Study in Riga

Excellent education standards

Riga is home to a few universities featured in the QS World University Rankings, including Riga Technical University.

A rich history

Riga is a preserved medieval city showing signs of its religious and Romanesque past. It was even named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its Old Town in 2014.

The impressive architecture

A mix of old Gothic churches, Art Nouveau architecture and medieval buildings, Riga’s architecture is sure to impress.

It’s a city of beauty and wellness

Known for its spas, beauty treatments and traditional Latvian baths, there’s plenty to do to de-stress yourself after a busy day of lectures.

Riga's tuition fees are very reasonable, costing an average of US$3,600 for international students.

The cost of living in Riga is also fairly affordable, with an apartment in the city centre costing around US$512 per month (78 percent lower than London). Numbeo also estimates that a single person living in Riga will need around $759 per month for additional living expenses.

If you’re looking for a student city with a blend of modern and medieval, then Riga is the perfect city for you.

This picturesque city is more than 800 years old and is split into the Old Town, which can be explored on foot, and the New Town, which can be easily reached via bus or tram.

The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 due to the many medieval buildings within its Old Town. These include the 13^th century Riga Dom cathedral, the 14^th century Riga Castle and the merchant’s homes and warehouses. The Old Town even has a canal surrounding it which used to be the fortress moat. These are definitely worth a look when you have some free time to explore the city.

In the winter Riga’s Christmas markets won’t fail to get you in the festive spirit, with mulled wine, roasted almonds, gingerbread and Christmas gift stalls on offer.

In the summer these markets sell unique Latvian food products, with a variety of fresh and natural products from Latvian farms as well as clothes and jewelry.

Whichever time of year you decide to take a visit to these markets, you will not be disappointed. In the evening, you can enjoy one of Riga’s numerous bars, cafes and restaurants, many of them with outdoor seating areas in the summer - in fact many consider Riga’s nightlife to be among the best in Eastern Europe!

Riga's rank for employer activity is a reflection of the strong employability of the city’s graduates. In recent years, Riga has emerged as a regional financial and commercial hub, providing jobs for graduates living in the city. 

It’s worth bearing in mind that for many jobs in Riga you will need to speak at least a basic level of Latvian. If you’re working in the services industry, you may also need an understanding of Russian.

Members of the EU and EEA will not need a visa to work in Riga. However, students coming from outside these areas will require a working visa.