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Meta title: Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU): Fees, Admission | StudyU
Meta description: RSU in Riga: English-taught medicine and dentistry, 2026/27 fees, entry grades, deadlines by citizenship, February intake, discounts and housing.
Last modified: 2026-09-30

# Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU): Medicine in English, Admission and Fees

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) is a public university in Riga focused on medicine and health sciences. In English you can study medicine (6 years, MD), dentistry (5 years, DDS), a business bachelor's and five master's programmes. For 2026/27 a year of medicine costs $15,330 (€13,500) and dentistry $17,600 (€15,500); medical and dental students also pay a one-off $2,040 (€1,800) registration fee.

The entrance to Rīga Stradiņš University's main building on Dzirciema Street. Photo: Loreta.lukina / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:F64_131004_dzirciema_006.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

RSU has no entrance exam: applicants are selected on school grades, an English certificate and a motivational interview. Medicine and dentistry admit students twice a year, in September and February. Citizens of Russia apply earliest of all: for September 2027 their window runs from 1 March to 1 April 2027.

| RSU at a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Status | public university, Riga; main building at Dzirciema iela 16 |
| History | traces back to the Riga Medical Institute, which opened on 1 September 1950 |
| International students | 27% of students come from abroad, from more than 80 countries |
| Rankings | QS World University Rankings 2027: 1001–1200; QS Medicine: 701–850; THE 2026: 1201–1500 |
| English-taught programmes | medicine, dentistry, BSc International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship, 5 master's |
| Fees 2026/27 | medicine $15,330 (€13,500), dentistry $17,600 (€15,500), business $3,750 (€3,300) a year |
| Intakes | medicine and dentistry: September and February; other programmes: September |
| English | IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 and above |
| Application fee | $110 (€100), non-refundable |

## What sets RSU apart {#section-1}

RSU's defining feature is the scale of its international medical intake. For September 2026 it planned to admit 380 international students to medicine and 32 to dentistry, and for February 2027, 240 and 32. By comparison, the University of Latvia offers 35 medicine places for 2026/27.

Other points that matter when choosing:

- Clinical training. RSU calls its Medical Education Technology Centre (METC) the largest simulation centre in the Baltics. From the fourth semester, classes take place in Riga's largest hospitals.
- Mobility. RSU has more than 150 Erasmus+ partners; some students spend a year in another EU country, and RSU encourages students to complete the final sixth-year rotations in their home country to ease the move into residency.
- Support. There is an international admissions office, an immigration officer, a mentor programme and a welcome week before the first semester.

## English-taught programmes and fees for 2026/27 {#section-2}

| Programme | Length | Degree | Fee per year | International places |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Medicine | 6 years, 360 ECTS | MD | $15,330 (€13,500) | planned for 2026/27: 380 for September 2026, 240 for February 2027 |
| Dentistry | 5 years, 300 ECTS | DDS | $17,600 (€15,500) | 32 |
| International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship | 3 years | bachelor's | $3,750 (€3,300) | shared quota of 50 places for all other English-taught programmes |
| Health Management | 2 years | MSc | $5,110 (€4,500) | shared quota |
| Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Management | 2 years | MSc | $5,680 (€5,000) | shared quota |
| International Relations and Diplomacy | 2 years | MSc | $3,860 (€3,400) | shared quota |
| Biostatistics | 2 years | MSc | $5,680 (€5,000) | shared quota |
| Russia and Eurasia Studies | — | MSc | not listed in RSU's fee table | shared quota |

Medicine and dentistry are accredited until 28 May 2030 and are also taught in Latvian. The dentistry fee includes materials for study.

## How the medicine programme works {#section-3}

The programme lasts six years, with classes on weekdays between 8:00 and 20:00.

1. Years 1–2. Basic sciences: anatomy with dissection, histology, physiology, biochemistry, medical chemistry and physics, plus Latin and Latvian medical terminology.
2. Year 3. Pre-clinical subjects: pathology, pharmacology, radiology, genetics and an introduction to clinical medicine. Patient contact begins.
3. Years 4–5. Clinical disciplines in Riga hospitals and skills practice at the simulation centre.
4. Year 6. Three rotation cycles — internal medicine, invasive medicine and an elective — and defence of a research project.

Latvian is compulsory. There is a language course in the first two semesters and Latvian medical terminology later, because from year three students deal with local patients; teaching staff on the wards help with translation.

## Dentistry: what is different {#section-4}

Dentistry takes five years (300 ECTS) and prepares graduates for independent general dental practice. Students first train on simulators and mannequins, then treat patients under clinical supervision. Teaching takes place in the main building, the dental pre-clinic and the Institute of Stomatology on Dzirciema iela. Entry is tougher than for medicine: at least 80% in the key subjects, and applicants who studied both biology and chemistry are prioritised.

## Entry requirements {#section-5}

School certificate. You need a completed secondary school certificate; subjects RSU treats as compulsory must have been studied for at least two semesters, and all other grades must be passes.

| Programme | English | Chemistry | Biology | Mathematics | Physics |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Medicine | 70%+ | 70%+ (or biology) | 70%+ (or chemistry) | compulsory | preferable |
| Dentistry | 70%+ | 80%+ | 80%+ | compulsory | preferable |
| International Business | compulsory | — | — | compulsory | — |

For CIS certificates RSU publishes minimum grades in compulsory subjects: 4 on the 5-point scale for Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan; 7/10 for Belarus, Georgia and Moldova; 8/12 for Ukraine.

English. If your school did not teach in English, a non-EU citizen needs an international certificate no older than five years: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, Cambridge 170+, PTE Academic or the Oxford Test of English. RSU cannot process applications from non-EU citizens without one.

References and motivation. Two reference letters and a motivation letter, on RSU's official forms only and no older than two years. Letters from relatives or friends are not accepted.

Age. There is no upper limit. If you are under 18 when studies begin, you need a legal guardian in Latvia appointed by a notarised authorisation from your parents.

## How admission works {#section-6}

1. Online application at admission.rsu.lv. Upload your passport, apostilled school certificate with a certified translation, English certificate, letters and proof of the $110 (€100) fee.
2. Recognition. After the fee is paid, RSU sends your certificate to the Academic Information Centre (AIC). This usually takes up to a month, or up to four if more documents are requested.
3. Motivational interview on Zoom. Held once your file is complete; it covers your motivation, choice of programme and knowledge of RSU, Riga and Latvia.
4. Decision. The admissions committee announces it no later than two months after receiving a complete application.
5. Payment. Tuition and the registration fee are due within two weeks of the offer.
6. Immigration. RSU's immigration officer prepares the invitation for PMLP and supports the permit process; the study contract is signed during welcome week. The permit itself is explained in our guide to the [student residence permit in Latvia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-residence-permit-latvia).

## Deadlines: September and February {#section-7}

| Intake | Additional-check countries (Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan and others) | Other non-EU countries | EU and visa-free countries |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Medicine and dentistry, February 2027 | 4 September – 1 October 2026 | 4 September – 1 November 2026 | 4 September – 1 December 2026 |
| Medicine and dentistry, September 2027 | 1 March – 1 April 2027 | 1 March – 1 May 2027 | 1 March – 1 July 2027 |
| Business bachelor's and master's, September 2027 | by 1 April 2027 | by 1 May 2027 | by 1 July 2027 |

The programme is the same in both intakes: a February entrant studies the full medical programme from semester one and graduates in February. RSU explicitly presents the February intake as a solution for school systems that issue final certificates too late for September deadlines, which is the situation of Russian school-leavers.

## Fees, discounts and refunds {#section-8}

Tuition is paid per semester, before each semester starts, by direct bank transfer, preferably in euros. Before you start you also pay the application fee and, for medicine and dentistry, the $2,040 (€1,800) registration administration fee; neither is refunded. If you leave the programme, part of the tuition is refunded according to a calculation that depends on the time studied and the terms of your contract.

RSU funds its own discounts for English-taught medicine and dentistry:

- up to 25% for academic excellence for 40 medicine and 4 dentistry students in years 3–6, with a previous-semester average of at least 8/10;
- 10% when a parent, brother or sister is also an RSU student;
- 5% for one semester for involvement in university life;
- 10% for RSU graduates on a further programme;
- for top athletes, up to the full fee.

Only one discount applies at a time, and none is granted to students repeating a course or semester. A full budget is in our guide to the [cost of studying in Latvia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-latvia).

## Housing and living costs {#section-9}

RSU has three hostels in Riga. Dzirciems, next to the main building, charges $350–600 (€310–525) a month; Āgenskalns and Mežciems also have cheaper unrenovated rooms. All hostels have a gym, and kitchen utensils are not provided.

RSU advises budgeting at least $1,360 (€1,200) a month including housing. Its benchmark for shared accommodation is about $1,190 (€1,050) a month: rent $340 (€300), food $340 (€300), utilities $230 (€200), transport $57 (€50), leisure and other $230 (€200). Private housing comes to around $1,700 (€1,500). For the residence permit RSU asks for a bank statement of at least $10,790 (€9,500) for the year.

## Is an RSU degree recognised? {#section-10}

- EU and EEA. RSU is a public university with accredited programmes, and its medicine and dentistry follow EU Directive 2005/36/EC on regulated professions. RSU is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- United States. RSU is accredited by an agency recognised by the WFME, so graduates meet ECFMG requirements and can sit the USMLE.
- United Kingdom. RSU states that its MD corresponds to an MBBS plus one year of internship.
- Russia and the CIS. Recognition goes through the national authorities of the country where you plan to work, and the outcome depends on their rules.

RSU cannot credit study at a medical school outside the EU/EEA: under EU rules, an EU-recognised medical degree requires completing the whole programme from year one. Transfers from EU universities are assessed individually against the credit load and content of each subject.

## Who RSU suits, and who should look elsewhere {#section-11}

A good fit if you:

- want English-taught medicine or dentistry with an EU degree and a large international cohort;
- value the option to start in February instead of waiting for September;
- are ready to learn Latvian for patient contact.

Consider other options if you:

- cannot budget about $94,000 for six years of tuition and one-off fees alone;
- have chemistry and biology grades below RSU's thresholds;
- want engineering or IT, in which case see [RTU](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-rtu) or our comparison of [universities in Latvia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-latvia).

## Notes for applicants from Russia and the CIS {#section-12}

- Russia, Belarus and Tajikistan are on the additional-check list: they have the earliest deadlines and longer permit processing. Russian citizens need a biometric passport, and the embassy issues a D visa only after PMLP approves the permit.
- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan apply by the deadline for other non-EU countries, obtain a visa with RSU's documents and file for the permit within 30 days of arrival.
- Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine enter visa-free and therefore have the latest deadline, 1 July.

For lawful ways to pay from Russia, see [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## Common mistakes {#section-13}

- Applying before the file is complete. Interviews and decisions happen only after all documents are uploaded, and incomplete applications are not considered.
- Using free-form letters. RSU accepts references and the motivation letter only on its own forms.
- Forgetting the registration fee. The $2,040 (€1,800) is a separate, non-refundable payment on top of tuition.
- Booking flights home before exams are over. RSU warns against it: a failed course blocks progression to the next semester.
- Expecting to manage without Latvian. You will need it from year three.

## FAQ {#section-14}

### How much does RSU cost for international students?

For 2026/27, medicine costs $15,330 (€13,500) a year, dentistry $17,600 (€15,500), the business bachelor's $3,750 (€3,300) and master's programmes $3,860–5,680 (€3,400–5,000). Medical and dental students pay a one-off registration fee of $2,040 (€1,800), and all applicants a non-refundable $110 (€100) application fee.

### Does RSU have entrance exams?

No. Selection is based on grades in compulsory subjects, an English certificate, letters and a Zoom motivational interview. Medicine requires at least 70% in English, mathematics and biology or chemistry; dentistry 80% in biology and chemistry.

### Can I apply to RSU with a Russian school certificate?

Yes. RSU accepts Russian certificates with a minimum grade of 4 in compulsory subjects; the document must be apostilled and translated into English. Russian school-leavers usually find the February intake easier, because the certificate is not yet issued by the September deadline.

### When should I apply to RSU for 2027?

Citizens of Russia, Belarus and Tajikistan: 1 March to 1 April 2027 for September; the window for February 2027 runs from 4 September to 1 October 2026. Other non-EU citizens: by 1 May for September and by 1 November for February; visa-free countries by 1 July and 1 December respectively.

### Do I need Latvian at RSU?

Not for admission. But a Latvian course is compulsory in the first two semesters, and from year three students work with local patients, so the language is needed for clinical training.

### Is an RSU degree recognised?

In the EU and EEA, yes: the programmes follow the EU directive on professional qualifications. Graduates can take the USMLE thanks to WFME-recognised accreditation. In Russia and the CIS, national authorities decide on recognition.

### Does RSU have student housing?

Yes, three hostels in Riga. Dzirciems, next to the main building, costs $350–600 (€310–525) a month; Āgenskalns and Mežciems have cheaper unrenovated rooms.

## How StudyU can help with RSU {#section-15}

Assessing your certificate against RSU's thresholds, choosing between the September and February intakes, preparing letters on RSU's forms, the application documents and the residence permit file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission is decided by RSU's admissions committee, and the residence permit by PMLP. If you want to know whether your grades qualify and which intake is realistic, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply). Other institutions are listed on [study in Latvia](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-latvia).

## Sources {#section-16}

- [RSU: tuition fees 2026/27](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/admissions/tuition-fees-studies-english), [deadlines](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/admissions/when-apply), [general requirements](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/admissions/general-requirements-studies-english), [English requirements](https://www.rsu.lv/en/requirements-english-proficiency), [application documents](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/admissions/application-guide-and-document-forms), [interview, recognition, legalisation](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/admissions/additional-procedures), [undergraduate application steps](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/admissions/undergraduate-programmes), [Admissions Procedure 2026/27, Annexes 11–12 (PDF)](https://www.rsu.lv/sites/default/files/imce/SSD/admissions_procedure_2026_2027_eng.pdf)
- [RSU: Medicine](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-programme/medicine), [Dentistry](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-programme/dentistry), [FAQ on recognition, intakes and transfers](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/admissions/faq)
- [RSU: discounts](https://www.rsu.lv/en/tuition-fee-discounts), [payments and refunds](https://www.rsu.lv/en/fee-payment-information), [hostels](https://www.rsu.lv/en/rsu-student-hostels), [Dzirciems hostel](https://www.rsu.lv/en/student-hostel-dzirciems), [life in Riga and budget](https://www.rsu.lv/en/life-riga), [immigration procedure](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/immigration-procedure)
- [RSU: history](https://www.rsu.lv/en/about-us/history), [rankings](https://www.rsu.lv/en/about-us/rankings), [why RSU](https://www.rsu.lv/en/study-here/why-choose-rsu)
- [LU: Medicine, places for 2026/27](https://www.lu.lv/en/studies/study-programmes-1/bachelors-study-programmes/medicine-en/)
- [Cabinet Regulation No. 554: additional-check countries](https://likumi.lv/ta/id/212364), [PMLP: restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/restrictions-issuing-visas-citizens-belarus-and-russian-federation)

ECB rate of 29.09.2026: €1 = $1.1355. Rounding step: $1 below $100, otherwise $10. RSU information checked on 29.09.2026.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Student Residence Permit in Latvia: Documents, Timing and Rules by Citizenship](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-residence-permit-latvia)
- [Cost of Studying in Latvia for International Students, 2026/27](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-latvia)
- [Riga Technical University (RTU): English Programmes, Admission and Fees](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-rtu)
- [Universities in Latvia for International Students: How to Choose](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-latvia)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Studying in Latvia for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-latvia)

Updated: September 2026