PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 

• Estonia has over 2000 islands and is comprised of almost 50% forested land (and almost a quarter is protected nature areas). Outdoor enthusiasts will love hunting for mushrooms in the pine-filled forests or swimming in a bog lake in the Estonia wilderness.  

• Founded in the 1600s, the University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia and ranked in the top 1.2% globally! Tartu offers an extensive catalog of classes in English in many of the highest-demand subject areas. 

• Connect with your peers upon arrival by joining the University of Tartu buddy program. This program pairs you with an international degree-seeking student who might become your new best friend and can help you navigate through life abroad. 

• Take part in the social program on campus, which will allow you to participate in a range of fun and engaging cultural activities with other local and international students. Day trips and events include movie nights, a Tartu city tour, a street art scavenger hunt, museum visits, and a lot more! 

LIFE ABROAD 

Ideal for music and art lovers, explore the various venues throughout the city to listen to DJs, rock bands, and house music or the artistic vibes of the city’s murals and street art. There are also many art and music festivals to enjoy throughout the year, including the popular Song and Dance Celebration, which is the reason Estonia is often referred to as the singing nation. 

LIVE 

Live in the local student dormitory in a double room with shared kitchen facilities. Hang out in the dorm lobby, which has a spacious seating area, table tennis, and a printing facilities.

DINE 

Dig into a traditional Estonian meal that often consists of meat, potatoes, or fish from along the coastal and lakeside areas of Estonia. Prefer to make your own food? The kitchen facilities are fully equipped, and the grocery store is just a 2-minute walk from the residence. We recommend that ISEP Direct students budget approximately $300 per month for food.

EXPERIENCE 

Take a trip down the tranquil Emajõgi River river in a canoe or on a medieval boat tour. Take in the smell of damp wood and get to know your friendly boat captain who will guide you down the river - this experience is something you will not come across anywhere else in the world! 

EXPLORE 

Explore Tartu using the popular bike share program (many of the bikes you can rent are electric to satisfy those with a need for speed!). Peddle to Toome Hill, a public park known as the heart of medieval Tartu. Or ride to the Estonian National Museum to learn about the local history all the way back to the indigenous peoples of the region. Experience the indigenous culture firsthand by visiting Setomaa, an area that borders Russia and is known for its Seto inhabitants, a special tribe that still lives according to old traditions and customs. 

THRIVE 

Facilities for you to utilize at University of Tartu include a scientific library, a botanical garden, a computing center, five museums, and a modern sports center. There is also a tutoring program available that matches you with a trained student volunteer who can help you overcome academic challenges. 

What We Love About Tartu 

A university town and a hub of creative and intellectual culture, Tartu is an ideal place to discover theatre performances, concerts, and festivals at an affordable price. The town also offers many events that are popular with students including an international food festival, film nights, opportunities for sledding and skiing, sauna days, and bog walking weekends. We also love the access to a less-traveled parts of Europe such as the Estonian countryside, Latvia, and Lithuania.  

See the ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses.

Program Website

Course Description

The University of Tartu offers an extensive catalog of classes in English in many of the highest demand subject areas such as the Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science and Technology. The faculty and professors are leaders in their fields—past ISEP students have even taken classes taught by a former prime minister! 

Credits Earned 

Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 30 ECTS which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 15 U.S. Credit Hours. Each course is usually worth 3 or 6 ECTS.  Students should plan to commit at least 10 hours per week to lectures, discussions and readings for each class. 

If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid. 

Sample Classes Available: 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
International/Global Studies 

 

 
 
 
 

 Biology 

 
 
 
 

 
Foreign Languages and Literatures 

 

 
 
 
 

 

Health Sciences 

 

 
 
 
 

Comparative Ethnopolitics 

 
 

Bio-enterprise 

 
 

Russian for Beginners I & II 

 
 

Health Promotion 

 
 
 
 

Extreme Right-Wing Movements and Populism 

 
 

Evolution and the Natural World 

 
 

Russian for Pre-Intermediate Learners 

 
 

Human Physiology 

 
 
 
 

Social Policy Analysis 

 
 

Genetics 

 
 

Russian Grammar (multiple levels) 

 
 

Epidemiology & Biostatistics 

 
 
 
 

Frontiers of Europe: Belarus 

 
 

Microbiology & Virology 

 
 

Estonian (multiple levels, intensive option available) 

 
 

Anatomy 

 
 
 
 

Introduction to the European Union 

 
 

Cell Biology 

 
 

Estonia & Estonians 

 
 

Histology 

 
 
 
 

Frontiers of Europe: Belarus 

 
 

Biochemistry 

 
 

Russian Folklore and Post-folklore (taught in Russian) 

 
 

Immunology

 

For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.

Website for Course Availability

ISEP STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER Rachel Gordon 703-504-9990 | RDorfman@isep.org Thanks for your interest in ISEP Study Abroad! I’m your Student Services Officer and main point of contact here at ISEP. As you search for programs, I'll be available to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at any point in your search process for help, tips or advice.

Academics

Undergraduate
(in English)

*This program is OK for Sophomores

Fields of Study

  • Area Studies:

    European Studies French Studies German Studies Italian Studies Native American Studies Russian, Central European, East European, and Eurasian Studies Scandinavian Studies Slavic Studies United States Studies

  • Biology Recommended!

    Genetics

  • Business:

    Accounting Actuarial Science Business Communications Business Management Economics Entrepreneurship International Business/Trade/Commerce Marketing

  • Communication

    Intercultural Communication

  • Computer and Information Sciences:

    Artificial Intelligence Computer and IT Support Services Computer Applications Programming Informatics Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

  • Education

    Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language

  • Engineering:

    Chemical Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Software Engineering Petroleum Engineering Polymer/Plastics Engineering Robotics, and Automation Engineering

  • English Language and Literature:

    American Literature (United States) English Literature (British and Commonwealth) Professional/Technical Writing

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures: Recommended!

    German Language and Literature Interpretation and Translation Polish Language and Literature Portuguese Language and Literature Russian Language and Literature Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Spanish Language and Literature Swedish Language and Literature

  • Health Sciences Recommended!

    Health and Wellness

  • History:

    American History (United States) European History

  • International/Global Studies: Recommended!

    International Relations and Affairs Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution

  • Law/Criminal Justice:

    Business Law International Law

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences

    Humanities

  • Mathematics

    Statistics

  • Philosophy and Religious Studies

    Philosophy

  • Physical Sciences:

    Chemistry Geology/Earth Science

  • Social Sciences:

    Geography Political Science and Government

  • Visual and Performing Arts:

    Folk Art Jazz Studies Metal and Jewelry Arts Music Performance

Academic Requirements

  • U.S. GPA: 2.75 or higher
    *accepts lower GPA with explanation
  • TOEFL iBT Score: 75
  • IELTS Score: 5.5
  • IELTS Writing Score: 5.5
  • IELTS Reading Score: 5.5
  • IELTS Listening Score: 5.5
  • IELTS Speaking Score: 5.5

Special Application Instructions

Students are required to submit an internal application following their placement which is required of the host institution. Instructions will be sent by the ISEP Host Coordinator by email. 

VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Most students attending this program will be required to obtain a visa/residence permit. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.

PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.

Special Needs Support

  • Mental Health
  • Mobility
  • Hearing
  • Visual
  • Speech
  • Learning

Graduate
(in English)

Fields of Study

  • Area Studies:

    European Studies French Studies German Studies Italian Studies Regional Studies (U.S., Canada, Foreign) Russian, Central European, East European, and Eurasian Studies Scandinavian Studies Slavic Studies Western European Studies

  • Biology

    Genetics

  • Business:

    Accounting Actuarial Science Business Communications Business Management Economics Finance International Business/Trade/Commerce Marketing

  • Communication

    Intercultural Communication

  • Computer and Information Sciences:

    Computer and IT Support Services Computer Applications Programming Informatics Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

  • Education

    Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language

  • Engineering:

    Chemical Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Software Engineering Petroleum Engineering Robotics, and Automation Engineering

  • English Language and Literature:

    American Literature (United States) English Literature (British and Commonwealth) Professional/Technical Writing

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures:

    Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other French Language and Literature German Language and Literature Interpretation and Translation Italian Language and Literature Polish Language and Literature Portuguese Language and Literature Russian Language and Literature Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Spanish Language and Literature Swedish Language and Literature

  • History:

    American History (United States) European History

  • Hospitality and Tourism:

    Hospitality Management Tourism Management

  • International/Global Studies

    International Relations and Affairs

  • Law/Criminal Justice:

    Business Law International Law

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences

    Humanities

  • Mathematics

    Statistics

  • Philosophy and Religious Studies

    Philosophy

  • Physical Sciences

    Chemistry

  • Social Sciences:

    Geography Political Science and Government

  • Visual and Performing Arts:

    Acting Dance Folk Art Jazz Studies Metal and Jewelry Arts Music Performance

Academic Requirements

  • U.S. GPA: 2.75 or higher
    *accepts lower GPA with explanation
  • TOEFL iBT Score: 75
  • IELTS Score: 5.5
  • IELTS Writing Score: 5.5
  • IELTS Reading Score: 5.5
  • IELTS Listening Score: 5.5
  • IELTS Speaking Score: 5.5

Special Application Instructions

Students are required to submit an internal application following their placement which is required of the host institution. Instructions will be sent by the ISEP Host Coordinator by email. 

VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Most students attending this program will be required to obtain a visa/residence permit. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.

PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.

Special Needs Support

  • Mental Health
  • Mobility
  • Hearing
  • Visual
  • Speech
  • Learning

Other Academic Conditions

The University of Tartu offers many English-taught courses in different disciplines for international students. You can explore courses taught in English here: https://ut.ee/en/courses-taught-english-and-grading. Please note, The UT encourages students to take at least 50% of their classes in the same subject area they study at home. To find syllabi, please go to Tartu's course database, search for the "Course Code," and click on the name of the course. A syllabus with detailed information will be available to view or download.

International students must register for courses through the Study Information System (SIS) within the first two weeks of a semester. For registration to courses in the Studies Information System, one must have a username and password which would be sent to all new international exchange/visiting students by the beginning of a semester. If you have not received your username, please contact your coordinator at UT. 

Semester One (Fall Semester) Students: Students coming from North America should make a note of the term dates and consider that the examination period for Semester One extends into the start of January, overlapping with the start of most U.S. spring semesters.  Class instruction ends in mid-December and students may return home at this time. However, students are required to complete their exams during the established exam period in January.  Students may make arrangements to take their exams from home, but are responsible for making all arrangements in advance and gathering materials required to take the exams during the established exam period. 

ADDITIONAL FEES FOR FACULTY OF MEDICINE

The ISEP Tuition fee incorporates all faculties except Medicine.

Additional tuition fee Spring 2025: 4000 Euros/ $4540 USD PER SEMESTER for Faculty of Medicine. 

Additional tuition fee Fall 2025/Spring 2026: 6000 Euros/ $6720 USD PER SEMESTER for Faculty of Medicine.

Semester & Prices (based on your filters)

Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.


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