attend a clinic for an X-ray or fluorography and purchase health insurance.
6. Declare the place of residence at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs and apply for a registration certificate (except for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, who must hold a residence permit or visa prior to arrival in Latvia).
7. If necessary, open a bank account after receiving the residence permit card.

The registration fee is €170. Please note that this fee is non-refundable and can be paid either by bank transfer (upon receipt of an invoice) or via
online payment form.

When making your payment, please include the following details in the payment description:
Registration fee, [Given name], [Family name], [Date of birth] of the applicant.

A payment confirmation document must be uploaded to the admission portal together with all other required admission documents.

Important Information:

• Applicants are responsible for covering any bank commission charges related to the transfer.
• registration fee must be paid till the end of admission the deadline, even if the invoice deadline passes admission deadline, registration fee can not be covered after admission deadline!
• The University of Latvia will confirm receipt of payment once it has been processed.