About the university
ISMA University of Applied Sciences was founded in Riga in 1994 as the Information Systems Management Institute, built on the base of the former Riga Aviation University. From September 2025 it carries a new name, Riga Nordic University (RNU), chosen to underline its ties with the Nordic countries and raise its international profile. The degrees, staff and campus are the same; only the name and website (rnu.lv) changed.
The university is small and practical. It is known for business administration, information systems and tourism, and it has held a licence to award a doctorate in business administration since 2008. Over the past decade about a third of its students have come from outside Latvia, so international students are a normal part of the classroom.
For Indian students the attraction is cost: English-taught bachelor's degrees cost €3,300 a year and master's degrees €3,900 a year, among the lowest fees in the EU. The new Global BBA is a separate, higher-priced track. Teaching is in Latvian and English, and RNU asks for English at B2 level for English-taught study.
RNU is not ranked in the global rankings. Look closely at the curriculum, internships and graduate outcomes of your programme, and check how your degree will be recognised back in India or elsewhere. Latvia lets bachelor's students work up to 20 hours a week in term time, which helps with living costs in Riga.
- Founded
- 1994 as the Information Systems Management Institute (ISMA), on the base of Riga Aviation University
- New name
- Riga Nordic University (RNU) from September 2025
- Type
- Private university of applied sciences
- Levels
- Short-cycle, bachelor's, master's and a doctoral programme in Business Administration
- Fees (non-EU)
- €3,300 a year for bachelor's; €3,900 a year for master's (Global BBA charged separately)
- Registration fee
- €300 for foreign applicants, non-refundable
- Campus
- Valērijas Seiles iela 1-5, Riga
Rankings
QS and THE World University Rankings 2027
Not ranked
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Business Administration
- Fee / year
- €3,300
- Duration
- 4 years full time (4.5 years part time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- English at B2 level from an international test (RNU does not publish fixed scores; IELTS 5.5 / PTE 59 / TOEFL iBT 72 are commonly accepted)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Information Systems
- Fee / year
- €3,300
- Duration
- 4 years full time
- Intakes
- September
- English
- English at B2 level from an international test (RNU does not publish fixed scores; IELTS 5.5 / PTE 59 / TOEFL iBT 72 are commonly accepted)
- Undergraduate
Professional Bachelor's in Business Administration in Tourism
- Fee / year
- €3,300
- Duration
- 4 years full time (4.5 years part time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- English at B2 level from an international test (RNU does not publish fixed scores; IELTS 5.5 / PTE 59 / TOEFL iBT 72 are commonly accepted)
- Undergraduate
Global BBA (Business Administration)
- Fee / year
- €12,000
- Duration
- 4 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- English at B2 level from an international test (RNU does not publish fixed scores; IELTS 5.5 / PTE 59 / TOEFL iBT 72 are commonly accepted)
- Postgraduate
Professional Master's in Business Administration
- Fee / year
- €3,900
- Duration
- 1.1 years full time (or 2 years, depending on your previous degree)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- English at B2 level from an international test (RNU does not publish fixed scores; IELTS 5.5 / PTE 59 / TOEFL iBT 72 are commonly accepted)
- Postgraduate
Professional Master's in Computer Systems
- Fee / year
- €3,900
- Duration
- 1.5–2 years (90 or 120 credit points)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- English at B2 level from an international test (RNU does not publish fixed scores; IELTS 5.5 / PTE 59 / TOEFL iBT 72 are commonly accepted)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Business Administration | 4 years full time (4.5 years part time) | €3,300 | ≈ ₹3.5 lakh |
| Bachelor of Information Systems | 4 years full time | €3,300 | ≈ ₹3.5 lakh |
| Professional Bachelor's in Business Administration in Tourism | 4 years full time (4.5 years part time) | €3,300 | ≈ ₹3.5 lakh |
| Global BBA (Business Administration) | 4 years | €12,000 | ≈ ₹12.7 lakh |
| Professional Master's in Business Administration | 1.1 years full time (or 2 years, depending on your previous degree) | €3,900 | ≈ ₹4.1 lakh |
| Professional Master's in Computer Systems | 1.5–2 years (90 or 120 credit points) | €3,900 | ≈ ₹4.1 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Riga Nordic University (formerly ISMA) with similar universities in Latvia.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students
Erasmus+ mobility grants
Value: Monthly grant for a study period or traineeship elsewhere in Europe
Eligibility: RNU degree students through the university's Erasmus+ partnerships.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's and doctoral (mainly)
Latvian state scholarships for foreign students
Value: Monthly stipend set by the State Education Development Agency
Eligibility: Students from countries with an education cooperation agreement with Latvia; check the current call.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Fill in the online application at apply.rnu.lv and wait for the Admissions Committee's email.
- Send your Class 12 certificate and transcript, translated into English or Latvian and certified.
- English at B2 level from an internationally recognised test, issued within the last five years.
- Pay the €300 registration fee and take an online interview.
- Sign the study agreement, pay tuition and download RNU's invitation for the visa or residence permit.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's (or professional) degree and transcript, translated and certified, plus your Class 12 certificate.
- English at B2 level for English-taught study.
- Online application, €300 registration fee and an online interview.
- Your foreign degree may be evaluated by Latvia's Academic Information Centre.
Documents
- Completed application
- Passport copy
- Two 3 × 4 cm photographs
- Class 12 certificate and transcript
- Bachelor's degree and transcript (for master's)
- English certificate (B2, within five years)
- Certified English or Latvian translations of all education documents
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Level required | B2 (CEFR) for English-taught programmes |
| Accepted tests | Internationally recognised tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo, issued within the last five years |
| Commonly accepted scores | IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59, Duolingo 95 (confirm with RNU) |
Accommodation and living costs
RNU does not run or price its own halls. Most international students rent a room in a shared flat or a private student residence in Riga; ask our counsellor for current options. Below are RNU's registration fee and Latvia's minimum funds rule for the residence permit.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee (foreign applicants)Non-refundable | €300one-off | ≈ ₹31,800 |
| Minimum funds for the residence permitLatvian requirement for students | €780per month | ≈ ₹82,680 |
Campus and location
RNU studies at Valērijas Seiles iela 1-5 in Riga. Riga is Latvia's capital and the largest city in the Baltic states, with a UNESCO-listed Old Town, good public transport and direct flights across Europe.
- Small classes with a practical, applied-sciences focus.
- Programmes in business, tourism, IT and computer systems.
- About a third of students in recent years came from outside Latvia.
- Doctoral licence in business administration since 2008.
Careers and graduate outcomes
RNU's degrees are professional, with internships built in. Bachelor's students in Latvia may work up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in holidays; master's and doctoral graduates can stay up to nine months to look for work.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time work, bachelor's students | Up to 20 hours a week in term, 40 in holidays | PMLP: residence permit for studies |
| Stay after graduation | Up to 9 months to look for work (master's and doctoral graduates) | PMLP: residence permit after graduation |
Studying in Latvia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Latvia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Latvia
Photo: Stryn, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Business & Management, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
Photo: David Holt, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Olgerts V, CC BY 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Nursing & Allied Health, Law
Photo: RISEBA ( WWW.RISEBA.LV), CC BY-SA 4.0 PrivateOften chosen for Business & Management, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Hellboy kz, CC BY-SA 3.0 PrivateOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Business & Management
Photo: Chutinon Putthiwanit, CC BY-SA 4.0 PrivateOften chosen for Hospitality & Tourism, Business & Management, Law
FAQs
Is ISMA the same as Riga Nordic University?
Yes. ISMA University of Applied Sciences was renamed Riga Nordic University (RNU) from September 2025. The university and its degrees are the same; the website is now rnu.lv.
How much are the fees?
For foreign (non-EU) students, €3,300 a year for bachelor's and short-cycle programmes and €3,900 a year for master's, plus a €300 registration fee. The Global BBA is €12,000 a year, with the first year at €6,000.
Which programmes are taught in English?
Business Administration (BBA and the Global BBA), Information Systems, Business Administration in Tourism, the master's in Business Administration and the master's in Computer Systems. Psychology and Music Management are in Latvian.
What English level do I need?
B2 level from an internationally recognised test taken within the last five years.
Is there an entrance exam?
There is no written exam, but every applicant has an online interview after paying the registration fee.
Sources
- Riga Nordic University (formerly ISMA): study programmes (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Nordic University: tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Nordic University: application procedure (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Nordic University: Global BBA (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Nordic University: Master's in Business Administration (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Riga Nordic University (renaming, history) (opens in a new tab)
- PMLP (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs): residence permit for studies (opens in a new tab)
Official website: rnu.lv/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details