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Study in Estonia: Education in Estonia

Estonia has a long history of higher education, with the first university, the University of Tartu, being founded there in 1632, making it among the oldest universities in Northern Europe.  Today, Estonia is a part of the Bologna Process. This means that you can rest assured that your education is world-class.

Mar 28, 2018

Estonia has a long history of higher education, with the first university, the University of Tartu, being founded there in 1632, making it among the oldest universities in Northern Europe. 

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Today, Estonia is a part of the Bologna Process. This means that you can rest assured that your education is world-class. The Bologna Process also means that Estonian higher education is divided into three cycles. Many programs taught entirely in English are available. Many Estonians speak fluent English, so teaching in English is not a problem.

The first cycle is undergraduate education. Bachelor’s degrees normally take three or four years. The extra year can be necessary if you have to undertake a placement as part of your degree or if it’s a technical subject, like medicine or engineering. 

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The second cycle is postgraduate education. Master’s degrees take two years, no matter the subject. Some schools also now offer accelerated postgraduate degrees which take only one year.

The third cycle is PhD studies. A Doctoral degree takes at least four years to complete. Many PhD students choose to teach part-time whilst studying, meaning that a third cycle degree can take as long as six years to complete in Estonia.

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Estonia is home to good technical schools, like TalTech and the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The University of Tartu, a more general school, is not only the oldest but also the best in the country. Tallinn University and the Estonian Academy of Arts are also great schools.

As it’s part of the EU, Estonian schools are also involved in Erasmus. Erasmus allows students to spend a semester or a year studying abroad. Participation isn’t dependent on your nationality, but that you study at a school that participates in the program.

Study in Estonia

Want an overview of Estonia? Do you want to know a little more about this Baltic State? The section gives you an overview of all you need to know.

Student Visas

Do you need a visa to enter Estonia to study? Learn more about the student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizenship. 

Housing & Living Costs

No matter where you study abroad, it’s important to create a budget in advance so that you’re prepared. Therefore, we’ve detailed average living and housing costs so that you can get a better idea of what you would be paying as a student in Estonia.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for degree programs in Estonia can vary. Both international and domestic students are expected to pay tuition fees in Estonia, but these fees are normally quite low. We've put together information on how this works, and on scholarships, in this section.

Language & Culture

Estonia is a country rich in political significance and culture. Find out more about what the country offers in terms of its language, culture, and more! We also talk about safety in Estonia in this section.

Application Process

Learn more about how to apply to Estonian schools and the documentation you need to do it in this section.

Programs

Ready to look at education in Estonia? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Estonia today!

Keystone Team

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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.