RSU Academy of Sport

With a rich history and a modern approach, the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Academy of Sport offers top-quality studies and practical skills in sports and health, providing students with a pathway to a successful career.

Following a decision by the Ministry of Education and Science, the Academy was integrated into RSU on 1 July, while retaining its identity, as well as its academic and scientific autonomy. The RSU Academy of Sport functions as a separate structural unit within RSU, under the authority of the Vice-Rector for Health Studies, and led by Director Diāna Laipnece.

As the leading higher education institution in Latvia specialising in sports and health education, the RSU Academy of Sport boasts over 104 years of experience. It offers high-quality study programmes that combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, training future sports and healthcare professionals, as well as sports and national defence teachers.

The RSU Academy of Sport mission will remain the same: to promote the development of sports and a healthy lifestyle by providing excellent education and fostering research that advances sports science and innovation. The RSU Academy of Sport aims to train competent and motivated specialists capable of influencing the sports and health sector in Latvia and worldwide.

The RSU Academy of Sport is a place where sports, education, and science come together to create new opportunities for students and society. We train professionals who not only lead trainings, sports and health classes, organise competitions and manage sports organisations, but also strengthen public health, inspire people to exercise and help create a healthy lifestyle culture. Our goal is to provide high-quality sports studies, deepen the integration of sports science and education with healthcare, offer internationally competitive study programmes, and strengthen research capacity. This allows us to contribute to the development of professional sports and the well-being of every individual, promoting a sustainable and healthy society. The strength of the RSU Academy of Sport lies in teamwork, cooperation, and openness to new ideas, which allows us to move forward and make an impact both in Latvia and in Northern Europe.
Diāna Laipniece, Director of the RSU Academy of Sport

High academic qualityThe RSU Academy of Sport is proud of its experienced teaching staff and modern study methods in both theoretical and practical classes.
Practical experienceOur students gain practical skills by collaborating with sports clubs, schools, and health centres.
International cooperationThe RSU Academy of Sport actively participates in international exchange programmes, offering students opportunities to study and practice abroad.
Innovative researchOur research centres contribute to new discoveries in sports science, health promotion, and rehabilitation.

Cooperation partners

Aizsardzības ministrija, Nacionālie bruņotie spēki, Jaunsardzes centrs (nr. 21/2015), Latvia
Daugavpils Universitāte, Latvia
Latvijas Universitāte, Latvia
Biedrība “Latvijas Kamaniņu sporta federācija” (nr. 58/2018), Latvia
Latvijas Sporta veterānu – senioru savienība (nr. 11/2020), Latvia
Madonas novada pašvaldība (nr. MNP/2.4.9/19/66), Latvia
Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju augstskola (nr. 3-6/05), Latvia
Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte, Latvia
RTU Liepāja, Latvia
SIA Sporta centrs “Mežaparks” (nr. 36/2014), Latvia
Vidzemes augstskola (Līguma nr. 19/2019), Latvia
KU Leuven, Belgium
National Sports Academy „Vassil Levski“, Bulgaria
Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Czechia
J.E.Purkyne University in Usti nad Labem, Czechia
University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Tallinn University, Estonia
University of Tartu, Estonia
University of Bologna, Italy
University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy
Kazakh Academy of Sports & Tourism, Kazakhstan
NJSC South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University, Kazakhstan
Beijing Sport University, China
Klaipeda University, Lithuania
Lithuanian Sports University, Lithuania

Šiauliai Academy, Lithuania
Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (2015), Norway
University of South-Eastern Norway (formerly Telemark University College), Norway
University of Lomža, Polija
Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Poland
Casimir Pulaski Radom University, Poland
Josef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland
Pope John Paul II State School Of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (2017), Poland
Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Poland
University of Coimbra, Portugal
Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
University of Jaén, Spain
University of Málaga, Spain
Haliç University, Turkey
Dnipropetrovsk State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports (2018 – 2022), Ukraine
National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine, Ukraine
Hungarian University of Sports Science, Hungary
Friedrich-Shiller University Jena, Germany
Kiel University, Germany
Halmstad University School of Social & Health Sciences, Sweden
Dalarna University, Sweden
Swedish School of Sports and Health Sciences, Sweden

Sports infrastructure

The RSU Academy of Sport is equipped with extensive sports infrastructure, including sports halls, weightlifting gyms, gymnastics halls, and martial arts halls. This infrastructure provides students with the opportunity to develop their practical skills in a variety of sports.

The RSU Academy of Sport graduates work as sports teachers, coaches, physiotherapists, sports managers, and recreation specialists in Latvia and abroad.