University of Latvia
Latvijas Universitāte
Latvia's largest university, with six faculties in central Riga and a growing science campus at Torņakalns.
- Students
- 16,638
- 12,168 undergraduates
- International
- 8%
- of students
- Tuition
- €3,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1919
About UL
The University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitāte) was founded in 1919 as the Higher School of Latvia, on the basis of the former Riga Polytechnic, and took its current name in 1923. After the Second World War, the institutions that became Riga Technical University and Rīga Stradiņš University split off from it. It is the country's largest university: 16,638 students studied there in 2025, including 10,405 in bachelor's-level programmes, and 8.3% were international.
Teaching is organised into six faculties: Economics and Social Sciences; Science and Technology; Humanities; Education Sciences and Psychology; Law; and Medicine and Life Sciences. There is also the UL FinTech Business School (formerly the BA School of Business and Finance) and regional branches. The historic main building at Raiņa bulvāris 19 is in central Riga, while the new Academic Centre at Torņakalns houses the House of Nature (2015) and House of Science (2019). A House of Letters for the humanities, social sciences and library is planned.
For international students, the main entry points are English-taught bachelor's programmes such as Computer Science, Business Administration, International Economics and Commercial Diplomacy, Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Optometry, plus the six-year Medicine and five-year Dentistry degrees. Fees are low by Western European standards, from about 3,000 euros a year. The university suits students who want a large, comprehensive university in a capital city; Latvian-speaking EU citizens can also compete for state-funded places.
Why students choose UL
Computer Science (EN) holds the Euro-Inf quality label and includes a 4.5-month internship at an IT organisation; the university says it has been Latvian employers' most recommended study programme every year since 2017.
English-taught Medicine costs 11,850 euros a year (2026/27), with clinical practice from the third year and small student groups.
Most English-taught bachelor's programmes cost 3,000 to 4,200 euros a year for students from outside the EU.
UL reports ranking 72nd in the world for the QS 2027 Employment Outcomes indicator, the best result of any Latvian university on that measure.
Admissions
Entry autumn 2027 (2027/28 academic year)
Selectivity
UL does not publish an admit rate for international applicants. In Latvia's unified admission system in 2025, 10,156 applicants submitted 25,736 applications to UL, and the university reports that 47% of all applicants registered in the system obtained a study place there. Competition varies widely by programme: in 2026, Medicine in Latvian received 970 applications (656 as first priority) for 45 state-funded places, while English-taught Computer Science had 68 applications for 100 fee-paying places.
Typical entry requirements
| Foreign secondary school diploma (non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens) | General secondary diploma with an average grade of at least 6/10 and all grades passing; programme-specific subject grades, e.g. Mathematics at least 8/10 for Computer Science, Biology and Chemistry (or Natural Sciences) at least 8/10 for Medicine and Dentistry; SAT of at least 1200 for applicants schooled outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland; online interview |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary school diploma (EU/EEA/Swiss citizens) | General secondary diploma with lower subject minimums, e.g. Mathematics at least 4/10 for Computer Science, Biology and Chemistry at least 6/10 for Medicine; online interview |
| Latvian secondary education | Ranked on centralised exams (e.g. Mathematics, English at B2 or higher, Latvian, and sciences for Medicine) plus the average of all CE results |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (tests taken on or before 21 January 2026) or 4 on the new TOEFL scale (tests after 21 January 2026), PTE Academic 55, Cambridge B2 First at grade B or above, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, or LanguageCert B2; tests must be less than five years old. Not needed if previous education was in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, the USA and a few other countries, or for EU/EEA/Swiss school leavers whose certificate shows B2-level English. |
Deadlines
The 2027/28 dates had not been published when checked on 30 September 2026; UL's admissions page says admission for autumn 2026 has closed and information on 2027/28 will be added. For 2026 entry, online applications to English-taught bachelor's programmes opened on 1 December 2025 (1 January 2026 for Medicine and Dentistry), and the application period had ended before studies began on 31 August 2026. EU/EEA citizens and Ukrainians with temporary protection who can show Latvian proficiency could compete for state-funded places until 5 July 2026. Residence permit documents submitted after 20 August need the 10-day express procedure, so non-EU applicants should apply early.
How to apply
International applicants apply online through apply.lu.lv (DreamApply): upload school documents in the original language with English translations (legalised or apostilled if issued outside the EU), an English certificate and passport, and pay a non-refundable 170-euro application fee after receiving the invoice. Applicants then take part in an online interview. Non-EU students pay the first year's tuition plus a 500-euro refundable deposit and apply for a Latvian residence permit. Latvian and EU applicants competing for state-funded places apply through the national unified admission system.
What admissions looks for
- A general secondary school diploma with grades that meet the programme's minimums on Latvia's 10-point scale.
- Strong grades in the subjects that count for your programme, such as Mathematics for Computer Science, or Biology and Chemistry for Medicine (weighted 40% each, with English 20%).
- An SAT score of at least 1200 if you finished school outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
- English at B2 level or higher, shown by a recognised test or qualifying prior education.
- A successful online interview.
Tips for applying to UL
- 1 Plan for the SAT early if you are schooled outside Europe: UL asks for at least 1200 for English-taught programmes such as Computer Science and Medicine.
- 2 Only pay the 170-euro application fee after UL sends you an invoice, and upload the bank receipt to DreamApply; your application is not processed until then.
- 3 Legalise or apostille your school documents in good time if they were issued outside the EU.
- 4 Book university housing as soon as you are admitted: international students can apply only after acceptance, and rooms at Valdemāra 161 and Prima cost about 114 to 291 euros a month.
- 5 If you speak Latvian and are an EU citizen, check whether you can compete for a state-funded (tuition-free) place.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Fee-paying international students have limited aid. The University of Latvia Foundation runs Patron Scholarships for outstanding students and students with limited means, and the Latvian government offers state scholarships under bilateral agreements for up to two semesters. EU/EEA citizens who meet the language requirements can compete for state-funded, tuition-free places, and a Baltic Universities Scholarship of 2,000 euros goes each year to a student proficient in all three Baltic languages.
- 170 euros, non-refundable
- Application fee
- 500 euros, refundable after graduation
- Deposit for non-EU students
- About 114 to 291 euros a month (from 1 July 2026)
- University housing
- 2,000 euros a year, one award
- Baltic Universities Scholarship
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (September to June/July), about 40 teaching weeks; exam sessions in January and June-July
Computer Science (BSc, English)
Four-year, 240-ECTS programme with the Euro-Inf label, a 4.5-month IT internship and a Software Engineering specialisation; 3,340 euros a year.
Medicine (English)
Six-year, 360-ECTS medical doctor degree with 35 fee-paying places for 2026/27 and clinical practice from the third year; 11,850 euros a year.
Dentistry (English)
Five-year, 300-ECTS dentist's degree with only 15 fee-paying places for 2026/27.
International Economics and Commercial Diplomacy (English)
Economics degree with 50 fee-paying places for 2026/27; 3,400 euros a year for EU citizens and 3,700 for others.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering (English)
English-taught life sciences degree with 30 fee-paying places and 8 state-funded places for eligible EU/EEA students in 2026/27; 3,600 euros a year for EU citizens and 4,200 for others.
Optometry (English)
Three-year, 180-ECTS health sciences degree taught in Riga; 6,000 euros a year.
Research
- UL conducts research in more than 50 areas and reported 1,691 scientific publications in 2025.
- The Academic Centre at Torņakalns includes the House of Nature (2015) and the House of Science (2019), whose laboratories the university describes as unique in the Baltic states.
- The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, founded in 1959 as a computer research centre, is part of the university.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences
- UL FinTech Business School
UL reports ranking 72nd in the world for Employment Outcomes in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (94.9 out of 100). It awarded 3,239 degrees and qualifications in 2025.
Student life
UL is a city university: the historic main building at Raiņa bulvāris 19, whose Great Hall hosts graduations and choir competitions, sits in central Riga, while science is moving to the Torņakalns Academic Centre. New international degree and exchange students (420 from 48 countries in autumn 2026) meet at a Welcome Day in the House of Science. The Culture Centre runs mixed, women's and men's choirs, folk dance ensembles such as Dandari, a wind orchestra and a student theatre, and there is a Student Council and an Erasmus Student Network section.
- About 420 new international degree and exchange students from 48 countries started in autumn 2026.
- The Culture Centre's choirs, folk dance ensembles, wind orchestra and student theatre are open to students.
- The main building's Great Hall (Aula Magna) hosts graduation ceremonies and traditional choir competitions.
- UL is part of the FORTHEM European university alliance, with short-term mobility options.
Housing. UL offers rooms for international students in two student hotels, Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela 161 and Prima, for about 114 to 291 euros a month (minimum stay two months), and works with a housing agency for private flats.
Location
Riga is Latvia's capital and largest city, a former Hanseatic League member whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Art Nouveau buildings and medieval old town. UL's main building is in the city centre, and public transport takes about 20 minutes from the student hotels. Winters are cold, sometimes below minus 25°C in January and February. UL estimates living costs of 610 to 860 euros a month.
Nearest airport: Riga International Airport (RIX)
Notable alumni
- VD Valdis DombrovskisFormer Prime Minister of Latvia and European Commissioner; master's degree in physics
- ES Evika SiliņaPrime Minister of Latvia 2023-2026; bachelor's degree in law
- RV Raimonds Vējonis9th President of Latvia; graduate of the Faculty of Biology
- GU Guntis Ulmanis5th President of Latvia; studied economics
- AP Andris PiebalgsEuropean Commissioner for Energy and later Development; physics graduate
- DT Daina TaimiņaMathematician known for crocheted models of hyperbolic geometry; graduate and higher doctorate
- ER Eliyahu RipsIsraeli mathematician; graduate student at the university
Frequently asked questions
How much does the University of Latvia cost for international students?
For 2026/27, English-taught bachelor's programmes cost from about 3,000 to 4,200 euros a year for non-EU citizens, 6,000 euros for Optometry, 11,850 euros for Medicine and 17,310 euros for Dentistry. There is also a 170-euro application fee.
Does the University of Latvia require the SAT?
Yes, for applicants who completed secondary school outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland: English-taught programmes such as Computer Science and Medicine require an SAT total of at least 1200.
What IELTS score does the University of Latvia require?
IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (or 4 on the post-January 2026 scale), PTE Academic 55 or an equivalent B2-level certificate.
Is there an interview?
Yes. International applicants take part in an online interview as part of the admission process.
When is the application deadline for 2027?
The 2027 dates had not been published by 30 September 2026. For 2026 entry, applications opened on 1 December 2025 (1 January 2026 for Medicine and Dentistry), so expect a similar winter opening.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- University of Latvia: About University
- University of Latvia: Faculties
- University of Latvia Annual Public Report 2025 (PDF)
- UL news: UL ranks among the world's top 100 for graduate employability (QS 2027, 18 June 2026)
- UL news: More than 400 international and exchange students begin studies (31 August 2026)
- THE World University Rankings 2026
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