7 Cheapest Universities In Latvia For International Students
Latvia may not be as prominent as other European countries, but it is considered one of the emerging economies of today. As such, this northeastern nation offers a quality education that is not as expensive as that of neighboring countries. With a cost of living that is 31% lower than the US, it proves to be an attractive destination for foreign students in search of a good education. In this article, we will be looking at affordable universities in Latvia for international students.
How much is the tuition fee for Latvian universities?
Undergraduate degrees cost anywhere from $1,919 to $6,000 a year. Post-graduate education is more expensive, as it can reach up to $18,000 annually.
What are the admission requirements for foreign students?
Applicants for baccalaureate degrees need to submit a certificate of secondary education, an application form, and proof of matriculation. Entrants need to pass the admission test as well.
The same requirements are required for post-graduate applicants. However, a bachelor’s degree is needed in place of the certificate of secondary education.
Cheap Universities in Latvia
1. Ventspils University of Applied Sciences
- Minimum annual tuition fee: $1,919 (EUR 1,700)
- Tuition fee table
- Admissions
Established in 1997, the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is an educational institution based in northwestern Latvia. Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is the cheapest university in Latvia for international students.
It currently has 3 faculties. One is Information Technologies, which offers degrees in Computer Science and Electronics. Another is the Faculty of Economics and Management, which offers undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in Business Administration. Last is the Faculty of Translation Studies, which offers courses in intercultural communications.
Apart from these faculties, the university has 4 centers, namely the Centre for Applied Linguistics, the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development, the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, and the Technology Transfer Centre of Kurzeme.
2. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
- Minimum annual tuition fee: $1,919 (EUR 1,700)
- Tuition fee table
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The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies is known locally as the Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitāte or LLU. This cheap university of Latvia was established as the Jelgava Academy of Agriculture in 1936 and was formerly known as the Latvia University of Agriculture until 2018.
LLU has 8 faculties. The Faculty of Economics and Social Development offers courses in Economics, Business Studies, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Business Management, and Financial Management. The Faculty of Information Technologies, on the other hand, offers degrees in Computer Control and Computer Science and Information Technologies for Sustainable Development.
Other departments within the university system include the Faculties of Agriculture, Environment & Civil Engineering, Forest, Food Technology, Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine.
3. EKA University of Applied Sciences
- Minimum annual tuition fee: $2,371 (EUR 2,100)
- Tuition fee table
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The EKA University of Applied Sciences is an educational institution based in Riga, Latvia. It was founded in July 1998 and received proper accreditation in 2001. It is currently a member of the Baltic University Programme, which includes 160 universities in 14 Baltic sea countries.
EKA University is a recognized constituent of several associations, including the Higher Education Export Association of Latvia and the Latvian Association of Private Universities.
English programs offered at EKA University include Management, Information Technology, and Business Administration (baccalaureate and masters).
4. University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitāte)
- Minimum annual tuition fee: $2,569 (EUR 2,200)
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The University of Latvia or Latvijas Universitāte is a state-run educational institution located in Riga, Latvia. It was established in 1919 as the Higher School of Latvia. The university underwent several names before it was granted its current moniker in 1990.
The University of Latvia offers undergraduate and post-graduate studies in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Optometry, Business, Economics, Management, Education, Psychology, Arts, Geography, Earth Sciences, History, Philosophy, Law, Medicine, Humanities, Social Sciences, Theology, and Computer Science.
The University of Latvia is recognized as 59th in terms of Impact Rankings. It is also included in the 801-1000 bracket of the World University Rankings.
5. University of Liepāja
- Minimum annual tuition fee: $2,569 (EUR 2,200)
- Tuition fee table
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The University of Liepāja or Liepājas Universitāte is a public educational institution founded in 1954. It is based in Liepāja, which is a district in Western Latvia.
The university has four faculties, namely Management & Social Sciences, Science & Engineering, Humanitarian Sciences & Arts, and Pedagogy & Social Work. However, the baccalaureate degrees available for foreign students only include Information Technology, Computer Science, and European Language.
It also has institutes devoted to the studies of Educational Sciences, Humanities, Science & Innovative Technologies, and Management Sciences.
Apart from being an affordable university in Latvia, the University of Liepāja offers tuition fee discounts that range from 5-10%.
6. University of Daugavpils
- Minimum annual tuition fee: $2,569 (EUR 2,276)
- Tuition fee table
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Daugavpils Universitāte or DU – also known as the University of Daugavpils – is a public educational institution. It was established in 1921 as a teacher’s college. The campus is currently located in Daugavpils, which is in Southeastern Latvia.
DU follows the motto “Scientia Vinces” or through knowledge you win. Such motivation is seen in its five faculties, which are Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Music & Arts, and Education & Management.
It also has various institutes, including the Centre of Lithuanistics, the Centre of Russian Language and Culture, the Oral History Centre, the Regional German Language and Country Studies Centre for Further Education, the Guntis Liberts Innovative Microscopy Centre, the Institute of Ecology, the Institute of Systematic Biology, and the Institute of Art.
7. Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences
- Minimum annual tuition fee: $2,574 (EUR 2,406)
- Tuition fee table
- Admissions
Final candidate in our list of cheapest universities in Latvia is the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, also known as the Vidzemes Augstskol, was established in 1996. It is located in Valmiere, which is the largest city in Vidzeme.
It has two faculties, namely the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Society and Science.
The university offers a lone bachelor’s degree in Information Technologies. However, it is home to more post-graduate courses, including master’s degrees in the fields of Business Environment Administration, Cybersecurity Engineering, Media & Information Literacy, Strategic Communication & Governance, and Virtual Reality & Smart Technologies.
Apart from its Master’s degrees, Vidzeme also has Ph.D. courses in the disciplines of Economics & Business and Sociotechnical Systems Modelling.
Vidzeme also offers several courses for exchange studies, ranging from Latvian Language and Culture to Visual Communication Systems.
