Programs and Universities in Estonia - Study in Estonia

Universities and Programs in Estonia

Estonia has six public universities, several private ones, and about a dozen higher education institutions overall. Three of them account for the vast majority of international enrolment. This guide breaks down who's who, what they're good at, and which programs to consider.

The Big Three

University of Tartu (UT)

• Founded: 1632 (by Swedish King Gustavus II Adolphus)
• Location: Tartu, 2 hours south of Tallinn
• Size: ~14,000 students, ~1,500 international
• QS World Ranking: Around #300
• Website: ut.ee

The University of Tartu is Estonia's flagship classical university. Think of it as Estonia's Oxford — old, prestigious, spread across a university town that lives and breathes academic life. Strong across the board but particularly known for:

• Medicine — Estonia's only medical faculty, EU-recognized degree
• Law — Estonia's top law faculty, strong in EU and digital law
• Semiotics — globally respected program with international student body
• IT and computer science — joint programs with TalTech
• Psychology, biology, chemistry — strong research reputation

Top English-taught Master's programs:

• Software Engineering MSc (joint with TalTech)
• IT Law MSc
• Semiotics MSc
• Economics MSc
• International Relations and Regional Studies MSc
• Cyber Security MSc (joint with TalTech)
• Data Science MSc

Top English-taught Bachelor's programs:

• Computer Science BSc
• Business Administration BA
• International Relations BA

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)

• Founded: 1918
• Location: Tallinn, Mustamäe district (near city centre)
• Size: ~11,000 students, ~1,100 international
• QS World Ranking: Around #500
• Website: taltech.ee

TalTech is Estonia's top technical university. If you want engineering, IT, or business with strong industry ties, this is the place. Close ties to Estonia's startup ecosystem mean TalTech students often land internships at Wise, Bolt, Skype (Microsoft Estonia), and dozens of SaaS companies within walking distance of campus.

Top English-taught Master's programs:

• Cyber Security MSc (joint with University of Tartu)
• Software Engineering MSc
• Mechatronics MSc
• International Business Administration MSc
• e-Governance Technologies and Services MSc
• Design and Engineering MSc
• Energy Conversion and Control Engineering MSc

Top English-taught Bachelor's programs:

• International Business Administration BBA
• Applied Physics BSc
• Integrated Engineering BSc
• Law BA

Tallinn University (TLU)

• Founded: 2005 (through a merger of older institutions)
• Location: Tallinn, city centre
• Size: ~7,500 students, ~700 international
• Website: tlu.ee

Tallinn University focuses on humanities, social sciences, education, and digital culture. Smaller and more intimate than TalTech, with a distinctly international feel — about 10% of students come from abroad.

Top English-taught Master's programs:

• Human-Computer Interaction MSc
• Educational Technology MA
• International Relations MA
• Film Arts MA
• Communication Management MA
• Digital Learning Games MA

Top English-taught Bachelor's programs:

• Liberal Arts BA (Hispanic, Asian or Middle Eastern studies)
• International Relations BA

Other Notable Institutions

Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA)

• Location: Tallinn
• Size: ~1,300 students
• Focus: Fine arts, design, architecture, art history, cultural heritage
• Website: artun.ee

EKA is small, specialized, and highly respected in the Nordic-Baltic art world. English-taught Master's programs include Design & Crafts, Interaction Design, Animation, and Contemporary Art. Expect portfolio-based admissions and intimate studio-based learning.

Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT)

• Location: Tallinn
• Size: ~700 students
• Focus: Classical music performance, composition, theatre, cultural management
• Website: eamt.ee

If you're a serious musician or composer, EAMT punches above its weight — its graduates perform in orchestras across Europe. Admissions require live auditions.

Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ)

• Location: Tartu
• Size: ~3,200 students
• Focus: Agriculture, forestry, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences, rural engineering
• Website: emu.ee

Estonia's specialist university for life sciences. Limited English-taught programs but strong in veterinary medicine and forestry.

Estonian Business School (EBS)

• Location: Tallinn (with a Helsinki campus)
• Size: ~1,400 students
• Focus: Business, economics, management
• Tuition: EUR 7,000-12,000/year (private, higher than public universities)
• Website: ebs.ee

Estonia's main private business school. Offers English-taught BA and MBA programs. Smaller cohort sizes, stronger industry networking, higher cost.

How to Choose the Right Program

Step 1 — Field of study

Let your subject drive your choice:

Step 2 — City preference

Step 3 — Teaching language

Confirm the program is fully English-taught. Some programs are listed as "English" but include Estonian-language modules. Always check the module catalogue before applying.

Step 4 — Research and job outcomes

• For PhD or research careers — University of Tartu has the strongest research output and largest supervisor pool
• For industry careers in tech — TalTech wins, especially if you want to stay in Estonia after graduation
• For international mobility — University of Tartu's international reputation carries further outside Europe

Program Costs at a Glance

See our costs and funding guide for scholarship options.

Next Steps

1. Admissions and application — how to apply via DreamApply
2. Costs and funding — scholarships, living costs, and budget planning
3. Visa and arrival — residence permits and the first weeks in Estonia
4. Why study in Estonia — the big-picture case for Estonia