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Study Medicine in Latvia

Riga Stradins University is Latvia's premier medical school, fully accredited for EU and UK recognition.

Language:English-Taught
Duration:6 years
Tuition:€7,000–€10,000/year
UCAT:Not Required

Why Study Medicine in Latvia?

RSU is one of the Baltic's most established English-medium medical schools
GMC-eligible degree — return to NHS after graduation
Affordable tuition (£9,000–£13,000/year) and very low living costs
No UCAT required — academic-based admission
Riga is one of Europe's most beautiful and culturally rich capital cities
Strong international student community with many UK students

Overview: Medical Education in Latvia

Latvia, specifically Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), is one of the most popular Eastern European medical school destinations for English-speaking students. RSU has decades of experience training international medical students and offers a well-established, fully English-medium 6-year medicine programme that is EU-accredited and GMC-eligible.

Riga, Latvia's capital and the largest city in the Baltic states, is a magnificent, vibrant European city known for its extraordinary Art Nouveau architecture (the world's largest collection), excellent culture, food scene, and very affordable living costs by European standards.

For UK students, Latvia combines quality European medical education with significantly lower costs than Western Europe. Tuition at RSU is £9,000–£13,000/year and living costs in Riga are approximately £700–£1,000/month — making it one of the best value-for-money medical education destinations in Europe.

RSU's international student community is large and well-established, with UK students well-represented. The University of Latvia also offers a medicine programme with English options. Medicine Clearing has extensive experience placing UK students at RSU and can guide you through every stage of the application process.

Entry Requirements for UK Students

RSU requires BBB–ABB at A-level with Biology and Chemistry. No UCAT. An entrance examination in biology and chemistry is required. English proficiency (IELTS 6.0+). Latvian language is not required for the English-medium programme.

Tuition Fees & Living Costs

Annual Tuition Range

€7,000–€10,000/year

Riga is very affordable by European standards. Eating out, social costs, and entertainment are all significantly cheaper than in Western Europe. One of the best value European capitals for students.

Accommodation£280–£500/month
Food£200–£300/month
Transport£25–£45/month (Riga public transport monthly pass ~£30)
Total/Month£700–£1,000

Medical Universities in Latvia

2 universities in our network — all vetted for GMC eligibility.

Riga Stradiņš University

Riga Stradiņš University

Riga · 6 years

University of Latvia

University of Latvia

Riga · 6 years

GMC Recognition & NHS Return Pathway

GMC-eligible. RSU medicine programme is on the GMC's recognised primary medical qualifications list. Graduates pass PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 for GMC registration.

Pass PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 for full GMC registration, then apply for NHS foundation or specialty training.

Student Accommodation in Latvia

On-Campus

RSU has student dormitories at approximately £150–£280/month. Priority is typically given to first-year international students.

Off-Campus

Private rentals in Riga are affordable. A private room is typically £250–£450/month. SS.lv is the main Latvian property listing site.

Accommodation Tip

RSU dormitories are the most cost-effective option and most first-year students use them. Riga's Old Town and central areas are excellent for student living — very walkable and well-served by trams and buses.

Visa Requirements for UK Citizens

Post-Brexit, UK citizens need a Latvian residence permit (uzturēšanās atļauja) for study stays exceeding 90 days. Apply via the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA). Latvia is a Schengen Area member. Processing takes 2–4 weeks.

Medicine Clearing handles all student visa applications. No visa expertise is required from students or parents.

Did You Know? — Latvia

  • 1

    Riga has the world's largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings — a UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • 2

    Latvia was the first country to use a Christmas tree — in Riga's town hall square in 1510

  • 3

    RSU is one of the longest-established international medical schools in the Baltic states

  • 4

    Riga's Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe

  • 5

    Latvia has the fastest average internet speeds in the world — digital infrastructure is outstanding

Monthly Living Costs Breakdown — Latvia

ExpenseMonthly Cost (GBP)
Accommodation£280–£500/month
Food & Groceries£200–£300/month
Transport£25–£45/month (Riga public transport monthly pass ~£30)
Total Monthly Budget£700–£1,000

Riga is very affordable by European standards. Eating out, social costs, and entertainment are all significantly cheaper than in Western Europe. One of the best value European capitals for students.

Frequently Asked Questions — Study Medicine in Latvia

20 questions answered by our senior admissions team.

Can UK students study medicine in Latvia?
Yes. Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) is the primary destination and offers a fully English-medium medicine programme popular with UK students. The University of Latvia also offers medicine with English options.
Is a Latvian medical degree recognised in the UK?
Yes. RSU's medicine programme is GMC-eligible. Graduates complete PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 for GMC registration and can work in the NHS.
Is medicine taught in English in Latvia?
Yes. RSU offers a fully English-medium 6-year medicine programme. All teaching, examinations, and clinical placements are conducted in English.
Do I need UCAT for Latvian medical schools?
No. RSU does not require UCAT. An entrance examination in biology and chemistry is required alongside A-level qualifications.
How much does it cost to study medicine in Latvia?
Tuition at RSU is £9,000–£13,000/year. Living costs are £700–£1,000/month. Annual total is approximately £18,000–£26,000 — excellent value for a GMC-eligible European degree.
Do I need a visa to study in Latvia as a UK citizen?
Yes. Post-Brexit UK citizens need a Latvian residence permit for stays over 90 days. Apply via OCMA. Latvia is a Schengen Area member.
What entry grades do I need for RSU medicine?
BBB–ABB at A-level with Biology and Chemistry. An entrance examination in biology and chemistry is also required.
What is RSU (Riga Stradiņš University) like for medicine?
RSU is the Baltic states' most internationally known medical school. It has a large international student cohort, modern facilities, and decades of experience training English-speaking medical students. Clinically, it is affiliated with major Riga hospitals.
What is Riga like as a city for UK students?
Riga is one of Europe's most beautiful cities — Art Nouveau architecture, excellent food and nightlife scene, very affordable, and English widely spoken by younger Latvians. An underrated gem for student life.
Can I return to the NHS after studying medicine in Latvia?
Yes. Pass PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 for GMC registration, then apply for NHS foundation or specialty training.
Is Latvia safe for UK students?
Yes. Latvia is generally safe. Riga city centre and student areas are well-lit and well-policed. Standard urban precautions apply. The international student community at RSU is large and well-supported.
How long does the RSU medicine programme take?
6 years. Years 1–3 are pre-clinical (biomedical science), Years 4–6 are clinical rotations across Riga's teaching hospitals.
What are RSU's clinical training facilities like?
RSU students rotate through major Riga hospitals including Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (one of the largest in the Baltics), Riga East Clinical University Hospital, and others. Good clinical exposure across all major specialties.
Does RSU have a large UK student community?
Yes. RSU has one of the largest international medical student communities in Eastern Europe, with UK students well-represented. This makes integration much easier for UK applicants.
Are there English-speaking clinicians during RSU clinical training?
Yes. Most teaching clinicians at RSU speak good English. The English-medium programme ensures that clinical training is delivered in English throughout.
What is the University of Latvia like for medicine?
The University of Latvia (LU) also offers medicine with some English provisions. It is less internationally focused than RSU but academically strong and more integrated into Latvian academic culture.
How does Medicine Clearing help with Latvian medical school applications?
We provide admissions strategy, RSU entrance examination preparation, personal statement support, residence permit guidance, accommodation assistance, and PLAB preparation for your NHS return.
Is Latvia in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Latvia is a full Schengen Area member. Travel within the Schengen zone is unrestricted once you have your Latvian residence permit.
What is Latvian cuisine and culture like?
Latvian cuisine is Baltic — hearty, based on rye bread, potatoes, dairy, and pork. Riga's food scene is diverse with international cuisines widely available and very affordable. Cultural life is rich, with excellent opera, theatre, and arts scene.
Is there a large RSU alumni network in the UK?
Yes. RSU has a significant alumni presence in the UK, with many graduates now working in the NHS. This network is valuable for mentorship, job applications, and PLAB preparation advice.

Other Europe Destinations

Italy

Italy

€156–€4,000/year

No UCAT
Poland

Poland

€10,000–€14,000/year

No UCAT
Hungary

Hungary

€12,000–€15,000/year

No UCAT
Czech Republic

Czech Republic

€11,000–€17,000/year

No UCAT
Apply Via Medicine Clearing

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