Best Medical Universities in Latvia

Best Medical Universities in Latvia for MBBS / MD and Medicine-related studies

Latvia offers English-taught programs in medicine and healthcare. The country is attracting many international students for its quality of higher education. Medical universities in Latvia rank among the best globally. Various ranking publishers have listed the universities within the top 1000 in the world.

Take a look at the different rankings of the best Latvian medical universities.

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technology is another medical university. It is a public university and ranks third in the nation.

Take a look at each university in detail.

University of Latvia

The University of Latvia was established in 1919. It is a leading public university. It ranks among the first 600 universities for medicine globally. 

Some key facts about the university are

• Number of faculties: 13
• Number of programs: 148
• Total number of students: 15,250
• Total number of international students: 888

The thirteen faculties of UL are broadly categorized as

• Natural Sciences
• Humanities and Arts
• Medicine and Health Science
• Social Sciences

In the discipline of medicine and healthcare, UL offers programs at multiple levels. Students can enroll in bachelor’s, master’s, or professional programs.

Bachelor’s programs at the university have a duration of 3 years, with six semesters. Each academic year carries 60 ECTS. The programs are entirely taught in English. Both bachelor’s programs have the option of the full-time or part-time mode of study.

Master’s programs are two years long. A Master’s in Optometry is the only degree that allows part-time study. At the end of the program, a student will be awarded the title of “optometrist.” The other two degrees are only available as full-time.

The university offers two professional programs.

Dentistry at the University of Latvia is a five-year course entirely taught in English. The degree is titled “Doctor of Dental Medicine.” Mandatory subjects in the curriculum are:

Medicine is available as “Medical Doctor” or the MD. The six-year full-time course carries 360 ECTS and is taught in English. 

Medicine and dentistry are long-cycle programs. Students can join the program right after high school.

Tuition fees at the University of Latvia

Admission requirements at the University of Latvia

Admission requirements for international students are

• Passport
• LU Medical Report (form available at the university website)
• High school diploma
• Undergraduate degree in relevant field (for all master’s programs)
• Apostilled Academic Transcripts
• Required subjects: Biology, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry with a grade of 6 on 10.
• English language proficiency of IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
• Payment receipt
• Online test (for master’s in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics )
• Interview

Riga Stradins University

Riga Stradins University is a public university established in 1950. It was previously known as Riga Medical Institute. Over the years, the university has cemented its position as one of the best globally. Riga Stradins University ranks in the first 600 universities for medicine. There are 14 faculties and departments, and seven are dedicated to medicine and healthcare alone.

• Faculty of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Rehabilitation
• Faculty of Public Health and Social Welfare
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Residency
• RSU Red Cross Medical College

Not all programs in these faculties are available in English. The Riga Stradins University offers only two medical programs in the English language. Details of the study programs within these faculties are presented below.

The only other English-taught program available for international students is Health Management. RSU offers a professional master’s degree in Health Management. This degree is presented jointly by Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) and Riga International School of Economics and Business Administration (RISEBA). The master’s program is 1.5-2 years long.

Tuition fees at Riga Stradins University

Admission requirements at Riga Stradins University

• Secondary/High school diploma
• Academic Transcripts
• Compulsory subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics
• Copy of passport
• Letter of recommendation
• Letter of motivation
• English proficiency certificate up to B2 Level

University may conduct additional English proficiency test if they are unsure of the applicants’ English language abilities.

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

Established in 1938, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies is a public university for agricultural and environmental sciences. For international students, the university offers a six-year veterinary medicine program. The program is taught entirely in English.

Students are trained in the health and well-being of animals and related areas of hygiene, food, and environment. The program is aimed at creating Veterinarians.

The university offers several other English-taught programs in agriculture and the environment. Here is a list of a few undergraduate and graduate programs.

• Biosystems Machinery and Technologies
• Economics
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Food Quality and Innovations
• Food Science
• Food Hygiene

Apart from the courses mentioned above, the university offers a doctoral program in veterinary medicine. The title “Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Ph.D.)” is conferred on the students upon graduation.

Tuition fees at Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

* All tuition fees listed in this article are converted from EUR to USD at 1 EUR = 1.04 USD. Current exchange rates vary periodically.

Admission requirements

• Secondary school certificate
• Compulsory subjects: Biology and Chemistry
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
• Online test on Biology and Chemistry