Intakes for Higher Study in Estonia

Estonia primarily admits students in two cycles each academic year. The main (and largest) is the autumn intake starting in late August or September, and a smaller spring intake starting in January or February. Most English-taught programmes open for autumn; a limited selection opens for spring. PhD positions may recruit year‑round depending on funded vacancies.

Main Intakes at a Glance

• Autumn (September start): widest choice of programmes, most scholarships, full orientation events • Spring (February start): fewer programmes, faster timelines, limited scholarships • PhD: rolling or ad‑hoc, tied to projects and supervisor availability • Short programmes: summer/winter schools have their own mini-intakes and deadlines.

Autumn Intake: Typical Timeline (international applicants)

• Programmes published/updated: October–January • Applications open: December–February • Non‑EU application deadlines: January–April (earlier for portfolio-based or competitive programmes) • EU/EEA deadlines: March–June (often later than non‑EU) • Scholarship/tuition‑waiver deadlines: usually January–March • Admissions decisions/interviews: March–June • Tuition deposit and document verification: April–July • Visa/temporary residence permit (TRP)/D‑visa process: May–August • Housing booking and arrival prep: May–August • Orientation and classes: late August–September.

Spring Intake: Typical Timeline

• Calls published: June–September • Applications open: August–September • Non‑EU deadlines: September–October (to allow time for visa) • EU/EEA deadlines: October–November • Interviews/decisions: October–November • Visa/TRP or D‑visa: November–January • Arrival and orientation: January–February.

EU/EEA vs Non‑EU Deadlines

• Non‑EU/Non‑EEA applicants usually face earlier deadlines to accommodate visa/residence processing • EU/EEA/Swiss applicants often have later cut‑offs and simpler immigration steps, but popular programmes may still fill early • Some universities publish two tracks of dates—always select the track that matches your citizenship/residence status.

Programme Variations and Exceptions

• Arts, design, architecture, and performance degrees may set earlier dates for portfolios, auditions, or at‑home tasks • Health, teacher education, and clinical programmes can include extra rounds (tests, interviews) with specific windows • Joint/double degrees may follow partner timelines different from the home university • Exchange (Erasmus/visiting) students follow nomination and application cycles set by their home and host universities.

Rolling Admissions and Early‑Bird Strategy

• Some programmes evaluate applications on a rolling basis and may close once seats are filled • Applying early can increase chances for tuition‑waiver places, scholarships, and preferred housing • Early applicants have more time to fix document issues, schedule tests, and secure visa appointments.

Scholarships and Tuition‑Waiver Windows

• Merit scholarships and tuition‑waiver decisions often align with early application rounds • Separate scholarship applications (university or external) may have distinct deadlines in January–March • Late applicants may still gain admission but have fewer funding options—check programme pages carefully.

Language Tests and Key Documents

• Plan IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge/Duolingo tests 2–4 months before your target deadline • Many schools accept pending scores if submitted by a fixed date—confirm before applying • Typical required documents: passport, transcripts, degree certificates, translations, language proof, CV, motivation letter, references, portfolio (if applicable) • Keep notarization/apostille and verification lead times in mind.

Interviews, Exams, and Portfolios

• Interviews may run from February–April (autumn intake) and October–November (spring intake) • Portfolio and design tasks often have earlier upload deadlines than general applications • Some STEM programmes include online tests or coding challenges—watch your email and application portal alerts.

Visa/Residence Permit Timing for Non‑EU

• Expect 3–8+ weeks for D‑visa or TRP steps depending on country and season • Book consular appointments as soon as you receive an admission letter and insurance details • Keep buffers for biometrics, document translations, and courier times • Always verify current rules on the Police and Border Guard Board website and your nearest Estonian representation.

Orientation, Arrival, and Housing

• Universities host welcome weeks near the start of each semester—arrive in time to attend briefings, register for courses, and finalize residence paperwork • Dorm places are limited at peak times; confirm move‑in dates and deposits early • If arriving late, inform your programme and housing office; some steps (course registration, ID cards) have cut‑offs.

PhD, Joint, and Exchange Intakes

• PhD: positions are advertised year‑round; start dates are negotiable with the supervisor/graduate school • Joint degrees: follow partner‑agreed calendars; deadlines may be earlier than standard university intakes • Exchange students: typical nomination/application cycles are spring semester (apply around September–October) and autumn semester (apply around March–April)—confirm with your home university.

If You Miss a Deadline

• Consider the next intake (usually the following autumn) or look for spring‑start alternatives • Explore short courses, micro‑credentials, or language preparation to strengthen your profile in the meantime • Join university webinars and open days to prepare a stronger application for the next cycle.

12‑Month Planner (Autumn Start Example)

• 12–10 months out: shortlist programmes; check entry/language requirements; plan tests • 10–7 months: take language tests; prepare transcripts, references, and portfolio • 7–4 months: submit applications early; complete interviews and tasks • 4–2 months: receive decisions; pay deposits; apply for visa/TRP; secure housing • 2–0 months: finalize travel and insurance; enroll in courses; attend orientation.

Key Tips for a Smooth Intake

• Read programme pages line‑by‑line for exact dates—deadlines can differ within the same university • Aim to apply at least 4–8 weeks before the stated deadline, especially if you need a visa • Keep all communications inside the official portal and email; respond quickly to additional document requests • Back up every file (PDFs) and use clear file names matching university instructions.

Useful Links

Study in Estonia programmes: studyinestonia.ee/programmes • University of Tartu admissions: ut.ee/en/studies/admissions • TalTech admissions: taltech.ee/en/admissions • Tallinn University admissions: tlu.ee/en/admissions • Estonian University of Life Sciences: emu.ee/en/admissions • Estonian Academy of Arts: artun.ee/en/admissions • Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre: eamt.ee/en/admissions • Police and Border Guard Board (visa/TRP): politsei.ee

Final Note

Dates can change each year and by programme. Always confirm your exact intake, deadlines, document rules, and visa steps on the official university pages before you submit or book tests and travel.