Riga Stradins University (RSU)

• RSU is a public state-founded and state-recognized higher educational establishment implementing state-accredited study programmes (in conformity with the EC Directives) that are subjected to regular re-accreditation procedures.

• Yes, RSU is listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools.

• There is no centralised EU accreditation for Universities in Europe. The Universities, including RSU are accredited locally by the Ministry of Education and Science with international experts present. RSU study programmes receive official accreditation every six years. In addition, all RSU study programmes in regulated professions, including medicine and dentistry, are developed according to EU directives on regulated professions.
• Secondly, since Latvia is an EU member state since 2004, The Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region, usually referred to as the Lisbon Convention, applies also to Latvian universities, including RSU. Besides, many others, the main point of the Lisbon Convention is as follows: holders of qualifications issued in one EU member state shall have adequate access to an assessment of these qualifications in another EU member state.

EC Directives to be considered are as follows:

• Medicine and Dentistry: DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications;
• Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (2012/C 244/01).

In short – being an officially accredited state University plus the Lisbon Convention ensures that qualification obtained in RSU is recognised in all EU and EEA member states.

• Degrees acquired at RSU are accredited in a number of non-EU/EEA countries. Recognition of education obtained abroad is done by ENIC/NARIC in each specific country. Please see here for the relevant institutions and/or contact the Medical Council of the country you are interested practicing in.

• The degree acquired at RSU (MD) is equivalent to MBBS and one year of internship in the UK.

• Yes, It is possible to transfer to RSU from any other university.
• After submitting a complete application the director of the respective study programme will review the relevant academic documents for transfer and the compatibility to the RSU study programme the applicant wants to transfer to. The subjects are eligible for credit transfer if the following criteria are met – subjects have:

-The same or higher number of credit points (ECTS) for the subject in question;

-Equivalent subject content.

More information please contact Med Guide Europe.

• In addition, once you have been officially enrolled, you must pay:
  • A  fee of EUR 1500.00 (non-refundable), payable in accordance with the provisions of International Study and Research Fund LLC, a daughter enterprise and partner of RSU. The registration administration fee is not required form master study programme students students.

• It is possible to receive a part of the tuition fee back, which will be calculated individually depending on how long you have studied, however, it shall not exceed the amount set in the study contract.

• If you do not pass an exam with the first try, you can ask for prolongation of the examination period and sit the exam one more time. If you do not pass it the second time, the course must be repeated individually during the next upcoming semester. During this “repeating semester” you study only those subjects that you have failed and pay accordingly only for the subjects you study.
• Repeating a semester also means that you cannot continue your studies together with your group mates and fall one semester behind. Therefore, passing each and every subject is mandatory to continue your studies without interruptions.

• 3 study programmes in English medium
• All healthcare study programmes nationally accredited
• RSU is a leading medical and healthcare university in the Baltics
• RSU diploma recognised world-wide
• Personalised approach to learning – class size of 8 to 15 students
• Hands-on practical training in Medical Education technology Centre
• Close affiliation with leading hospitals in Riga and regions of Latvia
• Internships at partner hospitals in Germany, Italy and Israel
• State-of-the-art medical education training equipment
• Theatrum Anatomicum with cadavers, 3D anatomy visualisation tables
• One of the most advanced Dentistry pre-clinical training centre in Northern Europe
• Interactive learning technologies and top quality dental filling materials

Dentistry:

• The Dentistry programme at RSU is 5 years, which is taught in English.
• This 5 year long study programme comprises multiple study modes – lectures, workshops, laboratory work, practical classes, clinical practice, anamnesis, presentations of clinical cases, preparation and presentation of research projects. Students have access to PCs, simulation devices and mannequins, multimedia and interactive boards.
• Graduates will receive a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) qualification
• The study programme is based on a student-centred approach towards learning where particular attention is devoted to the acquisition of research-based and substantiated knowledge and treatment methods (evidence-based dentistry, medicine) and close cooperation of students with leading dentistry specialists and lecturers.
• The study programme provides a platform for the acquisition of the skills required for examination of a patient’s oral cavity and teeth, identification of dental problems and for undergoing complex dental treatment – restorative treatment of a defective tooth or replacement with a dental implant (dental prosthetics). Students also acquire knowledge on how to analyse clinical cases, solve dental problems and master skills for carrying out dental public health activities.

Medicine:

• The Medicine programme at RSU is 6 years, which is taught in English.
• Graduates will receive a Medical Doctor (MD) qualification.
• The study programme is based on the concept that a doctor is a trained medical practitioner who acts directly or indirectly on human beings through scientifically based medical activities. A doctor’s professional activities include prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and medical rehabilitation, the assessment of diseases and the functional limitations these can cause.
• The study process includes placements in clinical patient care, internal medicine, surgery, and obstetrics and gynaecology that supplements theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Simulation-based medical education is implemented at the Medical Education Technology Centre (METC), using modern multi-level simulations to improve practical skills in both individual and team scenarios.
• RSU graduates and lecturers at the Faculty of Medicine include people who are successfully working in both Latvian and foreign clinics, at research institutes and international health organisations.
• The departments of the Faculty of Medicine coordinate learning in all clinical and theoretical medical disciplines. In cooperation with universities and research institutes of other countries, the faculty departments have become scientific schools and research centres, which ensures the professional quality of teaching staff at RSU.

• Completed secondary education:
   Diploma
   Transcript of grades
• Good or excellent final grades in the following subjects:
   English*
   Biology and/or Chemistry
   Mathematics
   Physics (optional)
• Eligibility for university in home country
• Additional certifications or strong background in medicine and healthcare (optional)
  * International test score (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)/ secondary school grade