Study Medicine or Dentistry in Riga – Rīga Stradiņš University
Rīga Stradiņš University · Latvia
Medicine and Dentistry taught in English in the Latvian capital.
At a glance
The key facts about this university at a glance.
Programmes
Medicine, Dentistry, Pre-Med
Tuition fees
Medicine 6,750 EUR per semester, Dentistry 7,750 EUR per semester
Duration
6 years (Dentistry 5 years)
Language of instruction
English
Admission process
Entrance exam in biology and chemistry, no grade cut-off
Intake
Autumn and spring semester
Recognition
Automatically recognised across the EU
Living costs
approx. 650 to 850 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 (Dentistry 5 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?
Rīga Stradiņš University traces its roots to the medical faculty established in 1919, became an independent institute in 1950 and has carried its current name since 2002. It focuses on the health professions and is organised into eight faculties. Medicine and Dentistry are offered as English-taught programmes, with students from more than 60 countries.
- Programmes: Medicine, Dentistry, Pre-Med
- Language of instruction: English
- Standard duration: 6 years (Dentistry 5 years)
- Start of studies: Autumn and spring 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.
- Medicine: The Medicine programme leads to a medical degree. The pre-clinical phase establishes the scientific foundations; the clinical phase adds patient-facing work.
- Dentistry: Dentistry is practical from the outset: phantom courses in the pre-clinical phase, then supervised patient treatment.
- Pre-Med: Programme taught in English at Rīga Stradiņš University.
Study conditions and campus life abroad
Medicine is designed for six years, Dentistry for five. The first two years form the pre-clinical phase with anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology and embryology. From the third year, teaching moves into the clinic: internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, neurology and psychiatry are accompanied by placements at the teaching hospitals. The final year is entirely practical and works like a full clinical internship year.
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 Medicine 6,750 EUR per semester, Dentistry 7,750 EUR per semester. 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. 650 to 850 EUR per month for living costs.
Degree recognition and career prospects
Latvia is a member of the European Union, so the Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC applies to degrees from Rīga Stradiņš University. Both the six-year Medicine degree and the five-year Dentistry degree are recognised automatically throughout the EU/EEA and in Switzerland, with no equivalence assessment or knowledge test.
You apply for your medical or dental licence with the competent authority of the country where you want to work. Most countries require proof of professional-level proficiency in their national language, and processing times vary.
After that, specialist or dental training is open to you on the same terms as graduates of domestic schools. Because teaching in Riga is in English and cohorts bring together students from more than 60 countries, moving to other EU countries or staying in the Baltics remains a real option.
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
Riga is located in Latvia. Living costs of approx. 650 to 850 EUR per month are well below Western European levels. We go through the specifics of accommodation, daily life alongside a demanding medical programme, and what it actually costs in a consultation — we prefer to give you reliable figures rather than advertising promises.
- City: Riga
- Country: Latvia
- Living costs: approx. 650 to 850 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 Rīga Stradiņš University in Riga?
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 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 Rīga Stradiņš University?
The tuition fee is Medicine 6,750 EUR per semester, Dentistry 7,750 EUR per semester. 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 Riga?
Budget approx. 650 to 850 EUR 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 (Dentistry 5 years). First comes the pre-clinical phase with the theoretical foundations, then the clinical phase with examination courses and placements at affiliated hospitals. The final year is primarily practical in focus.
Is the degree recognised in the EU?
As Latvia is an EU member state, medical degrees are automatically recognised across the EU under the Professional Qualifications Directive, provided graduation requirements are met. 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. This is exactly the document the authorities need later for the equivalence assessment. 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 to a domestic faculty 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. We also tell you upfront where the weaknesses of this particular location lie.
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