The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU, formerly the Latvia University of Agriculture) is a public university in Jelgava with five faculties.[1][2] It became an independent academy in 1939 and has carried its present name since 2018.[1] A position in the QS World University Rankings 2027 could not be confirmed: the Latvian universities named in the ranking are three other institutions.[3]
On the English-taught programme pages for 2026/27, the Information Technologies master’s costs €3,300 per year and Veterinary Medicine (6 years) €9,600.[4][5] The application fee depends on the applicant group: €160 for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, €230 for most other applicants and €300 for applicants from countries requiring a visa or residence permit.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LBTU)[1] |
| Location | Jelgava, Latvia (Lielā iela 2, LV-3001)[7] |
| Type | Public university[1] |
| Founded | 1939 as the Academy of Agriculture (roots in an agricultural department of the Riga Polytechnic in 1863); Latvia University of Agriculture 1990–2018; present name since 2018[1] |
| Students | About 3,756 students and 104 doctoral students in 2023[1] |
| Faculties | Five: Economics and Social Development; Engineering and Information Technologies; Agriculture and Food Technology; Forest and Environmental Sciences; Veterinary Medicine[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed (not among the three Latvian universities named for 2027)[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | 1201–1400[8] |
| Tuition 2026/27, Information Technologies (master’s, English, 2 years) | €3,300 per year[4] |
| Tuition 2026/27, Veterinary Medicine (2nd-level bachelor, English, 6 years) | €9,600 per year[5] |
| Application fee | €160 EU/EEA/Switzerland; €230 other applicants; €300 for applicants from countries requiring a visa or residence permit; €50 LBTU graduates[6] |
| Study deposit | €500, refundable after graduation[6] |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 4.0, TOEFL paper 547, PTE Academic 67 or Duolingo 110[6] |
| Official website | lbtu.lv |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
LBTU traces its roots to an agricultural department at the Riga Polytechnic in 1863. It became an independent institution in 1939 as the Academy of Agriculture, housed in the renovated Jelgava Palace. It was called the Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU) from 1990 until 2018, when it became LBTU.[1] Wikipedia’s infobox gives 1938 as the establishment date, while its text says 1939.[1]
Wikipedia reports about 3,756 students and 104 doctoral students in 2023. Since September 2023 the university has five faculties, down from eight.[1] LBTU’s website names the same five: Forest and Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Information Technologies, Economics and Social Development, Agriculture and Food Technology, and Veterinary Medicine.[2] The main campus is in Jelgava; the international office is at Lielā iela 2.[7] The university’s website gives no enrolment figures on the pages we could read, so the student numbers come from Wikipedia.
How is the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies ranked?
The University of Latvia’s report on the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026) names three Latvian universities in the ranking: Riga Technical University (751–760), the University of Latvia (781–790) and Rīga Stradiņš University (1001–1200). LBTU is not among them, so a QS 2027 position could not be confirmed.[3] In the QS 2026 edition, a Latvian news item placed LBTU in the 1201–1400 band.[8]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See also our Latvia page.
What can you study at LBTU?
The university teaches in five faculties covering economics, engineering and IT, agriculture and food technology, forestry and environment, and veterinary medicine.[2] English-taught examples with their programme pages:
- Information Technologies (master’s): 2 years, 120 ECTS; requires an undergraduate diploma in engineering, computer science, mathematics or physics and a motivation letter.[4]
- Veterinary Medicine (2nd-level bachelor): 6 years, 366 ECTS; requires secondary education, at least a satisfactory grade in biology or chemistry, a motivation letter and an online entrance test in biology and chemistry (EU, EEA and Swiss citizens may be exempt).[5]
The programme catalogue on the university site lists the full range of degree programmes; we did not see which of them are taught in English beyond the pages above.[2]
How much does LBTU cost in 2026/27?
| Programme (English) | Tuition per year |
|---|---|
| Information Technologies (master’s, 2 years) | €3,300 |
| Veterinary Medicine (2nd-level bachelor, 6 years) | €9,600 |
These are the amounts on the programme pages, which show the 2026/27 intakes; each lists one rate and no split by applicant group.[4][5] Fees differ by programme, so check the page of your own programme.
Application fee and other payments
The “How to apply” page lists the application fee by group: €160 for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland, €50 for LBTU graduates, €300 for applicants from countries requiring a visa or residence permit (additional assessment) and €230 for all other applicants. The fee is non-refundable.[6] The two programme pages above show €160.[4][5] A study deposit of €500 is returned after graduation. The dormitory costs a first-month fee of €150 plus a €150 refundable deposit, which may change.[6] For living costs, see our Latvia page.
How do you apply to LBTU?
The university describes these steps:[6]
- Choose a programme that matches your educational background and prepare your documents.
- Submit the application online (the “Apply now” button leads to the application portal).
- Wait for academic recognition of your foreign diploma, which the page says can take 3–4 weeks.
- Take the online entrance exam and motivation interview (bachelor’s applicants; master’s applicants are exempt from the exam).
- Receive the acceptance letter and tuition invoice, then pay.
- Arrange travel and your residence permit, and attend registration week in Jelgava.
Documents: passport copy, previous education certificate or transcript (with a notarised English translation if not in English or Latvian), a minimum average grade of 6.5 (65%) at the previous level, proof of English and the application fee receipt. Incomplete applications are not considered.[6] Entrance exams run online and require a computer, webcam, microphone and MS Teams.[6] We give no deadlines because they change every year; see the programme page.
Which English level do you need?
Accepted proof of English, according to the “How to apply” page:[6]
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 4.0 |
| TOEFL paper-based | 547 |
| PTE Academic | 67 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 |
No proof is needed if you completed secondary or higher education in the language of instruction, or secondary education in an EU, EEA or Swiss country with a certificate showing at least B2.[6] The programme pages show partly different figures: the Veterinary Medicine page lists IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 69, and the Information Technologies page lists IELTS 6 or TOEFL 79 next to the table above. Ask the admissions office which applies to you.[5][4]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does LBTU cost for international students?
Is LBTU in the QS World University Rankings 2027?
We could not confirm a position. The Latvian universities named for the 2027 edition are Riga Technical University, the University of Latvia and Rīga Stradiņš University.[3]
Is the Latvia University of Life Sciences the same as LBTU?
Yes. LBTU was called the Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU) from 1990 to 2018; the present name is Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.[1]
Which English test scores does LBTU accept?
The “How to apply” page lists IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 4.0, TOEFL paper 547, PTE Academic 67 and Duolingo 110.[6]
Where is LBTU located?
In Jelgava, Latvia; the international cooperation centre is at Lielā iela 2, LV-3001.[7]
More about studying in Latvia
- Latvia: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Latvia
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (history, name changes, faculties and 2023 student numbers; secondary source)
[2] LBTU: Home page (English) (page without a date; latest news item 28 Oct 2026)
[3] University of Latvia: news on Latvian universities in QS World University Rankings 2027 (QS publishes at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (news dated 18 Jun 2026)
[4] LBTU admissions portal: Information Technologies (master’s) (page without a date; intakes 2026/27)
[5] LBTU admissions portal: Veterinary Medicine (2nd-level bachelor) (page without a date; intake autumn 2026/27)
[6] LBTU: How to apply (page without a date; footer 2026)
[7] LBTU: International Cooperation Centre (page without a date)
[8] Study in Latvia: Latvian universities maintain strong positions in the world university rankings (QS 2026) (article dated 24 Oct 2025; QS 2026 edition)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.