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Compared to popular European study-abroad destinations, Latvia is quite an affordable option for international students. Below are some of the main expenses that international students must consider while planning to study in Latvia.
| Living Expenses in Latvia for Students | Approximate Cost in INR |
|---|---|
| Ticket cost | INR 62,500 - INR 82,000 |
| Visa and other costs | INR 15,500 - INR 18,000 |
| Accommodation | INR 6,500 - INR 30,000 |
| Tuition fees | 2,70,000 INR to 4,50,000 INR per year |
| Other costs | 5000 INR - 10000 INR |
There is no set amount for overseas students to pay for their higher education in Latvia because the fees vary depending on the degree and university. Nonetheless, the following are some typical tuition fees in Latvia for international students at various academic levels:
| Level of Study | Average Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 3000 EUR - 5000 EUR |
| Medicine Degree | 15000 EUR |
| Master’s Degrees | 3700 EUR for International Students |
You can find a variety of English-taught courses in Latvian universities. However, below are some of the popular courses that most international students choose to study in Latvia:
Business Management
Computer science
Communication and Media
Environmental Science
Engineering
Information Technology
Design
Agriculture
Law
As already discussed, the cost of studying in Latvia is relatively low compared to other countries in Europe or English-speaking nations. Despite the lower fee structure, international students can easily find universities in Latvia for higher education which offer quality education to international students. Below, we have mentioned some of the best universities in Latvia, along with their fee structure.
| University Name | Undergraduate Fees | Postgraduate Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Turiba University Latvia | 3330 EUR per year | 3330 EUR per year |
| Transport and Telecommunication Institute Latvia | 3500 EUR - 6500 EUR per year | 4500 EUR - 6500 EUR per year |
| Riga Technical University, Latvia | 2,950 EUR - 4,400 EUR per year | 3,070 EUR - 4,830 EUR per year |
| Riga Stradins University, Latvia | 3000 EUR per year | 2700 EUR - 4100 EUR per year |
| Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Latvia | 2,500 EUR - 4500 EUR per year | 2500 EUR - 4500 EUR per year |
| Daugavpils University | 2400 EUR per year | 2900 EUR per year |
| Stockholm School of Economics in Riga | 7100 EUR per year | 18,500 EUR per year |
| Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences | 3,370 EUR per year | 4,400 EUR per year |
Not only are tuition costs low in Latvia, but the living expenses are also low there. Since the nation is modernising while preserving its natural resources and cultural legacy, living standards are still not compromised. The country has a vibrant student life with minimum expenses.
The following is a general breakdown of some of the daily costs:
| Factors | Approximate Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 850 EUR - 4,500 EUR |
| Food & Groceries | 1200 EUR - 4,200 EUR |
| Transportation | 200 EUR - 3000 EUR |
| Other Utilities | 1,380 EUR - 2,220 EUR |
| Internet Connection | 140 EUR - 180 EUR |
One of the most important parts of your study abroad experience as an international student is locating appropriate housing. Overseas students can select from a range of accommodation alternatives in Latvia, including individual apartments and university dorms. University accommodation in Latvia may cost students between 70 EUR and 129 EUR per month. The rent outside the university campus is a little higher; it may cost between 100 EUR and 350 EUR per month, depending upon the city and your preferences.
International students can enjoy delicious food and a variety of cuisines at a very nominal price in Latvia. The food and groceries cost around 120 EUR to 250 EUR per month or maybe (3 EUR to 7 EUR per meal). The three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant may cost around 35 EUR. The cost of some of the basic grocery items are as follows:
1 litre of milk: 1 EUR
1 cappuccino: 2.30 EUR
1 loaf of bread: 0.87 EUR
1 kg of apples: 1.15 EUR
There are various transportation options in Latvia. International students can easily get a public transportation pass at a very affordable price, around 10 EUR to 16 EUR per month.
Here is the cost of living in Latvia per month for international students.
| Factors | Approximate Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 70 EUR - 350 EUR |
| Food & Groceries | 120 EUR - 250 EUR |
| Transportation | 10 EUR - 30 EUR |
| Other Utilities | 115 EUR - 185 EUR |
Apart from tuition fee and cost of living, there are various other costs associated while you plan to study in Latvia. So, let’s explore pre-arrival and post-arrival study in Latvia cost.
Here are some pre-arrival expenses related to studying in Latvia.
English Proficiency Exam
You must pass the entrance exam to demonstrate your English language skills in order to study in Latvia. The entrance exam registration fees you must pay to take the various English proficiency exams are listed below.
| Exam | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| IELTS registration fee | INR 17000 |
| TOEFL Test Registration Amount | INR 10,989 to 17,210 |
| PTE | INR 17,000 |
Flight Ticket
You need to purchase your Latvian airline ticket as soon as you obtain an offer letter from the university and a Latvia student visa. The price of airline tickets from different Indian cities to Latvia is listed below.
| Destination | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| From New Delhi | INR 71,500 |
| From Mumbai | INR 62,500 |
| From Hyderabad | INR 82,000 |
Visa Arrival Costs to Study in Latvia
Students who are not citizens of the EU-EEA, the Nordic countries, or Switzerland must have a valid student visa to study in Latvia. Once they arrive, they must submit a second application for a residence permit. The cost of applying for a student visa to Latvia is 60 EUR.
Here are some post-arrival expenses related to studying in Latvia.
Tuition Fees
Apart from the initial tuition fee, international students have to pay the other instalments after moving to Latvia. The tuition fee to study in Latvia varies depending on your course, level of degree, and university. It may cost between 3000 EUR and 5000 EUR per year. However, the cost of studying for MBA and Medicine courses can vary between 15,000 EUR and 25,000 EUR per year.
Living Expenses
Depending on the city and your choices, living expenditures for students in Latvia range from 350 EUR to 850 EUR per month. Most of these expenses are incurred by lodging, food, travel, etc.
Apart from the tuition fees and living costs, there are other costs that students have to incur in order to study in Latvia.
Application Fee - Certain universities in Latvia charge a non-refundable application fee for international students. The cost for most Latvian universities is between 150 EUR and 200 EUR. However, some universities do not require an application fee.
Apostille Fee - To apply to Latvian universities, international students must get their documents apostilled in Latvian, which costs between 600 INR and 800 INR per document.
Helo Verification - Before applying for a visa, international students must have their documents verified by a third party, which costs around 10,500 INR.
It's crucial to look into the many scholarships offered to overseas students wishing to study in Latvia. These can be used to pay for living expenses, tuition, or both. Numerous academic institutions and organisations grant scholarships based on your field of study-specific requirements, leadership abilities, or academic abilities. Below is a list of scholarships available to Indian students to study in Latvia.
| Scholarship Name | Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire) | ranging in value from $200 to $2,000 | minimum GPA of 2.80 is required. |
| Education Future International Scholarship - USA & Non-USA 2024 | INR 2 lakhs to INR 10 lakhs | a minimum score of 60% in 10th and 12th. |
| National overseas scholarship for SC and ST candidates 2024 | N/A | For Masters/PhD |
| GSLS Travel Fellowships by University of Würzburg 2024 | Up to 200 Euros | GSLS doctoral researchers in Life Sciences have the opportunity to participate in international conferences and workshops |
| ServiceScape Scholarship 2024 | 1000 USD | Must be 18 Application form submissions must be written in English. |
Many international students who are planning to study in Latvia worry about managing their expenses. So here are some ways to reduce your financial stress while studying in Latvia.
Think about taking public transit instead of driving a car or using a personal vehicle. Public transportation in Latvia is quite affordable and safe. It also has excellent connectivity to all parts of the country.
If you live in a dormitory, try eating at the university cafeteria, as it is a healthy and cheap option. If you are living outside of the campus, try preparing your food by yourself instead of ordering it from a restaurant on a daily basis. You can easily find basic dairy products and grocery items at supermarkets at a nominal price.
Try to work part-time alongside your studies. The Latvia student visa allows international students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, which is a great option to earn your cost of living in Latvia and gain a wonderful work experience. In Latvia, the minimum wage is 430 euros per month or 2.50 euros per hour.
To effectively manage your spending, create a budget plan and monitor your expenditures. When you have free time, look for cost-friendly options instead of going to fancy places.
In Latvia, students receive discounts on a variety of services, entertainment, and transportation. Remember to always carry your student ID card to receive these discounts.
Below, you can check how each expense contributes to the total budget. With the help of the below table, you can easily manage your expenses.
| Expense | Percentage of Budget |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared accommodation) | 50% |
| Utilities (electricity, water, heating, internet) | 8% |
| Groceries | 21% |
| Transportation (public transport) | 4% |
| Health Insurance | 4% |
| Miscellaneous (phone, entertainment, personal care) | 13% |
| Total | 100% |
Ans. No, Latvia is quite an affordable study-abroad destination for international students compared to other European countries. The average cost of studying in Latvia for international students is between 3000 EUR - 5000 EUR per year. However, the cost of studying programs like an MBA and medicine might be higher.
Ans. Yes, international students studying in Latvia are granted the opportunity to work in the country once they graduate thanks to post-study work privileges. However, these rights are contingent upon acquiring a residence and work permits, which may have different conditions.
Ans. Since Latvia’s IT and Engineering sectors are growing, jobs like backend engineering, Engineering Management, and Software development are the most common jobs in Latvia. These can be paid in cash or by debit/credit card. Moreover, VFS Global has a service charge of INR 2,397, which can be paid in cash or by debit/credit card.
Ans. The Latvian student visa for Indian students costs around 60 EUR (or around 5,400 INR), depending on the type.
Ans. In order to get a Latvian student visa, international students must show a bank balance of 5700 EUR (approximately INR 4,00,000) in their personal bank account, which should not be older than 15 days.
Ans. Yes, international students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week as part-time employees in Latvia as long as they are enrolled full-time at a Latvian university and possess a valid student visa.
Ans. International students studying in Latvia are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week of part-time employment during the academic year and full-time during the summer. The minimum wage in Latvia is 2.50 euros per hour or 430 euros per month.
Ans. Latvian is the primary language of instruction at public colleges and universities, while international students can also take English courses. Students who wish to study abroad in Latvia have access to around 200 international study programs, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and courses taught solely in English.
Ans. Yes, Latvia's quality of life is quite good only. The country performs well in a limited number of well-being dimensions relative to other countries in the Better Life Index.
Ans. The Latvia student visa success rate is more than 90%. Therefore, there is a high chance of getting visa approval while applying for a student visa.
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