Estonian-taught programmes are free at public universities, and at the University of Tartu 16 of 25 English-taught master's programmes are free for EU citizens; students from outside the EU/EEA at TalTech pay €1,900–4,200 per semester (2026/27). Estonia has 18 higher education institutions and more than 150 programmes in English. Read on for application deadlines, typical living costs and the rules on working while you study.
How long: 3–4 years and 180–240 ECTS, most often 4 years and 240 ECTS. Universities cooperate in inter-university doctoral schools.
Your status: most doctoral students are guaranteed a junior researcher post, i.e. an employment contract with the university, or work under a contract outside it.
How to get in: a master's degree or equivalent, usually with a research plan and an interview. A thesis in a foreign language needs a summary in Estonian.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Estonia in our database: Estonia – 81 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 13 December 2024). As of October 2026.
Sources: European Commission – Study in Europe (education.ec.europa.eu/study-in-europe), Eurostat, official national study and residence portals and authorities, Eurodesk, enic-naric.net, studentnews.eu. As of September 2026.
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