How to Study in Estonia for International Students

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If you are looking for a place with cutting-edge technology, Estonia is a great study-abroad destination! Considered as one of the most digitally advanced countries in Europe, universities in Estonia are well-equipped with technology that will surely help you maximize your studies. With various choices of internationally recognized degrees and countless scholarships, you will experience an enriching learning journey in Estonia!

When it comes to the choices that are available, Estonia currently has 15 universities, from which 12 universities are a part of the public sector and 3 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Estonia you should definitely check out are University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, and Tallinn University.

Being able to study in Estonia as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Estonia, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Estonia

The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Estonia don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and University of Tartu are some of the tuition-free schools. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.

On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Estonia with their tuition fees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences 5,180 Euros - 6,380 Euros 6,680 Euros
Estonian Business School 5,797 Euros - 6,077 Euros 6,380 Euros - 8,000 Euros

2. Requirements to Study in Estonia for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Estonia, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Estonia, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Estonia may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Estonia are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Estonia and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Tartu Health Care College

Master’s degree

Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tallinn University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Estonia

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Estonia have online applications available on their websites, like University of Tartu and Tallinn University of Technology. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Estonia.

University of Tartu

Tallinn University of Technology

Tallinn University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Estonia differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Estonia.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Estonia

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Estonia. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Estonia as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Estonia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa.

To start your student visa application in Estonia, you will need to present the following:

  1. A valid travel document with at least 3 months of validation after the expiration date of the visa
  2. Signed application form
  3. Passport-sized photo
  4. Insurance policy of not less than 30,000 EUR for the entire duration of stay
  5. Proof of payment of visa fee
  6. Supporting documents indicating the purpose of stay
  7. Enrollment or invitation letter from the academic institution

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Estonia is 100 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Determine which visa type you need.
  2. Prepare your documents for visa application.
  3. Book an appointment at the embassy or consulate of Estonia.
  4. Submit the requirements at the embassy or consulate.
  5. The visa processing will take about 10-30 days.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Estonia. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!

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