Requirements for studies in English

Please see the Application Checklist for more information on the RSU application submission requirements.

Since RSU offers a variety of study programmes that may have specific application requirements, please see the respective annex of the Admissions Procedure about the programme you are planning to apply for. 

To apply for undergraduate study programmes taught in English, see the general academic requirements below.

Completed secondary education

To apply for undergraduate study programmes, you must have completed secondary education (secondary/high school diploma and academic transcript). This usually grants university entrance qualification and makes you eligible for university studies at a university in your home country or abroad.

We require that you have studied several subjects in secondary/high school for at least two semesters, and acquired a minimum admissions criteria/mark/grade (page 28-32, we accept both exam grades or final semester grades). Please see the minimum criteria to determinate how realistic it is for you to be admitted to RSU.

Undergraduate Programmes in Health Sciences  

Programme	English*	Chemistry	Biology	Mathematics	Physics
Medicine (MD)	Compulsory	Compulsory**	Compulsory**	Compulsory	Preferable
Dentistry (DDS)	Compulsory	Compulsory**	Compulsory**	Compulsory	Preferable
Pharmacy (MPharm)	Compulsory	Compulsory	Preferable	Compulsory	Preferable
Nursing (BSc)	Compulsory	Preferable	Compulsory	Compulsory	Preferable
Physiotherapy (BSc)	Compulsory	Preferable	Compulsory	Compulsory	Preferable
Occupational Therapy (BSc)	Compulsory	Preferable	Compulsory	Compulsory	Preferable

* English language requirements are set and specified in more detail below the tables with compulsory subjects.

** The minimum of compulsory subjects you should have studied are English (requirements mentioned below the tables), Mathematics and Biology, or Chemistry. Regarding Biology and Chemistry - we will process your application if, in addition to English and Mathematics, you have also studied only either Biology or Chemistry.

Undergraduate Programmes in Social Sciences

Programme	English*	Mathematics	Latvian
International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship	Compulsory	Compulsory	Compulsory**

* English language requirements are set and specified in more detail below the tables with compulsory subjects.

** Latvian is compulsory only for applicants who have obtained secondary/high school education in a school that issues standard Latvian diplomas (accredited in Latvia). If you have obtained your secondary/high school education in any other country/educational system, you do not need to have studied Latvian language to apply for this programme.  

 

In addition to the above mentioned requirements, RSU only accepts applications with passing grades. This means that in all other subjects you have in your secondary/high-school diploma and academic transcript, you should have at least passing grades. Applicants with failing grades are not admitted to RSU.

English language requirements

All applicants must demonstrate their English language proficiency by submitting documents that testify their knowledge of English.

Applicants with English as the language of instruction at the secondary/high school do not have to confirm their English proficiency to RSU. However, their grade for "English" from the secondary/high school grade transcript will be taken into account.

If the applicant is a citizen of an EU/EEA country and did not have English as the language of instruction at the secondary/high school, RSU will take into account the grade for "English" from the secondary/high school grade transcript provided that the grade received is very good or excellent. That being said, international English proficiency tests listed below are also accepted.

If the applicant is a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country and did not have English as the language of instruction at the secondary/high school, he/she will have to either present official results of an international English proficiency test listed below or take a test specifically designed at the university. 

IELTS	6.5
TOEFL iBT	80
Cambridge English Certificate (Proficiency)	160
Cambridge English Certificate (Advanced)	160
Cambridge English Certificate (First)	170
Pearson PTE General	70	RSU requires both the Certificate and the Performance Report
British GCE A Levels	B level
ESOL English B2 Test	100 (Written component) 35 (Speaking component)	RSU requires both the Certificate and the Statement of Results
ECL language test	70% (in all 4 exam parts)	RSU requires both the Certificate and the Statement of Results

 

International English proficiency test certificates and corresponding test results are taken into account if the test certificates have been issued within the last 5 years.

Age restriction

There is no age restriction to apply for studies at RSU. However, please note that medical studies are very demanding and rigorous. The study process will require your full attention, individual studies on everyday basis, excellent memory and determination.

If you are minor (under age; you have not turned 18 yet) when you start your studies at RSU, in accordance with Latvian law you need a legal guardian in Latvia until you come of age, i.e., turn 18. The guardian can be any legal resident of the Republic of Latvia (citizen, non-citizen, a citizen of an EU/EEA country, a resident of Latvia with a permanent or temporary residence permit) who is at least 18 years old.

Your parents need to sign a document (prepared and issued by a notary) which states that they authorise a certain person (full name, personal number, passport No. or your guardian’s residence card No. and validity period) to be your legal guardian in Latvia until you come of age. For further details please contact any notary office in your country.

Master's study programmes

To apply for Master's study programmes, please see the entry criteria for each programme:

Health Management (MSc)

Public Health (MSc)

Social Work with Children and Youth (MSc)

Rehabilitation (MSc)

International Governance and Diplomacy (MSc)