Study Medicine in Latvia, a Member State of European Union and Schengen Visa Area

Looking forward to pursuing medical studies of a high level in an affordable destination in Europe? PATHE Study Medicine, a foremost education referral agency and a fully owned subsidiary of ANC Education with world-wide affiliations wishes to be of service to such aspiring students in offering them an ideal destination for the purpose, in a Member State of the European Union within the Schengen Area, namely the Riga Stradins University of Latvia, located in North Eastern Europe.

Value of Latvia being a Member State of the European Union & Schengen Area

European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 28 Member States (including Latvia) that are located in Europe. Among the other Member States are the giants of Europe such as UK, Germany, France, Italy as well as flourishing states as the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland etc. The EU has developed as a single market and its policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital and maintains common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development.

Schengen Area is one of the great- est achievements of the EU. It is an area comprising 25 European countries that have abolished passport or any other type of border control inbetween their common borders. Thus it functions as a single country for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. All Member States of the EU, except 5 states (UK, Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus & Romania) belong to the Schengen Area as at now. In addition, Norway and Switzerland, though non-members of the EU are also part of the Schengen Area.

It means that any foreign student pursuing studies in Riga, Latvia can freely travel to 24 countries of Europe, for example fly or take a train to Berlin ( Germany) Amsterdam ( the Netherlands) Vienna (Austria) Brussels (Belgium) Copenhagen (Denmark) Stockholm (Sweden) Oslo (Norway) or Geneva (Switzerland) without border control. Now lets turn to Latvia and Riga itself.

Whereabouts of Latvia and Riga

Latvia is situated in the centre of three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) that are all located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea in North Eastern Europe. Latvia is bordered by Estonia on the north, Russia on the east and Belarus and Lithuania on the south. Its land area is 64,589 km2 (almost the same size as Sri Lanka) and is considered one of the smallest states in Europe, yet larger than Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark or Switzerland. Its landscape is characterized by fertile lowland, plains, moderate hills, extensive network of rivers and lakes and most importantly, a long coast line of white sandy , lined by dunes and pine forests.

Riga is the capital of Latvia and is also the largest city in the Baltic States, so to say a vibrant metropolis of the Baltics. One and all visitors to Riga are inspired with the medieval old town and the 19th and 20th century nonveau architecture. Meanwhile Riga will be the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Riga’s International Airport is the largest in the Baltic States and one of the fastest growing travel hubs in Europe, providing quick and easy access to any country in Europe.

Riga Stradins University (RSU) Latvia

The history of Riga Stradins University dates back to February 1920 when Swedish Professor Gaston Bakman held the first lecture on anatomy in the Anatomical Theatre in Riga. This lecture was the forbearer of higher education in medicine in Latvia and also the beginning of the Institute of Anatomy and Histology, as well as the Museum of Anatomy.

The Riga Medical Institute was established in 1950, ( during the USSR times) on the basis of the Faculty of Medicine of the State University of Latvia with Ernests Burtnieks as its first Director and Pauls Stradins as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine who in a very short time managed to rebuild and renew the education and science of medicine from scratch.

In 1990, the Institute was named Medical Academy of Latvia and on 5 April 1998, the Constitutional Assembly decided to rename it as Riga Stradins University, based on its actual activities. RSU is thus a state founded university, being the only university in Latvia, which has traditionally been integrated in the healthcare system of the country.

Main benefits of study in Riga Stradins University (RSU)

RSU ensures the highest qualify of education in par with developed European countries. RSU’s academic staff consists of prominent and renowned doctors and experts in Latvia, many of whom are also acknowledged internationally. Assurance of a high level of education and free travel within Europe, being in the European Union and within the Schengen Area. RSU is recognized in all EU countries, allowing its graduates to enter into EU’s medical system without entry exams. RSU is highly placed in the world rankings and its degrees are recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council, General Medical Council of UK, Australian Medical Council and many others and also listed in the Directories of the World Health Organization ( WHO) and the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) of USA and Canada etc. Though fees and living costs are slightly higher than in average places of study in Asia and Eastern Europe, RSU is comparatively cheaper than in other places in western countries as UK, Germany, France, USA.

PATHE STUDY MEDICINE service support

No sooner you confirm your willingness to join the Riga Stradins University PATHE Study Medicine shall initiate its services through its dedicated and hospitable staff at the Colombo office. You could thus be assured of the incomparable service of PATHE Study Medicine in keeping with its unblemished record of being a trusted and time-tested education service provider for over a decade.

Intake for year 2014 open now

PATHE STUDY MEDICINE invites all those interested in seeking admission to the Riga Stradins University during the upcoming intake to call over at our office at 111 ½ , Maya Avenue, Colombo 6 or call us on our Hotline: 0777- 570498 to make appointment to obtain further details about study programs, course fees and other needful information and make application early as the number of seats available for the 2014 intake is limited. Visit us at www.pathestudy.org