Riga Technical University (RTU, Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte) is a public technical university in Riga, founded in 1862 as the Riga Polytechnic.[1] It is the highest-placed Latvian university in the QS World University Rankings 2027, in the 751–760 range.[2]
On the English-taught programme pages, the Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s costs €4,030 per year, and master’s programmes range from €3,200 (Entrepreneurship and Management) to €5,890 (Chemistry and Chemical Technology).[3][4][5] Applicants also pay a one-time €165 application fee and a €250 deposit.[3] Non-native English speakers need proof such as IELTS 5.5.[3]
Key facts
| Official name | Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte (Riga Technical University, RTU)[1] |
| Location | Riga, Latvia (main campus Ķīpsalas iela 6A)[1] |
| Type | Public technical university[1] |
| Founded | 14 October 1862 as Riga Polytechnic; named Riga Technical University since 1990[1] |
| Students | 10,689 in 2022 per Wikipedia (22% foreign nationals); 10,572 full-time equivalent per THE 2027 data as reproduced by xuanxiao.org[1] |
| Institutions in the RTU group | Riga Technical University, RTU Latvian Maritime Academy, RTU Liepaja Academy, RTU Rezekne Academy, RTU Riga Business School[6] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 751–760[2] |
| Main language of teaching (international programmes) | English[3] |
| Tuition, Mechanical Engineering (bachelor’s, 3 years) | €4,030 per year[3] |
| Tuition, Entrepreneurship and Management (master’s) | €3,200 per year[4] |
| Tuition, Chemistry and Chemical Technology (master’s) | €5,890 per year (autumn 2026/27 intake)[5] |
| Application fee and deposit | €165 one-time application fee; €250 one-time deposit[3] |
| English proof (non-native speakers) | IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, TOEIC 780, Cambridge B2 First or PTE 59[3] |
| Official website | rtu.lv |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About Riga Technical University
Riga Technical University was founded on 14 October 1862 as Riga Polytechnic (Riga Polytechnicum) and has carried its present name since 1990.[1] The main campus is on Ķīpsala, an island district of Riga, and covers 11.8 hectares.[1]
Wikipedia reports 10,689 students in 2022, 22% of them foreign nationals, and lists nine faculties, among them Architecture and Urban Planning, Computer Science and Information Technology, Civil Engineering and Engineering Economics and Management.[1] The RTU faculty structure has changed since then, so confirm current faculties on the university site. RTU’s own facts-and-figures page could not be read for this profile because the site blocks automated access, so the student figures are from secondary sources. The THE-based figure of 10,572 full-time equivalent students agrees roughly with Wikipedia’s count.[7]
RTU’s admissions portal lists five institutions under the RTU name: Riga Technical University itself, the RTU Latvian Maritime Academy, RTU Liepaja Academy, RTU Rezekne Academy and RTU Riga Business School.[6]
How is Riga Technical University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Riga Technical University is placed 751–760, the highest of the three Latvian universities in the ranking. The University of Latvia is in the 781–790 range and Rīga Stradiņš University in the 1001–1200 band; 1,504 universities are included in total.[2] LV portāls reports the same positions.[8] The aggregator xuanxiao.org also shows 751–760 for RTU.[7]
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 Riga Technical University?
RTU’s admissions portal for international students features 37 programmes: 11 full-time bachelor’s, 24 master’s, one executive programme (EMBA) and a short General English Foundation Semester. The list covers areas such as civil engineering, computer systems, environmental engineering, architecture, cybersecurity and logistics.[6] Examples with their pages:
- Engineering Technology, Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering (BSc): 3 years, 181.5 ECTS, taught in English.[3]
- Entrepreneurship and Management (MSc): 2 years, 120 ECTS, taught in English; requires a bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration or a comparable field.[4]
- Chemistry and Chemical Technology (MSc): taught in English; page shows the autumn 2026/27 intake.[5]
How much does Riga Technical University cost?
| Programme (English) | Tuition per year |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering (BSc) | €4,030 |
| Entrepreneurship and Management (MSc) | €3,200 |
| Chemistry and Chemical Technology (MSc) | €5,890 |
These are the amounts on the programme pages, which show the 2026/27 intakes. The Mechanical Engineering and Entrepreneurship and Management pages do not tie the fee to a named year, and they give one rate without splitting it by applicant group.[3][4][5] Fees differ by programme, so check the page of your own programme.
Other payments
Each application carries a one-time application fee of €165 and a one-time deposit of €250.[3][4] Payments go through the Flywire payment gateway. RTU also announces that, from 1 January 2026, international students must show proof of living expenses of €9,400 per year when submitting residence permit or visa documents.[6] For living costs in Riga, see our Latvia page.
How do you apply to Riga Technical University?
Applications run through the RTU admissions portal (apply.rtu.lv).[6] For the Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s you need a final secondary education certificate and a grade transcript with good results, especially in mathematics and physics, one reference, a motivation letter, an online interview and an online 10-question mathematics entrance exam.[3] For the master’s in Entrepreneurship and Management you need an undergraduate diploma in a related field.[4] Documents not in English need official translations.[3]
The portal also mentions uploading previous education documents, programme-specific entrance examinations and a video interview for applicants who reach that stage.[6] Autumn and spring intakes exist for some programmes. We give no deadlines because they change every year; see the programme page.
Which English level do you need?
Non-native English speakers whose previous education was not in English must submit one of the following, according to the Mechanical Engineering and Entrepreneurship and Management pages:[3][4]
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 |
| TOEFL paper-based | 532 |
| TOEIC | 780 |
| Cambridge | B2 First |
| Pearson PTE | 59 |
If English was the language of instruction for all previous education, a school or university letter or a transcript confirming this is accepted instead.[3] Requirements can differ by programme, so check the page of your programme. The portal says proof of English proficiency is mandatory.[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Riga Technical University cost?
What is the QS ranking of Riga Technical University?
It is in the 751–760 range in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the highest of the three Latvian universities in the ranking.[2]
Which English test scores does Riga Technical University accept?
Examples are IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, TOEIC 780, Cambridge B2 First and Pearson PTE 59. Applicants whose previous education was fully in English can submit a confirmation letter instead.[3]
Does Riga Technical University offer programmes in English?
Is Riga Technical University the same as the University of Latvia?
No. They are separate universities with separate admissions and different QS positions (751–760 and 781–790).[2]
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: Riga Technical University (history, campus, faculties and 2022 student numbers; secondary source)
[2] 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)
[3] RTU admissions portal: Engineering Technology, Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering (BSc) (page without a date; intakes 2026/27)
[4] RTU admissions portal: Entrepreneurship and Management (MSc) (page without a date; intake autumn 2026/27)
[5] RTU admissions portal: Chemistry and Chemical Technology (MSc) (page without a date; intake autumn 2026/27)
[6] RTU admissions portal: Apply to Riga Technical University (page without a date; latest news item 15 Jul 2026)
[7] xuanxiao.org: Riga Technical University (aggregator; data fetched 30 Sep 2026; student figure from THE 2027 data)
[8] LV portāls: RTU and the QS World University Rankings 2027 (article dated 18 Jun 2026, in Latvian)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.