How to study, work and live in Estonia

Estonia is among the most preferred countries for international students. Located in Northern Europe, it is part of the three Baltic countries bordering Latvia in the South and Russia in the East. Estonia is one of the smallest countries in Europe, however, it is considered among the advanced countries with its higher education recognized globally. In this article, we shall focus on how to study, work, and live in Estonia.

The Estonian tertiary education is one of the best in Europe and the world. In the area of information and communication technology (ICT), the country stands tall. Recently, Estonia has become an exciting hub for Techpreneurs, and has also, seen an increasing number of international students coming to Estonia for studies.

Higher education in Estonia is highly regarded around the world. The Bologna Process, which strives to regulate higher education across Europe, is used in the country, and its certificates are internationally recognized. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees are awarded by public and private universities and these universities offer a variety of English-taught programs.

Studying in Estonia provides students with quality research education; moreover, the country is open for international students and they can study any course of their choice notwithstanding their nationality. Estonia is not only fit for ICT courses, other fields like business management, but sciences are also popular with the University of Tartu, and Tallinn University, among the favorite institutions.

Do you wish to study in a small country with lots of inventions, quality education, and generally safe? then Estonia is a good choice for you. There are lots of benefits to studying in Estonia, they include the following.

Why study in Estonia?

• Safe study environment
Estonia is one of the safest countries in the world making it an ideal study environment for international students. No matter the location of the school, there is little or no negative report about the cities. Though, many students prefer schools located in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city, which happens to be the headquarter of many tech companies and other businesses.
• Innovative country
Estonia is recognized as a digital country. Almost everything is done electronically such as e-health, e-school, etc. It is famous for its leadership in the fields of digital and internet technologies, home of SKYPE, TransferWise, and Fortumo.
• Tuition-free for all programs in Estonian
The official language of Estonia is Estonian, which is also, used for teaching, If you want to study for free, learning Estonian can be a good option. International students from outside the European Union are welcome to attend all Estonian programs for free.
• Standard education
Estonian universities provide lessons in small size classrooms which grants students access to quality education. Interestingly, virtually all the universities apply practical training to teachings helping students to have industry experience while in school.
• Internationally accepted degrees
Degrees awarded by an Estonian university or college are internationally recognized. More especially, in engineering and ICT.
• Study and work
International students can work in any industry while studying. A part-time job in Estonia is not all about working to raise money that supports yourself but is a plus for you as you gain some industry experience.

How to apply for admission in Estonia

1. Select your program
There is a central application portal to study in Estonia. Go through the website to select a program. it is done through this online admission platform on www.estonia.dreamapply.com. Click on the selected program to see the requirements and other necessary information.
2. Prepare the paperwork
The required documents are listed on the central application portal; however, each university may have its specific admission requirements on its website. Generally, applicants are required to provide the following documents.
A Curriculum Vitae (postgraduate degree)
A copy of your passport
Passport-size photographs
A copy of your passport
High school grade transcripts
A letter of motivation
One or more letters of recommendation
Proof of payment of the application fee (this varies from school to school)
IELT or TOEFL results –
Application fee
Language proficiency test. Usually, the required minimum test result for BA and MA is 6 in IELTS and 72 in TOEFL (IBT).
3. Submit your application through the online admission system on www.estonia.dreamapply.com.
A single application can be used to apply to multiple Estonian universities and programs. The admissions system is straightforward; the steps are clearly outlined on how to go through the application process and after the whole process, you will be notified via email if the university where you applied has provided you with any feedback.
4. Print the online application and forward it to your preferred school
Send your printed online application, along with certified copies of the relevant documents to your first-choice university after you’ve completed your online application. You will need to check with the university to see what documentation you will need to submit.
5. Receive your admission letter
If you have been successfully accepted to study in your chosen university, the university will issue acceptance documents to start the visa procedure.
6. Apply for the student visa
Still check on the application portal to see if your country is among those that will need a student visa to enter Estonia. To study in Estonia, you will not need to apply for a student visa if you are from an EU nation. However, after you arrive, you must apply for a temporary residency permit. Within three months of your arrival, you must register with the local authorities. EU students must apply for an Estonian ID card within one month of receiving a temporary residence permit. Your right of residence permit is valid for 5 years.
However, If, you are from a non-EU country, you must first apply for a temporary residence permit. To apply for a student visa, the following documents are needed.
A completed application form – this can be done online
A passport ID
Two passport photos
Statement of purpose
Proof of accommodation in Estonia
Birth certificate
Proof of finances for the entirety of your stay
Proof of fee payment
Proof of enrolment at an Estonian school
A no-objection certificate from your school
Health insurance with a minimum value of €30,000 ($35,500), valid across the entirety of the EU.

Universities in Estonia

There are few universities in Estonia. Only three state comprehensive universities and six private institutions are located there. They also have ten public specialized universities.
Universities in Estonia
Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA)
Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
Estonian Business School
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Tallinn University
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
University of Tartu

Academic year

In Estonia, the academic year is divided into two terms – the autumn and the spring term academic year that begins in September and ends in June.

Tuition fee/scholarship

In Estonia, public universities charge tuition fees between 1800 – 3000 EUR per academic year for Bachelor’s degree, while Master’s programs can cost between 3500-7500. Bear in mind that there is no fixed fee, so, some universities may charge higher for non-EU/EEA citizens.
Please note that full-time students are not charged tuition for Estonian-taught degree programs. The cost of tuition for English-taught programs varies greatly based on the program and school.
Scholarships in Estonia for International Students
• LHV Bank Scholarship
Open for Master’s degree
Check the link
• Estonia Specialty Scholarship:
Degree Level: Master’s in Informatics or Computer Science
Scholarship worth: 240-300 EUR/month
Scholarship providers: Tallinn University of Technology and University of Tartu
Website
• Skype Scholarship
Scholarship worth: 6500 EUR (validity- ten months)
Scholarship providers: Tallinn University of Technology and University of Tartu
Link
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarships
Scholarship worth 400/ EUR monthly
Link: www.eesti.ee

Can international students study and work in Estonia?

Yes, during the school year, overseas students are permitted to work up to fifteen hours per week and up to forty hours per week (full time) during the summer vacation.

Can international students stay back in Estonia after graduation?

Non-EU students can stay in Estonia for up to 9 months after graduation to hunt for work and apply for a work permit. To apply for the required permit, they must first find work, which can now qualify them to apply for a temporary residency permit for work.
According to Estonian law, students do not need to request a visa extension after graduation because it is automatically issued in the Temporary Resident Permit for Study Purpose Card (TRP) of Estonia. After obtaining work in Estonia, citizens from Non- EU countries can apply for work permits based on their qualifications and skillset:

Conclusion

Unarguably, Estonia is one of the best countries for overseas education. ICT and Engineering fields are among the popular courses for international students with the University of Tartu and Tallinn university famous in these fields.

Estonia is an advanced country, it is said to be the first country to have adopted the e-government, e-health, e-school, etc. The country is a top destination for individuals who wish to live in a high-tech environment.

International students studying in Estonia can work, and after completing their studies, they are allowed to stay back and look for a job.