Rīga Stradiņš University : Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Fees, and Scholarships
Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) was established in 1950. It’s one of the most modern universities in the Baltics region. It offers a wide range of programs and courses in social sciences, health care, and international recognition. The university came into existence based on the faculty of Medicine that belonged to the state university of Latvia.
Rīga Stradiņš University has also won the award and title (by the investment and development agency of Latvia, which cooperated with the ministry of economics) in the export and innovation competition.
The university is creating preconditions for Latvian medical institutions for their successful operation, and hence it’s the only higher education university in Latvia that is consolidated with the health care system traditionally. It is one of the top universities to study MBBS in Europe.
RSU is also renowned for its highest quality and best reputation in Latvia, as concluded by the reputation survey of Kantar’s Latvian universities in 2017-2021. Approximately 10,000 students are a part of Rīga Stradiņš University, including 2600 international students from almost 55 countries.
| University Type | Public |
| Year of Establishment | 1950 |
| Total Enrollment | 10,000 |
| Percentage of International Students | 26% |
| Application Deadline for International Students | For medicine programs- May 1st
For others- July 1st |
| Acceptance Rate | 65% |
| Number of Academic Faculties | 9 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 10:1 |
| Annual fee for general medicine program | 1st & 2nd year: USD 14,670*
3rd-5th year: USD 15,718* |
| Estimated cost of attendance per year for medicine students | 26,194 USD/ 96,210 AED* |
| Scholarships for International Students | Available (restricted to certain nationals) |
Rīga Stradiņš University Rankings
- Times Higher Education (THE ) world university rankings have ranked Rīga Stradiņš University in the top 501-600 band among other universities in 2022.
- Also, RSU has received the second-best ranking when compared to other universities in the Baltic states.
- Times Higher Education (THE ) world university rankings by subject have ranked RSU for clinical and health subject field in 401-500 band.
- RSU secured a position between 501-550 among the world’s best medical universities by QS world university rankings.
Why study at Rīga Stradiņš University?
- International experts of the PASCL (Polarization and Social Change Lab) program by the European Students’ Union have recognized RSU as a student-centered university.
- It has 150 Erasmus plus Partner universities.
- A low student-teacher ratio of 11:1 is maintained at RSU.
- Most teaching staff are either researchers or medical professionals.
- International students are provided a scholarship for academic excellence.
- RSU also Organizes various special cultural events as well as social events for international students.
Programs & Courses Offered at Rīga Stradiņš University
RSU offers three undergraduate and five graduate programs in English. The popular fields of study at the university are – medicine, dentistry, health management, and international governance and diplomacy.
Undergraduate programs
Following undergraduate programs are being offered in RSU in the English language of instruction.
| Programs | Degree conferred | Study direction | Years of study |
| Dentistry | Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) | Health Care | 5 years |
| International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship | Bachelor’s degree of social sciences in management and administration | Management, Administration, and Real Estate Management | 3 years |
| Medicine | Medical Doctor (MD) | Health Care | 6 years |
Graduate programs
Following graduate programs are being offered in the English language of instruction in the university.
| Programs | Degree conferred | Study direction | Years of study |
| Biostatistics | Master’s Degree of Natural Sciences in Biology | Life Sciences | 2 years |
| Health management | Professional Master’s degree in Health Management and Professional Qualification “Business Establishment Executive” | Health care | 1/2/5 years |
| International governance and diplomacy | Master’s Degree of Social Sciences in International Relations and Diplomacy | Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology | 2 years |
| Social work with children and youth | Professional Master’s degree in Social Work | Social Welfare | 2 years |
| Russia and Eurasia studies | Master’s Degree of Social Sciences in Political Science | Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology | 2 years |
Additionally, biostatistics is available as Part-time on the campus and Part-time distance learning as well.
Campus and & Accommodation at Rīga Stradiņš University
The campus life of RSU has been enriched with various opportunities for students and the university has a special association for international students named as international student association (ISA) which is on the mission to improve international aspirants’ lives at university.
Few projects have been taken into account by ISA every year. Some are listed below-
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Teddy Bear Paw Hospital
To reduce students’ fear of medical procedures, an international project “ Lācitis Ķepainitis Hospital” has come into account. Students take part in the treatment process, as a part of which they hand over the test and perform x-rays. Since it’s a dental office and considering the fact that it is a dental office, oral health education provided to children has really been successful.
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Shadow days
It’s an ISA project in which students studying in the final year of their course are allowed to shadow a resident in the hospital.
-
Movie nights
“Cinema and medicine” is the project name in which RSU students are shown medical films. Such films help students to learn knowledgeable facts about medical issues and have fun while watching cinemas as well.
- RSU Sports club organizes various championships every year. Few are- Volleyball Championships, Basketball Championships and Rowing and SkiIng Championships on ergometers.
- Also, twenty “student scientific interest groups” are been made for medical and healthcare students to improve their overall professional development. Some groups are- pharmacology interest group, dermatovenerology interest group, genetics interest group, biochemistry group, anaesthesiology, and intensive science interest group, etc.
RSU includes two hostels, one is Hostel Āgenskalns and the other one is Hostel Dzirciems.
- Hostel Āgenskalns include 200 rooms and is situated at 5 min distance from Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital. The hostel includes 6 types of categories – AM1, AM2, AM3, BM1, BM2, CM, DM.
- Hostel Dzirciems includes 135 rooms of types A, B, and C. The hostel is located at a distance of 350 m from the RSU main building.
- Both the hostels include study facilities, lockable bicycle storage, and an on-site laundry facility.
- In addition to this, Hostel Āgenskalns includes gym and rehearsal space for exercise, yoga, and dancing (for a fee).
- Open-air parking and underground are also available at Hostel Dzirciems.
Admission Requirements for International Students
A high acceptance rate of 65% (approximately) is calculated in the past few years in RSU admissions. Late application forms are rejected by the university. So, applicants are requested to apply before the declared official deadlines.
For the September 2022 intake, the university plans to admit 373 international students to their medicine program, 67 candidates for the dentistry program, and 30 candidates for other programs taught in English.
Application dates for international students:
For medicine, dentistry, and health management programs (September intake): 21 Feb to 1 May
For international governance, and international business & startups: 21 Feb to 1 July
Below are the requirements to meet the eligibility criteria in the university-
| REQUIREMENTS | UNDERGRADUATE | GRADUATE |
| Application portal | Online application on the official website | Online application on the official website |
| Application fee (non-refundable) | 116 USD along with a fee receipt | 116 USD along with a fee receipt |
| 2 Letters of recommendation | Required along with motivation letter | Required along with motivation letter |
| Academic transcripts | Required | Required |
| Certified copy of passport | Required | Required |
| Two photographs | Required | Required |
| English language test
(IELTS/ TOEFL) |
Required to submit at least one of the test scores
TOEFL- 85, IELTS- 6.5 |
Required to submit at least one of the test scores
TOEFL- 85, IELTS- 6.5 |
| Chest X-ray radiograph and radiologist’s report | Required | Required |
| Bank statement about financial means available in applicant’s bank account. | Required | Required |
| Police clearance certificate | Required | Required |
| Resume | Not Required | Required |
Also, a registration administration fee of 1,736 USD is required by applicants who are applying for undergraduate programs in medicine and dentistry.
Additional requirements-
| Undergraduate programs | Subjects students must have studied earlier |
| Dentistry | Biology or Chemistry, English and Mathematics |
| International Business and Start-up entrepreneurship | English and Mathematics |
| Medicine | Biology or Chemistry, English and Mathematics |
| Graduate programs | |
| Biostatistics | Higher education (Bachelor’s degree or second level professional higher education) |
| Health management | Higher education (health sciences or social sciences) |
| International governance and diplomacy | Academic Bachelor’s or 2nd level professional Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or humanities in the state-accredited study program. |
| Russia and Eurasia studies | Academic Bachelor’s or 2nd level professional Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or humanities in the state-accredited study program. |
For more details regarding course-specific eligibility requirements and application assistance, get in touch with Gyanberry.
Tuition, Fees, and Annual Cost of Attendance
| Undergraduate programs | Annual Tuition fees |
| Dentistry | 16,194 USD – 17,350 USD |
| International Business and Start-up entrepreneurship | 3,238 USD |
| Medicine | 13,880 USD |
| Graduate programs | |
| Biostatistics | 4,048 USD |
| Health management | 4,742 USD |
| International governance and diplomacy | 2,891 USD |
| Russia and Eurasia studies | 3,470 USD |
The average living expenses of a student studying at RSU are tabulated below-
| Particulars | Annual Expenses |
| Books, Internet, and other stationery | 3470 USD |
| Residence | 2,082 USD- 4,200 USD ( as per one’s budget) |
| Food | 1,665 USD |
| Public transport | Free – the university provides shuttles |
| Total living expenses | 7100 USD- 9300 USD |
The total annual cost of attendance for international students at RSU is 11,824 USD to 14,042 USD or 43,430 AED to 51,576 AED
For dentistry and medicine, total annual expenses go up to 26,194 USD or 96,210 AED
Scholarships for International Students
Financial aid in RSU is only for students who belong to either of the following countries- Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands as per university norms.
Whereas a tuition fee discount is only granted to students of RSU who are studying Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.
- Academic excellence-
- RSU has announced an academic excellence scholarship to encourage students to perform well in academics.
- A 25% discount on semester fees is provided to 3rd and 6th-year students who have scored a minimum grade of 8.5 or above in the previous academic semester.
- Social support –
- A 10% discount on semester fees is being offered to international students. They are needed to provide supporting documents for the same.
- Family members-
- A 5% discount on semester fees is granted to international students whose family members are already studying at RSU.
- RSU recognition enhancement-
- A 5% discount on semester fees is granted to international students who are participating in events and public life of RSU to promote the university’s recognition.
Career Prospects for International Students
Upon completing the six-year undergraduate course, the student will receive your Medical Doctor (MD) degree, a primary medical qualification. The MD degree entitles one to continue professional and academic growth in residency programs in Latvia and in other countries to become a trained doctor/specialist.
RSU graduates have successfully continued their education and professional pursuits in the UK and other EU/EEA member states and the US (e.g., the ECFMG exams), Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan, etc.
The RSU Career Centre supports all RSU students and graduates on various professional and career-related issues. The center provides employers with networking opportunities. It also offers individual and group counseling, career workshops, thematic seminars, and lectures.
Working in Latvia
Non-EU foreign nationals will need to obtain three documents- a residence permit, a Type D visa, and a work permit to live and work in Latvia. While a long-stay visa is required for foreign employees, this visa alone does not allow the holder to stay for more than 90 days. A residence permit is also necessary and should be obtained along with the visa.
In conclusion, RSU has been taken into account as a great place to study for medical students and the culture of the university for international students is really safe and inviting.
