EKA University
About
EKA (Ekonomikas un Kultūras augstskola) is a private university agents rate highly for hands-on admissions support, English-taught business/IT/design programmes from €3,500/year, and a downtown campus. A pragmatic, low-risk EU degree with a fast, responsive application process.
Riga offers a low-cost EU base with startup energy and a student scene that's active without being saturated. Living costs stay under €600/month for students. The city is walkable; the business district is embedded in the old town, not isolated in a corporate zone.
Application deadlines
- FebruaryOct 15
February intake.
- SeptemberAug 01
Published as a year-less standing rule (Fall Semester begins 1 October; admission for applicants residing outside Latvia closes 1 August, every year). Source: https://www.augstskola.lv/?lng=eng&parent=96
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at EKA University as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at EKA University is €3500 per year. Living costs in Riga are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for EKA University?
English-taught programmes at EKA University typically require IELTS 5.5 or equivalent. Confirm the exact requirement per programme on the official admissions page.
How much money do you need to show for a student visa to Latvia?
For a student residence permit in Latvia you must prove €9,360 per year (2026, PMLP — necessary subsistence: https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/necessary-subsistence-0).
Does EKA University offer scholarships?
Latvian State Scholarship available for UA/KZ/UZ (cycle 2026/27 currently closed; check studyinlatvia.lv). RU/BY not eligible for state scholarship.
Where is EKA University located?
EKA University is in Riga, Latvia. Pērnavas iela 62, LV-1009 Riga, Latvia
What can you study at EKA University?
Fields offered include: Business, Economics, Computer Science, Social Sciences, Arts, Law.
Accommodation
Sep semester starts Oct 1 (not Sep). Application fee (registration): €300.
SourceScholarships
- 🏛Latvian State Scholarship: €500–700/month (UA/KZ/UZ only)
Latvian State Scholarship available for UA/KZ/UZ (cycle 2026/27 currently closed; check studyinlatvia.lv). RU/BY not eligible for state scholarship.
National funding for this destination
Citizenship restrictions
- Does not admit applicants holding citizenship of: Russia, Belarus, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan.
Honestly
Why this works
- Lowest tuition among EU/Schengen private universities for this field — €3,500/year, locked for the full programme.
- English-taught bachelor's with no preparatory year before the degree (foundation year) required — direct entry after 11–12 years of school.
- IELTS 5.5 is one of the lowest English bars in the EU; conditional admission with a language module is possible.
- Riga's cost of living is the lowest of the three Baltic capitals — ~€600–800/month all-in.
- 20h/week work rights during term, full-time in holidays; Riga has a real English-speaking IT/business job market.
- EU degree → access to the EU Blue Card and post-study job-search residence across the Schengen area.
What to check
- Private university — degree is state-accredited, but brand recognition is lower than a flagship state university.
- Does not admit applicants from Russia, Belarus, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Tajikistan.
- Latvian State Scholarship excludes RU/BY citizens; the UA/KZ/UZ cycle 2026/27 is currently closed.
- Smaller institution — fewer programmes and a thinner alumni network than a large university.
- Latvian-language environment outside campus; you will need basic Latvian for daily life and most local jobs.
Need help with your application?
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These fields in the country
Tuition and deadlines change with each academic year — the date beside the figures says when we last confirmed them on the official source. Visa rules are set by governments and can change between our checks.
We break down figures like these in the channel — each one with a source and a date. Open the channel