About the university
Riga Technical University (RTU) traces its history to the Riga Polytechnicum, founded in 1862 as the first technical university in the Baltic region. Today it is Latvia's main university for engineering, IT, architecture and technology management, and is placed in the 751–760 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Most of RTU's teaching now takes place on a modern campus on Ķīpsala, an island in the Daugava river opposite Riga's Old Town, with its historic main building in the Old Town itself. RTU also runs the RTU Riga Business School, which teaches an English-taught BBA and an MBA aimed at international students.
For Indian students, RTU offers a long list of English-taught bachelor's and master's degrees at low fees, mostly €3,500–€6,150 a year for 2026/27. Many engineering bachelor's degrees last three years, and several programmes have a January intake as well as September, which helps if you miss the main deadline.
Admission is not just paperwork: depending on the programme, RTU asks for references, a motivation letter, a recorded video interview and an online entrance test (for example a 10-question maths test for BSc Computer Systems). Because Latvia tightened its immigration law in September 2026, apply early and check the latest residence permit rules.
- Founded
- 1862 as Riga Polytechnicum, the first technical university in the Baltic region
- Type
- Public technical university
- Main campus
- Ķīpsala island in Riga, plus buildings in the Old Town
- English-taught degrees
- Bachelor's and master's in computer systems, engineering, business, logistics, architecture and more
- Intakes
- September for all programmes; January for several (deadline 15 November)
- Application costs
- €165 application fee (€150 for the BBA) and a €250 deposit
- Living funds for the permit
- €9,400 a year, from 1 January 2026
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
751–760 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €5,030
- Duration
- 3 years (180 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September and January (January 2027 deadline: 15 November 2026)
- English
- IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 or Cambridge B2 First (or proof of English-medium education)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €6,150
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September and January (January 2027 deadline: 15 November 2026)
- English
- IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 or Cambridge B2 First (or proof of English-medium education)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €5,590
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 or Cambridge B2 First (or proof of English-medium education)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €5,650
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September and January (January 2027 deadline: 15 November 2026)
- English
- IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 or Cambridge B2 First (or proof of English-medium education)
- Undergraduate
BBA Bachelor of Business Administration (RTU Riga Business School, non-EU applicants)
- Fee / year
- €7,550
- Duration
- 3 years (180 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 or Cambridge B2 First (or proof of English-medium education)
- Undergraduate
BSc Engineering Technology, Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering
- Fee / year
- €4,030
- Duration
- 3 years (181.5 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September and January (January 2027 deadline: 15 November 2026)
- English
- IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 or Cambridge B2 First (or proof of English-medium education)
- Postgraduate
MSc Industrial Engineering and Management
- Fee / year
- €4,700
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 or Cambridge B2 First (or proof of English-medium education)
- Postgraduate
MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Fee / year
- €4,990
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 or Cambridge B2 First (or proof of English-medium education)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Computer Systems | 3 years (180 ECTS) | €5,030 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| MSc Computer Systems | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €6,150 | ≈ ₹6.5 lakh |
| MSc Cybersecurity Engineering | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €5,590 | ≈ ₹5.9 lakh |
| MSc Business Informatics | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €5,650 | ≈ ₹6 lakh |
| BBA Bachelor of Business Administration (RTU Riga Business School, non-EU applicants) | 3 years (180 ECTS) | €7,550 | ≈ ₹8 lakh |
| BSc Engineering Technology, Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering | 3 years (181.5 ECTS) | €4,030 | ≈ ₹4.3 lakh |
| MSc Industrial Engineering and Management | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €4,700 | ≈ ₹5 lakh |
| MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €4,990 | ≈ ₹5.3 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 Technical University with similar universities in Latvia.
Scholarships
- 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) - Enrolled students
Erasmus+ mobility grants
Value: Monthly grant for a semester or traineeship in another EU country
Eligibility: RTU degree students through the university's Erasmus+ partnerships.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 certificate with good results, especially in maths and physics for engineering and IT programmes. Documents must be in English or officially translated.
- At least one reference, a motivation letter and a recorded online interview (within seven days of the invitation). BSc Computer Systems also has a 10-question online maths test.
- English: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59, TOEIC 780 or Cambridge B2 First; or a letter confirming your whole education was in English.
- The BBA at RTU Riga Business School uses Early Action (6 December to 19 January) and Regular Decision (1 February to 15 March) rounds, asks for two references and IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 70 (or its own English test).
- Pay the €165 application fee and a €250 deposit. For January 2027 programmes the deadline is 15 November 2026.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related field (for MSc Computer Systems: computer science, IT, electrical engineering, maths, physics or similar).
- References, a motivation letter and a recorded online interview. Some programmes add an online exam; MSc Computer Systems has five 45-minute sections (maths, algorithms, data structures, programming and databases).
- English: the same tests and scores as for bachelor's degrees.
- Most master's take two years; MSc Civil Construction and Real Estate Management has a 1.5-year option.
Documents
- Passport
- Class 12 certificate and mark sheet (bachelor's), or bachelor's degree and transcript (master's), in English or officially translated
- English test score, or a letter confirming English-medium education
- At least one reference (two for the BBA)
- Motivation letter
- Recorded video interview and online test results, where required
- For the residence permit: proof of €9,400 a year for living costs 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 |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 for most programmes; 6.0 for the BBA |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 (70 for the BBA); RTU's TOEFL code is 8498 |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| Other | TOEIC 780, Cambridge B2 First, or Edusync B2 for the BBA |
| Exemption | If your whole previous education was in English, upload a letter or transcript confirming it |
Accommodation and living costs
RTU has student hostels near its Ķīpsala campus, and many international students rent shared flats in Riga. Riga is cheaper than most EU capitals, but rents and utility bills have risen. The cost guide below is from another Riga university, Rīga Stradiņš University, and applies across the city.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, shared flat or hostel roomRiga average, Rīga Stradiņš University estimate | €300per month | ≈ ₹31,800 |
| Rent, own flatRiga average | €500per month | ≈ ₹53,000 |
| FoodRiga average | €300–400per month | ≈ ₹31,800 – ₹42,400 |
| Total living costsShared vs own accommodation; budget at least €1,200 | €1,050–1,500per month | ≈ ₹1.1 lakh – ₹1.6 lakh |
| Living funds to show for the permitRTU guidance from 1 January 2026 | €9,400per year | ≈ ₹10 lakh |
Campus and location
Riga is Latvia's capital and the largest city in the Baltics, with a UNESCO-listed Old Town, a growing IT and logistics sector and good public transport. RTU's main campus is on Ķīpsala island, a short walk across the river from the Old Town.
- Ķīpsala campus with faculty buildings, labs, the library and student hostels.
- Historic main building at 1 Kaļķu Street in the Old Town.
- RTU Riga Business School for the English-taught BBA and MBA.
- International Orientation Day before each autumn semester (27 August in 2026).
Careers and graduate outcomes
RTU graduates are sought by Latvian employers in IT, telecoms, logistics, construction and manufacturing, and the university has strong industry links. Bachelor's students can work up to 20 hours a week in term and 40 in holidays; full-time master's students have no fixed weekly cap. Master's graduates can apply for a nine-month permit 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 |
| Part-time work, full-time master's students | No fixed weekly limit | 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:
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FAQs
How much does RTU cost for Indian students?
Most English-taught programmes cost €3,500–€6,150 a year in 2026/27; the BBA costs €7,550 and MSc Architecture €9,300. Add a €165 application fee and a €250 deposit.
Can I start in January?
Yes, for several programmes, including BSc and MSc Computer Systems, Business Informatics, Mechanical Engineering and Architecture. The deadline for January 2027 is 15 November 2026.
Is there an entrance exam?
Many programmes include a recorded video interview and an online test. BSc Computer Systems has a 10-question maths test; MSc Computer Systems has five sections covering maths, algorithms, data structures, programming and databases.
What IELTS score do I need?
IELTS 5.5 for most programmes (6.0 for the BBA). TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 59 and Cambridge B2 First are also accepted.
How much money must I show for the residence permit?
RTU says that from 1 January 2026 international students must show €9,400 a year for living costs with their visa or residence permit documents, in addition to proof of tuition.
Sources
- Riga Technical University: international admissions (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Technical University: BSc Computer Systems (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Technical University: MSc Computer Systems (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Technical University: BBA (non-EU applicants) (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Technical University: MSc Cybersecurity Engineering (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Technical University: BSc Civil Engineering (opens in a new tab)
- Riga Technical University: MSc Architecture (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)
Official website: www.rtu.lv/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details