About the university
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Vidzemes Augstskola, ViA) was founded in 1996 in Valmiera, became a state university in 2001 and has been accredited for an indefinite period since 2002. It has two faculties, Social Sciences and Engineering, and 15 study programmes.
ViA is known for tourism management, communication, business administration and, more recently, virtual reality and smart technologies. It is part of the E³UDRES² European university alliance and in 2023 received a Best Practice University certificate for how it attracts and supports foreign students.
For Indian students, ViA's offer is at master's level: English-taught programmes cost about €3,500–€5,800 a year for non-EU students in 2026/27, and several are taught in intensive blocks on Fridays and Saturdays. The English requirement is modest (IELTS 5.5). ViA does not currently offer English-taught full-time bachelor's degrees to international applicants; it says information for 2027/28 will follow.
ViA is based in Valmiera, and its programme pages put housing there from about €115 a month, with groceries from about €300.
- Founded
- 1996; state university status since 2001
- Type
- Public university of applied sciences, accredited for an indefinite period since 2002
- Faculties
- 2: Social Sciences; Engineering
- Programmes
- 15 in total; English-taught master's in business, communication, tourism, VR and gamified reality
- Campus
- Cēsu street 4 and Tērbatas street 10, Valmiera
- Intake
- September only; non-EU applications 1 March to 31 May
- Recognition
- Best Practice University certificate (2023) for attracting foreign students
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies (Professional Master's)
- Fee / year
- €5,799
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters), full-time
- Intakes
- September only (non-EU applications 1 March to 31 May)
- English
- B2 level: IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 72 (other tests listed on DreamApply); waived if your previous education was fully in English
- Postgraduate
Business Environment Administration (Professional Master's in Business Administration)
- Fee / year
- €3,544
- Duration
- 1.5 years with a professional qualification, otherwise 2 years; classes on Fridays and Saturdays
- Intakes
- September only (non-EU applications 1 March to 31 May)
- English
- B2 level: IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 72 (other tests listed on DreamApply); waived if your previous education was fully in English
- Postgraduate
Tourism Competitiveness Management (Master's)
- Fee / year
- €3,558
- Duration
- 1.5 or 2 years (120 ECTS for 2 years); blended with intensive weeks and study trips
- Intakes
- September only (non-EU applications 1 March to 31 May)
- English
- B2 level: IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 72 (other tests listed on DreamApply); waived if your previous education was fully in English
- Postgraduate
Strategic Communication and Governance (Master's)
- Fee / year
- €3,544
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS); intensive weeks plus online seminars
- Intakes
- September only (non-EU applications 1 March to 31 May)
- English
- B2 level: IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 72 (other tests listed on DreamApply); waived if your previous education was fully in English
- Postgraduate
GRACE: Gamified Reality Applications for Real-World Challenges and Experiences (Joint MSc)
- Fee / year
- €3,000
- Duration
- 2 years; study in Austria, the Netherlands and Latvia
- Intakes
- Winter semester (from 2026/27), 25 places a year
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT 90 or Cambridge 180
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies (Professional Master's) | 2 years (4 semesters), full-time | €5,799 | ≈ ₹6.1 lakh |
| Business Environment Administration (Professional Master's in Business Administration) | 1.5 years with a professional qualification, otherwise 2 years; classes on Fridays and Saturdays | €3,544 | ≈ ₹3.8 lakh |
| Tourism Competitiveness Management (Master's) | 1.5 or 2 years (120 ECTS for 2 years); blended with intensive weeks and study trips | €3,558 | ≈ ₹3.8 lakh |
| Strategic Communication and Governance (Master's) | 2 years (120 ECTS); intensive weeks plus online seminars | €3,544 | ≈ ₹3.8 lakh |
| GRACE: Gamified Reality Applications for Real-World Challenges and Experiences (Joint MSc) | 2 years; study in Austria, the Netherlands and Latvia | €3,000 | ≈ ₹3.2 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 Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences with similar universities in Latvia.
Scholarships
- Degree students from eligible countries
Latvian State Scholarship
Value: €500–€700 a month, depending on level
Eligibility: Through the Latvian state scheme; the 2026/27 deadline was 1 April 2026. Check whether Indian citizens are eligible in the current call.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- ViA currently has no full-time English-taught bachelor's programmes for international applicants. It says information for 2027/28 will be published on its bachelor's page.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree, with an average of at least 60% of the maximum grade. Some programmes need a related degree (IT or computer science for Virtual Reality; social sciences, business or tourism for Tourism).
- English at B2 level (IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 72), unless your previous education was fully in English.
- A recorded online interview for all international applicants; some programmes add an online entrance exam or written test.
- Non-refundable registration fee of €250 for non-EU applicants, paid before you submit.
- After an offer, you sign the study agreement and pay the full first-year tuition before the visa process. Diploma recognition takes about four to six weeks.
Documents
- Bachelor's diploma and transcript (in English or Latvian)
- Passport or ID copy
- English certificate (if your previous study was not in English)
- Motivation letter, motivational video or CV where the programme asks
- Master's thesis proposal (where required)
- Proof of the €250 registration fee
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 (6.5 for GRACE) |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 (90 for GRACE) |
| Other tests | Other B2-level certificates listed on ViA's DreamApply portal |
| Waiver | If your previous education was conducted fully in English |
Accommodation and living costs
ViA's programme pages give indicative monthly living costs in Valmiera. The international students page does not list university housing, so ask the International Office about rooms once you have an offer.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| HousingFrom this amount, ViA estimate | €115per month | ≈ ₹12,190 |
| GroceriesFrom this amount | €300per month | ≈ ₹31,800 |
| Local transport (monthly bus ticket)From this amount | €30per month | ≈ ₹3,180 |
| Household goods and other costsFrom this amount | €300per month | ≈ ₹31,800 |
Campus and location
ViA has a compact campus in Valmiera, with buildings on Cēsu street and Tērbatas street. Many master's programmes mix intensive teaching weeks in Latvia with online learning.
- Buildings at Cēsu street 4 and Tērbatas street 10, Valmiera.
- Faculties of Social Sciences and Engineering.
- Member of the E³UDRES² European university alliance.
- GRACE joint master's with partners in St. Pölten (Austria) and Saxion (Netherlands).
- Student union, sports and student discounts.
Careers and graduate outcomes
ViA's master's degrees are professionally focused, with qualifications such as Company Manager, and several are timed for working students. ViA does not publish graduate employment figures. For work rights during and after study, see our Latvia guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
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
Can I do a bachelor's degree at Vidzeme University in English?
Not at the moment. ViA says it has no full-time English-taught bachelor's for international applicants, and will post information for 2027/28 on its website.
How much are the master's fees?
For non-EU students in 2026/27, most English-taught master's cost about €3,544–€3,558 a year; Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies costs €5,799 a year. The registration fee is €250.
What IELTS score do I need?
IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 for most master's; the GRACE joint master's asks for IELTS 6.5. If your degree was taught fully in English, you may not need a test.
When do applications open?
There is one intake a year, in September. Non-EU applications run from 1 March to 31 May.
Do I need to pay before the visa?
Yes. After you accept the offer you sign the study agreement and pay the full first-year tuition, then start the visa or residence permit process.
Sources
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: in brief (opens in a new tab)
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: international students (opens in a new tab)
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: bachelor's degrees (opens in a new tab)
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: master's degrees (opens in a new tab)
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: Business Environment Administration (opens in a new tab)
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies (opens in a new tab)
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: Tourism Competitiveness Management (opens in a new tab)
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: Strategic Communication and Governance (opens in a new tab)
- Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences: GRACE joint master's (opens in a new tab)
Official website: va.lv/en (opens in a new tab)
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