Estonia is one of the Baltic States, located in the heart of the Baltic Sea Region that regained its independence in August 1991. Since then Estonia has witnessed rapid economic growth and development. In 2004 Estonia became the member of NATO and EU. Estonia is famous for its innovative and highly developed information technology.

 

Higher Education System

Since 1991 Estonia has undertaken several extensive reforms in the field of higher education. Those reforms took into account the aim of integrating into the European common space of education and research. Since 2000 the changes in the higher education area have followed the principles of the Bologna process.

The Estonian system of higher education is binary and consists of academic and professional higher education. Higher education is provided by universities, institutions of professional higher education and vocational educational institutions. Estonian higher education system has two cycles – bachelor’s level studies as a first cycle and master level studies as the second cycle. The nominal length of bachelor and master level studies are 3 and 2 years accordingly. Besides bachelor, and master-level also doctoral-level studies are carried out in various fields of study.

At an institution of professional higher education, higher education is acquired following a professional higher curriculum of one level. Starting from year 2003, also master-level studies and studies according to secondary vocational education curricula conducted on the basis of secondary education may be undertaken. Vocational schools that offer studies according to the secondary vocational curricula on the basis of secondary education may also offer professional higher education curricula.

Higher Education Institutions

In Estonia there are 9 universities – 4 public and 5 private universities and 25 professional higher education institutions – 12 public and 13 private institutions. The list of higher education institutions in Estonia can be found from
http://www.smartestonia.ee/index.php?page=67

Studies for International Students

Several universities provide courses in English as full degree or separate modules. Full degree can be made in technical fields as well as in business, European- and Baltic studies, law, public relations and media. Courses that last one or two semesters offer an additional value to a wide range of academic fields. Some of them are introductions to studies in Estonian; some provide training for different target groups.
For more detailed information about studies in English in Estonia refer to:
http://www.smartestonia.ee/index.php?page=324

Many Estonian higher educational institutions have joined the Socrates/Erasmus network refer to: http://www.hkk.ee/

For further and more detailed information on the possibilities for obtaining higher education in Estonia refer to www.smartestonia.ee

 

Author:
Riin Savi
Estonian Ministry of Education and Research