Latvia is a country with varied landscapes, sprawling cities and age-old cultural traditions. Latvia offers students, the best in world class education, both in terms of streams and diversity of study programs. With one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union, the Latvian business sectors are buoyant, offering great opportunities to international students. And mind you, all these come at a fraction of the cost that one would usually associate with overseas studies.
Why study in Latvia?
Latvians assert that their nation is a symphony of sounds, sights, and sensations, and it is known as the land that sings. The Latvian government has placed a strong emphasis on education and implemented a number of educational reforms, making it an excellent study abroad location.
Universities in Latvia provide both fee-paying and state-funded higher education options. In order to provide government aid to the most deserving students, a comprehensive procedure of student selection is used for scholarship schemes. In Latvia, there are two types of higher education programmes: professional and academic. Both of these degrees are available at Latvian universities, but there are also a number of non-university options.
Admission Requirements
Students who plan to study for more than 90 days will need a study visa. Students who have previously obtained an acceptance letter, also known as an offer letter, from the university are eligible for the visa. The European countries themselves persuade international graduates to stay after graduation, resulting in a plethora of work options. The Latvian educational system is well-known around the world.
Before applying for a Latvia Study Visa, a student must prepare a collection of documents. Students must be extremely cautious because a single blunder can result in the embassy rejecting their visa application. In addition, depending on the Univ., there may be other criteria.
The following are the documents needed for a student visa: • Students must have a valid passport in their possession.
They must bring a passport-sized photograph with a white background that measures 35X45 cm.
They'll require academic documents such as DMCs from 10th and 12th grades, as well as graduation certificates and DMCs.
Students must pass any of the English Proficiency Certificates listed below.
•PTE
•TOEFL
•IELTS
•You must also include a curriculum vitae.
•A police clearance certificate is required of the student.
•As financial proof, students must obtain an actual bank certificate with a balance of at least Rs 4 lacs.
•The student's name, date of birth, and passport number must all be included on the bank certificate.
•Students must use the same bank to obtain an international debit card.
The following documents are also required:
•Application form.
•A letter of invitation.
•Letter of assurance.
•Letter of acceptance.
Cost of living in Latvia
Latvian accommodation
Some institutions have their own student dorms, while others offer housing search assistance.
Because the real estate market in Latvia is somewhat unsettled even for locals, you should seek guidance and/or assistance from the international student counsellor at your selected university.
Latvia's Living Costs
Monthly Living Expenses Average
•70–120 EUR for dorms/student hostels.
•250-350 EUR for a single room in a non-shared flat.
•Renting a shared flat costs between 100 and 200 euros.
•120-250 EUR for food (Meals at the city centre: 5 - 9 EUR per meal)
Transportation
•Taxis (from the city centre to the suburbs) cost between 7 and 15 EUR (1 transfer)
•Students pay 16 EUR per month for public transportation (trams, trolleybuses, buses)
•1.15 EUR for a one-way public transportation ticket.
•Personal requirements, leisure: roughly 100 EUR, depending on needs.
•Ticket to the movies costs between 5 and 10 euros.
•Ticket to the opera ranges from 7 to 42 euros.
•7.5 - 30 EUR for rock performances.
Depending on the type of lodging (student dorm or privately rented housing/flat), average monthly living expenses in Latvia are projected to range between 450 and 700 EUR. These sums should be sufficient to cover food, lodging, utilities, transportation, and other costs.
Admission and Study Visa Process
To enter Latvia, students require a visa; if an international student plans to stay for an extended amount of time, they must apply for a long-term visa. Students must first get an acceptance letter from their university before applying for a Latvia Study Visa. Because the Visa application procedure might take a long time, interested students should begin the process as soon as feasible.
As a result, in order to apply for a Latvia visa, the student must do the following steps:
•Students are needed to submit original documentation.
•The applicant would receive a conditional Offer Letter as well as an invoice for the Application Fee payment. Payment would be made immediately to the university's account. It is not possible to get a refund for the application cost.
•Some universities require applicants to take an online test or a Skype interview.
•Educational documents will be sent to the AIC, or Academic Information Centre, for verification by the university. It would take 2 to 4 weeks to complete this treatment.
When the University receives the AIC Statement, it will offer the following:
• Letter of acceptance.
• Consensus on research.
• Tuition Fee Billing Invoice (refundable in case of visa rejection)
• The security deposit invoice (refundable in case of visa rejection)
• The documents will be forwarded to the institution once the tuition cost has been properly paid.
• The university would then send the students the visa supporting documentation. Bachelor's students will receive an invitation letter from the university, while Master's students will receive an invitation letter, a visa guarantee letter, and an accommodation guarantee letter.
• For a face-to-face interview, the candidate must bring their documentation to the embassy.
Earn Money While You Study
Every International Student wonders if they may work while studying in the country before moving abroad for higher education.
International students are not restricted from working part-time in Latvia while studying.
International students are not allowed to work full-time during the course, however they are allowed to work 20 hours per week.
Because Latvia has a high employment rate, finding work is not difficult, although it does depend on the student's abilities.
Hydroelectric power and wind farms are also significant jobs in Latvia.
As a result, International Students can easily obtain a part-time employment to supplement their income.
International students in Latvia have the following job opportunities:
•Students can lawfully work for 20 hours per week while studying.
•Students can work full time, or 40 hours per week, during their holidays.
•Processed foods, electronics, textiles, and other industries provide the majority of part-time jobs in Latvia.
•Internships are available at many universities in Latvia. It commonly begins during the warmer months.
•Internships in management, technology, and other fields are available as part-time possibilities.
•There are numerous placement zones where students can look for jobs.