Latvian Medical University

[Riga_MD]

I am now a clinical student at the Medical Faculty at the University of Latvia. The school teaches well and the graduates produced now are of EU standard.
I am just putting this information up as its very clear people don''t know too much about the different medical schools in Latvia.

In the last 4 years the Riga medical schools have only had EU students and the atmosphere and structure is good for learning medicine. The degree awarded in Latvia is MD and since in Europe is automatically recognised everywhere. If you study hard and want to learn you can fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor.

The reason I am posting on here is because there are 2 schools in Riga. One is the Riga Stradina University. It is a private medical school and a good one. But the costs there are now very expensive. They have many agents and the whole system is set out like a business. Its 10,000 Euros plus every year and the price increases every year. There is a 650 Euro registration fee when you turn up. There is a 100 Euro application fee. The university is not in the city centre. Ok its a good university but I strongly advise others not to go there. For that amount of money you can go to Prague or other western EU cities elsewhere in Europe. RSU only teaches medicine, nursing and a few other courses. Plus the groups there are very big now and its like a high-school class. No offence meant but money is their 1st interest. Students come second. You have to pay the whole tuition fee of 10,000 Euros 2 weeks before you even begin lectures.

The second medical school is government owned. It is the national University of Latvia. I attend this medical school. The tuition fee is markedly cheaper. The application fee is only 25 Euros or if you come in person its free I think. There are no agents and no advertising so many people don't know the details. The university is in the nice city centre. As the National university of Latvia it offers all degree courses so 1000's of other Latvian students on other courses. The facilities are therefore better as you attend the Physiology labs or Medical genetic labs of much higher quality. Both medical schools share the same hospitals. The courses are almost identical. Now wait for it, you pay the tuition fee a few months into the semester and can pay half first. So I hope everyone sees that money is not no.1 and takes all priority at this medical school.

But because this medical school does not have agents its intake is very small (10 or 15 students evey year). Riga Stradina is like 50-60 students every year.

I'm not saying this is the best medical school in Europe etc. etc.
But my honest opinion about the University of Latvia- it's cheaper and much better than Riga Stradina. Thats why I have posted on here

I am of the opinion that Prague and Bratislava and other EU cities are also good choices.

Basically what I am trying to say as a summary, if you want to come to Riga then choose Medical faculty at University of Latvia. I would advise not to go to Riga Stradina.

lu.lv

If anyone has any questions just post them. Best of luck with your choice and future medical school.

Riga MD

[LeanBack]

I am currently a student a the medical university of Debrecen in Hungary. I have now finished my first year(luckily, without failing), but I am so sick of this university that I want to change.

I am currently thinking of doing a transfer from Debrecen to Riga. But I am having a hard time deciding which one of the uni's I should go to. Any Ideas?

In Debrecen, you need 60 % to pass in EVERYTHING. And there is a 30-40 % fail rate here. Thats why I want to change university. How is it in Riga? University of Latvia and Riga Stradins?

[vivek105]

I am now a clinical student at the Medical Faculty at the University of Latvia. The school teaches well and the graduates produced now are of EU standard.
I am just putting this information up as its very clear people don''t know too much about the different medical schools in Latvia.

In the last 4 years the Riga medical schools have only had EU students and the atmosphere and structure is good for learning medicine. The degree awarded in Latvia is MD and since in Europe is automatically recognised everywhere. If you study hard and want to learn you can fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor.

The reason I am posting on here is because there are 2 schools in Riga. One is the Riga Stradina University. It is a private medical school and a good one. But the costs there are now very expensive. They have many agents and the whole system is set out like a business. Its 10,000 Euros plus every year and the price increases every year. There is a 650 Euro registration fee when you turn up. There is a 100 Euro application fee. The university is not in the city centre. Ok its a good university but I strongly advise others not to go there. For that amount of money you can go to Prague or other western EU cities elsewhere in Europe. RSU only teaches medicine, nursing and a few other courses. Plus the groups there are very big now and its like a high-school class. No offence meant but money is their 1st interest. Students come second. You have to pay the whole tuition fee of 10,000 Euros 2 weeks before you even begin lectures.

The second medical school is government owned. It is the national University of Latvia. I attend this medical school. The tuition fee is markedly cheaper. The application fee is only 25 Euros or if you come in person its free I think. There are no agents and no advertising so many people don't know the details. The university is in the nice city centre. As the National university of Latvia it offers all degree courses so 1000's of other Latvian students on other courses. The facilities are therefore better as you attend the Physiology labs or Medical genetic labs of much higher quality. Both medical schools share the same hospitals. The courses are almost identical. Now wait for it, you pay the tuition fee a few months into the semester and can pay half first. So I hope everyone sees that money is not no.1 and takes all priority at this medical school.

But because this medical school does not have agents its intake is very small (10 or 15 students evey year). Riga Stradina is like 50-60 students every year.

I'm not saying this is the best medical school in Europe etc. etc.
But my honest opinion about the University of Latvia- it's cheaper and much better than Riga Stradina. Thats why I have posted on here

I am of the opinion that Prague and Bratislava and other EU cities are also good choices.

Basically what I am trying to say as a summary, if you want to come to Riga then choose Medical faculty at University of Latvia. I would advise not to go to Riga Stradina.

lu.lv

If anyone has any questions just post them. Best of luck with your choice and future medical school.

Riga MD

Great note!!
A few questions

a. What are the annual fees?
b. Visa process
c. Hostel availabilty & cost?
d. do they teach in english all 6 years or not.
e. What is the cost of life / food etc.

[MRLN]

vivek105,

Annual fees for international students (except Latvian) are 6300 LVL (about 12,000 USD) per year and yes, during all 6 years of study you've been teached in english. As for living expences, it's around 1000$ a month depending on your lifestyle or criteria for an apartment you rent. I have a friend studying in Stradins University and living with aprox 200$ a month eating potatoes with... potatoes, but why would you do that. Anyways, there's a plenty of hostels ranging from 15$ to 50$ for a day, but I'm sure you can work something out to lower the price if planning on a long-term stay. Don't really know about the visas thought.

[MRLN]

P.S. Check for visas here: w w w . a m . g o v . l v / en / (couldn't post usual link because had to low posted msg)

[MedRed1]

[quote=MRLN;1137286]vivek105,

Annual fees for international students (except Latvian) are 6300 LVL (about 12,000 USD) per year and yes, during all 6 years of study you've been teached in english.


Hello, I would like to ask you something. As you told fees for international students are 6300 LVL and I'm from Lithuania, so can it be that fees would be different, I mean lower? And is it possible to continue studying in Latvian medical university if I already studied 2 years in Lithuanian medical university?

[MRLN]

Well, I think it's not quite possible to get non-international fee in case you don't have a passport of Latvian Republic citizen. About continuation of studies, I think it won't be that easy, you would probably be asked to pass bunch of exams. I'll ask anyways, but what's wrong with Lithuania studies?

[shrey]

I am now a clinical student at the Medical Faculty at the University of Latvia. The school teaches well and the graduates produced now are of EU standard.
I am just putting this information up as its very clear people don''t know too much about the different medical schools in Latvia.

In the last 4 years the Riga medical schools have only had EU students and the atmosphere and structure is good for learning medicine. The degree awarded in Latvia is MD and since in Europe is automatically recognised everywhere. If you study hard and want to learn you can fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor.

The reason I am posting on here is because there are 2 schools in Riga. One is the Riga Stradina University. It is a private medical school and a good one. But the costs there are now very expensive. They have many agents and the whole system is set out like a business. Its 10,000 Euros plus every year and the price increases every year. There is a 650 Euro registration fee when you turn up. There is a 100 Euro application fee. The university is not in the city centre. Ok its a good university but I strongly advise others not to go there. For that amount of money you can go to Prague or other western EU cities elsewhere in Europe. RSU only teaches medicine, nursing and a few other courses. Plus the groups there are very big now and its like a high-school class. No offence meant but money is their 1st interest. Students come second. You have to pay the whole tuition fee of 10,000 Euros 2 weeks before you even begin lectures.

The second medical school is government owned. It is the national University of Latvia. I attend this medical school. The tuition fee is markedly cheaper. The application fee is only 25 Euros or if you come in person its free I think. There are no agents and no advertising so many people don't know the details. The university is in the nice city centre. As the National university of Latvia it offers all degree courses so 1000's of other Latvian students on other courses. The facilities are therefore better as you attend the Physiology labs or Medical genetic labs of much higher quality. Both medical schools share the same hospitals. The courses are almost identical. Now wait for it, you pay the tuition fee a few months into the semester and can pay half first. So I hope everyone sees that money is not no.1 and takes all priority at this medical school.

But because this medical school does not have agents its intake is very small (10 or 15 students evey year). Riga Stradina is like 50-60 students every year.

I'm not saying this is the best medical school in Europe etc. etc.
But my honest opinion about the University of Latvia- it's cheaper and much better than Riga Stradina. Thats why I have posted on here

I am of the opinion that Prague and Bratislava and other EU cities are also good choices.

Basically what I am trying to say as a summary, if you want to come to Riga then choose Medical faculty at University of Latvia. I would advise not to go to Riga Stradina.

lu.lv

If anyone has any questions just post them. Best of luck with your choice and future medical school.

Riga MD

I'm afraid Prague is a lot more expensive. The admission fee is 14,500 EUR for General Medicine (excluding medical books). Living expenses are around 500 - 600 EUR.

[angela_27]

hi...
my name is angela n i did my MD in russia. i wanted to do my post graduation in Latvia and wanted all the information you have.(the fees, the stay, the language of teaching, the total expense, can i work there, degree recognition etc)....can u post the info out here...thankx

[dr.sandy27]

myself SANDY , I am from India and i completed my 6 year medical course from LUGANSK STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, LUGANSK, UKRAINE.
I finished my MCI screening and internship from INDIA and i am registered doctor in India. Now i want to do POST GRADUATION in ORTHOPEDICS.
So could you please send me information how to get admission in your university and the information about
1. the probable date of admission
2. the fee structure
3. the span of the course

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA OF GETTING ADMISSION IN POST GRADUATION IN THE UNIVERISTY OF RIGA...?
please send me the information about it TO MY MAIL
thanking you.......

[PinkStethoscope]

Dear current students: how hard is it to get into this programme? are there any entrance exam?