Universities in Estonia

Estonia, a Baltic country with 1,360,745 inhabitants in 2026 according to Statistics Estonia, has a small but internationally open university sector. Study in Estonia, the national study portal, counts 18 higher education institutions: 6 public research universities, 1 privately owned research university, 7 state universities of applied sciences and 4 private universities of applied sciences. Most of them offer at least some programmes in English, while a few teach only in Estonian.

How the system works

Estonian higher education follows a two-cycle bachelor–master model: bachelor's studies form the first cycle and master's studies the second, followed by doctoral studies. Some professional fields use integrated programmes instead; Medicine at the University of Tartu, for example, is an integrated bachelor's and master's programme of 6 years.

Research universities offer all three levels and a broad range of subjects. Universities of applied sciences focus on professional, practice-oriented bachelor's programmes. Two examples in Tallinn show the difference:

• Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) was founded in 1918 and is Estonia's only university of technology. It has about 9,929 students, 8.4% of them international, and offers 4 bachelor's and 14 master's programmes in English in information technology, business and governance, engineering and maritime sciences.
• TTK University of Applied Sciences (Tallinna Tehnikakõrgkool) focuses on interdisciplinary education and applied research through six institutes, from architecture and civil engineering to logistics and the service economy. Its bachelor's programmes are taught in Estonian, and it welcomes incoming exchange students.

Admission for international students

Admission is usually handled by each university, not by a central body. Many universities use the national admissions portal DreamApply, where one application covers up to two programmes at one university and up to five universities, so up to ten programmes in total. Application fees range from €0 to €120, depending on the university.

The earliest deadlines are usually at the beginning or middle of March, and deadlines for non-EU students are earlier than for EU students. At TalTech, for example, the deadline for non-EU citizens is 1 April. Most universities admit students once a year, with studies starting in autumn. As a rule, applicants need at least 51% of the maximum possible result in their previous studies, plus proof of English such as TOEFL or IELTS for English-taught programmes. Foreign qualifications are evaluated by the Estonian ENIC/NARIC, and official documents usually have to be legalised or carry an apostille.

Residence permit

Citizens of countries outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a residence permit for study if their studies last more than one year. You apply at an Estonian embassy after you have been accepted. The Police and Border Guard Board requires sufficient income (four times the subsistence level) and health insurance; it answers within 90 days and issues the card within 30 days after that. The permit is valid for up to 5 years, and students may work as long as work does not interfere with their studies. After graduation, non-EU students can stay for 9 more months to look for a job, with their university's permission.

Costs and funding

According to the Ministry of Education and Research, higher education is free of charge for full-time students who study in Estonian. English-taught programmes usually charge tuition fees, and many are free for EU/EEA citizens. Business Administration at the University of Tartu costs €4,200 per year, and Cyber Security Engineering at TalTech costs €7,000 per year for non-EU students and is free for EU/EEA students. Universities also offer their own scholarships, such as tuition fee waivers and performance scholarships.

Study in Estonia puts average monthly living costs for students at around €300 to €500, with dormitory rooms usually costing €150 to €350 a month and private flats €350 to €750.

How to choose a university in Estonia

• Language: English-taught programmes or study in Estonian, which is tuition-free
• Type: research university or university of applied sciences
• Fees: free for EU/EEA students in some programmes, fixed annual fees in others
• Deadlines: non-EU deadlines often fall in March or April
• City: the capital Tallinn or the university town of Tartu, among others
• Housing: whether the university has its own dormitory

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Estonia?

Study in Estonia counts 18 higher education institutions: 7 research universities (6 public, 1 private) and 11 universities of applied sciences (7 state, 4 private).

Is university free in Estonia?

Higher education is free for full-time students studying in Estonian. Most English-taught programmes charge tuition fees, although some are free for EU/EEA citizens.

When do I have to apply?

Deadlines vary by university; the earliest are usually in early or mid-March, and non-EU deadlines are earlier than EU ones. Most programmes start in autumn.

Can I work while studying in Estonia?

Yes. Students with a residence permit for study may work as long as it does not interfere with full-time studies.