Studying in Estonia

  • Population: 1,300,000
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)
  • University Students: 46,000
  • International Students: 4,600 (10%)
  • English-taught Programs: 250

The Republic of Estonia is one of the most north-eastern countries in Europe and considered to be a very safe country. The nation is one that declares itself as an “e-society” or a digital society, given that everyone has electronic ID-cards and the government, health system and even education is highly focused on electronic efficiencies.

With so much technological pioneering developments it comes as no surprise that Estonia is also proud to be a hotspot for startups. Tech startups such as Skype or Fortumo among many others started in Estonia.

Universities in Estonia offer Bachelor programs, Master programs, as well as PhD programs in a variety of fields including Business, Music and Medicine among others.

Universities in Estonia

  • Estonian Academy of Arts
  • Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
  • Estonian University of Life Sciences
  • Tallinn University
  • Tallinn University of Technology
  • University of Tartu

Business Schools in Estonia

  • Estonian Business School

Study in English in Estonia

You will easily find a variety of programs at all levels taught in English.

Tuition Fees in Estonia

There are no fixed tuition fees at Universities in Estonia so you will need to check the specific program and institution you are interested in.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay anywhere between 1,500 EUR to 7,500 EUR per year to study for a Bachelor or Master in Estonia (with some exceptions such as Medicine or Law that can cost more). PhD programs on the other hand are tuition fee.

For certain programs you may be eligible to study for free in Estonia, this is known as a tuition fee waiver and is reserved for the brightest applicants to a program.

Scholarships to Study in Estonia

International students are not just welcomed with open arms to study in Estonia but also supported with scholarships. The Estonian government as well as many Universities in Estonia offer a variety of scholarship options, especially for international students looking to study abroad. These vary depending on the type of program (degree studies; including those at Bachelor, Master and PhD level, short-time mobility, exchange students or those students engaging in research).

Costs of Living in Estonia

Living costs in Estonia are cheap, considering that 400 – 600 EUR will be what you need to budget, including accommodation in a dorm. If you are looking at renting your own apartment, this is available from 200 – 500 EUR per month.

Internships & Company Placements in Estonia

Student internships and company placements in Estonia are a popular experience for International students. Some internships can be paid, whilst others are unpaid.

Working in Estonia

As an international student in Estonia, you will not be required to have any additional work permit Working in Estonia as a student is permitted without any hourly or weekly restrictions as long as it does not interfere with your studies.

The average monthly salary in Estonia for a full-time job is 1,221 Euros per month or 7.40 Euros per hour, whilst the minimum salary is 470 Euros per month.

The website Work in Estonia provides a range of additional advice about the ins and outs of working in Estonia.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study in Estonia

There is no such thing as a student visa in Estonia, instead the country issues a temporary residence permit for studying (TRP). Citizens from the European Union can register for a temporary right of residence at the local government office where they plan to reside within 3 months of arrival to Estonia. Within 1 month of obtaining the temporary residence permit, students are expected to apply for an electronic ID. Non-EU citizens must apply for the temporary residence permit for studying at the Estonian Embassy or Consulate in their native country.