Riga Technical University

Riga Technical University: the recognized Latvian leader on the global frontier of higher education Founded in 1862, Riga Technical University (RTU) is a well-established university that boasts a strong international profile. The oldest technical university in the Baltic states, RTU celebrated its 160th anniversary last year and has expanded into nine faculties with 61 study programs in English that offer world-class education in many high-demand career fields, including computer sciences, mechanical engineering, electronics, and material science. With an enrollment of 14,000, including 4,000 international students that represent more than 105 different countries, RTU offers a highly diverse community to students, faculty, and staff.

The RTU Advantage

• Study with RTU’s world-class faculty and take advantage of dedicated research mentors who operate at the intersection of people, information, and technology.
• Rich learning experiences that provide a broad technical education and deep subject area knowledge.
• Thriving academic community built around a dynamic campus culture.
• Transformative learning environment driven by social commitment desire to change the world.
• Enhance your global network in Riga, a high-tech hotbed metropolis with small town historical charm.
• Accelerate personal growth at a university that values originality, ingenuity, honesty, and courage.

For more than 160 years, the people of RTU have pushed the boundaries of knowledge and dared to dream. Our alumni include Nobel Laureates, Olympians, presidents, scientific pioneers, entrepreneurs, and leading-edge researchers. A lot has changed over since 1862, but throughout those years one thing has remained the same: RTU students are imaginative and innovative, leading the way to a better future. RTU students are ready for what tomorrow needs. Are you?

Step 1 – Online application

The online application form must be submitted to Riga Technical University. You’ll have to create an account to complete the online application. You may complete it in multiple sessions.

You will also have to submit:

• A Motivation Letter – highlighting why you would like to attend the chosen program and explaining your future academic and career goals;
• CV – detailing your educational background and professional experience, if applicable.

Once you have filled in your personal data and inserted the motivational statement will need the following documents:

• Copies of passport identification pages;
• Your previous education document copies or the most recent transcripts if final scores are not yet available (official final certificates and transcripts are required) . Education documents must be accompanied by English translations of all certificates and transcripts along with approval of the document's authenticity;
• Please note: At least 60% of the maximum possible results is expected in order to qualify for studies at RTU.

Proof of English certificate or other acceptable information, according to the set language requirements by the Riga Technical University.

PS! Before hitting the final SUBMIT button, please review your application and attachments for accuracy one last time. If you have submitted all required information and you are eligible to apply for the program you will be issued a Conditional Acceptance letter.

Step 2 – Application fee

To proceed with further examination application fee shall be paid.

The application fee is EUR 150 (non-refundable) per student. Online applications will be processed only after the application fee is received. The applicant will receive an invoice with the needed details to make an international money transfer via bank when the online application is submitted.

For better service, candidates are requested to upload a receipt of the application fee payment to the online application system.

NOTE: Candidate pays all bank commission fees for international transfer.

Riga Technical University was positioned #751-760 in the 2024 edition of the QS World University Rankings—and received “5 QS Stars” in seven total categories: Overall, Teaching, Employability, Internationalization, Facilities, Innovation, and Inclusiveness. Riga Technical University was ranked the highest of the three Latvian universities that made the list. RTU has been the leading university in Latvia in the QS World University Rankings for several years.

RTU has been recognized as the best not only in Latvia—but in the Baltic states in the international QS World University Rankings: Sustainability:2023. RTU ranked 451st-500th overall in the world, receiving its best results in the portion of the rating that assesses a university’s impact on the environment, ranking 421st in this position. The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2023 is the first ranking of its kind and was developed to assess how universities act to solve global issues—environmental, social and, governance problems.

RTU improved its position in the prestigious international ranking “QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.” The QS World University Rankings by Subject are compiled annually to help prospective students identify the leading universities in a particular subject. RTU is ranked between 301 and 350 for the world's best universities in the disciplines of energy and electronics. RTU was also ranked 401-450 in engineering and technology—the only Latvian university in this position.

RTU was recognized as the 247th best university in the world in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. The rankings system is comprised of 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. The 2023 World University Rankings graded 1799 universities from 104 countries and regions, making this edition the largest and most diverse university rankings to date. RTU has been named one of the world’s top 300 universities for several years.

Out of the Baltic Universities, the University of Tartu has been evaluated the highest, being ranked fourth. The Lomonosov Moscow State University is ranked the first, the Charles University from Prague, the Czech Republic, is ranked the second and Saint Petersburg State University is ranked the third.