Study in Estonia

Study in Estonia

Last edited on 29 Mar 2024
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Welcome to Estonia!

Estonia, member of the European Union since May 2004, might be a small country, but it has the honor of being the first country in the world to use the Internet as a means to remotely cast votes in democratic elections. If you plan to study in Estonia, you will notice the Estonian creative way of using information technology as part of their daily lives as well as the astonishing combination between history and modernity, tradition and technology. In addition, the majority of higher education institutions offer study programs and courses taught in English and warmly welcome international students and researchers.

This northern European country is one of the safest countries in the world, and is also famous for its leadership in the fields of digital and internet technologies, having been one of the first nations to pioneer electronic ID cards, e-government systems, e-health, e-school, e-parking – you name it, Estonia has digitized it! There’s even an entire website dedicated to describing all the components of “e-Estonia”.

Famous tech startups that began life in Estonia include Skype, TransferWise, CrabCAD, Fortumo and others, and today the country is well known for its entrepreneurial culture, not only in the digital sphere. This innovative spirit is also encouraged among students, and there are various initiatives in place to support students keen to develop their own ideas and transform graduate-level research projects into commercial ventures.


Higher Education System

Estonian higher education has two cycles, following the Anglo-Saxon bachelor–master model. Bachelor’s level studies form the first cycle and master’s level studies form the second cycle. In some specialties, the study programmes have been integrated into a single cycle.

Level I – Bachelor`s degree

Level II – Master`s degree

Level III - Doctoral degree

In addition to the two-cycle general structure, the study programmes of medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical, veterinarian, architectural and civil engineering training are single long-cycle studies with a nominal length of 5–6 years and with a capacity of 300–360 ECTS credits. Such single long-cycle studies are called integrated bachelor’s-master’s studies and are based on an integrated study programme containing both basic studies and profound specialisation. The completion of this degree will provide a qualification corresponding to a master’s level degree.

Academic progress is measured in credit points (ainepunkt, or ECTS credit). Credit points are calculated cumulatively based on the student’s workload. 1.5 credit points correspond to 40 hours or one week of studies performed by the student. Credit points are not related to the lecturing or any other workload of a member of the academic staff. The normal workload of an average student during a full academic year would be forty weeks of studies adding up to 60 ECTS credit points. Credit points are only awarded for successfully completed courses.