Estonia is an authentic paradigm of modern day society that is digitally advanced and economically flourished. It has very less population and very small area but Estonia has managed to stand tall in all fields of life. Estonia is newly found treasure for foreign students, it fits perfect to the demands of study abroad aspirants offering them high standards of living in considerably low cost, exceptional quality of education with modern-day teaching structure and globally accepted certificates and degrees, post graduation settlement opportunities, being a Schengen state it opens window to other European countries, offering chance for business startups and one of the safest and clean European country, it definitely is a hidden gem in Baltic countries. Those currently wondering about the admission requirements and procedure of studying abroad in Estonia can gain information from the following section.

• Choosing a University in Estonia

• Choosing a Study Programme

• Academic Requirements

• Language Requirements

• Method of Application

• Required Documents

• Admission Deadlines

• Acceptance of Admission

Estonia’s universities have developed a curriculum structure and teaching method that is focused on building cognitive skills of students and elevating their individual capabilities. The study pattern involves class room interactions, lectures, discussion, seminars, research projects, problem solving activities, presentations, group studies and organizing of different academic events related to courses. After Singapore and Japan, Estonia has utilized maximum benefit of technology, so you shall be learning from tech friendly and highly qualified faculty. The degrees offered by Estonia’s universities have prestigious regard and acclaim in Europe and beyond. Almost all of the universities in Estonia offer English taught courses but if you manage to learn Estonian language you will get remarkable fee concession. To select the most appropriate university in Estonia ensure availability of following characteristics:

• If the university offers internship programme as part of their study programme curriculum

• Post graduation job search assistance

• Affordable tuition fee structure and fee concessions

• Locality of university

• On campus residence

• Scholarships based on academic excellence

• Its global ranking

Before finalizing a university to study abroad in Estonia, it is better to do extensive searching and match different factors and then select the best option.

There are almost 250 study programmes that are offered in English language in Estonia. Definitely out of so many options in all educational streams and academic levels you can find a study programme you inspire to study in English language in Estonia. Selection of study programme is peculiar and specific for each student’s professional and career aspirations. While making a study programme choice for higher education is choosing your career which should be done with self contemplation, you must be sure of your own capabilities, your academic commitment and your previous set of skills. You must be interested and passionate about the subjects you are committing to study, explore the potential of career success of your chosen study programme and evaluate the difficulty level. Check entry requirements of different study programmes which will be specific for each and finalize the one whose eligibility criteria you meet.

The entry requirements are generally study programme specific and differently set by every institution. Some universities in Estonia take entry tests and some assess academic capabilities through written essays and portfolios. For language requirements some universities require international students to sit in university’s language examination and some prefer IELTS and TOEFL scores. It is best to ascertain the exact entry requirements of your chosen university in Estonia, the general requirements of admission in most of the Estonian Universities are as follows:

For Admissions in Under Graduate Study Programmes:

Higher Secondary School Diploma or Equivalent Degree in good grades attained from a recognized institution of your home country. Skype Interview and entry test. Minimum grades and subject wise merit depends on study programme you chose, for example for BBA the student must have attained 70% marks in mathematics. Motivation letter written in English language with mastery and detail will put a good image and level up your admission chances.

For Admission in Post Graduate (Masters) Study Programmes:

Bachelor’s level degree or equivalent with at least 180 ECTS with good grades from a recognized institution of your country. Entry test is not a requirement for post graduate level. Skype interview and motivation letter will be required to assess academic capabilities of students.

For Admission in Post Graduate (PhD) Study Programmes:

Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree from a recognized institute of your country passed in good grades. Skype interview, Research Proposal, CV, Research Proposal are additional entry requirements.

The students belonging from non-English speaking countries need to prove their proficiency language through standards English language Tests such as IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge. If not IETS and TOEFL, many universities in Estonia offer students to sit in university’s English language test to assess student’s command over English language. Minimum scores required in IELTS and TOEFL test for admission in Estonian Universities.

• IELTS minimum bands required: 5.5

• TOEFL iBT minimum  scores required: 75

• TOEFL paper based test minimum score required: 530

• Cambridge English: B2 First minimum scores required: Grade C or 160 Scores (B2 LEVEL).

• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) minimum grades required: 59

The English Language Test taken by universities for admission will be taken through online means by university before granting admission. The students have to inform their chosen university if they want to take university’s English assessment test.

The method of application in universities of Estonia is directly through university’s website. After submitting application online the students would be required to send verified photocopies of their academic transcripts and degrees to their chosen university via postal mail. The students must note that they don’t have to send original documents, just photocopies. The documents must be translated in either English language or Estonian Language. The documents must be verified by granting authorities.

The required documents for admission in universities of Estonia for international students are coincided with visa documents I-e identity documents such as passport or identity card of applicant. The documents required for admission application in Estonian universities are as follows:

• Photocopies of previous academic transcripts (certificates, degrees, diplomas etc). The documents must be translated either in English, Russian or Estonian language and must be notarized by granting authorities.

• Photocopy of passport or identity card of applicant (The front page of passport containing name, address and identity details of applicant is required)

• Recently taken photographs

• Entry test result (the candidate must have attained C Grade at least) It is mostly a compulsion for under graduate programmes.

• Language proficiency test certificate

• Updated CV (for post graduate PhD admissions) with details or designation, job type, company details

• Portfolio (If required)

• Research proposal (for post graduate research programmes)

• Letter of motivation (for both under graduate and post graduate admissions)It must be confining of 4500 letters at least and the applicant must explain his/her professional goals and reason behind taking admission in certain study programme. The acceptance of admission depends on letter of motivation because it is required in place of entry test by most of universities in Estonia. So make sure it is well written.

•  Recommendation letters (for post graduate admissions) from two of applicant’s professors

• Admission application fee (50 Euros) not refundable

The admission deadlines in universities of Estonia might differ from university to university and according to the academic level you are applying for admission. To be ascertain about the exact admission application submission date of your chosen university in Estonia get details from its website. In general the admissions application intakes of most of the universities of Estonia are as:

Winter Session:  Till 15, October

Spring Session: Till 1^st, February

Summer Session: Till 1^st March

The students prepare the required documents and clear language tests before admission deadlines to avoid delay and if they unfortunately miss the chance to apply in one session, they can apply for admission in another upcoming session.

The students who meet the admission requirements will receive acceptance letter from Estonian university. After receiving admission acceptance from university the students can proceed with student visa requirements and pay their tuition fee and registration fee. All international students belonging from non European states are required to attain temporary resident permit of Estonia (TRP) for purpose of studying. Along with acceptance letter, the university granting you admission in Estonia will send other documents such as invitation letter. The students will visit nearest Estonian Embassy or Consulate in their home country and acquire visa details and further procedure.

Studying in abroad is academically and personally enriching experience which opens multidimensional career paths for students. Estonia aka Silicon Valley of Europe is land of opportunities and well heeled country which is a European Union member and a Schengen State. Estonia has high standards of living, world’s best air quality, affordable living cost, safe and sound environment and digitally advanced society. An average amount of 350 to 500 Euros is required for a student for his/her monthly expenses including residence, food and travel costs. Estonia’s higher education institutes hold well esteemed reputation in Europe and countries beyond; the admission requirements of Estonian Universities are not much competitive either. Affordable cost of living merging with permission to work part time without needing any further permit besides student visa, studying abroad in Estonia is definitely an adequate decision. The students who are currently estimating the cost of study and living in Estonia can take information from this section:

The tuition fee for each study programme and academic level is different at Estonian Universities. The medicine, veterinary, law and business administration courses are most expensive courses whereas the arts related courses are least expensive. The courses offered in Estonian language are low cost whereas English taught courses are high cost. Doctoral studies in Estonia are totally free of charge in fact the PhD students are granted monthly stipend and other benefits for their duration of study programme in Estonia. The tuition fee is also different for EU natives and Non-EU natives. The average tuition fees in Estonian Universities at various academic levels are as follows:

Under Graduate Study Programmes Fee in Estonia:

• Business Administration Study Programme: 1700 Euros per semester

• Innovation and Technology Management: 1700 Euros per semester

• Quantitative Economics : 1870 Euros per semester

• Liberal Arts and Social Sciences: 1500 Euros per semester

• Film and Media: 1900 Euros per semester

• Law: 2176 Euros per semester

• Liberal Arts and Humanities: 1500 Euros per semester

• Medicine: 5500 Euro per semester

Post Graduate (Masters) Study Programmes Fee in Estonia:

• Anthropology: 830 Euros per semester

• Software Engineering: 6000 Euros per year

• Literature, visual culture and film studies: 830 Euros per semester

• Computer Science: 3000 Euros per semester

• International Relations: 1480 Euros per semester

• Law: 1750 Euros per semester

Post Graduate (PhD) Study Programmes Fee in Estonia:

PhD courses are totally free of cost in Estonia regardless of student’s nationality. A monthly amount of around 380 Euros is granted to PhD students in Estonia.

Estonia is beautiful country that has vibrant cities and modern day living culture. It has population of around 1.3 million one third of which are habituated in its capital city Tallinn. The monthly amount required to be shown in bank statement as proof of finances for a foreign student taking admission in Estonia is 380 Euros per month. An amount of 380 to 450 Euros per month is required by one person to stay in Estonia including residence, food, entertainment, and other necessities and travelling. Estonia which is the northern most country among Baltic States has purest and cleanest air quality in the world and has plenty of adventure destinations for students to visit during weekends and seasonal holidays. Moreover, due to affordable cost of living and part time working permission, students can save a substantial amount of money for their tuition fee payment and travel tourist and adventure spots at the same time. The minimum monthly wage in Estonia is 580 Euros per month so by this average it is an inexpensive country for foreign students.

Accommodation:

Majority of international students studying abroad in Estonia reside in university provided accommodation which is near central cities, university campus and public transport and the most affordable option. Private accommodation options have different monthly cots based on location and facilities. The average accommodation cost in Estonia is estimated as:

• University Dormitories: 120 – 250 EUR per month

• Two rooms apartment near central city: 300 to 400 Euros per month

• Two rooms apartment outside city center: 300 Euros per month

• Three bedrooms apartment outside city center: 520 Euros per month

• Three bedrooms apartment near central city: 800 Euros per month

Food:

• Basic menu meal for one person in an expensive restaurant: 7.25 Euros

• Basic menu meal for two persons at mid-range restaurant: 40 Euros

• Combo meal for one person at fast food restaurants as McDonalds and McMeal: 6 Euros

• Half liter water bottle: 1.13 Euros

• 1 liter milk bottle: 0.73 Euros

• Loaf of fresh white bread: 0.71 Euros

• 1 Kg White Rice: 1.18 Euros

• Dozen eggs: 1.37 Euros

• 1 Kg Local Cheese: 6.88 Euros

• 1 Kg Boneless Chicken Breast: 5.29 Euros

• 1 Kg Beef Meat: 7.34 Euros

• 1 Kg Apples: 0.93 Euros

• 1 Kg Bananas: 1.75 Euros

• 1 Kg Oranges: 1.34 Euros

• 1 Kg Tomatoes: 1.79 Euros

• 1 Kg Potatoes: 0.40 Euros

• 1 Kg Onions: 0.44 Euros

• 1 Kg Flour: 0.6 Euros

Transportation:

• One way ticket of public transport: 1.50 Euros

• Monthly travel pass of local public transport: 23 Euros

• Taxi Tariff of 1 km travel: 0.60 Euros

• Taxi 1 hour waiting tariff: 11 Euros

Other Expenses:

• Utility bills (Electricity, gas, water, heating): 172 Euros

• Internet 60Mbps speed connection: 21.94 Euros

• 1 min call tariff of prepaid card: 0.4 Euros

• Cinema ticket for one person: 7 Euros

• Fitness club membership for one person monthly cost: 42.96 Euros

Health Insurance Coverage:

A student intending to study in Estonia for a full time study programme has to purchase health insurance coverage before arriving to Estonia. The health insurance coverage can be purchased from your hosting university’s sources or through private agencies. The health insurance coverage must be valid till your entire duration of stay in Estonia. For Temporary Resident Permit of Estonia for Study Purpose a student has to provide a proof of at least 30,000 Euros worth health insurance purchased package.

Study In Estonia Questions