Renowned for its breathtaking islands and seas, Estonia is also home to some of the world’s best universities. To bolster our argument, we’ll provide you reasons to study in Estonia, along with a list of colleges that offer free tuition.
Estonia, a country in northern Europe, borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, among other bodies of water. There are forts perched on hills, churches, and castles in this former Soviet country. Tallinn, the country’s capital, is well-known for its museums, Old Town, and 314-meter-tall Tallinn TV Tower with an observation deck.
Estonia’s capital city is Tallinn.
The currency of Estonia is the euro.
In 2013, the World Bank projected that 1.32 million people called Estonia home.
Estonian is the official language.
The area code is +372.
Head of State: Kaja Kallas
The minimum wage is set at 584.00 euros per month as of June 2020.
Why Estonian universities?
- Approximately 100 top-notch degree programs are taught solely in English; diplomas are accepted around the world; prospective students can apply for several state scholarships and financial help; English is a commonly spoken language.
- Sophisticated research projects;
- An engaging academic environment
- Small class sizes and the ability for students to work part-time while enrolled in school are just two of the many personalized touches. Another is that students must remain in the country for six months prior to looking for work after graduation.
- A more secure and stable environment with a greater standard of living and a reduced cost of living
Estonia’s educational costs
All international students pay a little tuition fee to attend Estonian universities. For bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the average annual tuition is 1660 euros; students studying medicine pay more than those in other professions.
Sometimes, students may not be required to pay tuition because of their financial circumstances or academic position. We advise getting in contact with your Estonian university to see if you qualify for a tuition fee exemption.
Living costs
Compared to most other European countries, Estonia offers more affordable living costs. Most foreign visitors who have been here for some time say that life quality is about the same as in Western Europe.
The way of life, housing preferences, and spending patterns of students usually determine their living expenses in Estonia.
Quick facts:
The unit of currency is the euro (EUR, €).
The range of monthly living expenses for students is between €300 to €500, contingent upon their choices.
Accommodation
In Estonia, the starting monthly cost of a resident hall in a student housing complex is approximately €100. Students can live in dorms with one, two, or three rooms at several colleges.
The location and size of the apartment have a significant influence on home costs. These prices range from about €100 for a place in a double dorm room to at least €180–€450 for a luxurious condominium.
Food Students who have a monthly food budget of roughly €200–€250 can usually live well. Each student is free to decide how much money they choose to spend on food, given their unique needs. There is a cafeteria at every university, and the food is inexpensive.
Daily specials on cafés and bars cost between €2.5 and €4.
Transport
All students in Tallinn have free access to public transit, which is mostly available to locals and includes visiting foreign students.
In Tartu, a single ticket costs €0.51 (€1 on the bus) for students, while a monthly ticket (valid with a student card) costs approximately €8.63. Supermarkets, cafes, shops, pharmacies, and other student amenities are usually accessible by foot from colleges.
Taxi: beginning rates usually start at €1.9, depending on the distance and the company.
The bus ticket from Tartu university ranges from €8.10 to €10.50.
Requirements for Admission
Applicants for undergraduate programs must have a valid high school diploma that attests to their national eligibility for higher education. This is also eligible for study in Estonia.
A doctorate produces a strong master’s degree, and a strong bachelor’s degree certificate usually precedes a master’s. Pupils can choose between studying in English or Estonian.
To be admitted to study in Estonia, applicants must possess the qualifications necessary to enroll in a university in their home country. It may also be necessary to take extra qualifying tests, depending on the program and school.
Estonian language
Enrolling in an English-language program does not require you to acquire Estonian language proficiency. However, if you wish to interact with other students more effectively and participate in more events, it is highly recommended that you take Estonian language classes (many universities offer an Estonian class as an elective topic component of your studies).
Language requirement
All applicants who wish to apply to degree programs at Estonian institutions must have a qualification that permits them to study at a university in their home country.
Additionally, candidates need to submit a certificate attesting to their English language skills. While individual language examinations may be administered by certain colleges, all internationally recognized language competency exams are acceptable, including the TOEFL and IELTS.
A BA or MA typically requires a minimum of 5 on the IELTS and 70 on the TOEFL (IBT).
Please confirm the precise English language requirements on the university’s admission page, as each university has different criteria.
Entry exams could take the form of an essay, portfolio, interview, or other written work, depending on the school and its program.
Entry Hours and Deadlines
The dates for applying to Estonian universities offering English-taught degree programs differ.
To verify the admissions deadlines, please visit the institution’s website or contact the admissions officer.
Application deadlines vary throughout colleges and programs. Deadlines often differ for inhabitants of certain countries, such as those of the EU, certain countries in Belarus, Turkey, Ukraine, and third countries.
Most application deadlines fall between April and August, with a few notable outliers. For information about deadlines, please visit www.studyinestonia.ee/deadlines.
Receiving a free education in in Estonia
Certain programs offered by Estonian institutions at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels are offered tuition-free to full-time students and are taught entirely in Estonian.
However, the cost of tuition varies from €1600 to €7000 a session, depending on the curriculum, if you wish to study exclusively in English.
To begin the application process, contact the school of your choice, select the program you wish to enroll in, fill out the online forms, and submit your application before the deadline to secure a space.
Among the universities in Estonia are:
- Tallinn Institute of Technology
- University of Tartu
- University of Nord
- Tallinn University
- International University Estonia
- Estonian Business School
- Estonian Academy of Arts etc
