The main universities
Riga's three biggest public universities host most of the international students.
University of Latvia (LU)
The country's oldest and largest university, with faculties spread across the city. The main building and several faculties are central, a walk from our Miera, Stabu and Theatre residences, while the natural-sciences campus is in Torņakalns on the left bank, right by our Tower Hill Residence.
Riga Technical University (RTU)
Latvia's leading technical and engineering university, with its main campus on Ķīpsala island and more in Torņakalns, both across the Daugava. Our Tower Hill Residence in Torņakalns is the closest; from the central residences you cross the bridge by tram or bus in a few minutes.
Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU)
The main medical and health-sciences university, its central building at Dzirciema iela 16 in Dzirciems on the left bank. It is an easy tram ride from the centre, and Tower Hill sits on the same side of the river.
Private and applied universities
Alongside the big three, several private and applied universities take many international students.
Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga)
A small, highly regarded, fully English-taught business school right in the centre, at Strēlnieku iela 4a in the elegant Art Nouveau "Quiet Centre". Walkable from our central residences.
Turība University
A large private university for business, law and tourism, south of the centre in Atgāzene / Ziepniekkalns on the left bank. Our Tower Hill Residence in Torņakalns is the nearest.
RISEBA
A private university for business, media and architecture, with buildings in the centre and on Ķīpsala.
And more
Riga also has the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI) and the Baltic International Academy (BSA) in the south-east, EKA and the BA School of Business and Finance (Banku augstskola) to the north, plus specialised academies for law, art, music and sport.
Where to live for your university
Riga is compact and its trams and buses are cheap and frequent, so wherever you study you are rarely far. As a rough guide:
- Central campuses (SSE Riga, the central LU and RSU faculties): our Miera, Stabu, Theatre and Lāčplēša residences are a walk or short ride away.
- Across the Daugava (RTU on Ķīpsala, LU sciences and Turība in Torņakalns and the left bank, RSU in Dzirciems): our Tower Hill Residence in Torņakalns is right there, next to the universities.
Not sure which room fits your semester and your campus? See what is available, or just ask Liv, our assistant, and we will point you to the right residence.
Our picks on the map
These are some of our favourite spots in Riga. Open our full curated Google Maps list to see every pin on the map and navigate straight there from your phone.
- University of Latvia — Latvia's largest university, central and Torņakalns
- Riga Technical University — Engineering and tech, Ķīpsala and Torņakalns
- Rīga Stradiņš University — Medicine and health, Dzirciems on the left bank
- Stockholm School of Economics in Riga — Central, English-taught business school
- Turība University — Business, law and tourism, Torņakalns area
- RISEBA — Business, media and architecture, centre and Ķīpsala
Your base in central Riga
All of our residences are a short walk from the Old Town, the Central Market and Miera iela. Furnished rooms, all bills included, for your semester or a few nights.
See available rooms →