The tradition of student fraternities and sororities in the Baltic follows the north German model. These are closed, lifelong organisations with established statutes and codes of conduct, co-ordinated by an umbrella organisation (the Presidium Convent and the Female Student Presidium Convent) made up of representatives of the individual fraternities and sororities, respectively. While beer and fencing traditions featured strongly among the fraternities, all of these student organisations maintain a focus on academic achievement, Latvian culture and patriotism, and social activities. They invite patrons from various fields - academic, literary, scientific, etc. to be honorary members.

The first Latvian student fraternity was founded in 1870 in Tartu , Estonia, at that time the only University in the Baltic region. Since the foundation of the University of Latvia in 1919 until 1947, the activity expanded and there are now 23 active fraternities in Latvia. The first sorority was founded at the University of Latvia in 1921, and, again, more sororities followed in its wake, with 13 currently active in Latvia.

Among the Latvians who arrived in England around 1947, there were approximately 100 members of different Latvian fraternities. The highest concentration settled in the environs of Bradford, and nine members came together in 1950 to create a common student body, the North of England Fraternity Body (Ziemeļanglijas K!K!), with 44 further members joining in due course. They held regular meetings and in 1952 established a welfare fund from their subscriptions and other donations. Family evenings were held with the help of a ladies committee. Over the following years they actively sought out other fraternity members, enrolled new Latvian students and began to revise their statutes. They marked 45 years of activity in 1977, recording 285 meetings, with 91 student members from different fraternities, 18 senior members still active but sadly 25 senior members had passed away. They participated actively in Latvian society in Britain, supporting other Latvian organisations and promoting Latvian culture and consciousness among their younger members.

In 1947, nine members of the sorority “Daugaviete” renewed their group in London and regularly held formal meetings as well as discussion afternoons. The first new student member was admitted in 1965, soon followed by others, who promoted the indoctrination of the younger generation into sorority traditions and the holding of literary afternoons.

A group bringing together members of fraternity members in London and the south of England was established in November 1953, with 28 senior members from 9 different fraternities taking part. During 15 years of activity it recorded 68 meetings with participants from 12-13 different fraternities. Both fraternity groups came together to set up a fund to assist with burial expenses of deceased members.

From 1953, the London and south of England group took over the organisation of an annual commemorative meeting held each autumn to mark the founding of the University of Latvia, a feature of which was a lecture by a fraternity or sorority members or other pillars of Latvian society. Sorority members were also active in organising this event and provided refreshments. The profits from these meetings were directed towards supporting educational funds, including the Latvian Grammar School in Münster, Germany. The University of Latvia commemorative evenings ceased in 1994. Not only had the membership of the organisations in England declined, but with Latvia's renewed independence, more energy was going into making contact with and supporting renewed fraternity and sorority activity in Latvia. In 2017, however, the tradition restarted, the prime organisers being members of the sororities “Dzintra” and “Imeria”. The then Latvian Ambassador, Baiba Braže, gave the welcoming address and an address has been given by ex president of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga as well.

While there are still a number of members of these organisations in Britain, there are currently only five active sororities and three fraternities.