Estonia has a long history of higher education: the first university, the University of Tartu, was founded in 1632, making it one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe.

Today, Estonia is part of the Bologna Process. This means that you can be sure that education meets world standards. The Bologna Process also means that Estonian higher education is divided into three cycles.

The first cycle is a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree usually takes three or four years.

The second cycle - is postgraduate education (master). The master's degree takes two years regardless of the subject.

The third cycle is doctoral studies. It takes at least four years to obtain a doctorate.

There are good technical schools in Estonia, such as TalTech and the Estonian University of Natural Sciences. The University of Tartu, a more general school, is not only the oldest but also the best in the country. The University of Tallinn and the Estonian Academy of Arts are also excellent educational institutions.

Many programs are available that are taught entirely in English. Many Estonians are fluent in English, so teaching English is not a problem.

In addition, there is an Erasmus program in Estonia. Erasmus allows students to spend a semester or a year abroad. Participation in the program does not depend on your nationality, but on whether you are studying at a university participating in the program.

Tuition and scholarships

Programs taught in Estonian are free of charge, regardless of nationality. If you do not speak Estonian, you will have to pay.

The fee varies from 1,600 euros to 7,500 euros per year. But some more practical programs, such as medicine, cost up to 12,000 euros a year. This fee depends on the subject, not the level, so there is no difference between the fee for a bachelor's and a master's degree.

Doctors of science do not have tuition fees. Some are even classified as paid jobs.

Student loans are available. They are handled by the private bank SEB Eesti. Estonian student loans are more like a mortgage. You can learn more here.

As for scholarships, Estonia has a lot to offer. Many are offered directly by the government. The main one is the Estonian National Scholarship. A monthly scholarship is available for students from all countries studying in Estonia. You can learn more here.

The process of submitting documents for admission to the university

Requirements for the list of documents required for admission to the university vary depending on the chosen university and program. But, in general, to enter the university you will need:

• A copy of your passport

• High school diploma

• Cover letter

• One or more letters of recommendation

• Confirmation of payment of the registration fee (it depends on the university)

• IELT or TOEFL results - if you want to study in Estonian. You can learn more about language tests here

If you are applying for postgraduate or doctoral studies, you will also need to provide diplomas from previous degrees, as well as a professional resume. For doctoral studies, you also need to submit an academic resume.

If you are accepted, keep the proof of payment of the registration fee and the letter of enrollment. You will need them when applying for a visa.