Destination Overview

Explore Estonia: Your Study Guide

Start here to learn about Estonia's universities, degrees, start dates and student life, written for students from India and Pakistan.

Universities, cities and student life in Estonia

The Estonia Advantage

Why Choose Estonia for Your Studies?

Degrees in English

Universities teach many bachelor's and master's programmes in English.

Key Benefits

The University of Tartu (UT) offered 28 programmes taught in English for the 2026 intake.

Bachelor's usually take 3 years; master's usually 2.

Work and Stay

Estonia has a strong startup scene, and graduates can apply for a work permit.

Key Benefits

With a temporary residence permit (TRP) for study, you may work without a separate permit if you keep studying full time and work does not get in the way of your studies.

If your TRP for study ends normally, you may stay up to 270 days more to look for work.

A Digital Country

Estonia is known for doing almost everything online.

Key Benefits

Banking, taxes and scholarships can be handled online.

Your residence permit card (the card that shows you may live in Estonia) lets you sign documents digitally.

Costs in Euros

Plan tuition, rent and food in euros.

Key Benefits

Dormitory rooms usually cost 150 to 350 euros (EUR) a month.

Public transport is free in Tallinn for international students who register their place of stay as Tallinn and get a transport smartcard.

English-taught programmes at UT (2026 intake)

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Student Experience

Student Life in Estonia

Life is calm, green and digital, with two main student cities: Tallinn and Tartu.

Most universities have dormitories, and Tallinn and Tartu are easy to get around by bus or bike.

Tallinn public transport is free if you register your stay there and have a transport smartcard.
A student card gives a discount on bus tickets in Tartu.
University sports clubs cost EUR 30 to 60 a month.

Digital life

Most everyday tasks, from banking to taxes, can be done online.

Sauna

Estonians love a good sauna, in summer and winter.

Cheap lunches

University cafeterias and daily specials in cafes (EUR 5 to 8) keep food costs down.

Popular Destinations

Student Cities

Most English-taught programmes are in Tallinn and Tartu.

Tallinn

Capital

Home to Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Tallinn University (TLU) and Estonian Business School (EBS).

Key Highlights

About 85 km from Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland.

Free public transport for international students who registered Tallinn as their place of stay and got a transport smartcard.

Top Universities:

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)

Tallinn University (TLU)

Estonian Business School (EBS)

Tartu

University city

Home to the University of Tartu (UT) and the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU).

Key Highlights

Monthly student bus ticket: EUR 7.67.

Smart Bike Share with 750 bikes.

Top Universities:

University of Tartu (UT)

Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU)

Learn About City Registration

Quick Reference

Estonia at a Glance

Key facts before you start.

Country Overview

Official language	Estonian (English, Russian and German are widely spoken)
Currency	Euro (EUR)
Forest cover	About 50% of the land
Time zone	2 hours ahead of London time (GMT)

Academic & Student Info

Main airport	Tallinn Airport, 3 km from the city centre
Universities	18
Application system	DreamApply (the online application system) at many universities
Main intake (when most new students start)	Autumn (late August or September)

Explore Living Costs in Detail