Education
Training specialists in sustainability-related fields
Healthcare and public health
RSU is the only university in Latvia that has been deeply integrated into the healthcare system since its establishment. Through cooperation with hospitals, RSU’s medical students begin hands-on training early in their studies, while medical institutions benefit later from a steady supply of skilled graduates. As exemplified by the improvements in the Medicine programme, RSU continuously updates its healthcare training to keep pace with the evolving demands of the profession. In addition, RSU’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes prepare nurses, public health specialists, and social work professionals who work directly with low-income and socially vulnerable groups. High-quality healthcare is one of the most effective mechanisms for reducing poverty.
Food science
Through an undergraduate programme in Nutrition and a joint university postgraduate programme in Nutrition Science, RSU trains professionals whose work addresses food security, nutrition, healthy eating habits, and child nutrition. It helps reduce the risks of malnutrition and related diseases that are closely linked to hunger and limited access to food.
Sports science and pedagogy
RSU Latvian Academy of Sport Education offers a short-cycle Sports and Education Specialist programme, which prepares sports coaches for children, adults, and professional athletes, as well as Sports Science and Health, Physical Activity and Security undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that offer sports teacher training as one of several specialisation options.
Social sciences
The RSU Faculty of Social Sciences prepares professionals in law, media studies, anthropology, international politics, and other fields. Their work contributes to societal resilience and security while helping to reduce inequality.
Study process that fosters excellence
Student-led research
Through its Student Research and Innovation Grants, RSU encourages undergraduate and graduate students, as well as clinical residents, to carry out research projects individually or in small teams. Student research is also showcased at the annual student-organised International Student Conference, which is the largest student conference in Northern Europe.
Continuous improvement of study quality and pedagogical training of academic staff
Coordinated by the Study Quality Department, RSU maintains a comprehensive quality assurance system that includes systematic monitoring of study programmes, student feedback after each course, and consulting support to improve the study process. To maintain a motivated and professional academic staff, RSU ensures clear regulations on fair treatment and remuneration. In addition, the RSU Centre for Educational Growth offers a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support the continuing professional development of academic staff and strengthen their pedagogical competence. One of the most notable initiatives, launched in 2019, is the School of Junior Academics, which helps early-career academics develop their teaching skills, create interactive learning materials, and implement diverse assessment methods.
Scholarships to support academic and athletic excellence and innovative teaching
RSU awards a variety of scholarships and tuition fee discounts to students based on their academic achievements. Some scholarships additionally consider student community engagement and research activities. RSU also promotes excellence in sports by offering tuition fee discounts to students who excel in individual or team sports. In addition, the university offers targeted scholarships in healthcare and social sciences to promote the development of innovative study courses and the integration of modern learning and teaching approaches into the existing curriculum.
Modernisation of the study environment and digitalisation of the study process
RSU is among the first universities in Latvia to implement an institutional funding pilot project (2024-2026) aimed at improving the quality of education, strengthening global competitiveness, ensuring more effective resource management, and better preparing specialists in the fields of health and sports. RSU also participates in a national study digitalisation project (2025-2029), which focuses on modernising learning solutions, enabling flexible course selection, introducing e-diplomas, developing digital resources and AI-supported library management systems, as well as modernising study assessment and the management of placements. Among the clearest examples of educational innovation is the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre, the largest simulation centre in the Baltics, which leads the integration of advanced technologies in medical education. Through simulation-based training, students and clinicians can practice new and rarely used skills, prepare for unusual situations, and validate novel approaches.
Sustainability in study content and form
Integrating sustainability in curriculum and course offering
RSU incorporates sustainability topics into the curriculum, including the undergraduate International Business and Sustainable Economy programme, courses on environmental health, hygiene and sanitation, diversity management and the social and individual impacts of discrimination, as well as courses offered through the Open University. Ongoing efforts are underway to expand the range of sustainability-related study offering. For example, at the start of the 2025/2026 academic year, first-year students focused on sustainability challenges as part of their Introduction to Studies courses, while, in the Autumn semester of 2026, the university is scheduled to launch a new study programme on law for sustainable governance. This initiative directly contributes to achieving SDG target 4.7, which focuses on developing sustainability competencies through education. It is further supported by practical training sessions for academic staff, organised by the Centre for Educational Growth, in collaboration with sustainability experts from RSU and other universities.
- A selection of courses related to sustainable development
Lifelong learning
The RSU Lifelong Learning Centre offers a broad range of flexible, and accessible educational opportunities, supporting knowledge development and professional growth throughout life. The Centre provides professional development programmes in healthcare and related interdisciplinary fields, such as health management, medical law, and healthcare digitalisation, as well as in sports and social sciences. In addition, the Centre oversees the RSU Open University, which provides opportunities for guest participants to attend individual study courses to acquire new competencies, enhance their competitiveness in the labour marker, or explore course content without enrolling in a full degree programme.
Programmes for business development
The RSU B-Space business incubator offers funding and regular training events, including the annual pre-incubation and incubation programmes, to support staff and students in turning their ideas into successful businesses. Success stories are showcased on the B-Space page. Since 2024, RSU has also been part of the Green Hexagon pre-incubation programme, designed specifically for development of sustainable business ideas.
