There are several types of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in Latvia, made up of both state institutions and private institutions. Latvia has organized its tertiary education system to conform to the European Bologna Process and standards.
All Latvian residents have the right of access to Higher Education if they have completed upper-secondary education. There are no age restrictions. Some professional Bachelor programmes may additionally require a first-level professional higher education diploma for entry. EU residents are admitted under exactly the same conditions as Latvian residents. However, they must know the language of instruction well and have the equivalent certificate for completion of upper-secondary education. They must have the European Health Card to cover their health costs. Foreign students from outside the EU must be able to show: equivalency of their upper-secondary certificate; sufficient ability in the language of instruction; they can pass an examination demonstrating that their knowledge corresponds to the entry requirements of the institution, and that they have paid the appropriate fees.
Degrees and diplomas will need to be certified by the Academic Information Centre in Latvia. Most foreign students from outside the EU require a student visa. All details of the entry visa and residency permit are handled for the student by the institution they are applying to. Foreign students must also have health insurance. Latvia participates in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which allows students from EU countries to use credits from other Universities towards a degree in Latvia, or transfer credits from Latvia to a degree in another EU country.