RTU's accepted English certificates
From RTU's English language certificates notice on its application portal (11 February 2026), which applies to applicants who are non-native speakers and whose previous education was not conducted in English.
| Test | RTU minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5 or above |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 or above (RTU code 8498) |
| TOEFL paper-based | 532 or above |
| TOEIC | 780 or above |
| Cambridge English | B2 First |
| PTE Academic | 59 or above |
Medium of instruction instead of a test
If English was the language of instruction for your entire previous education, RTU lets you upload a letter or grade transcript from your school or university confirming it. RTU does not limit this to particular countries, but it reserves the right to ask for an official certificate if there is any doubt, so a test is the safer route if your documents are unclear.
Duolingo, IELTS One Skill Retake and online tests are not mentioned, and RTU states no band minimums or validity period on the notice.
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Programme listings set their own rules
Each RTU programme listing on the application portal states which citizenships it accepts and its own language requirement. The General English Foundation Year, for applicants below B2, asks for IELTS 5 or PTE 43 and requires a B2 exam before degree study, but the citizenship territories it lists do not include South Asia, and it showed as not open for applications when we checked. The Bachelor of Business Administration listing is for EU, EEA and EU candidate-country citizens only.
So check the listing for your programme, under 'Territory requirements' and 'Language requirements', before you book a test.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your RTU programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Riga Technical University (RTU) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Riga Technical University need?+
IELTS 5.5 or above on RTU's list of accepted certificates. Individual programme listings can set their own requirement.
Does RTU accept PTE?+
Yes. Pearson PTE with 59 or above is on RTU's list.
Can I study at RTU without IELTS?+
Yes, if all your previous education was in English and you upload a letter or transcript from your school or university confirming it. RTU may still ask for a certificate.
Does RTU accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not on RTU's list of accepted English certificates.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Tartu IELTS requirement
- PTE to IELTS converter
- IELTS band score calculator
- IELTS scores by university
- All 1288 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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