Study Veterinary Medicine in Jelgava, Latvia
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies · Latvia
Veterinary Medicine taught in English, around 40 kilometres from Riga.
At a glance
The key facts about this university at a glance.
Programmes
Veterinary Medicine
Tuition fees
9,600 EUR per year
Duration
6 years
Language of instruction
English
Admission process
Online entrance test in biology and chemistry, no grade cut-off
Intake
Autumn semester
Recognition
Automatically recognised across the EU
Living costs
approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
Total students
How Safe Is This Study Location?
Based on assessments from residents and visitors collected by Numbeo over the past five years.
6 years
Climate
Average daytime highs by month.
✓ Placement without a grade cut-off — we place you regardless of your school-leaving grades. We go through the specific requirements together.
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Why study medicine abroad at this university?
LBTU in Jelgava has been training veterinarians for more than 80 years and has around 4,000 students. Its English-taught Veterinary Medicine programme lasts six years (360 ECTS) and meets the standards of the European evaluation body EAEVE. The faculty has a veterinary clinic opened in 2012 and its own teaching farm for large-animal medicine.
- Programmes: Veterinary Medicine
- Language of instruction: English
- Standard duration: 6 years
- Start of studies: Autumn semester
- Requirement: General higher-education entrance qualification. Check in a free study consultation whether you meet the requirements for placement at this university through Medschool Experts.
Study medicine or dentistry: programmes and language of instruction
Structure, duration, language of instruction and degree — for every programme at this university.
- Veterinary Medicine: six-year English-taught programme with 360 ECTS that meets EAEVE standards; practical training takes place in the faculty's veterinary clinic and on its own teaching farm.
Study conditions and campus life abroad
Veterinary Medicine in Jelgava is designed for six years and 360 ECTS. The early years focus on the basic sciences, including the anatomy, histology, physiology and biochemistry of different animal species. Clinical training with small and large animals follows, supported by the veterinary clinic opened in 2012 and the faculty's own teaching farm. The final year is practical and takes place mainly in the clinic and on farms. The programme meets EAEVE standards.
Admission: how to get a place to study medicine abroad
The basic requirement for placement at this location is a general higher-education entrance qualification. When placed through Medschool Experts, there is no separate entrance test. Get in touch to find out whether we can place you at this university, and book a free study consultation.
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Preparing properly with Medschool Experts
We handle the complete application, including all formalities, and submit it on time. We guide you through the study visa, enrolment, and administrative requirements on the ground. Because Latvia is an EU member state, recognition of your degree within the EU is generally straightforward — we advise you on the requirements for your specific target country. We remain your point of contact after your studies begin.
Tuition fees and living costs to study medicine abroad
The tuition fee is 9,600 EUR per year. Before making any decision, ask the International Office to confirm the amount in writing, specifying whether accommodation, insurance, and registration fees are included.
Additional one-off costs include the application fee, visa, health insurance, travel, and usually a deposit for accommodation. Budget approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month for living costs.
Degree recognition and career prospects
The veterinary degree from the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) in Jelgava comes from Latvia, an EU member state. Under the Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC, it is recognised automatically throughout the EU/EEA and in Switzerland, without an equivalence assessment or knowledge test.
You apply for your veterinary licence with the competent authority of the country where you want to practise. Most countries require proof of professional-level proficiency in their national language, and processing times vary.
With your licence, you can work in small- or large-animal practice, begin specialist veterinary training or work in the official veterinary services. Because the programme meets EAEVE standards and practical training takes place in the faculty's veterinary clinic and on its own teaching farm, the transition into professional life is much easier.
Alumni now practising internationally
Former students of this university who, according to publicly available sources, now work as doctors or dentists internationally. Anonymised overview — not an indication of any cooperation with Medschool Experts.
The city as a place to study medicine
Jelgava is only about 40 kilometres south-west of Riga — around 45 minutes by train to the Latvian capital. Summers are mild and pleasantly warm, with average July highs of 24 °C and no oppressive humidity. The city lies on the Lielupe river and is home to LBTU, where you study Veterinary Medicine in a compact student town with noticeably lower rents than Riga.
For flights home, you use Riga International Airport (RIX), Latvia's largest airport, with direct connections to many European cities. Being close to the capital also means concerts, museums and the Baltic coast at Jūrmala are within reach on a free afternoon, while Jelgava itself stays quiet, green and safe.
- City: Jelgava
- Country: Latvia
- Living costs: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
- Entry: Student visa required
About the author
Marcel Kloos
Federally recognised dentist, founder and owner of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos founded the company while still studying abroad himself; since then more than 500 study places have been arranged. Originally from Stuttgart, he studied dentistry in Sofia from 2015 to 2021 and is a federally recognised dentist.
He now lives in Bern and runs the company full-time as its owner. He visits the partner universities in person on a regular basis.
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Student story
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FAQ: studying medicine abroad at this university
What are the entry requirements for Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) in Jelgava?
You need a general higher-education entrance qualification (A-levels or equivalent). There is no numerus clausus, so your school-leaving grade does not determine your place. You will also need a sufficient command of English and, depending on your nationality, a student visa.
How do I apply through Medschool Experts?
Medschool Experts handles placement at this location without a grade-based admission cap. Whether we can place you with your profile is something we clarify in a free, no-obligation consultation — where we also discuss which university is the best fit for you.
What does it cost to study at LBTU?
The tuition fee is €9,600 per year. Additional costs include the application fee, visa, health insurance, travel and accommodation. Always ask the International Office to confirm every figure in writing — figures quoted by third-party portals can vary significantly.
How much money do I need per month in Jelgava?
Budget approx. €400–700 per month for living costs. This is well below Western European levels. The exact amount depends mainly on whether you live in student accommodation or privately.
How is the programme structured and how long does it take?
The programme lasts 6 years. First come the basic sciences, then clinical training with small and large animals at the faculty clinic and teaching farm. The final year is primarily practical.
Is the degree recognised in the EU?
As Latvia is an EU member state, veterinary degrees are automatically recognised across the EU under the Professional Qualifications Directive. For non-EU countries you wish to practise in, confirm requirements separately.
Will I receive a transcript of records?
Yes. Your performance is recorded in a transcript showing subjects, examinations and grades. Keep all semester certificates and grade reports safely — they are difficult to obtain retrospectively.
Can I transfer to a university in my home country during my studies?
There is no automatic transfer route. A transfer involves an individual credit-recognition process and depends on available places in higher semesters. Plan your studies as a complete path to graduation.
How does Medschool Experts support you on the ground?
We organise the application and all documents, support you through enrolment, accommodation and administrative requirements, and remain your contact after your studies begin.
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