Study in Estonia: Estonia has modern and high-quality education. Many of its programs are in English with great support and modern facilities. Estonia is a country focused on innovation and research. Education covers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral studies. Estonia is safe and student-friendly for international students.
English is widely spoken, and Estonia boasts a high literacy rate of around 99%. Much of the reason why numerous students across the world are choosing to study in Estonia is due to the affordability of tuition, with plenty of scholarship offers. Estonian universities are all world-class, and programs range across different fields such as technology, business, and science. Read on for a guide to study in Estonia.
The country is accessible in terms of sponsorship and education. Many English-taught subjects are on offer in Estonia, and the security level is relatively high in terms of the friendly environment. Students experience contemporary cities like Tallinn and Tartu. Estonia has a budding technology and startup environment.
For effective and standard education, many international students vie for this country's scholarship. Listed below are some reasons to know why study in Estonia is:
Estonia is a modern, innovative country with high-quality education and a digital lifestyle.
Over 150 English-taught Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs available.
Doctoral studies are often tuition-free.
Safe, green, and student-friendly cities like Tallinn and Tartu.
A growing community of international and Indian students.
Innovative startup and technology ecosystem.
Studying in Estonia has become quite popular and easy for students from India. The application will be done online through the university portals themselves. The entire process of visa acquisition is simple, considering the student-friendly policies that are available. Indian students support each other and get opportunities to work part-time. Estonia embraces Indian culture and students from India. Scholarships are available for Indian students too.
Applications are mostly online through university portals.
Acceptance rates approx. 60% for international applicants.
Visa procedures include a D visa and residence permit post-arrival.
Indian students benefit from vibrant student support and cultural integration.
Part-time jobs and post-study work opportunities are available.
The application may also require proof of valid passport, application forms, and motivation letters. Student visa (D-visa) is a requirement for non-EU citizens. Proof of funds and health insurance are mandatory. The table shows the necessary requirements to study in Estonia
Requirement Type |
Details |
Educational Qualification |
Completed secondary school for bachelor's; Bachelor's degree for master's |
English Language Proficiency |
Accepted tests: IELTS (minimum score 6.0 to 6.5), TOEFL (minimum score 72 to 90); Other proof may be accepted. |
Application Documents |
Completed application form; Certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts; Copy of passport; Motivation letter; Letters of recommendation (1 or 2); Portfolio or interview (if required); Proof of payment of application fee. |
Visa/Residence Permit |
Apply for a student visa or residence permit if not from EU/EEA/Switzerland; Requires acceptance letter and proof of financial means. |
Other Possible Requirements |
Extra tests (entrance exams, interviews, or portfolio for arts); CV and research proposal for PhD and research programs. |
Application Timing |
Apply in spring for September intake; Smaller intake in February. |
Estonia Annual tuition fees for various disciplines are between €1,500 and €15,000. For a bachelor's or master's program, fees are determined by the course and university. Doctoral studies are usually tuition-free and have stipends. Monthly living expenses are about €350 to €700. Some private universities may charge high fees. Scholarships usually help in reducing educational costs.
Study in Estonia Fees |
||
Program Level |
Tuition Fee Range (EUR/year) |
Notes |
Bachelor's |
€1,500 – €7,500 |
Depends on program and university |
Master's |
€1,600 – €15,000 |
Some specialized courses cost more |
Doctoral (PhD) |
Usually tuition-free |
Often includes stipend or salary |
Private Universities |
Higher fees, vary |
Check university-specific details |
Study in Estonia offers various scholarship opportunities that can be highly beneficial. These scholarships are provided either by the government or universities and may cover tuition fees or living expenses. Notable examples include Dora Plus and Erasmus+. Merit-based scholarships typically require a high academic performance. Submitting applications early can improve your chances of receiving a scholarship. Some scholarships also cover travel costs and health insurance.
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Coverage |
Benefits |
Estonian National Scholarship for Students |
International master's degree students |
Covers all fields of study |
Monthly stipend of 350 euros for up to 12 months |
Republic of Estonia Government Scholarships |
Bachelor's, master's, PhD, exchange students, researchers |
Limited fields (mainly Estonian language and culture) |
Full tuition coverage, monthly living stipend, travel grants, health insurance, accommodation assistance |
Scholarships for Summer and Winter Schools |
Students |
Short courses on language and culture, IT, media, international relations, and others |
Cover course fees up to €700, accommodation costs |
Scholarships at Specific Universities |
Students applying to Estonian universities |
Various fields including tuition waivers |
Tuition-waiver places in English-taught master's programs |
Other Scholarships |
Young diplomats and civil servants |
8-month certificate program |
Covers tuition fees, monthly stipend (€500), accommodation, health insurance, Schengen visa costs |
Research Grants |
Academic staff |
N/A |
Daily or monthly subsistence allowance |
Most universities require English proficiency equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0–6.5. However, some universities in Estonia allow admission without IELTS, based on alternative assessments. They may accept other tests such as TOEFL or Cambridge English exams. Students who have completed their previous education in English may be exempt from providing additional language test scores. A few universities also offer preparatory English courses as an alternative.
Always check the specific admission requirements of each university before applying, as they may vary. This flexibility makes it easier for more international students to study in Estonia.
Estonia is home to several well-ranked, internationally recognized universities, many of which offer a wide range of English-taught programs for international students. Here are the leading universities in Estonia, along with key details about their courses and strengths:
University |
Location |
Notable Features & English-Taught Courses |
University of Tartu |
Tartu |
29 English-taught bachelor’s & master’s programs; strong in sciences, IT, humanities; tuition waivers for top applicants |
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) |
Tallinn |
4 English-taught bachelor’s & 12 master’s programs; strengths in engineering, ICT, business, e-governance, cyber security, innovation |
Tallinn University |
Tallinn |
6 English-taught bachelor’s programs; focus on humanities, social sciences, education, human-computer interaction |
Estonian University of Life Sciences |
Tartu |
Focuses on agriculture, environment, landscape architecture, life sciences; English-taught master’s in landscape architecture |
Estonian Academy of Arts |
Tallinn |
Leading institution for arts, architecture, design; several English-taught master’s programs |
Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre |
Tallinn |
Strong in performing arts, music technology, compo |
Estonia offers a unique combination of quality education, affordability, and innovation, making it a top choice for students worldwide. Indian students can benefit from scholarships, flexible language requirements, and a supportive environment to achieve their academic goals.