RTU Riga Business School is a management–education institution within Riga Technical University. It was established in 1991 in cooperation with Riga Technical University, the State University of New York at Buffalo in the United States, and the University of Ottawa in Canada. RBS was the first higher education institution in the Baltics to offer MBA programs in English, granting its graduates an internationally recognized Master's of Business Administration degree. Since 2012, Riga Business School offers a Bachelor of Management in International Business in collaboration with the BI Norwegian Business School. The school has more than 970 MBA graduates, the majority of whom occupy leading managerial positions both in Latvia and abroad. RBS is the only school in the Baltics offering North-American style MBAs both in teaching standards and structure, containing intensive case studies, group work and active classroom involvement over at least two years of studies.
History
Riga Business School was founded in 1991 by Riga Technical University and the State University of New York at Buffalo. RBS began a student exchange program with the University of Ottawa in 1992. In 1993, Riga Technical University, State University of New York at Buffalo, and the University of Ottawa formed a three-sided partnership. The schools helped to form the RBS Language Center, the school's library, a computer class, and MBA courses with instructors from North America.
Program format
Professional MBA
Professional MBA classes are held on workdays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and each semester students can register for one to four courses depending on course offer, suggested sequence and personal consideration. Choosing two courses each semester, the MBA can be completed in 2.5 years. International students need to take four courses per semester that corresponds to full-time studies in line with immigration rules. Students can choose one out of four specializations of the program:
is a method of learning that requires from students an active participation and discussion of real-life business situations. RBS largely uses case studies of Harvard Business School. Each course in Professional MBA has a certain number of case studies that students need to discuss during the course.
Faculty
The faculty of RBS consists of both full-time and part-time professional local lecturers, as well as visiting professors from North America.
Diploma
RBS graduates receive two certificates. First, they receive an MBA degree, which is fully recognized and accredited by the Republic of Latvia. Second, they receive a certificate, which is co-signed by Riga Technical University, the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Ottawa.
Admission
Riga Business School has two admission periods: fall and spring. Thus students can start their studies in either September or January.
Admission criteria
Four-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent nationally recognized undergraduate degree
TOEFL score. IELTS score is also accepted. Students are not obliged to certify their English proficiency if the previous degree is obtained in English speaking country or if English is their native language.
Intellectual test that measures logical and critical reasoning. GMAT score is also accepted.
Executive MBA
is a management education program intended for senior-level managers and experienced professionals. The study format is based on North-American Executive MBA program, which is complemented with European experience. Program format The studies are structured in 20 monthly modules that are combined with studies in small groups. During the EMBA course students go on a two-week study trip to the University at Buffalo or University of Ottawa. The trip includes both academic learning and company visits and knowledge exchange with American executives and American EMBA students. Diploma Upon graduation RBS EMBA students receive Internationally Accredited Master of Business Administration degree that is awarded by Riga Business School and certified by all partner institutions.
Admission
Admission procedure takes place in two periods: Fall and spring. Thus students start their study process in September or January.
Admission criteria
Four-year bachelor's or equivalent nationally recognized undergraduate degree
Executive or senior-level management experience for at least five years
TOEFL score. IELTS score is also accepted. Students are not obliged to certify their English proficiency if the previous degree is obtained in English speaking country or if English is their native language.
Passed structured interview
Bachelor program
The curriculum of the Bachelor of Business Administration at RTU Riga Business School is based on the curriculum of the BBA programs of BI Norwegian Business School and the University at Buffalo School of Management. The curriculum focuses on basic business related topics in Management, such as Finance, Economics, Methods, Law and Intercultural Communication. The program's language is English. Full-time students of the program attend for 3–4 years. Students can apply to the program through the Common Application.
Diploma
The program offers three options:
Study 3 years at RBS in Riga and get a nationally and internationally accredited and solid degree from the Riga Business School at Riga Technical University;
Study 2 years at RBS in Riga, spend the 3rd in BI Norwegian Business School and get a dual degree diploma from RBS and BI;
Study 3 years at RBS in Riga, spend the 4th in University at Buffalo School of Management and get a dual degree diploma from RBS and UB.
