🇱🇻 Latvia GPA Converter

Latvia uses a 1 to 10 numerical grading scale at its universities where 10 (Izcili — Excellent) is the highest possible grade and 4 (Ar grūtībām sekmīgi — Barely Satisfactory) is the minimum passing grade — any grade below 4 is a fail (Nesekmīgi). The full descriptor system assigns specific Latvian terms to each grade level: 10 = Izcili (Excellent), 9 = Teicami (Very Good), 8 = Labi (Good), 7 = Gandrīz labi (Almost Good), 6 = Viduvēji (Average), 5 = Gandrīz viduvēji (Almost Average), 4 = Ar grūtībām sekmīgi (Barely Satisfactory — minimum pass), and 1 to 3 = Nesekmīgi (Fail). The 4-point minimum pass threshold is a distinctive and somewhat unusual feature of the Latvian system — the effective passing range spans seven grade points (4 through 10) — and means that the absolute minimum pass in Latvia corresponds to a lower academic threshold than in many other European grading systems. Latvian universities commonly award grades in whole integers and, at some institutions and in some programmes, in half-point values (e.g. 6.5, 7.5, 8.5).

Latvian universities maintain moderately rigorous grading standards and grades of 8 and above represent strong academic performance. In practice, the majority of passing students at Latvian universities score between 5 and 8 — making grades above 8 a meaningful distinction that signals genuinely excellent performance. A grade of 10 (Izcili) is rarely awarded and indicates truly outstanding work at the very top of the cohort. Students applying internationally should be aware that the Latvian 1 to 10 scale is not comparable on a point-for-point basis with any other grading system — the scale's unique pass threshold of 4 means that the numeric values require careful contextualisation when being read by US or UK admissions committees unfamiliar with the Latvian system.

Latvia implemented the Bologna Process and uses ECTS credits throughout its higher education system. The degree structure includes Bakalaura grāds (Bachelor's, typically 120–160 credit points or 180 ECTS, three to four years), Maģistra grāds (Master's, 80–120 credit points or 60–120 ECTS, one to two years), and Doktora grāds (PhD, 144 credit points, three years). Latvia also has a professional higher education track (Profesionālā augstākā izglītība) at applied universities (augstskola) which is distinct from the academic university (universitāte) track. Use the ECTS Credit Calculator for credit conversion guidance.

The Augstākās izglītības kvalitātes aģentūra (AIKA — Higher Education Quality Evaluation Centre) oversees Latvian higher education quality and accreditation. AIKA was established in 2019 as the successor to the previous quality assurance agency and is the primary quality indicator used by WES and international universities when evaluating Latvian credentials. EU accession in 2004 was a major driver of internationalisation and quality improvement in Latvian higher education, and Latvia's higher education system has undergone significant reform and quality development since independence in 1991. Latvian degrees from AIKA-recognised institutions are recognised throughout the EU under the Bologna framework and are evaluated by WES for North American applications. Use the CGPA Calculator or GPA Calculator for general GPA calculations.

The University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitāte), founded in 1919, is Latvia's oldest and most comprehensive research university — it is consistently Latvia's highest-ranked institution in global university rankings and is particularly strong in natural sciences, computer science, social sciences, law, humanities, and medicine. The University of Latvia is the primary reference institution for international academic credential evaluation in Latvia and its degrees are well recognised by WES and international universities. Visit the University of Latvia website for institutional information and programme details.

Riga Technical University (Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte — RTU), founded in 1862, is Latvia's leading engineering and technology university and one of the oldest technical universities in the Baltic region. RTU has strong recognition in civil engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, architecture, and materials science. RTU graduates are well-regarded in the European and international engineering community, reflecting the university's long tradition of rigorous technical education. Riga Stradiņš University (Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte — RSU) is Latvia's leading health sciences university with a strong international reputation in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and public health — it attracts significant numbers of international students for its English-language medical programmes and is recognised by ECFMG for US medical licensing purposes. Latvian medical graduates seeking to practise in the USA must obtain ECFMG certification and pass the USMLE examination series — see the Medicine GPA guide for US medical school requirements. Use the University Match Calculator to assess your competitiveness for specific US programmes.

Latvia shares its Baltic identity with Estonia and Lithuania — all three Baltic states share similar histories of Soviet occupation, independence restoration in 1991, and rapid integration into the EU and NATO. The three flagship Baltic research universities — the University of Latvia, the Estonia GPA Converter (University of Tartu), and the Lithuania GPA Converter (Vilnius University) — have strong academic cooperation networks through the Baltic University Programme and other regional initiatives. Baltic university graduates are increasingly recognised internationally as products of a high-quality and rapidly improving academic environment with strong European integration, rigorous standards, and growing international research output.

Latvia's geographic position between East and West gives Latvian graduates a unique multilingual and multicultural perspective that is particularly valued by international employers and academic programmes. Many Latvian graduates speak Latvian, Russian, English, and often German or Swedish — a linguistic profile that reflects Latvia's complex historical geography and its strong ties with both the Nordic-Baltic region and the broader European academic community. Latvia's EU membership has significantly expanded academic mobility through Erasmus+ and other European programmes, and the generation of Latvian graduates who studied and worked abroad after 2004 has contributed substantially to Latvia's academic and professional internationalisation.

WES (World Education Services) evaluates Latvian credentials from AIKA-recognised universities. Official Latvian academic transcripts (Akadēmiskā izziņa — Academic Certificate) must be sent directly from the Latvian institution to WES. A significant advantage for Latvian students is that Latvian transcripts are typically issued in both Latvian and English — the English-language version is accepted by WES without requiring additional certified translation, which reduces both cost and processing time. Students should confirm with their institution that the English version of their transcript includes all course grades, ECTS credits, and the official institutional stamp. Use the WES GPA Calculator to estimate your WES GPA before beginning the formal evaluation process.

AIKA recognition is the primary quality indicator WES uses to assess Latvian institutions — credentials from AIKA-recognised universities are eligible for WES evaluation. Latvia is a signatory to the Hague Convention, so Apostille certification is available through Latvian authorities for additional document authentication where required. Students can verify their institution's accreditation status and review WES evaluation procedures directly through WES. WES standard processing typically takes four to seven weeks — students should initiate the evaluation at least two months before application deadlines. Rush processing is available for an additional fee and typically takes one to two weeks.

Latvian professional degrees in medicine, law, and dentistry may have non-standard degree structures compared to the standard Bologna Bachelor's plus Master's framework. WES evaluates these on a case-by-case basis — students with professional degrees should contact WES early to confirm how their specific credential will be classified before beginning applications. The Latvian Diploma Supplement (Diploma pielikums) is issued in accordance with Bologna requirements and provides detailed contextual information about the degree programme, grading system, and ECTS credits — students should request this document from their institution as it significantly facilitates international recognition. Note that SSE Riga graduates should apply through WES as holders of a Swedish degree, not a Latvian degree.

Most US graduate programmes require a minimum GPA equivalent of 3.0 — for Latvian students this corresponds approximately to a grade average of 7.5 to 8.0 on the 1 to 10 scale. Latvian students with grade averages of 8.0 and above from the University of Latvia, RTU, or Riga Stradiņš University are generally competitive for US graduate programme consideration. A grade average of 8.5 and above (Teicami — Very Good) is an excellent profile for US graduate applications and is strongly competitive at most US Master's programmes. Use the University Match Calculator and College Admission Chance Calculator to assess your competitiveness for specific programmes.

SSE Riga graduates hold Swedish credentials and are evaluated as Swedish graduates by US admissions committees and WES — for SSE Riga graduates, the relevant GPA conversion guidance is the Swedish university grading system rather than the Latvian 1 to 10 scale. Riga Stradiņš University graduates applying to US graduate programmes in medicine should note that ECFMG certification and USMLE examination passage are required for clinical practice in the USA — a strong academic record from RSU is an important foundation but is not sufficient on its own for US medical licensure. Latvian students with grade averages between 7.0 and 7.5 may be close to but not clearly above the typical US graduate threshold and should ensure strong supporting materials to compensate.

Language requirements are an important consideration for Latvian students. Latvian university programmes at Master's level are increasingly offered in English — particularly at the University of Latvia, RTU, and RSU — and Latvian students from English-medium programmes may be eligible for TOEFL and IELTS waivers at some US institutions. Students should confirm the language of instruction documented on their transcript and check each programme's waiver policy individually. Use the TOEFL Score Calculator and IELTS Band Calculator to assess your English test scores against programme requirements.

UK universities typically convert Latvian grades using the following general equivalence: Latvian grades 9 to 10 (Teicami to Izcili) = First Class Honours equivalent, grades 7 to 8.9 (Gandrīz labi to Labi) = Upper Second Class (2:1) equivalent, grades 5 to 6.9 (Gandrīz viduvēji to Viduvēji) = Lower Second Class (2:2) equivalent, grades 4 to 4.9 (Ar grūtībām sekmīgi) = Third Class equivalent. Most UK Master's programmes require a 2:1 equivalent — meaning Latvian students need a grade average of approximately 7.0 and above for competitive UK postgraduate entry. See the UK University Grade Calculator and UK Grades vs US Grades for detailed UK classification guidance.

As EU citizens, Latvian students apply for UK study through the standard international student route following Brexit — Latvian students are no longer eligible for EU-level fee status at most UK institutions and are subject to international student fees. However, UK universities continue to accept Latvian credentials using established conversion frameworks, and UK institutions with strong engineering and health sciences programmes are familiar with RTU and RSU credentials respectively. Latvian students applying to UK universities should check the current UK student visa requirements and confirm the latest fee and application requirements directly with their target institutions. The post-Brexit context also means that Latvian students may wish to prioritise Erasmus+ partner universities in continental Europe as a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to UK postgraduate study.