Study and find schools in Estonia

Studying in Estonia

Estonia, one of the three Baltic states, has 1,360,745 inhabitants in 2026 according to Statistics Estonia. Its universities have built a range of degree programmes taught in English: more than 1,200 new international degree students started in the autumn of 2026, according to Study in Estonia, the national programme that promotes the universities offering accredited English-taught programmes.

Study in Estonia counts 18 universities: 6 public research universities, 1 private research university, 7 state universities of applied sciences and 4 private universities of applied sciences. Several other higher education institutions teach only in Estonian.

The education system

Estonian higher education follows the bachelor-master model in two cycles: bachelor's studies form the first cycle and master's studies the second. Some professional fields, such as medicine and veterinary medicine, are taught as integrated bachelor's and master's programmes of six years. Doctoral studies follow the master's degree; the Ministry of Education and Research gives four years as the standard duration, and new doctoral places are now mainly offered as state-funded junior research fellow positions.

In our directory, TalTech is a research university offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies, and TTK University of Applied Sciences (Tallinna Tehnikakõrgkool) is a university of applied sciences focused on interdisciplinary education and applied research.

English-taught programmes are offered by universities such as the University of Tartu, Tallinn University, TalTech, the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and the Estonian Business School.

Admission and recognition

Admission is usually handled by each institution. Many universities use the national admissions portal DreamApply, where one application covers up to two programmes at each of up to five universities (ten programmes in total); a few universities run their own process. Some charge an application fee of between 0 and 120 euros.

The Estonian ENIC/NARIC centre evaluates foreign qualifications that give access to higher education. Universities generally expect at least 51% of the maximum possible result in your previous studies, plus an English test such as TOEFL or IELTS for English-taught programmes. Foreign public documents may need to be legalised or carry an apostille. Deadlines for students from outside the EU/EEA are earlier than for EU students, often at the beginning or middle of March; at TalTech the deadline for non-EU applicants is 1 April.

Residence permit

Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not need a residence permit. Other students whose studies last more than a year need a temporary residence permit for study, issued by the Police and Border Guard Board for full-time study at a recognised institution (checked October 2026). The main requirements are:

• Confirmation of admission from the school
• Sufficient income, set at four times the national subsistence level
• A health insurance contract that meets the requirements of the Aliens Act

You apply at the nearest Estonian embassy once you have been admitted, and pay the state fee. A decision is given within 90 days and the card is issued within 30 days after that. The permit covers the whole study programme, up to five years. After arriving, you register your place of residence in the Population Register.

Costs

Higher education is free for full-time students in Estonian-taught programmes. English-taught programmes usually charge tuition, which Study in Estonia lists per programme: for example, 4,200 euros a year for Business Administration at the University of Tartu, 7,000 euros a year for Cyber Security Engineering at TalTech for students from outside the EU (free for EU/EEA students), and 13,200 euros a year for Medicine at the University of Tartu. TalTech's programmes are tuition-free for EU/EEA citizens, except at its School of Business and Governance.

Study in Estonia puts average monthly living costs for students at around 300 to 500 euros. Rooms in student dormitories usually cost 150 to 350 euros a month and private flats 350 to 750 euros, and most universities have their own dormitories. Public transport in Tallinn is free for registered residents of the city, including international students.

Where to study

Both schools in our directory are in Tallinn, the capital:

• Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech): founded in 1918, with about 9,929 students, 8.4% of them international, and 4 bachelor's and 14 master's programmes taught in English in IT, business and governance, engineering and maritime sciences
• TTK University of Applied Sciences: a university of applied sciences with institutes of architecture, civil engineering, technology, logistics, engineering and circular economy, and service economy; its bachelor's programmes are taught in Estonian, and it accepts incoming exchange students

Practical life

Health insurance: international students are not covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund unless they work in Estonia or hold long-term residence. EU students should bring a European Health Insurance Card; students from outside the EU must take out health insurance in Estonia within two months of arrival and show it to the Police and Border Guard Board.

Working while studying: full-time international students do not need a separate work permit, as long as work does not interfere with their studies; they must pass a full course load and finish within the nominal time. Graduates from outside the EU may stay up to nine more months, with the university's permission, to look for a job.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Estonia in English?

Yes. Study in Estonia lists bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes taught in English at universities such as the University of Tartu, TalTech and Tallinn University. Most programmes ask for a TOEFL, IELTS or similar English result.

Is university free in Estonia?

Studies are free for full-time students in Estonian-taught programmes. English-taught programmes usually charge tuition, although some, such as several at TalTech and the University of Tartu, are free for EU/EEA students.

How much does it cost to live in Estonia as a student?

Study in Estonia estimates around 300 to 500 euros a month in living costs, with dormitory rooms at about 150 to 350 euros.

Can international students work in Estonia?

Yes. Full-time students may work without a separate permit as long as work does not affect their studies, and non-EU graduates can stay up to nine months to look for a job.