Dentistry in Latvia: Courses, Universities, Fees, and Eligibility for International Students
Dentistry in Latvia is a five-year course with ten semesters. It is available as a long-cycle master’s degree. That means students can enroll after completing high school. Depending on the university, a dentistry degree is called a Doctor of Dental Medicine/Surgery.
There are two prominent universities in Latvia offering Dentistry in the English language. Therefore, international students do not have to learn the local language to apply. There are only two universities for dentistry in English, so admissions can be competitive.
Read on to know more about dentistry degrees in Latvia, their fee structure, admission criteria, and other details necessary for international students.
Best universities for dentistry in Latvia
University of Latvia and Riga Stradins University are the only two offering Dentistry programs in English. Both universities rank exceptionally well in national and global rankings. They are within the top five for national rankings by UniRank 2021. In addition, QS Rankings lists them in the top 600 globally for medicine.
| National
Ranking 2023 |
University Name | Program Name | Duration | Language |
| 2 | University of Latvia | Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) | 5 years | English |
| 3 | Rīga Stradiņš University | Doctor of Dental Medicine | 5 years | English |
Dentistry programs at both universities carry 300 ECTS. The curriculum for dentistry is vast and intensive. Students are educated in a variety of subjects. The University of Latvia lists a few subjects students will be introduced to in the five years.
- Basic sciences,
- Psychology,
- Pharmacology and Epidemiology,
- Immunology and Microbiology,
- Oral Anatomy,
- Oral maxillofacial radiology,
- Orthodontics,
- Endodontology,
- Periodontology,
- Pediatric dentistry,
- and more.
The curriculum for Riga Stradins University is similar. Some subjects include
- Biochemistry, Biomaterials, Biostatistics,
- Cariology,
- DNA in Vitro,
- Emergency Medicine,
- Maxillofacial Surgery,
- Microbiology, Immunology, Virology,
- Clinical Pharmacology,
- Orthodontics,
- Pediatrics,
- and more
Both universities introduce Latvian language lessons to international students. This is necessary for the final years of study when students will be involved in clinical practices. Internships and projects require interaction with hospital staff and patients. Knowing Latvian puts students at an advantage as they can learn better.
Admission requirements for studying dentistry in Latvia
The universities of Latvia and Riga Stradins can be pretty competitive. The intake for their English language dentistry programs is limited. International students should aim to have excellent academic records and extra-curricular achievements. A rich application profile can increase your chances of being accepted into universities.
Admission requirements for University of Latvia
The University of Latvia requires students to submit the following documents during applications
- High school diploma
- Score of at least 60% or equivalent in each of the compulsory subjects
- Academic Transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency of at least IELTS 5.5 or B2 level
- Passport
- Payment receipt
The University of Latvia also conducts an online interview where students are assessed on their knowledge of subjects and motivation to study.
Admission requirements for Riga Stradins University
The Riga Stradins University states the following admission requirements.
- High school diploma
- Academic Transcripts
- Physics is also a preferred subject
- English language proficiency
- Motivation letter
- Letters of recommendation
- Passport
- Students who are below 18 years of age must stay with a guardian
- Application fee payment slip
Additional documents for Non-EEA applicants
- 2 photos (size 3×4cm)
- Medical reports
- Police clearance certificate
- Proof of financial means sufficient to cover tuition and cost of living
How to apply?
Students can apply directly through the university. Alternatively, students can benefit through professional guidance with Gyanberry.
Dentistry aspirants can simplify their admissions process with the help of Gyanberry’s application assistance. With services like one-on-one counseling, entrance test preparations, and mentorships, students can increase their chances of acceptance.
Cost of studying Dentistry in Latvia
Tuition fees for the first year of dentistry programs at the University of Latvia and Riga Stradins University is below. These fees do not cover living expenses.
| University | Annual Tuition Fees in EUR | Annual Tuition Fees in USD* |
| University of Latvia | 15,000 | 15,385 |
| Riga Stradins University | 14,000 | 14,360 |
The first two years of Riga Stradins University cost EUR 14,000 each. Students must pay EUR 15,000 per year from the third year onwards.
Cost of living in Latvia
Unlike the expenses in popular destinations like the US, students will Latvia very affordable. The average student spends about EUR 4,800-8,400 per year. However, this is just an estimation. Each student’s expense habits determine their actual cost of living.
The below table highlights an estimation of typical expenses for students.
| Particulars | Monthly expenses in EUR | Monthly Expenses in USD* |
| Accommodation | 70-350 | 73-366 |
| Utilities | 100-170 | 104-178 |
| Internet connection | 12-15 | 13-16 |
| Food | 300-540 | 314-565 |
| Public transport | 5-15 | 5-16 |
| Total Monthly Expense | 487-1,090 | 509-1,141 |
* Tuition cost and cost of living are converted to USD at 1 EUR = 1.03 USD. Please note that currency conversion rates are subject to frequent fluctuations.
Scholarships for international students
The Government of Latvia offers scholarships to international students. The Latvian State scholarships are only available for citizens of countries with an agreement with Latvia. Currently, Latvia has agreements with 40 countries. The scholarship award is provided as
- EUR 500 per month for bachelor’s and master’s levels
- EUR 700 per month for Ph.D. levels
Students at Riga Stradins University have the option of tuition discounts. The university offers tuition discounts for English language General Medicine and Dentistry programs. These discounts are aimed at encouraging academic excellence.
The discounts are given according to a few categories. The table below provides a brief description.
| Category | Discount | No. of Recipients | Eligibility Criteria | Study Year |
| Academic Excellence | 25% of semester fee | 36 (bachelors and masters) and 4 (Ph.D.) | Weighted average grade in the previous semester: 8.5 | Available for students in 3rd to 6th years |
| Social Support | 10% of semester fee | Decided by the Faculty Council | Supporting documents to prove the need for financial support | Available for students in 2nd to 6th years |
Scope of dentistry in Latvia
Dentists should be registered with The Centre of Dentistry to practice dentistry in Latvia. Although there is no registration fee, the renewal must be done every five years. Dentists should also be fluent in Latvian to practice efficiently.
Dentistry graduates can also consider moving to other European countries like Italy, Hungary, or Germany to practice. But, naturally, graduates will have to adhere to the local registration and language requirements. Fresh graduates can seek assistance from career support centers of their universities
The average salary of dentists in Latvia is EUR 53,075 per year.
Some popular specializations for dentistry in Latvia include
- Orthodontics
- Endodontics
- Paedodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
