Estonia is a small country in Northern Europe with really good universities. Even though only 1.3 million people live there, Estonian schools are known all over the world for being great places to learn.
What makes Estonia special for students? The schools don’t cost too much money, they teach over 150 programs in English, and everything is super modern with computers and technology. You can study in old cities like Tartu or the capital city Tallinn.
This guide will show you the best universities in Estonia for 2025. We’ll explain what makes each school special and help students from other countries understand how they can study there.
🎓 Quick Answer: Estonia’s Top 5 Universities in 2025
| Rank | University Name | Best For | World Ranking | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Tartu | Medicine, Science, Everything! | #362 | 15,206 |
| 2 | Tallinn University of Technology | Computers, Engineering | #635 | 9,100 |
| 3 | Tallinn University | Teaching, Movies, Art | #801-1000 | 7,000 |
| 4 | Estonian University of Life Sciences | Farming, Nature, Animals | #48 (Agriculture) | 1,800 |
| 5 | Estonian Academy of Arts | Design, Art, Building Design | Top 150 (Art) | 1,200 |
18 Universities
150+ Programs
13% Average
#362 (Tartu)
📑 What You’ll Learn
- Going to University in Estonia: The Basics
- How We Know Which Universities Are Best
- The Best Universities in Estonia (2025)
- Public vs. Private Schools: What’s Different?
- Where Are the Universities? Cities to Know
- What Each University Does Best
- Why Students from Other Countries Love Estonia
- Questions Everyone Asks About Estonian Universities
How We Know Which Universities Are Best
Different groups around the world look at universities and decide which ones are the best. They check things like: How good are the teachers? Do students like the school? Do students get good jobs after? How much research does the school do?
In Estonia, there’s a special group called EKKA that makes sure all universities teach well. They check every school to make sure students learn good things and teachers do their jobs well. If a school doesn’t do well, they have to get better or they might close.
What Makes a University Good?
The best universities do lots of research – that means teachers and students work together to find new things and solve problems. The University of Tartu does more than half of all the research in Estonia! Good universities also help students from other countries feel welcome.
| What They Check | Why It Matters | How Much It Counts |
|---|---|---|
| How Good Teachers Are | Good teachers help you learn better | 40% |
| Do Students Get Jobs? | Shows the school prepares you for work | 25% |
| Research Work | Finding new things helps everyone | 30% |
| Happy Students | Shows if students like being there | 5% |
Are Students Happy?
Most students in Estonia (86 out of 100) say their school is really good or excellent! About 75 out of 100 students find jobs in what they studied within 6 months. Students from other countries feel welcome, and 85 out of 100 finish their studies successfully.
The Best Universities in Estonia (2025)
Estonia has four big research universities that are the best in the country. The University of Tartu is ranked #362 in the world, while Tallinn University of Technology is in the top 3% for engineering and technology programs.
These schools together offer more than 150 programs taught in English. They get over €60 million every year from Europe to do research, which shows they’re really good at what they do.
University of Tartu – The Best and Oldest
Started in 1632, the University of Tartu is Estonia’s oldest and best university. It’s ranked #362 in the world and has 15,206 students. About 13 out of every 100 students come from other countries – from 100 different nations! The university is great at everything – medicine, science, and arts.
Tartu has 31 programs taught in English. Students there have done amazing things like building Estonia’s first satellite! The university has 50 scientists who are among the best in the world. They got €60 million from Europe to do research, more than any other Estonian school.
What Can You Study at Tartu? Medicine (takes 6 years), Computer Science, Software Engineering, Economics, International Relations, Chemistry, Science and Technology. If you study for a doctoral degree, it’s free and you even get paid!
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) – The Tech School
This is Estonia’s only technology university. It’s ranked #635 in the world and has 9,100 students. Started in 1918, it’s the best place to study computers and engineering. The campus has over 50 tech companies right there, including Microsoft and Skype!
TalTech is famous for cool projects like self-driving cars and solar-powered roads. Students work on real satellites that go to space! The university is part of EuroTeQ, which means students can take classes at other top tech schools in Europe.
Tallinn University – For Arts and Teaching
This university is best for humanities (studying people and cultures), teaching, and arts. It’s ranked 801-1000 in the world and has 7,000 students from over 40 countries. Their film school is the only one in Northern Europe that teaches everything in English!
The university just got €2.5 million from Europe to study how to make the world better. Students here learn how to work together on projects that solve real problems. About 89 out of 100 graduates get jobs, especially in teaching, media, and government.
Estonian University of Life Sciences – For Nature Lovers
This special university is ranked #48 in the world for agriculture and forestry – that’s really good! It has 1,800 students who study farming, animals, and the environment. Professor Ãœlo Niinemets from this school is Estonia’s most famous scientist.
The university has cool places like a horticultural research center and a lake museum. They work with other nature universities in Nordic and Baltic countries. Their veterinary medicine program is super popular!
Other Good Estonian Schools
- Estonian Academy of Arts – One of the world’s top 150 art schools
- Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre – Best music school in the Baltics
- Estonian Business School – First private business school in the Baltics
- TTK University of Applied Sciences – Biggest applied sciences school
- Estonian Aviation Academy – Teaches how to fly planes
- Estonian Maritime Academy – Teaches about ships and the sea
Public vs. Private Schools: What’s Different?
Most universities in Estonia are public, which means the government pays for them. Public schools have 85 out of 100 students and do almost all the research. Private schools focus on special things like business.
Public schools charge EU students between €1,660-7,500 per year. Non-EU students pay €2,750-11,000. Private schools usually charge €3,000-6,000 no matter where you’re from. The best part? All doctoral programs at public schools are free, and students get paid to study!
Why Public Universities Are Good
Public universities have programs in everything – science, arts, medicine, and more. They have the best research labs and work with big companies. According to Invest in Estonia, public universities get 90% of the country’s research money.
💡 Money Tip: Public university students can get government scholarships, Erasmus+ money, and other help that private school students can’t get.
What Private Schools Offer
Estonian Business School is the oldest private business school in the region. It focuses on teaching business and how to start companies. Private schools usually have smaller classes, which means teachers know each student better.
Where Are the Universities? Cities to Know
Estonian universities are mainly in two cities: Tartu and Tallinn. Tartu is called the “City of Good Thoughts” and has the oldest university. Tallinn is the capital and has the most modern tech companies.
Each city has its own feeling. In Tartu, 1 out of 5 people works or studies at the university! Tallinn has 60% of all international companies and lots of startups (new tech companies).
Tartu – The Student City
Tartu has the University of Tartu and Estonian University of Life Sciences. Living there costs less – about €500-700 per month compared to €700-1000 in Tallinn. Student rooms only cost €100-200 per month!
Everything in Tartu is close – you can walk or bike everywhere. Tartu was named European Capital of Culture 2024, which means lots of fun events! The city has more libraries and research places per person than anywhere else in Estonia.
Tallinn – The Modern Capital
Tallinn has TalTech, Tallinn University, and most special schools. The city has Skype, TransferWise, and over 400 startup companies where students can work. The old part of town is from medieval times, but other parts are super modern.
You can fly to many countries from Tallinn Airport. A boat to Helsinki (Finland’s capital) takes just 2 hours! About 37% of people speak Russian, making the city very international. Living costs more, but there are more jobs for students.
Smaller Cities with Schools
Some smaller cities have special programs: Narva has classes for Russian speakers, Pärnu teaches tourism, and Viljandi teaches traditional arts and crafts. These smaller places cost less and feel more like a family.
What Each University Does Best
Each Estonian university is really good at different things. Computer and cybersecurity programs are some of the best in Europe. Engineering and business programs work closely with real companies. Environmental science programs help protect the Baltic Sea.
The Estonian Research Council says the country focuses on special areas like computers, health technology, and saving resources. Universities put most of their money and effort into these areas.
Science and Technology Stars
TalTech and University of Tartu are the best for technology. They’re especially good at cybersecurity (keeping computers safe), software engineering, and robots. Estonia makes more computer graduates per person than any other EU country!
Students have won many international competitions in programming and robotics. Tech graduates usually get jobs right away, and they earn 40% more money than average workers in Estonia.
Business and Starting Companies
Estonian universities teach everyone about starting businesses. Students can work with real startups in Tallinn. MBA programs let students study in Silicon Valley and London too!
Success Story: Students from Estonian universities started 4 companies worth over $1 billion each: Skype, Playtech, TransferWise, and Bolt!
Environment and Life Sciences
The Estonian University of Life Sciences is #48 in the world for agriculture. They study how to protect the Baltic Sea, manage forests, and deal with climate change. Their animal doctor program is so good that all graduates get jobs!
Arts and Culture
Estonian Academy of Arts is in the world’s top 150 design schools. They’re great at digital art and designing things that don’t hurt the environment. The music academy’s students play in big orchestras all over the world!
Why Students from Other Countries Love Estonia
Students choose Estonia because it’s good quality education that doesn’t cost too much. EU students pay about €3,000-4,000 per year. Non-EU students pay €3,500-6,000. That’s much less than Western Europe!
Everything is digital, which makes student life easy. Estonia is the 13th safest country in the world. Also, 80% of young Estonians speak English, so it’s easy to make friends and get help.
Save Money While Learning
All your costs (school, room, food) are about €7,000-12,000 per year. That’s way less than the UK (over €20,000) or Netherlands (€15,000). Smart students can get scholarships that pay 50-100% of school costs. Check Study in Estonia for over 30 scholarship programs!
Doctoral programs are free and pay you €1,100-1,400 per month! Students can work 20 hours per week during school and unlimited during holidays to earn extra money.
Money Benefits for International Students
- School costs 60-70% less than Western Europe
- Living costs only €500-1000 per month
- Student rooms cost €80-250 per month
- Half price on buses and trains
- Free healthcare with European Health Card
- Part-time jobs pay €6-10 per hour
- Can stay 9 months after graduation to find a job
Learning with Technology
Estonian universities used online learning long before COVID. All classes have recorded videos, online homework, and digital tools. Your digital ID card lets you do everything without paper!
Students work on real problems, start businesses, and use research labs. These opportunities usually only older students get in other countries.
Getting a Job After School
Estonia’s tech companies need workers, so graduates find jobs easily. Big companies like Ericsson, Fujitsu, and Microsoft have offices in Estonia. After school, you can run an EU company from anywhere using Estonia’s e-Residency program!
You get 270 days to find a job after graduation. If you earn €1,968 per month (easier than in other EU countries), you can get an EU Blue Card. After 5 years, you can live anywhere in the EU.
💡 Job Fact: 89 out of 100 international graduates find jobs within 6 months. Tech jobs start at about €2,500 per month!
Fun Student Life
Estonia mixes Nordic calm, Baltic friendliness, and interesting history. Student groups organize trips around the Baltic region. Helsinki is 2 hours away, Riga is 4 hours away. Estonia has medieval towns, forests, and 2,300 islands to explore!
Universities help with everything: orientation programs, free Estonian language classes, buddy programs, and counseling. Student groups represent over 100 countries, so you’ll make friends from everywhere!
Questions Everyone Asks About Estonian Universities
EU students pay €1,660-7,500 per year at public schools. Non-EU students pay €2,750-11,000. Private schools cost €3,000-6,000 for everyone. Medicine and engineering cost more. The best part is that doctoral programs are free at public schools, and students get paid €1,100-1,400 per month to study!
Sometimes you don’t need IELTS! If you studied in English before or come from an English-speaking country, you might not need it. Universities also accept Cambridge certificates and other tests. Some schools offer English preparation classes. Most schools want IELTS 5.5-6.5 or TOEFL 70-90, depending on the program.
Estonian universities have over 150 programs completely in English! The University of Tartu has 31 programs, TalTech has 16 programs. Most Master’s programs and all doctoral programs are in English. Popular subjects include computers, engineering, business, medicine, and social sciences. Universities add 5-10 new English programs every year.
For Bachelor’s programs, you need your high school diploma with grades of at least 60-70%. For Master’s, you need a Bachelor’s degree with good grades. You also need English test scores (IELTS 6.0-6.5), a letter explaining why you want to study there, and your CV. Some programs have entrance exams. Apply by March-May for autumn start. EU citizens can apply until August.
Yes! Students can work 20 hours per week during school and full-time during holidays. Student jobs pay €6-10 per hour. If you’re good with computers, you can earn €15-25 per hour doing freelance work. Universities have jobs on campus too. After graduation, you get 270 days to find a job, and 89% of students find one within 6 months!
Yes! There are many scholarships. The government gives scholarships that pay all school fees plus €350 per month. Universities give scholarships to good students that pay 50-100% of fees. The DoRa Plus program gives €500 per month for short visits. Erasmus+ gives EU students €300-500 per month. About 20-30% of students who apply get scholarships.
Tartu is a real student town where 1 in 5 people studies or works at the university. It costs less (€500-700 per month) and is great for serious studying. Tallinn is the capital with more fun things to do, more jobs, and easier travel to other countries. It costs more (€700-1000) but has more part-time jobs. Choose Tartu for a quiet student life, choose Tallinn for a busy city life!
You need €500-1000 per month depending on where you live. A room costs €80-250 in student housing or €250-450 in private places. Food costs €150-250 per month. University cafeterias sell meals for €3-5. Student bus passes cost €15-20 per month. Fun activities cost about €100-200. Tartu is 20-30% cheaper than Tallinn!
Apply online at estonia.dreamapply.com. Make an account, pick up to 5 programs, upload your papers (grades, English test, letter about yourself), and pay €50-100 per program. Apply by January-March for the best chance, or by May for regular admission. Some programs take late applications until August. Universities answer in 2-4 weeks, usually by April-May.
If you’re not from the EU and study more than 90 days, you need a residence permit. You need: acceptance letter from university, proof you have €400 per month, health insurance, and a place to live. It costs €80-100 and takes 2 months. Apply at Estonian embassies or online. EU citizens just register when they arrive. Permits last one year and you can renew them if you keep studying.
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