Admission

1. Create a profile at apply.rtu.lv
2. Upload all necessary documents (Previous education certificates and transcripts, English proficiency proof, passport, motivation letter, CV, and references)
3. Cover the registration fee of 150 EUR (non-refundable)
4. Submit your profile with all necessary documents
5. Receive an invite and complete an interview, and entrance exams (if applicable to your programme).
6. Receive the admission decision
7. Cover the tuition fee and security deposit payments.
8. Receive your immigration supporting documents and apply for a visa/residence permit (if applicable)

The duration of the application process depends on several factors, such as the processing time of your application fee, whether you are able to upload the final certificate of your previous education, and your interview and exam completion time.

On average, the application process may take from 3 to 12 weeks.

The university currently does not offer any scholarships, however, the Latvian State Education Department Agency offers the Latvian state scholarship for students from partnership countries who have concluded bilateral cooperation agreements in education and science with the Latvian government. The scholarship is granted to students, researchers and teaching staff for studies, research or summer schools in Latvian higher education institutions. The call for applications opens once a year (usually, around February). For more details, please visit the VIAA website.

RTU students are required to pay the full tuition for their first year in a single payment. For the following years, they have the option to pay in instalments.

The autumn semester begins in September, while the spring semester starts at the end of January. Most of our programs have an autumn intake, with a select few also offering a spring intake.

Several criteria are taken into consideration, including your average grade, work experience, how you spent your study gap, motivation to study, and other factors. You are welcome to apply but please not that each student’s case in unique and will be evaluated individually. 

RTU includes a mandatory Latvian language course in all its programs, both at the Bachelor and Master levels. This module is typically worth up to 1 credit point and is usually completed in the first semester.

The Security Deposit is a lump-sum payment paid along with the first-year tuition fee. After termination of the Agreement, the Security Deposit shall be refunded within 21 (twenty-one) days from the receipt of the Student’s written application addressed to the RTU Vice-Rector for Finance, by a transfer of the funds to the Student’s account specified in their request. The Security Deposit shall not be refunded to the Student if the Student has failed to settle any obligations with RTU and/or any RTU affiliates, and/or he/she has breached the Agreement and/or the laws and regulations of the Republic of Latvia. Other deductions might be made due to poor academic performance, not reporting the change of place of residence within 3 (three) days, as well as the following fees: residence permit or entry visa processing fee, document legalisation fee, accommodation deposit, postal expenses, bank commissions for money transfers made to the Student’s account in cases specified in the Agreement, annual insurance and other expenses. Students can apply for a security deposit refund by filling in the form here: Refund Request

The registration fee can be paid online by following the steps laid out here. Tuition fee payments must be done by bank transfer only. The necessary details of the recipient bank are displayed on the invoice which will be issued and sent to your application profile.

To reapply, you must register on the apply.rtu.lv platform, upload all your documents and submit your application. If you have previously violated your study agreement, you will have to cover the application fee of 150 EUR. Your application will be re-evaluated, and after the decision is made you will be informed which semester you may re-start your studies.

An RTU portal (intranet) where you can find details about your studies, student data, the latest RTU news and other useful information. 

At RTU, the academic year is divided into two semesters.

The first semester, often referred to as the Autumn semester, begins in early September and spans 20 weeks (lecture period and exams included). The winter holiday break happens around Christmas time when both students and staff can enjoy the festivities.

The second semester begins in Spring, typically in late January or early February, and also lasts for 20 weeks (lecture period and exams included). The Spring Break takes place during the Easter Holidays.

You can check out the upcoming academic year dates here: Academic Calendar | Riga Technical University (rtu.lv) 

The final grade of each course may consist of several components, such as midterm exams, course papers, laboratory work, homework (assessments during the semester), and a final exam. These elements vary depending on the programme, and your professor will outline the requirements for passing each course at the beginning of the term. It’s important to note that a student will not be able to take the final exam without completing and passing all previous semester tasks (homework, tests, etc). Exams typically occur during the final weeks of each semester.

The higher education system in Latvia uses a ten-mark grading system. To pass an assignment or a course, a grade of at least 4 (“almost satisfactory”) is required. If the grade falls to 3 or below, the task or course is considered failed. The highest possible assessment grade is 10 (“with distinction”). The final evaluation for a course can be:

·         An exam (graded on a scale from 0 to 10)

·         A test (graded solely as “Pass” or “Fail”, without a numerical grade)

You have the option to request academic leave or a study break by submitting a formal request to the head of the department, outlining valid reasons, such as medical issues, family concerns, pregnancy, and so forth. A study break can be granted for up to one year, under the condition that after the allocated break period is finished, studies are resumed at the beginning of the next semester. It’s important to note that a student may qualify for academic leave only if they have settled all financial commitments to the university. The timing of a student's request for academic leave within the semester may impact their academic records and tuition fee payments.