RSU Medicine Application Process: My experience

I want to be clear about one thing from the start: this is not a guide written by the university, and it’s not meant to convince anyone to apply and please don't follow only these instructions when applying! This is just me explaining how the application process went for me, because when I was applying, I would have wanted to read something like this.

My experience is as an EU applicant, and the requirements can vary from year to year.

Applying Very Late (and Somewhat Randomly)

I applied to RSU in late November 2024. That was very late in the application period — there was about a week left before applications closed.

I hadn’t spent months preparing for this. I didn’t use any agent. I just applied directly through RSU’s application system after deciding, fairly quickly, that I was open to studying medicine abroad.

I remember thinking that even if nothing came of it, it's whatever... hahah

How Long It Took to Hear Back

What surprised me most was how fast everything moved.

Application sent: 28 November 2024

Acceptance received: 4 December 2024

So about five days.

I don’t know if this is typical for everyone, but applying late probably meant my application was handled more immediately instead of sitting in a queue.

What I Had to Submit

As part of the application, I submitted:

• My Finnish matriculation exam certificate (ylioppilastodistus)
• My upper secondary school diploma
• Two recommendation letters (for me, both from former employers)
• A motivation letter (written using RSU’s official template)
• A copy of my passport

One thing that’s worth mentioning:

the documents had to be official scans, sent directly from the school. Regular photocopies weren’t accepted.

My grades were not perfect across the board. Some were strong, some less so. They did want my English level to be sufficient, as well as my grades in biology to be fine. I didn't do final exams in biology, but my upper secondary grades were enough.

There was no entrance exam, no interview, and no additional test.

That said, this does not apply to everyone — non-EU applicants have different requirements, so this is something people really need to double-check for their own situation.

Here is the link to find the official Documents needed.

Confirming the Study Place and Paying Fees

Once I was accepted, things became real very quickly.

To confirm my place, I had to:

• Pay the tuition fee
• Pay a registration administration fee

The deadline was 18 December 2024, so I had roughly two weeks to sort everything out.

The payments had to be sent to two separate bank accounts, with specific reference details included. RSU was clear about this, and I didn’t need to send proof of payment — they confirmed everything by email afterward.

Tuition

At the time I applied, the tuition fee was 13,500 € per year, paid in two instalments, one before each semester.

You should always check the current numbers yourself, though because the price has gone up in the previous years.

The Biology Pre-course (My Honest Opinion)

RSU offers pre-courses in a few subjects that last a week, that can be taken before starting studies.

Before starting, I chose to take an optional biology pre-course that cost a few hundred euros (don't remember specifically). I chose to do this because I hadn't studied biology in a while.

Personally, I didn’t find it useful. The content was very basic and didn’t really prepare me for the actual studies. For me, it felt like a waste of time and money — but this is obviously subjective.

Communication With RSU

All communication was handled by email, mainly through admissions@rsu.lv.

In my experience they replied whenever I had questions, which cleared up a lot of confusing stuff.

The application process to me was quite confusing since everything felt old-fashioned compared to Finnish systems. But luckily, they answered any questions I had via email quickly :)

Finding Housing and Moving

I started looking for housing about a month before the move, but I only found the apartment I wanted a few days before leaving.

I was mentally prepared to stay in an Airbnb for a week or so if needed.

The move itself was very practical: I packed my things into a van, took a ferry from Finland to Estonia, and drove from Estonia to Latvia.

Because I had already lived on my own in Finland for a couple of years, I had a lot of stuff and had to get rid of quite a bit in the move.

How It Felt, Honestly

Even though the application itself was straightforward, the situation as a whole was insane.

I was leaving my family, my country, and a life that was familiar. At the same time, I felt excited. I had been going through a rough period before the move, and in many ways, starting fresh in a new place ended up being a good thing for me.

Still, I wouldn’t describe this as an easy or casual decision. Even though when I explain this, everyone says it sounds like I was just going with the flow!

A Quick Disclaimer

This post reflects my experience applying in late 2024 as an EU applicant.

Requirements, fees, and procedures can change, and RSU may handle applications differently depending on your background. So you might want to check the requirements for yourself and be in touch with the admissions office regarding any questions!

Why I’m Sharing This

I’m writing this because studying medicine abroad is often presented as either a perfect solution or a terrible mistake. In reality, it’s more nuanced than that.

This post is just about the application process — nothing more. In future posts, I’ll write about what studying at RSU is actually like, including the parts that are difficult or inconvenient.

If you’re considering applying, I hope this gives you a more realistic picture of what to expect.