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Why Study in Latvia?

Latvia is a land of diverse landscapes, vast towns, and centuries-old cultural practices.

Latvia provides students with the best of world-class education, both in terms of streams and curriculum variety.

Latvia has one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union, and its business sectors are thriving, providing excellent opportunities for international students.

And, believe it or not, all of this comes at a fraction of the expense that one would typically associate with international studies.

About Latvia

Latvia is a country with a rich history and cultural values and a young nation-state.

In Latvia, higher education and academic mobility are a national tradition.

With the presence of 60 state and private colleges and universities today, the tradition is even greater.

The number of students pursuing higher education studies has gradually risen as well.

Latvia has been at the crossroads of East, West, North, and South since ancient times. The nation shares borders with its Baltic neighbors, Estonia and Lithuania, and borders with Belarus and Russia, and a maritime boundary with Sweden.

Enjoy the incredible combination of a stunning landscape of lakes, rivers, and rolling hills, as well as a rich intellectual and cultural atmosphere.

The country has four national parks that protect the country’s natural beauty.

It is primarily a rich lowland with many lakes and hills to the east.

Latvia has 12,000 rivers and 3,000 small lakes, making it ideal for boating.

Latvia is an inter-cultural state, ethnic country, and prosperous country where the cultures of all these countries have merged, creating an exceptional atmosphere that students will not find anywhere else in the world.

Latvia fared well during the most recent global financial crisis.

It rapidly recovered and is now one of the EU’s fastest-growing economies.

Latvia is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, and many other international organizations such as NATO.

The nation is highly environmentally aware, ranking second in the world in the 2012 Environmental Performance Index.

Latvia is a country with a “Very High” Human Development Index, according to the United Nations (HDI).

Beautiful cities surround Latvia.

The vast majority of Latvia is an undiscovered wonderland of ancient castles, virgin forests, and centuries-old buildings of various styles.

Riga, the capital, is known for some of the best architectural styles through the Art Nouveau district, which will offer you some of the most acceptable descriptions of Arts architecture in Europe that exist alongside historical medieval buildings.

Latvia possesses both of these characteristics.

Latvia has something for everyone, from breathtaking natural beauty to vibrant cities and rich cultural heritage.

Culture

Latvian folklore and the country’s people, and their attachment to their homeland, have had a strong influence on Latvian culture.

Many Christian traditions are mixed with ancient practices.

Geometric pagan symbols can still be used in Latvian applied arts.

Climate

Latvia is located in a geographical area that allows one to experience the magic and variations of the four seasons, which is impossible in other parts of Europe.

As a result, the climate in Latvia is mild and humid, with few extreme temperature variations.

Nonetheless, Latvia has four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn.

The summer climate in Latvia is warm, with an average temperature of 17°C and peaks sometimes reaching 30°C.

During the spring and autumn seasons, the weather is usually mild but unpredictable, with an average temperature of about 10°C.

Because of the colorful leafage, fall is a popular season among nature lovers.

Winter in Latvia usually begins in the middle of December and lasts until the middle of March.

In the winter, the average temperature is around —6°C.

Why study in Latvia?

Latvia has always been a multi-ethnic nation, rich in different cultural and educational traditions, located in North-Eastern Europe by the Baltic Sea, and sees itself as a bridge between the East and the West. Latvia’s higher education institutions are involved in international collaboration in a variety of fields of research.

The following are some of the reasons that why you should study in Latvia.

1. Quality Education

Higher education in Latvia is both state-funded and fee-paying. Top students can apply for public grants and scholarships. Latvia provides undergraduate and technical higher education services at two tiers (for instance, translators, bank staff, business legal advisors, pilots, and so forth.).

Higher education institutions of the “college type” provide academic and professional training, while foundations of the “non-college type” only provide professional education.

Latvian higher education follows the Bologna system and is classified in to three levels: bachelor’s studies, master’s studies, and doctoral studies.

A Bachelor’s degree takes three to four years to complete, while a Master’s degree takes just a couple of years.

Only applicants with a Master’s degree or a similar higher education credential can pursue doctoral studies.

These last three to four years have included advanced research, examinations, and the preparation and assurance of a doctoral theory.

2. Architecture

All European cities have beautiful architecture, but did you know that Riga has the most extensive collection of Art Nouveau structures in Europe?

Wander around and marvel at the work of Latvian modelers from the late nineteenth/mid-twentieth centuries on over 800 structures.

Elizabetes, Alberta, Strelnieku, and Antonijas, are the main roads to see.

One of the most beautiful buildings is the 1904-built Riga Graduate School of Law at Alberta 13, and while you’re there, you can visit the Art Nouveau Museum at number 12.

Irrespective of what you prefer, art nouveau, romanesque, gothic, or baroque compositional styles, you will find it all here.

3. Local people and Language Travel

The official language of Latvia is Latvian, but many people speak in English, often with an interesting mix of American English, Swedish, and Dutch accents. They are gracious, and they also have a warm comical bent!

Essentially, every European capital city has an “old” part of town and an “other” part of town.

The Soviet Union’s dominance of urban areas allowed it to cling to the “customary look” primarily due to a lack of enthusiasm for evolving it and a lack of backlash.

These capital cities still have the vibe and look of hundreds of years ago, when imperial or neighborhood nobles would probably cut individuals’ heads off, yet would likewise walk or ride crosswise over the cobbled avenues and chase for “ruin.”

If you want to visit the Baltic States, you must either encounter Latvia, begin in Latvia, or end in Latvia.

It’s effortless to get to because almost every carrier in the Nordic-Baltic region makes a stopover in Riga so that you can stay for a few days.

Andrejsala used to be a very engaged and vital harbor. Still, since its demise, Riga’s creative unexpected has been taken over, who have turned the old dock structures and distribution centers into art studios and workshops, exhibition halls, offices for fashionable organizations, and gathering rooms.

The restaurants are always buzzing, and there’s always something going on, whether it’s arty, dramatic, melodic, or electronic.

Find a local to find out what’s going on, or only go down and investigate for yourself.

4. Life as a Student in Latvia

Latvia has something for all, with beautiful forests, streams, and lakes, vibrant urban areas, and a captivating and multi-ethnic community, and has been dubbed “Europe’s best-kept secret.”

Latvia, located at the crossroads of Northern and Eastern Europe, has been influenced linguistically and socially by neighbors such as Lithuania and Estonia while retaining its distinct national character and customs.

When studying in Latvia, you can study in the capital city of Riga or in one of the urban areas that are as beautiful as Riga and are close to nature, where you can enjoy the study atmosphere, as well as the incredible landscapes and pleasant environment of the small urban communities.

You can recognize the importance of spending energy in one of the world’s safest and greenest countries.

You could be sure that Latvian colleges can provide you with an advanced education system.

As one of their focal points, they consider their advanced education institutions to be sufficiently small to operate practically and successfully, ensuring a one-on-one approach to each student.

Working while Studying in Latvia

Even though the global economic crisis has had a significant effect on the Latvian labor market, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of opportunities, and even though Latvian and Russian language skills are frequently needed if you want to land a position in Riga, there are still potential outcomes to discover. International students are permitted to work part-time in Latvia. The most severe amount of hours that can be worked without a work permit is 20 per week.

Once a student has obtained a residency permit, he or she can apply for a work permit. EU residents can work openly under the European Union’s development arrangements.

Nonetheless, given the high levels of unemployment, finding work is challenging, pay rates are low by European standards, and knowledge of Latvian or Russian is usually required.

Teaching English is also a possibility. Latvian migration law anticipates better strategies for experts, teachers, and students.

If he or she is a third-country citizen, he or she has the right to apply for a temporary residency permit following the strategies supported by regularising actions.

A work permit may be granted to a full-time student if the work time specified in the work contract does not exceed 20 hours per week.

A work permit is also required if a third-country national is invited by an educational institution or scientific foundation, or an individual researcher in connection with scientific research or interest in the execution of an educational program, and the planned duration of stay in the Republic of Latvia does not exceed 14 days.

Working after Graduation in Latvia

Like many other rapidly growing economies, Latvia has a diverse top division, with numerous job opportunities for students, especially in global ventures associated with fares.

Discover what you should expect in terms of job opportunities in Latvia and learn about work permits.

Your nationality determines whether you will need a work permit in Latvia.

EU nationals do not need a permit to work in Latvia because they are citizens of the European Union.

Nonetheless, they can apply for a residency permit if they want to stay longer than the duration of a traveler visa (90 days).

Non-EU nationals will need a work permit before they can begin working legally in Latvia.

To obtain a work permit, you must show proof of planned work in Latvia with a Latvian enlisted company.

You will still need to get a long-term residence permit now and then.

Living in Latvia for students

Accommodation-

Seeking accommodation in a country outside of the borders can be difficult for students.

As a result, universities have two student hostels, Dormitories for International students, for which students must pay a nominal fee and must book and pay before arrival.

Some universities do not provide international students with housing options; students must find their housing in such situations.

You may also seek guidance from the international student counselor at your chosen university.

Some student hostels for students do not wish to stay at university accommodation or in cases where university accommodation is not available; however, places are scarce and must be booked well in advance.

Many organizations in Riga can assist with private housing arrangements.

Latvia has a wide variety of lodging options.

Luxury hotels are available in Riga and other Latvian cities and towns for those who value comfort and high quality. At the same time, those who prefer rural tranquility and relaxation in nature can choose a rural guesthouse or campsite in the Latvian countryside.

Living Cost for students

The cost of living in Latvia varies according to your place and lifestyle.

The cost of living in Riga’s capital will be higher than in another town such as Liepaja.

The average cost of living should be between €450 and €750.

The sum should cover transportation, utility costs, food, and lodging, depending on accommodation type.

Students who travel often should plan to pay more.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees at Latvian universities differ depending on the curriculum and the institution of choice.

However, as in other Study Abroad countries, there is a difference in the fees charged by Latvian students on the one hand and EU and Swiss students.

Non-European students should expect to pay more in tuition than domestic and EU students.

In general, the following are the estimated tuition ranges for some general undergraduate programs:

  • 7500 — 15,000 Euros per year for medicine
  • 2,000 – 6,000 Euros per year for business programs
  • 2,000 – 6,000 Euros per year for management programs
  • 2,200 – 4000 Euros per year for IT& Engineering programs 2,000 -4,000 Euros per year for Mathematics
  • 2,000 – 4,000 Euros per year for Informatics

Tuition at the Master’s level will reach $4,000 a year for international students, while EU students can plan to pay around half of that.

Applying for admission to study in Latvia

Each university in Latvia has its own admissions process.

However, when applying for admission, all study abroad students to Latvia must have the following information:

  • Academic Transcript
  • Degree/diploma/certificate from the previous educational institution(s),
  • If you choose to study in English, English language test results must be sent to the university of choice, along with any other unusual prerequisites required by the university.

Students can contact the appropriate admission office via their websites or email to obtain specific admission requirements for each university. A conditional approval letter will be sent to you after your membership has been processed and accepted. You will be required to sign a letter of acceptance.

Until final permission to study in Latvia, the entire first-year tuition fee must be charged. Any college can need a security deposit to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds.

Student visa

To study in Latvia, all international students (except residents of the EU) must receive a student visa and a residency permit.

Under certain circumstances, the preferred institution will assist you in obtaining a student visa and a resident permit. They can even make an application on your behalf

The cost of getting these two papers varies depending on where you live. The cost will be determined by the embassy closest to your place.

Non-European students must apply to the closest consulate/embassy to obtain a student visa and residency permit.

The following documents are required:

  • The completed student visa application form, which can be found here
  • A passport-sized photograph
  • Your travel document
  • Your acceptance letter from the admissions committee
  • Your whole academic record
  • Evidence of Tuition Fee Payment (to be provided by the university)
  • Bank statements demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Latvia
  • The University’s proof of residence
  • Proof of health care

It will take several weeks to get a student visa and a residency permit.

As a result, prospective students can apply months in advance of the start of the academic year.

List of top 10 universities in Latvia

  1. Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Riga
  2. Daugavpils University, Daugavpils
  3. Riga Stradins University, Riga
  4. Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera
  5. Rezekne Higher Education Institute, Rezekne
  6. Riga Graduate School of Law, Riga
  7. University of Latvia, Riga
  8. Riga Technical University, Riga
  9. Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava
  10. Turiba University, Riga
Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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