About the university
Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) began in 1950 as the Riga Medical Institute and is now Latvia's leading university for medicine and health sciences. It is named after Pauls Stradiņš, a Latvian surgeon and medical historian. Alongside medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing, it teaches public health, social sciences, communication and law, mostly in Latvian.
For international students RSU is known above all for its six-year English-taught Medicine programme, which takes 620 international students a year across two intakes, and its five-year Dentistry programme. Students train in Riga's university hospitals and clinics. RSU also runs a small number of English-taught degrees outside medicine: International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship (bachelor's) and master's degrees in Health Management, International Relations and Diplomacy, Digital Strategy and AI Management, and Biostatistics.
RSU is in the 1001–1200 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027. Its main building is in Dzirciems, west of the river Daugava, close to Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, and its student hostels are in Dzirciems, Āgenskalns and Mežciems.
For Indian students the main questions are cost and recognition. Medicine costs €13,500 a year plus a one-time €1,800 registration fee for 2026/27, and Riga living costs are about €1,050–€1,500 a month. If you plan to practise in India, check the National Medical Commission's current rules for foreign medical graduates before you apply.
- Founded
- 1950 as the Riga Medical Institute; named after the surgeon Pauls Stradiņš
- Type
- Public university specialising in medicine, health and social sciences
- Medicine places for international students, 2026/27
- 620 (380 in September 2026, 240 in February 2027)
- Dentistry places
- 64 a year (32 in each intake)
- Intakes
- September and February for English-taught programmes
- Medicine fee
- €13,500 a year plus a one-time €1,800 registration fee (2026/27)
- Student hostels
- In Dzirciems, Āgenskalns and Mežciems, Riga
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
1001–1200 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €13,500
- Duration
- 6 years
- Intakes
- September and February
- English
- Proof of English required; see RSU's English proficiency requirements
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €15,500
- Duration
- 5 years
- Intakes
- September and February
- English
- Proof of English required; see RSU's English proficiency requirements
- Undergraduate
International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship
- Fee / year
- €3,300
- Duration
- 3 years
- Intakes
- September and February
- English
- Proof of English required; see RSU's English proficiency requirements
- Postgraduate
MSc Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Management
- Fee / year
- €5,000
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September and February
- English
- Proof of English required; see RSU's English proficiency requirements
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €4,500
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September and February
- English
- Proof of English required; see RSU's English proficiency requirements
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €5,000
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September and February
- English
- Proof of English required; see RSU's English proficiency requirements
- Postgraduate
MSc International Relations and Diplomacy
- Fee / year
- €3,400
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September and February
- English
- Proof of English required; see RSU's English proficiency requirements
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine (MD) | 6 years | €13,500 | ≈ ₹14.3 lakh |
| Dentistry (DDS) | 5 years | €15,500 | ≈ ₹16.4 lakh |
| International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship | 3 years | €3,300 | ≈ ₹3.5 lakh |
| MSc Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Management | 2 years | €5,000 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| MSc Health Management | 2 years | €4,500 | ≈ ₹4.8 lakh |
| MSc Biostatistics | 2 years | €5,000 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| MSc International Relations and Diplomacy | 2 years | €3,400 | ≈ ₹3.6 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 Rīga Stradiņš University with similar universities in Latvia.
Scholarships
- Master's
Erasmus Mundus joint master's
Value: Full scholarships covering tuition, travel and a monthly allowance, where offered
Eligibility: Applicants from any country who join a joint master's run by a group of European universities that includes RSU or other Latvian partners. Very competitive.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Enrolled students
Erasmus+ mobility grants
Value: Monthly grant for a study period or clinical traineeship in another EU country
Eligibility: RSU degree students through the university's Erasmus+ partnerships.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's and doctoral; for citizens of partner countries
State scholarships for foreign students (Latvian government)
Value: Monthly stipend
Eligibility: Offered under bilateral agreements; check whether Indian citizens are eligible in the current year's call.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Apply through the RSU online admissions portal, upload your documents following the Application Guide, then email admissions@rsu.lv with your name and application number.
- RSU's 2026/27 Admissions Procedure sets the school subjects and grades needed; for Medicine and Dentistry expect strong results in biology and chemistry. Confirm the exact requirements before you apply.
- Medicine is RSU's largest English programme, with 620 international places in 2026/27 (380 in September, 240 in February). Dentistry has 64 places a year; other English programmes have up to 30 places in total.
- The application fee is €100 (non-refundable). Medicine and Dentistry students also pay a one-time €1,800 registration fee.
- Check the 'When to apply' page for deadlines; places are offered through the online application as an Offer of Study Place.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related field; each master's programme sets its own requirements.
- Proof of English, as set out in RSU's English proficiency requirements.
- Master's programmes take two years full time and admit in September and February.
Documents
- Passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 certificates and mark sheets (bachelor's), or bachelor's degree and transcript (master's)
- Certified English translations and legalisation (apostille) of education documents
- English test certificate
- Documents listed in RSU's Application Guide and document forms
- For the residence permit: proof of at least €780 a month for living costs, health insurance and proof of tuition payment
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 |
|---|---|
| Requirement | All English-taught programmes need proof of English; RSU lists accepted tests and minimum scores on its English proficiency page |
| Advice | Indian applicants should plan on an IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT result unless RSU confirms an exemption in writing |
Accommodation and living costs
RSU has student hostels in Dzirciems and Āgenskalns, close to the main building, and in Mežciems. Rooms are allocated first come, first served and costs can be shared by two or three students, so apply early. RSU's own estimate of monthly living costs in Riga is below.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, sharedRSU estimate | €300per month | ≈ ₹31,800 |
| Rent, not sharedRSU estimate | €500per month | ≈ ₹53,000 |
| FoodRSU estimate | €300–400per month | ≈ ₹31,800 – ₹42,400 |
| Utilities and servicesRSU estimate | €200–300per month | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹31,800 |
| TransportRSU estimate | €50per month | ≈ ₹5,300 |
| Total living costsRSU advises budgeting at least €1,200 | €1,050–1,500per month | ≈ ₹1.1 lakh – ₹1.6 lakh |
Campus and location
Riga is the capital of Latvia and the biggest city in the Baltic states, with a medieval Old Town, good public transport and lower living costs than most EU capitals. RSU's main building is in Dzirciems on the left bank of the Daugava.
- Main building in Dzirciems, near Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital.
- Clinical training in Riga's university hospitals and partner clinics.
- Student hostels in Dzirciems, Āgenskalns and Mežciems.
- Two intakes a year for English-taught programmes (September and February).
Careers and graduate outcomes
RSU medical graduates receive an EU medical degree. Many international graduates go on to postgraduate training or licensing exams in other EU countries, the UK or their home countries. In Latvia, bachelor's-level students can work up to 20 hours a week in term and 40 in holidays, and master's graduates can apply for a nine-month permit to look for work.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time work, bachelor's-level 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 |
| International Medicine places | 620 in 2026/27 | RSU: admissions |
Studying in Latvia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Latvia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does Medicine at RSU cost?
€13,500 a year for 2026/27, plus a one-time €1,800 registration fee and the €100 application fee. Over six years, tuition alone comes to about €81,000. Living costs in Riga add about €12,000–€18,000 a year.
Is RSU's MD recognised in India?
To practise in India you must meet the National Medical Commission's rules for foreign medical graduates (course length, internship, English medium and registration in the country of study) and pass the NMC screening or licensing exam. Check the latest NMC notices with our counsellor before you apply.
When can I start?
English-taught programmes start in September and February. For Medicine in 2026/27, 380 places are in September 2026 and 240 in February 2027.
Which non-medical programmes are taught in English?
International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship (bachelor's), and master's degrees in Health Management, International Relations and Diplomacy, Digital Strategy and AI Management, and Biostatistics. Fees range from €3,300 to €5,000 a year.
Does RSU have student housing?
Yes, hostels in Dzirciems, Āgenskalns and Mežciems, allocated first come, first served. RSU suggests budgeting at least €1,200 a month in Riga including accommodation.
Sources
- Rīga Stradiņš University: tuition fees for studies in English (2026/27) (opens in a new tab)
- Rīga Stradiņš University: admissions (opens in a new tab)
- Rīga Stradiņš University: Medicine (opens in a new tab)
- Rīga Stradiņš University: Dentistry (opens in a new tab)
- Rīga Stradiņš University: life in Riga (cost of living) (opens in a new tab)
- PMLP (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs): residence permit for studies (opens in a new tab)
- PMLP: residence permit after graduation (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission: Erasmus Mundus joint master's (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.rsu.lv/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details