Undergraduate:
2 courses ~ €3,140  (year)

Postgraduate:
8 courses €2,800 - €4,600  (year)

Popular courses

About University of Tartu

The University of Tartu was founded in 1632 by the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus. It was modelled after the University of Uppsala in Sweden and intended to pursue research and advance learning in a wide variety of disciplines.

The University of Tartu (UT) has continued to adhere to this approach throughout the centuries, and remains today the only classical university in Estonia. Research at UT focuses on subjects as diverse as medicine and philosophy, genetics and computer science.

As Estonia’s national university, UT stresses the importance of international co-operation and partnerships with reputable research universities all over the world. The robust research potential of the university is evidenced by the fact that it is the only Baltic university that has been invited to join the Coimbra Group, a prestigious club of renowned research universities.

UT includes nine faculties, five colleges and several regional development units, of which the latter two are situated in different parts of Estonia.

Why choose University of Tartu?

The University of Tartu, established in 1632, is among the world’s 600 best universities
In 2009 the University of Tartu joined the leading 5% of the world’s universities in Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), there are 12 000 universities in the world. From among those 12 000, the top 5% are selected. The ranking system takes into account surveys of academics and employers, ratio of students and teaching staff, the number of citations in research publications and the number of international teaching staff and students.

The University of Tartu’s world-class research is the foundation for its high-quality education
The University of Tartu is one the finest research institutions in the world. Estonian science, led by UT, belongs to the upper 50% of the world’s countries in all 22 fields of research specified in the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database. According to the ESI, the University of Tartu has reached the top 1% of the most-cited universities and scientific institutions in environmental sciences and ecology, clinical medicine, plant and animal science, chemistry and social sciences. Studies at the University of Tartu are tightly linked to the research performed by university scientists.

Many world-renowned scientists are connected to the University of Tartu
The university’s hall of fame includes physicists Moritz Hermann Jacobi and Emil Lenz, chemists Carl Claus and Wilhelm Ostwald, physiologist Carl Schmidt, pharmacist Johan Georg Dragendorff, anatomist August Rauber, naturalist Karl Ernst von Baer, founder of cultural semiotics Juri Lotman, and many more.

The University of Tartu is the 1st choice for Estonian school graduates
The University of Tartu holds the leading position in the national educational market and every year attracts at least a quarter of all high school graduates continuing in higher education. For higher education in fields like medicine and law the University of Tartu is the only provider in Estonia.

The University of Tartu builds partnerships with the world’s leading universities and businesses
University of Tartu students, staff and scientists contribute to and benefit from co-operation with many world-class partners: the University of Helsinki, Moscow State University, Tsinghua University, University of Melbourne, Uppsala University, Lund University and Hokkaido University, to name just a few. University scientists conduct research and projects with global industrial giants like Samsung and Philips.

Unique Environment
While current-day students enjoy modern and very well-equipped lecture halls, laboratories, and classrooms, a lot of the university buildings go back centuries, creating a unique and harmonious blend of old and new.

International Community
Every year the University of Tartu hosts over 600 international students in its degree and semester programmes. International students come from more than 30 countries from all corners of the world. Over 100 international staff members teach and work at the University of Tartu every year. Many more come to deliver lectures and short courses.

Estonia is situated in north-eastern Europe, being the northernmost of the three Baltic States. It is bordered on the east and southeast by Russia and on the south by Latvia. Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city, is only about 85 km south of Helsinki, the capital of Finland, across the Gulf of Finland. Sweden is Estonia's nearest western neighbour across the Baltic Sea.

Estonia is often referred to as a very small country. With an area of 45 000 sq. km, Estonia is in fact bigger for example than Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark or Switzerland, but still for example five times smaller than Great Britain.

Estonia’s population ranks amongst the smallest in the world. According to the last official census taken in 2000, there are only 1.37 million people living in Estonia. Despite its small population there are about one hundred different nationalities and ethnic groups represented in Estonia.

The Estonian economy is considered to be liberal and innovative. IT is one of the most popular areas of business and also “the thing” to study. The use of IT has infiltrated services as well as industry sector, and has thus greatly changed the way things work nowadays. The main trend is towards simplification, innovation and customer-friendliness.

More information about studying in Estonia: http://www.studyinestonia.eu

Currency: 1 €

Education: Please find information on the upright corner of this page.

Accommodation: Housing costs in Tartu largely depend on the location and size of an apartment varying from 30-300 €.

One needs approximately a minimum of 190-225 € (3000-3500 Estonian kroons) per month in order to cover basic expenses in addition to housing costs.

Student’s modest budget per month:

Food: 150 €

Housing: 90 € (Hall of residence - Raatuse Str. 22)

Local public transport: 8 € with a monthly ticket, single ticket for a student 0.8 € (1 € on the bus) Taxi: start fee 1.6 €, each km 0.8 €.

Additional average costs:

Nightclub ticket: 8 €

Theatre ticket: 10 €

Movie ticket: 6 € (3 € before 5 PM)

Beer in a pub: 2 €

Daily lunches at pubs in the city center: 3-4 €

Sports:

- University Academic Sports Club - group fees 40-50 € per semester
- Fitness Center 35-45 € per month

There are many reasonably priced cafeterias and pubs around the town. Entertainment is rather expensive, but a student card (ISIC) entitles to certain discounts including travelling in Estonia.

People who have been living in Tartu and experienced the student life here get somehow addicted to this town, always feeling the need to visit the city again.

Come and see for yourself!

For further information on Tartu please visit: "homepage of Tartu" http://www.tartu.ee/?langid=2

Student Village

Non-profit association Tartu Student Village is in charge of the management of eight student residence halls owned by the University of Tartu and organises housing for students studying at the University of Tartu. The Student Village has in total 3,200 places for housing. Most residence halls are located in the city centre, near university buildings, and have been recently renovated.

Why prefer the Tartu Student Village?

• Living in the city centre and near university buildings
• Efficient and professional management
• Recently renovated buildings
• Fast Internet connection at low rates
• Understanding attitude

International students can apply for housing in the centrally-located residence hall at Raatuse 22 which is the newest and largest residence hall. The accommodation is arranged into flats consisting of three study-bedrooms, a shared kitchen and bathroom. Most rooms are shared by two persons. The monthly rent is around EEK 1400 (~90€) for a place in a twin room. The rooms are furnished, but the students have to provide their own pillows, linens and cookware.

For more information, please visit: "http://www.tartucampus.eu" http://www.tartucampus.eu

To have a place or a room in the dormitory:

1. Please inform Student Village of your intent to stay in the student dormitory by submitting an accommodation application, sent to you together with an admission letter and other information materials, by the deadlines.

2. At arrival to the dormitory you have to pay, in cash, a refundable deposit in the sum of about 50€ per place.

3. After arriving within 3 days you have to go to the management office of Student Village (Narva Str. 25, phone +372 740 9955) to sign a contract. If you don’t sign the contract in due time, you will lose your place/room in the dormitory.

How to find an apartment?

If the life in the dormitory seems not to be of your style, you could rent an apartment. The prices range from approximately 160€ in the farther parts of the town 300€ or more in the centre (1-2 rooms) per one month. The rents are the highest in the fall – late August, early September. Information on apartments for renting is available at from real estate agencies.

It is possible to get lower quality rooms for a smaller fee, starting from 30€ per month but this may need some arrangement and also may require willingness to try out soviet style student atmosphere.

Is it legal for a foreign student to work part-time during his/her studies in Estonia?

A student who has been issued a residence permit for study may take employment without a work permit in order to participate in practical training pursuant to the curriculum. Otherwise he/she may take employment in Estonia only on the basis of a work permit but only outside of school hours on condition that such employment does not interfere with studies. Application for work permit must be submitted either to the local regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board or to a representative of the Republic of Estonia.

European Union citizens do not have to apply for the work permit for the short-term employment up to 6 months.

Third country citizens and EU citizens pursuing employment for more than 6 months must hold the work permit. If a student has received a residence permit for study in an educational institution in Estonia, he or she has the opportunity to apply for a work permit at the Citizenship and Migration Board. One should submit the application for a work permit personally either to the local regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board or to a representative of the Republic of Estonia.

The period of validity of the work permit cannot exceed the period of validity of the residence permit. Processing of the application takes about one month. Additional information concerning work permits can be obtained from the Citizenship and Migration Board.

NB! We do not recommend working for more than 15 hours per week as you may neglect your studies.

Is it possible for student to find a job in Tartu?

It is possible but most of places require that you would speak Estonian.

Salary

The minimum salary in Estonia is about 240€ per month (for 40 working hours per week). The average salary in Estonia is about 830€. Students normally earn somewhere between minimum and average salary depending on the job.

Can I stay in Estonia after my studies?

International students can stay in Estonia for the time specified on their Residence Permit to Study. It is against the law for one to stay in the country over the permitted time period. Applications for extensions can be submitted at the local Immigration Office.

If after completing your studies at the University of Tartu you are looking to work/live in Estonia long-term you need to consult with the local Immigration Office on the process of getting a residence permit and work permit. Your future employer should facilitate you in this. University only provides assistance with getting residence permit to study for admitted students.