Study Medicine in Latvia โ Your Gateway to Europe
Are you dreaming of studying medicine in Europe, but struggling with strict admission requirements in your home country? Latvia offers an excellent and accessible opportunity to start your medical career โ with top-quality education, international recognition, and a student-friendly environment.
One of the biggest advantages of studying medicine in Latvia is that you donโt need a high GPA or entrance exam like in many other countries. Latvian universities focus more on your performance in science subjects like biology and chemistry, and on your English language skills. In fact, at some universities, even students with a technical high school diploma (Fachabitur) can apply โ a rare opportunity in Europe.
Your medical degree in Latvia will be fully recognized across the European Union. Upon graduation, youโll earn the title โMedical Doctor (MD),โ which allows you to work as a physician in Germany, other EU countries, or even return to your home country with an EU degree.
There are two main universities in Riga โ Latviaโs capital โ that are highly popular among international students:
- Riga Stradins University (RSU) offers programs in Human and Dental Medicine, with intakes in both summer and winter semesters. Teaching is done in small groups, providing close interaction with professors and hands-on experience. RSU also has over 150 international partner universities.
- University of Latvia is one of the countryโs top-ranked and oldest universities. It offers English-taught medical and dental programs starting every winter semester, with a strong reputation in clinical education.
The duration of the medical program is six years, divided into pre-clinical and clinical phases. In the first two years, youโll study foundational subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, and Biology. From the third year, youโll move into clinical training โ learning by doing in hospitals and through internships . To better interact with local patients during clinical years, youโll also learn basic Latvian language skills along the way.
Tuition fees are more affordable compared to Western Europe. At RSU, the cost is around โฌ6,250 per semester for Medicine and โฌ7,300 for Dentistry. At the University of Latvia, tuition starts from โฌ4,875 and goes up to โฌ6,000 per semester in the final years. Dental studies there cost about โฌ7,500 per semester.
Living in Latvia is budget-friendly: students can live comfortably in Riga for โฌ400โ600 per month, including rent, food, and transportation. There are also scholarship options to help cover tuition or living expenses.
But Latvia isnโt just about studying โ itโs also about living. Riga is a lively, culturally rich city with beautiful architecture, cozy cafes, vibrant nightlife, and access to the Baltic Seaโs sandy beaches. Youโll also enjoy forests, lakes, and peaceful nature across the country. Itโs easy to feel at home in such a welcoming student community, with many international organizations and events.
How to apply?
Youโll need a high school diploma or equivalent, a motivation letter, two letters of recommendation, a health certificate, and proof of English language proficiency (minimum B2 level or equivalent). There is no entrance exam in most cases โ making the application process smooth and accessible for international students.
Whether youโre from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or beyond โ Latvia can be your launchpad into a global medical career. It combines European quality education with flexibility, affordability, and a safe, exciting lifestyle.