# University of Latvia

> University of Latvia's Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences (formed in 2024 by merging the former Faculties of Biology, Chemistry and Medicine) runs an English-medium Medicine programme accredited through 2 February 2029. Graduates receive the Latvian 'arsta diploms' (Medical Doctor's Degree), a qualification listed in EU Directive 2005/36/EC Annex V for automatic recognition across the EU and EEA since Latvia's 2004 EU accession.

- Canonical page: https://www.studentstraffic.com/university/university-of-latvia
- Last reviewed: 2026-07-12
- Publisher: Students Traffic (https://www.studentstraffic.com/)

## Key facts

- Location: Riga, [Latvia](https://www.studentstraffic.com/countries/latvia)
- Type: Public
- Established: 2024
- Official website: https://www.lu.lv/en
- Published programmes on Students Traffic: 1

## Recognition and approvals

- University of Latvia — Medicine programme accredited through 2 February 2029
- EU Directive 2005/36/EC (Annex V, point 5.1.1) — automatic recognition of the Latvian Medical Doctor's Degree across the EU/EEA, in effect for Latvia since 1 May 2004
- Verify: [Consolidated EU Directive 2005/36/EC (EUR-Lex), Annex V](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32005L0036)
- Verify: [University of Latvia — official Medicine (EN) admissions portal](https://apply.lu.lv/courses/course/5-professional-medicine)

## Programmes

| Programme | Course | Duration | Medium | Tuition per year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Medicine (EN)](https://www.studentstraffic.com/university-of-latvia-medicine) | MBBS | 6 years | English | €11,850 (2026-2027) |

## Why students choose it

- A Medicine programme accredited through 2 February 2029, confirmed directly on the university's own official application portal.
- Graduates receive the Latvian Medical Doctor's Degree, carrying EU Directive 2005/36/EC automatic recognition across the EU and EEA.
- Transparent, formula-based admission (English 20%, Chemistry 40%, Biology 40%) rather than a single high-stakes exam, alongside a mandatory but short (10-15 minute) online interview for non-EU applicants.

## Things to consider

- Tuition rises each year of the programme (from EUR 11,850 in year one to EUR 14,610 in year six), for a EUR 77,340 six-year total, rather than a flat annual rate.
- Application deadlines for the 2026/27 intake vary by nationality; for applicants from countries not on the university's EU/UK/US-aligned or higher-scrutiny lists (which includes India), the published deadline was 21 June 2026 and has already passed as of this record's research date.
- No scholarship specifically for the fee-paying English-medium Medicine cohort was confirmed; all 35 English-track places are fee places with no state-funded route.

## Best fit for

- Students confident in their secondary-school Chemistry and Biology grades, comfortable with a short online interview rather than a written entrance exam.
- Applicants from EU/EEA/Switzerland, the UK, the USA or similar nationalities with a later application window, given the earlier deadline for other nationalities.
- Families able to budget for a tuition schedule that increases each year rather than staying flat.

## Campus and city

The English-medium Medicine programme offers 35 fee-paying places per intake, alongside a separate, larger Latvian-medium track. Admission is based on secondary-school grades, an English/Chemistry/Biology weighting formula, and a mandatory online interview for applicants from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland.

Riga is Latvia's capital and largest city, on the Baltic coast. The university offers two dedicated student residences, with international degree-seeking students able to apply for a room only after receiving their admission offer.

The six-year, 360-ECTS Medicine programme moves from foundational science subjects into intensive clinical practice beginning in the third year, with named practicum blocks including Basics of Clinical Care, repeated Clinical Practice modules, Emergency Medicine and Basic Life Support, and dedicated Family Medicine, Internal Diseases and Surgery practice in the final semester. Historical faculty communications name several major Riga hospitals as clinical training sites, though a current, re-confirmed list for this specific admissions cycle was not located. Graduates receive the Latvian Medical Doctor's Degree, a qualification carrying EU Directive 2005/36/EC automatic recognition across the EU and EEA, and the university describes the degree as compliant with European labour-market requirements.


## Hostel, food and safety

The university offers rooms at two student residences: Student Hotel Prima and a residence on Krisjana Valdemara iela, both reachable from the main campus by public transport. Monthly rates run roughly EUR 114-291 depending on room type and building, with a minimum 2-month stay and priority given to international degree-seeking and exchange students; a rate increase applies from 1 July 2026. International students may apply for a room only after receiving their admission offer. A university-partnered real estate agency also assists students seeking private off-campus housing.

No specific on-campus meal plan or dining-cost figure is published. Food costs should be planned as part of an independent living-cost budget alongside accommodation.

No university-published campus-safety statistics were found. The student residences include on-site management and a minimum-stay policy; day-to-day support runs through the university's International Students Office.

The university's International Students Office coordinates visa, residence-permit and diploma-recognition guidance, including a documented process through Latvia's Academic Information Centre (the national ENIC/NARIC body) for foreign secondary-diploma recognition.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Medicine programme direct-entry after high school?

Yes. It is a single-cycle, 6-year, 360-ECTS programme -- admission follows completion of secondary education, with no separate bachelor's stage required first.

### What qualification is awarded on graduation?

Graduates receive the Medical Doctor's Degree (arsta diploms), a Latvian qualification listed under EU Directive 2005/36/EC Annex V for automatic recognition across the EU/EEA.

### What entrance requirements does the university use?

Admission is based on secondary-school grades (Biology and Chemistry minimums differ for EU/EEA/Swiss versus other applicants), a weighted score (English 20%, Chemistry 40%, Biology 40%), an SAT score of at least 1200 for applicants whose secondary education was outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, and a mandatory short online interview for non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants.

### What is the current tuition fee?

Tuition rises each year: EUR 11,850 in year one, increasing to EUR 12,120, 12,720, 12,720, 13,320 and 14,610 in years two through six, for a EUR 77,340 total. The same schedule applies to EU/EEA/Swiss and non-EU applicants.

### Are there additional fees besides tuition?

Yes -- a non-refundable EUR 170 application fee, and for non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants, a EUR 500 deposit paid on arrival, which is refundable on request after graduation.

### When does the academic year start, and what are the deadlines?

Studies begin in early September. For the 2026/27 intake, deadlines varied by nationality group: 1 May 2026 for a higher-scrutiny country list, 21 June 2026 for most other countries, and 26 July 2026 for EU/EEA/Switzerland, the UK, the USA and several other listed nationalities. Confirm the applicable deadline for your nationality directly with the university for future cycles.

### Is a scholarship available for international Medicine students?

No scholarship specifically for the fee-paying English-medium Medicine cohort was confirmed; all 35 places in this track are fee places, with no state-funded route. A general university foundation scholarship exists but has no confirmed Medicine-specific stream.

### What visa and residence documents do non-EU students need?

Non-EU students need a visa and temporary residence permit, requiring proof of at least EUR 780 per month in subsistence funds, health/life insurance, and a state processing fee of EUR 160-560 depending on processing speed; the process typically takes 40-45 days or more.

### Do Indian students need NEET to join this programme?

The university's own admissions criteria do not reference NEET. Separately, India's National Medical Commission requires Indian citizens and OCI holders who obtain a primary medical qualification abroad to have qualified NEET-UG, whose result serves as the mandatory Eligibility Certificate.


## Sources

- [University of Latvia — official Medicine (EN) admissions portal (DreamApply)](https://apply.lu.lv/courses/course/5-professional-medicine) (checked 2026-07-25)
- [University of Latvia — official Medicine (EN) programme page](https://www.lu.lv/en/studies/study-programmes-1/bachelors-study-programmes/medicine-en/) (checked 2026-07-25)
- [Consolidated EU Directive 2005/36/EC (EUR-Lex), Annex V](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32005L0036) (checked 2026-07-25)
- [University of Latvia — official Visas and Residence Permits page](https://www.lu.lv/en/admission/for-international-students/degree/visas-and-residence-permits/) (checked 2026-07-25)
- [University of Latvia — official Accommodation page](https://www.lu.lv/en/studies/student-life/accommodation/) (checked 2026-07-25)
- [National Medical Commission of India — for students to study abroad](https://www.nmc.org.in/information-desk/for-students-to-study-in-abroad/) (checked 2026-07-25)

## Free counselling

Students Traffic offers free admission counselling for this university and its programmes.

- Contact: https://www.studentstraffic.com/contact
- WhatsApp: https://wa.me/919176162888
- Phone: +91 91761 62888
- Email: hello@studentstraffic.com