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Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Latvia's leading health and medical university, teaching medicine in English in Riga since the 1990s.
5000+ Students trust us
Latvia
Country
Riga
City
#377 in Europe
Ranking
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
The glass main entrance of Riga Stradiņš University
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Recognition & Prestige
Riga Stradiņš University is Latvia's leading medical university and one of the most international in the Baltic region, with a degree recognised across the European Union and listed by the World Directory of Medical Schools and the National Medical Commission of India.
#1001–1200
QS World University Rankings 2026
#377
QS Europe Region Rankings
The medical degree is recognised internationally. Riga Stradiņš University is a state-accredited university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and the World Health Organization directory, its degree is recognised across the European Union and European Economic Area under the Lisbon Convention, and it is recognised by the National Medical Commission of India, so eligible graduates can sit the Indian screening examination (FMGE/NExT) for licensing.
NMC (India)
Recognised for Indian students: eligible graduates can sit the FMGE/NExT screening examination and pursue licensing in India.
WDOMS & WHO
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and the World Health Organization directory of medical schools.
European Union (EHEA)
As a Latvian state-accredited degree, the qualification is recognised across the European Union and the European Economic Area under the Lisbon Convention.
Complete Information About Riga Stradiņš University
Get complete information about Riga Stradiņš University, including tuition, living costs, admission and the licensing route for Indian students.
Success stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
RSU combines Latvia's leading medical university with an EU-recognised degree, a very large international community, a straightforward admission process and an affordable, safe European capital with its own international airport.
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.
How to Apply
Admission to General Medicine at Riga Stradiņš University is based on secondary-school results in biology and chemistry together with an interview, rather than a heavy national entrance test. Indian students must also qualify NEET to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate required to study MBBS abroad, but admission to RSU itself is decided by school performance and the interview, not by NEET rank.
The online application window opens for the September 2026 and February 2027 intakes through RSU's admissions system.
RSU assesses secondary-school results, with particular weight on biology and chemistry, along with English proficiency.
Shortlisted applicants take an online interview covering motivation, English and basic science understanding.
Successful applicants receive an offer of admission and enrolment instructions.
Admitted students confirm their place, pay the first-year tuition and complete visa and residence-permit steps for Latvia.
Studies begin for the September or February intake in Riga.
Applicants must have completed Class 12 (or equivalent secondary education) with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and strong marks in biology and chemistry, and Indian students must have qualified NEET for NMC eligibility.
Subjects:
Candidates should be at least 17 years old in the year of admission, in line with standard MBBS-abroad and NMC requirements.
Selection is based on secondary-school results and an interview. Applications are submitted through RSU's online admissions system, directly or through an approved representative.
School Results + Interview
RSU assesses secondary-school grades in biology and chemistry and an online interview on motivation, English and science, rather than a heavy written entrance test.
NEET (for Indian students)
Indian students must qualify NEET to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate required for studying MBBS abroad and for the screening examination on return.
Admission is based on secondary-school performance and an interview, not on category-wise minimum marks or a national entrance test.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Secondary-school results | Assessment of Class 12 grades, with particular weight on biology and chemistry, plus proof of English proficiency. |
| Interview | An online interview covering motivation, English communication and basic science understanding; decisive for the final decision. |
To apply, students need to submit essential academic and identification documents:
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Program Structure
Students follow a six-year, 360 ECTS curriculum that balances medical theory with real clinical exposure, taught entirely in English and built around the major Riga teaching hospitals.
Total Duration:
6 Years (360 ECTS)
Degree:
Physician's qualification (ārsts), equivalent to MBBS
Years 1–2
Basic medical sciences focused on the structure and function of the healthy human body, with early laboratory and clinical-skills work:
Years 3–4
Paraclinical sciences and the first structured patient contact in the Riga teaching hospitals, bridging laboratory science and bedside medicine:
Years 5–6
Clinical rotations across the specialties in RSU's Riga teaching hospitals, followed by a final practical year before the degree is awarded:
Clinical training takes place in RSU's network of Riga teaching hospitals, including the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital and Riga East University Hospital, beginning with early patient contact and building to full clinical rotations and a final practical year.
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Years 1–2 | Pre-clinical foundations and basic clinical skills. |
| Years 3–4 | Paraclinical sciences and first structured patient contact in the teaching hospitals. |
| Years 5–6 | Clinical rotations across the specialties and a final practical year in the Riga teaching hospitals. |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Global Exchange
Riga Stradiņš University takes part in the European Union's Erasmus+ exchange programme and has built more than 150 Erasmus+ partner universities across Europe, so medical students can apply to spend a semester studying at a partner medical school elsewhere in the EU. Confirmed exchange partners include Maastricht University in the Netherlands and Hochschule Osnabrück in Germany, alongside partner institutions across more than 25 Erasmus+ countries. RSU also maintains clinical and research partnerships in Germany, Italy and Israel.
| Country | Erasmus+ Partner Universities (Medicine) |
|---|---|
| Austria | Medical University of Innsbruck; Medical University of Graz |
| Belgium | Université Libre de Bruxelles |
| Bulgaria | Medical University of Sofia |
| Czech Republic | Charles University – Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové; Charles University – Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen; Masaryk University |
| France | Université Catholique de Lille |
| Germany | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; University of Würzburg; University of Münster; University of Cologne; TU Dresden; Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf; Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg; Justus Liebig University Giessen; University of Lübeck |
| Italy | Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan; University of Genoa; Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome; Kore University of Enna |
| Lithuania | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Kaunas); Vilnius University |
| Poland | Poznan University of Medical Sciences; Medical University of Warsaw; Medical University of Lodz; Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce |
| Portugal | University of Coimbra; University of Lisbon |
| Romania | Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca |
| Slovenia | University of Ljubljana |
| Spain | Complutense University of Madrid; University of Oviedo; Miguel Hernández University of Elche; University of La Laguna |
| Turkey | Istanbul University–Cerrahpaşa; Marmara University; Balıkesir University; Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University |
Explore Your Erasmus+ Options
Erasmus+ lets students spend a semester at a partner university in Europe. Get the full partner list and details from our experts.
Legacy
Riga Stradiņš University carries the name of the Stradiņš family, and its graduates and founders include leading Latvian physicians, scientists and public figures.
Surgeon, oncologist and medical historian (1896–1958) who initiated the founding of the Riga Medical Institute in 1950, the university that now bears his family's name. A pioneer of Latvian surgery and cancer care, he also founded the museum of the history of medicine in Riga.
With Pauls Stradiņš, one of the initiators of the Riga Medical Institute in 1950. He helped establish independent medical education in Riga and shape the institution that grew into Riga Stradiņš University.
Distinguished chemist and historian of science (1933–2019), son of Pauls Stradiņš, who led the Latvian Academy of Sciences for many years — one of Latvia's most respected scholars and a central figure in its scientific and cultural life.
Trained as a physician at the Riga Medical Institute and worked for years as an orthopaedic surgeon before entering public life, serving as the seventh President of Latvia from 2007 to 2011 — one of the university's most prominent graduates.
Remembered as a pioneer of magnetic impulse therapy, part of the Riga medical school's tradition of clinical innovation; his work contributed to the development of physical and rehabilitation medicine techniques.
A Latvian public figure and RSU graduate who served as Latvia's Minister for Health and, earlier, Minister for Welfare — representing the many RSU alumni who have gone on to shape health policy and public service.
Riga Stradiņš University teaches through a large body of physicians, surgeons and scientists across its Riga campuses and teaching hospitals, led by the Faculty of Medicine. The combination of experienced clinical teachers and active researchers, working in major hospitals such as the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, is central to the RSU education.
Experienced physicians and surgeons
Faculty with international publications
Clinical teachers in major Riga hospitals
A strong tradition in surgery and public health
Regular academic interaction
Personal mentorship
Clinical supervision during rotations
One of the largest international communities in the Baltics
About University
The House of the Blackheads, a landmark in the Old Town of Riga
The Latvian Academy of Sciences building and a tram in Riga
Get all information about Riga Stradiņš University in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Riga Stradiņš University.
Role in medicine
A monument in a Riga park honouring a figure of Latvian medicine
Get all information about Riga Stradiņš University in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Riga Stradiņš University.
Affordable education
Riga offers strong medical education at a comparatively low cost of living for a European capital. Here is the approximate monthly breakdown for an international student, quoted in Indian rupees.
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (dormitory or shared flat) | ₹22,000 – ₹45,000 |
| Food | ₹15,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Transportation (student pass) | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 |
| Other Expenses (utilities, internet, leisure) | ₹6,000 – ₹15,000 |
Average monthly living cost
₹45,000 – ₹85,000
Restored merchant houses in Riga's old town
Housing
Riga Stradiņš University offers student dormitories and helps international students find private housing in Riga. Both options are affordable by European standards and keep students within reach of the campuses and teaching hospitals.
RSU operates student dormitories offering an affordable, safe and supportive base, especially valuable for first-year students settling into a new city.
Dormitory rooms are typically shared, with communal kitchens, study areas and laundry, located within reach of the campus and the teaching hospitals.
Dormitory places are among the most affordable options in Riga, and a room in a shared private flat typically costs about €350 to €500 per month.
Dormitory places are limited and are requested through the university after admission; students should apply early once they receive an offer.
Students who prefer more comfort or independence can choose privately operated student residences, or rent or share a private flat. Both options cost noticeably more than the university halls, and students organise this independently as the university does not arrange private housing.
The RSU central building is in the Pārdaugava district, and Riga's compact size means students live within a short tram or bus ride of teaching sites.
The university and its large international student community help new arrivals find housing and settle in, including guidance on contracts and neighbourhoods.
Riga has an affordable tram, trolleybus and bus network with a low-cost student pass, and Riga International Airport offers direct flights, so travel is easy.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
Indian and vegetarian food is available in Riga, which has a large international student community and a range of restaurants, grocery options and student canteens.
University canteens and nearby cafes serve affordable daily meals near the campus and hospitals, with vegetarian options available for students who prefer them.
Location
Dzirciema iela 16, Riga, LV-1007, Latvia
Nearest Airport
Riga International Airport (RIX), the largest in the Baltics, with direct connections and about 15 to 20 minutes from the campus
Local Transport
An affordable network of trams, trolleybuses and buses with a low-cost student pass, connecting the Pārdaugava campus with the city centre and hospitals
Your Roadmap to Success
On completing the programme, graduates earn the Riga Stradiņš University physician's qualification, equivalent to an MBBS, recognised across the European Union and by regulators in India and many other countries.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
To practise medicine in India after graduating from Riga Stradiņš University, Indian students follow a clear pathway set by the National Medical Commission. NEET qualification is required from the start to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate.
Step 1
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination that licenses foreign medical graduates to practise in India. This is currently the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which is transitioning to the National Exit Test (NExT).
Step 2
After qualifying, students complete a one-year Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) in India, gaining supervised clinical experience across the major departments.
Step 3
The final step is registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the relevant State Medical Council, after which the graduate can practise as a doctor in India.
Student Life Style
Being an MBBS student in Riga is a mix of intensive academics, a beautiful UNESCO-listed capital and one of the largest international communities in the Baltics, in an affordable and safe European city.
An Art Nouveau street in central Riga, Latvia
Scholarship & Financial
Riga Stradiņš University students can explore a small number of scholarship and financial-support routes, though most international students self-fund the programme.
Riga Stradiņš University offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships and academic awards that recognise strong academic performance during the programme; availability and terms vary by year.
Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience at Riga Stradiņš University.
4.6
165 reviews
Compare
Compare Riga Stradiņš University with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
Riga Stradiņš University vs CMC Vellore
| University | Riga Stradiņš UniversityRiga, Latvia | CMC VelloreTamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Public | Private (minority) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Course Duration | 6 years (MBBS-equivalent) | 5.5 years (MBBS) |
| Tuition (per year) | ~₹15.6 lakh (€15,000) | ~₹3–4 lakh |
| Admission | School results + interview (NEET for NMC eligibility) | NEET-UG |
| Recognition | NMC-recognised; EU/EEA-recognised; WDOMS & WHO-listed | NMC-recognised |
| Global Ranking | QS World #1001–1200; #377 in Europe | Among India's leading colleges |
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Our blog
Articles that turn complex MBBS-abroad rules into simple, practical steps for students and parents.
FAQ
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about MBBS at Riga Stradiņš University.
