Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) is a public university in Riga with 12,474 students, 3,146 of them international, from 87 countries.[1] It was established in 1950 as the Riga Medical Institute.[2] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it keeps its place in the 1001–1200 band.[3]
For 2026/2027, English-taught tuition is €13,500 per year for Medicine, €15,500 for Dentistry and €3,300 for the bachelor’s in International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship; master’s programmes cost €3,400 to €5,000.[4] Applicants need English at CEFR B2, for example IELTS 6.0.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte (Rīga Stradiņš University, RSU)[2] |
| Location | Riga, Latvia (16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007)[1] |
| Type | Public university[2] |
| Founded | 1 September 1950 as the Riga Medical Institute; renamed Medical Academy of Latvia in 1990; Rīga Stradiņš University since the 2002 Act[2] |
| Students | 12,474, including 3,146 international students and about 700 in Graduate Medical Training; more than 250 doctoral students[1] |
| Countries of origin | 87[1] |
| Study programmes | 63, of which 8 are taught in English[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 1001–1200[3] |
| Tuition 2026/27, Medicine (English, 6 years) | €13,500 per year[4] |
| Tuition 2026/27, Dentistry (English, 5 years) | €15,500 per year[4] |
| Tuition 2026/27, other English-taught programmes | Bachelor’s €3,300; master’s €3,400–€5,000; doctoral €6,000–€20,000, per year[4] |
| Application fee | €100, non-refundable (€30 for Latvian citizens with Latvian secondary education); plus €1,800 registration administration fee for Medicine and Dentistry[4] |
| English requirement | CEFR B2 or higher, for example IELTS 6.0 or PTE Academic 51[5] |
| Official website | rsu.lv |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About Rīga Stradiņš University
RSU was established on 1 September 1950 as the Riga Medical Institute, on the basis of the Faculty of Medicine of the State University of Latvia. It became the Medical Academy of Latvia in 1990 and took its present name in the Rīga Stradiņš University Act of 2002.[2]
The university reports 12,474 students, among them 3,146 international students from 87 countries and about 700 in Graduate Medical Training, more than 250 doctoral students and 63 study programmes.[1] Wikipedia groups the faculties into Medical Sciences (Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Health and Sports Sciences), Social Sciences (Communications and European Studies) and Law, plus Continuing Education and Doctoral Studies.[2]
How is Rīga Stradiņš University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, RSU is in the 1001–1200 band, the same band as in the previous edition. RSU’s own release adds that its total score rose from 14.7 to 15.9 out of 100 and that it is among the top 700 worldwide for Employer Reputation. It ranks 129th for International Student Ratio.[3]
Among Latvian universities, Riga Technical University is in the 751–760 range and the University of Latvia in the 781–790 range; these are the three Latvian universities in the ranking.[6] 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 Rīga Stradiņš University?
RSU offers 63 study programmes, 8 of them in English.[1] The English-taught programmes on the admissions page are:[7]
- Undergraduate, full-time: Medicine (6 years, MD), Dentistry (5 years, DDS), International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship (3 years).
- Master’s, full-time (2 years): Health Management; International Relations and Diplomacy; Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Management; Biostatistics.
The Medicine page gives 6 years and 360 ECTS and lists 374 full-fee places.[8] Medicine and Dentistry are admitted in September and February; the other English-taught programmes only in September.[9] In the first two semesters there is a mandatory Latvian language course, and Latvian medical terminology is taught in later semesters.[9]
One FAQ page says that master’s studies at RSU are held in Latvian, and that specialisation without high-level Latvian is not possible. The admissions page and the fee table, however, list four English-taught master’s programmes for 2026/2027, so check the programme you want.[9][7][4]
How much does Rīga Stradiņš University cost in 2026/27?
| Programme (English) | Level | Tuition per year, 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (6 years) | Bachelor’s | €13,500 |
| Dentistry (5 years) | Bachelor’s | €15,500 |
| International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship (3 years) | Bachelor’s | €3,300 |
| Health Management | Master’s | €4,500 |
| Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Management | Master’s | €5,000 |
| International Relations & Diplomacy | Master’s | €3,400 |
| Biostatistics | Master’s | €5,000 |
| Health Care | Doctoral (4 years) | €20,000 |
| Social Sciences | Doctoral (4 years) | €6,000 |
These are the amounts in RSU’s fee table for the 2026/2027 academic year.[4]
Other payments
The application fee is €100 and non-refundable; Latvian citizens with Latvian secondary education pay €30. Students starting Medicine or Dentistry also pay a non-refundable registration administration fee of €1,800 to International Study and Research Fund LLC. Fees are due within two weeks of the offer email unless a shorter deadline is stated, and international students pay by semester before each semester begins.[4] For living costs, see our Latvia page.
How do you apply to Rīga Stradiņš University?
International applicants apply in the RSU admissions portal (admission.rsu.lv):[7]
- Complete the online application.
- Follow the Application Guide and upload the required documents.
- Submit the application and email the International Admissions Office with your name, surname and application number.
- Once your contact person registers the application, you can no longer upload documents; send any missing ones by email.
- Check the application for an Offer of Study Place; the same information is sent by email.
The admissions page links separate pages for general requirements and additional procedures, which we did not summarise. We give no deadlines because they change every year; see the admissions pages. Contact: admissions@rsu.lv.[7]
Which English level do you need?
All applicants must show English at CEFR B2 or higher. Test results must be issued within the last five years.[5]
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 4.5 (listed as previously 80) |
| Cambridge English First / Advanced / Proficiency | 170 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 51 |
| Oxford Test of English | 126 |
| Aptis ESOL | 144 |
No test is needed for applicants who studied fully in English in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the UK or the US, or who completed secondary education under the IB, A-level or US curriculum. Applicants from EU/EEA/Swiss schools can use an English grade equal to at least B2 after at least two semesters of English. The page states that RSU cannot process applications from non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens without valid proof of English proficiency.[5] The page lists further tests, such as LanguageCert and A-level; see the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Rīga Stradiņš University cost in 2026/27?
What is the QS ranking of Rīga Stradiņš University?
RSU is in the 1001–1200 band in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
Which English test do I need for RSU?
Proof of CEFR B2 is required, for example IELTS 6.0 or PTE Academic 51, unless you studied fully in English in one of the listed countries.[5]
Do I need to learn Latvian at RSU?
In the first two semesters there is a mandatory Latvian language course, and Latvian medical terminology is taught in later semesters.[9]
When can I start Medicine at RSU?
Medicine and Dentistry have two intakes per year, September and February; other English-taught programmes start only in September.[9]
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] Rīga Stradiņš University: About RSU (page without a date; footer 2026)
[2] Wikipedia: Riga Stradiņš University (history and faculties; secondary source)
[3] Rīga Stradiņš University: RSU retains its spot in global university rankings (QS World University Rankings 2027; QS publishes at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (news dated 19 Jun 2026)
[4] Rīga Stradiņš University: Tuition fees for studies in English (fee table for the 2026/2027 academic year; page without a date)
[5] Rīga Stradiņš University: Requirements for English proficiency (page without a date; footer 2026)
[6] University of Latvia: news on Latvian universities in QS World University Rankings 2027 (news dated 18 Jun 2026)
[7] Rīga Stradiņš University: Admissions (page without a date; footer 2026)
[8] Rīga Stradiņš University: Medicine (English-taught programme) (page without a date; footer 2026)
[9] Rīga Stradiņš University: International student FAQ (page without a date; footer 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.