Additional Procedures

Several aspects of the admission process to universities in Latvia is regulated by both Latvian and international law. Therefore, if you’re applying for studies at RSU from a non-EU/EEA country and/or your educational documents are issued in a non-EU/EEA country, the application process includes three additional procedures: a motivational interview, recognition of educational documents, and document legalisation. 

Through a motivational interview, educational document recognition, and document legalisation, RSU assesses your eligibility for the programme, verify your academic history, and certify the legitimacy of your documents. Read below sections for details on each procedure to help you prepare for a successful application to RSU.

Document Legalisation

Document legalisation is a process of official certification of public documents issued in one country that will be used/submitted for various purposes in another country. This involves adding an official signatures and seals from competent authorities in the country where your documents were issued. Educational documents intended for use in Latvia for studies at RSU need to be legalised or authenticated with an Apostille by the competent institutions in the foreign country depending on the country where your documents were issued:

• Hague Convention Countries: Your documents require an Apostille seal, which verifies their authenticity. Please see the list of Hague Convention Countries on the HCCH website.
• Non-Hague Convention Countries: You need to have your documents approved by the ministry of foreign affairs (exceptions possible, i.e., ministry of education, etc.) and/or embassy of the issuing country. Once your documents are legalised and sent to RSU, we will submit them for final legalisation step at the Consular Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. Please visit the Latvian MFA website for list of countries that require double legalisation.
• EU/EEA Countries: No legalisation is required for documents issued in the EU, European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom (excluding overseas territories).

NB! All documents need to have the original stamp and signature of the authority that legalised the document.

For a more detailed explanation of the procedure, please see this video.

Motivational Interview

The motivational interview is mandatory for all applicants from non-EU/EEA countries (unless they reside in the EU/EEA countries), as prescribed by the Latvian legislation, and is conducted online via Zoom platform. During the interview, RSU assesses:

• Applicant's motivation to study in the chosen study programme in English;
• Applicant's eligibility for the selected study programme;
• Applicant's reasons for choosing the study programme and how the education acquired aligns with their future goals;
• Applicant's knowledge of Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), Riga, and Latvia.

The interview allows RSU to better understand applicant's goals and ensure that they have thoroughly considered the chosen study programme and the university.

Applicants are eligible for motivational interview once they have completed their application by submitting all necessary documents as per the Application Guide.

Educational Document Recognition

After receiving the application fee, RSU submits applicant's educational documents to the Latvian ENIC-NARIC office (Academic Information Centre (AIC)) - a state institution/agency that is under the supervision of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Latvia.

The AIC evaluates the status of the acquired education (duration, degree, certificate, content, etc.) to ensure it aligns with the Latvian education system. The institution also determines to which certificate or academic degree obtained in Latvia as well as to which European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level the applicant's previous education can be equated to.   

The evaluation process typically takes up to 1 month, though it may take longer (up to 4 months), if additional documents or information is required. Once the evaluation is complete, the AIC issues a recognition statement and informs RSU. The university then reviews the statement and registers the findings/conclusion. Based on the recognition statement, RSU ensures that prospective undergraduate students have completed at least the secondary (high school/college) education, while those applying for Master's programmes hold at least a Bachelor's degree.

If there are any missing documents or qualifications, RSU will contact the applicant to request for the necessary documents, provide further information and submit the necessary documents for re-evaluation to the AIC.

For a more detailed explanation of the procedure, please see this video.