University of Latvia Exchange

Program Overview

The University of Latvia is a well-regarded research university on the edge of the beautiful medieval center of Riga. The University was established in 1919 and is a classical European university, with Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics and Medicine. Some of its areas of specialization include: environmental studies; Latvian language and culture; philology; computer science; mathematics, both pure and applied; cultural anthropology; education and teacher training; international business, economics; European Union studies.

As a newly-independent country, Latvia is patriotic and welcoming, and is engaged in a deep examination of its deep historical routes, including elements of people from the original Baltic tribes, Germans, Russians and Scandinavians. As a full member of the European Union, it welcomes many international students under the Erasmus Program which will make the UO student’s experience a truly international one in a gorgeous and welcoming Northern European setting.

Exchange programs differ from other study abroad options and require a high level of independence. University systems outside the US may differ from what you are used to at the UO, both in terms of academic structure and student services. Students most comfortable and successful in these types of programs typically have high levels of self-reliance, resourcefulness, and willingness to adapt to unfamiliar teaching styles and living arrangements.

Dates and Deadlines

Term	Year	Deadline	Arrival Date	Departure Date
Fall/Winter Semester	2027-28	02/01/2027	Late August	Late January
Academic Year	2027-28	02/01/2027	Late August	Late June
Spring Semester	2028	02/01/2027	Late January	Late June

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements.

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Academic Details

The University of Latvia has a number of faculties where students can take courses in the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, education, psychology, business, and law.

The fall semester starts in September and final exams end in January. The spring semester starts at the end of January and final exams are at the end of June or early July depending on the year. Students should note that final exams may be written, oral, or both.

Course Availability:

Please review the course offerings for exchange students on the University of Latvia's website using the "Course Search" link on the sidebar menu. You may need to use the current academic year's module list as a guide for what might be available for the term you want to study at the University of Latvia.

You need to be flexible with choosing courses and have multiple back-up courses in case you do not get into your top choices. You are responsible for ensuring you meet any pre-requisites for courses at the University of Latvia.

Note: Students should consult with their UO academic advisor before submitting their course enrollment to the University of Latvia.

Credits:
The University of Latvia uses the Latvian credit point system, where a full-time workload for a semester is 20 Latvian credit points, and for a full year is 40 Latvian credit points.

The Latvian credit point system is compatible with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which is a workload-based system for measuring and comparing study results.

The number of ECTS credits is found by multiplying the number of Latvian credit points by a factor of 1.5.
ECTS credits are transferred to the UO at the rate of 1 ECTS credit = 0.75 UO quarter credits.

Students need to take at least 20 Latvian credits/30 ECTS credits per semester at the University of Latvia.

Additionally, to maintain full-time student status at the UO while on a university exchange program, UO students need to earn at least 12 UO credits per UO term abroad.

Language of Instruction:

The University of Latvia offers a number of courses in English. When searching for courses, you will need to filter for courses taught in English at the University of Latvia.

For courses not taught in English, you will need to prove language proficiency at the required level to take the class.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Housing Description

Exchange students are guaranteed university housing provided they apply by the housing application deadline. University of Latvia manages the housing application for two student hotels dedicated for international students:

“Prima” is a nine-story building. The rent is dependent on the number of students living in the room. Most rooms house 2 students with a shared bathroom. Certain floors have rooms that will accommodate 3 student residents and some will accommodate up to 5 student residents.
"Krišjāņa Valdemāra 161" offers four different room options: single, double, triple, quadruple, and rent is dependent on the number of students living in the room.

These two student hotels are not in the city center where the main building of the University of Latvia is located. Students will need to take public transportation (about 20 minutes) to and from their dormitory daily. Riga has a very well-developed public transportation system (buses, trams, trolleys, etc.) making it very easy for students to get around.

Budget and Price

Exchange programs have a fixed program fee that is calculated based on your Oregon residency status and the number of semesters that you spend abroad. Please note that the terms available for each exchange vary based on the university's academic calendar.

Please only include the relevant program fee when determining your estimated total cost of attendance.

2026-27 Fall/Winter Semester

**GEO Program Fees**
Description	Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$5,025
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$12,250
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$500
Estimated UO Insurance*	$578

**Estimated Additional Expenses**
Description	Amount
Estimated housing (Paid directly to host university or housing company)**	$1,925
Estimated Meals	$1,650
Estimated Airfare from Eugene to Riga	$1,700
Estimated Books and Course Supplies	$200
Estimated Cost of Acquiring Passport	$150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses	$300
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated Local Transportation	$300
Estimated Visa Expenses	$160
Estimated Additional Living Expenses***	$1,500

**Total**
Description	Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$14,038
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$21,263

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

** Cost for a single room in University of Latvia housing. For more details, see: https://www.lu.lv/en/studies/student-life/accommodation/

*** This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying non-grocery items/toiletries, general health/well-being, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits. This does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance into the program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

2026-27 Academic Year

**GEO Program Fees**
Description	Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$10,050
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$24,500
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$1,000
Estimated UO Insurance*	$1,127

**Estimated Additional Expenses**
Description	Amount
Estimated housing (Paid directly to host university or housing company)**	$3,850
Estimated Meals	$3,300
Estimated Airfare from Eugene to Riga	$1,700
Estimated Books and Course Supplies	$400
Estimated Cost of Acquiring Passport	$150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses	$550
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated Local Transportation	$550
Estimated Visa Expenses	$160
Estimated Additional Living Expenses***	$2,750

**Total**
Description	Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$25,637
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$40,087

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

** Cost for a single room in University of Latvia housing. For more details, see: https://www.lu.lv/en/studies/student-life/accommodation/

*** This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying non-grocery items/toiletries, general health/well-being, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits. This does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

2027 Spring Semester

**GEO Program Fees**
Description	Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$5,025
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$12,250
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$500
Estimated UO Insurance*	$578

**Estimated Additional Expenses**
Description	Amount
Estimated housing (Paid directly to host university or housing company)**	$1,925
Estimated Meals	$1,650
Estimated Airfare from Eugene to Riga	$1,700
Estimated Books and Course Supplies	$200
Estimated Cost of Acquiring Passport	$150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses	$300
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated Local Transportation	$300
Estimated Visa Expenses	$160
Estimated Additional Living Expenses***	$1,500

**Total**
Description	Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$14,038
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$21,263

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

** Cost for a single room in University of Latvia housing. For more details, see: https://www.lu.lv/en/studies/student-life/accommodation/

*** This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying non-grocery items/toiletries, general health/well-being, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits. This does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

To view the program specific cancellation policy dates and penalties, click the term budget dropdown menu.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

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