Scholarships for Studying in Estonia
This guide explains the main scholarship options for international students in Estonia, how to find them, what they typically cover, and how to apply. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines, and exact benefits on the official programme or university page before applying.
Why Consider Scholarships in Estonia
Scholarships can reduce or fully cover tuition fees and may provide a monthly stipend for living costs. Estonia’s universities and national agencies offer competitive support, especially in technology, engineering, design, arts, social sciences, and research-intensive fields.
Who Can Apply
Opportunities exist for non‑EU and EU/EEA applicants across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Eligibility depends on degree level, nationality, academic performance, field of study, language, and enrollment status (full‑time vs exchange).
Where to Find Scholarships
• Study in Estonia overview: studyinestonia.ee/scholarships
• Estonian Education and Youth Board (Harno): harno.ee/en
• University websites (scholarships/tuition waivers pages): University of Tartu (ut.ee), TalTech (taltech.ee), Tallinn University (tlu.ee), Estonian University of Life Sciences (emu.ee), Estonian Academy of Arts (artun.ee), Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (eamt.ee)
• EU funding and mobility: Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu)
Major Scholarship Types in Estonia
• Tuition waivers: Full or partial exemption from tuition fees, common in many English‑taught programmes based on merit or competition ranking.
• Estonian government scholarships: National programmes supporting degree studies, short courses, and visiting studies. Details, eligibility, and amounts vary by call; check Harno and Study in Estonia.
• University scholarships: Institution‑specific waivers and stipends for outstanding candidates, continuing students with strong results, or targeted fields.
• EU/Erasmus+ funding: Grants for exchange periods, internships, and Joint Master’s (Erasmus Mundus) with generous tuition and living support.
• Field‑specific or partner‑funded awards: Support from industry or foundations (e.g., ICT, engineering, arts). Availability differs by university and year.
• Research and doctoral funding: Many PhD candidates are employed by universities/research projects and receive a salary instead of a traditional scholarship. Separate travel or conference grants may also be available.
• Short course and summer/winter school scholarships: National or university awards covering course fees and/or accommodation for intensive programmes.
What Scholarships Usually Cover
• Tuition fee waivers (full or partial)
• Monthly stipend for living costs (amounts vary; some cover only part of expenses)
• One‑off grants for materials, travel, or accommodation in specific programmes
• Health insurance or settlement support in limited cases (check terms)
Typical Eligibility Criteria
• Academic excellence (GPA, ranking, prerequisite subjects)
• Programme fit and motivation
• Language proficiency in English or Estonian as required
• Nationality or residence criteria for certain government/EU schemes
• Full‑time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress (often measured in ECTS and GPA)
• Specific field, research topic, or portfolio quality (arts/design/architecture)
When to Apply
• Scholarship deadlines may be earlier, the same as, or slightly after the admission deadline—verify on the programme page.
• Government calls may have fixed annual windows; university waivers usually align with admission rounds.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters have their own global deadlines; apply early.
How to Apply: Step‑by‑Step
• Step 1: Shortlist programmes and note the scholarships each one offers (waivers, stipends, special awards).
• Step 2: Confirm eligibility, required documents, selection criteria, and whether a separate scholarship application is needed.
• Step 3: Prepare documents (CV, transcripts, diplomas, grading scale, language proof, motivation letter, recommendations, portfolio/research proposal if applicable). Provide certified translations if required.
• Step 4: Write a targeted scholarship motivation letter explaining your academic track record, fit with the programme/university, and expected impact.
• Step 5: Submit your admission application and scholarship forms by the stated deadlines; pay any fees if applicable.
• Step 6: Complete interviews, tests, or portfolio reviews if required.
• Step 7: Track the portal/email for results and additional tasks. Respond promptly.
• Step 8: Accept the offer, confirm the scholarship/waiver, and follow any conditions (deposit, enrollment steps).
Documents Commonly Requested
• Valid passport
• Diploma(s) and final transcript(s) with official grading scale
• Proof of language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge or acceptable alternatives)
• Curriculum vitae (academic or professional)
• Motivation letter (tailored to the programme and scholarship)
• Recommendation letters
• Portfolio (arts/design/architecture) or writing samples (humanities/social sciences) if required
• Research proposal and publications list (for doctoral/research funding)
• Certified translations, notarisation/apostille where applicable
Selection Criteria and What Reviewers Look For
• Clear alignment between your goals, the programme’s strengths, and Estonia’s academic/research ecosystem
• Evidence of academic excellence, relevant projects, and initiative
• Potential for research, innovation, entrepreneurship, or societal impact
• Strong communication skills and coherent motivation
• Consistent and verified documentation
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
• Tailor your motivation letter to the exact scholarship criteria and programme focus.
• Quantify achievements (rankings, awards, project outcomes) and show growth.
• Ask referees who know your work well and can cite specific examples.
• Keep your portfolio concise, curated, and aligned with the programme’s expectations.
• Submit early to resolve any document, translation, or portal issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Assuming a tuition waiver is automatic—some require separate applications or ranking thresholds.
• Reusing a generic motivation letter without addressing the selection criteria.
• Missing notarised copies, translations, or uploading low‑quality scans.
• Ignoring progress/renewal conditions that apply after you enroll.
Understanding Tuition Waivers vs Stipends
• Waivers reduce or eliminate tuition fees but may not provide living support.
• Stipends are recurring payments for living expenses; amounts, duration, and renewal rules vary.
• Some offers combine both; read the award letter carefully.
Special Notes for Doctoral Candidates
• Many PhD students in Estonia receive funding via employment contracts with the university or research projects, which include a salary and social benefits rather than a classical scholarship.
• Doctoral funding is often tied to a specific supervisor, topic, and project timeline; application routes may differ from taught programmes.
• Separate mobility or travel grants may support conferences, fieldwork, or short research visits.
Combining Scholarships and Other Funding
• Some awards cannot be held simultaneously; check compatibility rules.
• You may combine a partial tuition waiver with a small stipend and personal savings.
• External awards from your home country, foundations, or employers can often be added—verify any restrictions.
Impact on Visa/Temporary Residence Permit (TRP)
• Scholarship letters can help demonstrate financial means, but you may still need bank statements or additional proof for a D‑visa/TRP.
• Requirements and acceptable documents are set by the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board: politsei.ee/en
Budgeting and Cost Planning
• Estimate costs for accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, study materials, and contingencies.
• Consider up‑front expenses (visa/TRP fees, travel, deposits) before your first stipend disbursement.
• Keep emergency funds; scholarship payments may start after enrollment and account setup.
After You Receive a Scholarship
• Read the award agreement carefully: payment schedule, renewal criteria, progress expectations, reporting requirements, and conduct rules.
• Maintain full‑time status and meet academic progress thresholds (e.g., a defined number of ECTS and minimum GPA, where applicable).
• Inform the university or funding body of any programme changes, leaves, or interruptions.
• Open a local bank account if required for payments and keep your contact details updated.
Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus Highlights
• Erasmus+ supports exchange studies or traineeships with monthly grants; apply through your home and host institutions.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters provide competitive scholarships covering tuition and living expenses for multi‑country programmes (some tracks include Estonian universities). Check the current catalogue and deadlines on European Commission pages.
Short Courses and Summer/Winter Schools
• National and university scholarships may cover intensive courses in topics like IT, entrepreneurship, design, and language.
• Applications often require a motivation letter and transcripts; deadlines are earlier than course start dates.
Field‑Specific Notes
• ICT/engineering: Look for industry‑partnered waivers and research assistantships tied to labs or projects.
• Arts/design/architecture: Portfolio quality is decisive; some awards support materials, workshops, or residencies.
• Life sciences/environment: Check faculty‑level waivers, project funding, and mobility grants for fieldwork.
Work and Scholarships
• International students can generally work in Estonia alongside studies if it does not interfere with academic progress; verify your visa/TRP conditions.
• Some scholarships limit the number of work hours or require permission—check your award terms.
Renewal and Performance
• Many scholarships are granted for one academic year and require renewal based on performance.
• Failing to meet progress criteria can reduce or stop payments; seek academic advising early if challenges arise.
Appeals and Reapplications
• If unsuccessful, request feedback where allowed, improve your profile (tests, portfolio, research plan), and reapply in the next round.
• Consider alternative programmes or partial waivers as a stepping stone.
Verify Current Calls and Rules
• Scholarship frameworks and amounts can change; rely on official pages, not aggregator sites or old posts.
• For national scholarships and procedures, follow updates from Harno and the programme’s official page.
Useful Links
• Study in Estonia scholarships: studyinestonia.ee/scholarships
• Education and Youth Board (Harno): harno.ee/en
• University portals: ut.ee | taltech.ee | tlu.ee | emu.ee | artun.ee | eamt.ee
• Erasmus+ (EU): erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
Final Reminders
Start early, track deadlines, and tailor each application to the specific award. Keep copies of all submissions, monitor your portal/email, and clarify any uncertainties with the university admissions or scholarship office. With careful preparation, you can combine tuition waivers, stipends, and mobility grants to make studying in Estonia affordable and rewarding.
