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Tallinn University’s MA in Estonian Studies is a two-year, English-taught programme for students who want to understand Estonia through its language, culture, history and contemporary society. It combines sustained Estonian language learning with humanities-based coursework, helping you explore how historical experience, cultural practices and language shape life in Estonia today.

You learn in small groups through discussion, reading, writing and language study, with close contact with lecturers and researchers. Language learning and content courses complement one another, allowing you to develop your Estonian while building the knowledge to interpret cultural texts, historical experiences and contemporary debates.

Studying in Tallinn gives these questions a concrete setting. Cultural institutions, archives, literary events and film festivals, alongside public debate and everyday multilingual interaction, connect your studies with the society around you. You develop the skills to analyse sources, connect language and culture, and form informed interpretations of Estonia’s past and present.

The programme provides a foundation for further academic work and professional contexts where Estonian language skills and cultural understanding are relevant. It also helps you engage more confidently with life in Estonia, whether your connection to the country is personal, academic or professional.

This programme is right for you if you:

• want to study Estonian language alongside culture, history and society in an English-taught master’s programme;

• have Estonian roots or connections through family, friends or work and want to explore that relationship in an academic setting;

• live in Estonia, or are planning to relocate, and want to better understand the cultural and historical contexts of everyday life and public debate;

• come from another academic background and want to develop a focused interest in Estonia for further study or professional work;

• have encountered Estonian language or culture through previous studies or personal experience and want to deepen your knowledge;

• are interested in Estonian literature or translation and want to strengthen your linguistic and cultural foundation.

At the core of the programme is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Estonia through:

• Estonian language and identity
• Culture and contemporary society
• History and cultural memory
• Literature and translation

Compulsory courses include:

• Introduction to Estonian Studies and East European Studies
• Estonian Language and Identity
• Contemporary Issues of Estonian Culture
• Historical Perspectives on Estonian Culture

These courses provide a shared foundation for exploring how language, culture, historical experience and social change are connected in Estonia.

Estonian language learning runs throughout the programme, alongside cultural and historical study. Courses range from beginner to intermediate level (A1–B1+), and you must achieve at least B1-level Estonian to graduate.

Electives allow you to develop your own academic focus through topics such as cultural memory, history, literature, translation, linguistics and contemporary society. Examples include:

• History and Memory
• Translation of Fiction
• Estonian Literature
• Estonian Politics and Society

Teaching follows a cyclical format, with classes usually held from Thursday to Saturday, helping you combine your studies with work and other commitments.

The programme concludes with a master’s thesis (24 ECTS). Supported by the master’s seminar, you conduct independent research on a topic within Estonian Studies. If you specialise in literary translation, you may submit a book translation accompanied by an analytical introduction.

East European Studies major

From autumn 2026, the programme also offers an East European Studies major, focusing on the cultures, histories and contemporary developments of Eastern Europe. Read more

Put your knowledge into practice

Your studies connect Estonian language learning with the interpretation of culture, history and contemporary society. Through reading, discussion, writing and independent research, you develop your ability to analyse sources, explain cultural contexts and communicate informed perspectives on Estonia.

Living and studying in Tallinn gives you opportunities to use your Estonian beyond the classroom and explore how the questions discussed in your courses appear in everyday life, cultural events and public debate.

Engage with Estonian cultural life

You are encouraged to take part in public lectures, seminars, conferences and cultural events, from literary discussions and book presentations to festivals such as . Museums, archives and exhibitions offer further opportunities to explore your academic interests. These activities complement your studies without being formal programme requirements.

The programme cooperates with the , the and international networks of Estonian language teachers. These connections support teaching, translation-related study and engagement with contemporary Estonian culture.

Erasmus+ and exchange opportunities

As a Tallinn University student, you can explore exchange opportunities to experience a different academic environment and bring new perspectives to your studies of language, culture and history. Find out more about exchange opportunities.

Finishing your studies

The programme concludes with a master’s thesis (24 ECTS), developed with support from the master’s seminar. You conduct independent research on a topic within Estonian Studies, demonstrating your ability to analyse sources, develop a supported argument and present your findings clearly.

If you specialise in literary translation, you may submit a book translation accompanied by an analytical introduction. All students must also achieve at least B1-level Estonian to graduate.

Career opportunities

Knowledge of Estonian language, culture, history and society can support careers in Estonia and international roles connected to the country and the Baltic region. Depending on your interests, previous experience and language proficiency, you can pursue opportunities in:

• Culture and heritage
• Education and research
• Translation and language services
• International relations and cultural exchange
• Communication and marketing
• Business involving Estonian partners
• Creative industries

After your master’s studies, you can also pursue doctoral studies in a relevant field, subject to the admission requirements of your chosen programme.

Explore our PhD programmes

Student life and learning environment

Meet our Alumni

Read about Estonian Studies alumni experiences

Meet our teaching staff

Admissions

General requirements

• Completed Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent
• Proof of English Proficiency
  Please see the complete overview of admission and application requirements for .

Entrance exams

The admission exam consists of a written and oral part. The admission examination score is calculated as follows: for general applicants, 40% is based on the personal statement and 60% on the interview; for applicants to the translation specialisation, 40% is based on the personal statement, 15% on the sample of a translation, and 45% on the interview.

• As the written part of the application, applicants submit a Personal Statement (one or two pages). The Personal Statement should be uploaded in PDF format to the online application system DreamApply or SAIS.
• The oral part in an interview. Only applicants receiving the minimum required points for the written part (28 points) are invited for an interview. The time of the interview is arranged individually via e-mail. If the date and time offered for an online interview do not suit the applicant it may be possible to delay the interview until the next interview date. Important! Only applicants receiving minimum of 28 points for the first round (letter of motivation and research proposal) will be invited for an interview.
• Student candidates who wish to specialise on translating Estonian literature should also upload a two-page sample of a translation (from Estonian into their native language and the Estonian original). Prior knowledge of Estonian is required for this specialisation! 

In your Personal Statement, we would like to learn more about you, your background, experiences and interests. You may use the following questions to guide your statement: What experiences, people or important choices have shaped you as a person and influenced your path so far? What academic, cultural or societal topics matter most to you personally and why? Looking closely at your chosen major, which courses, topics or areas of study particularly interest you, and how do they relate to your own interests and background? What else would you like to tell us about yourself that would help the Admissions Committee gain a fuller picture of you as a prospective student? 

During the interview running for 20 minutes, applicants are expected to discuss their motivation for MA-level studies, respond to questions related to their chosen field, demonstrate their ability to analyse and discuss different topics and reflect on their future plans and prospects related to the field. Important! Only applicants receiving minimum of 28 points for the written part (personal statemanet) will be invited for an interview.

For the purposes of identity verification at the admission procedure the Admission Committee has the right to record the oral part of the admission exam carried out via video bridge.

Assessment of the candidates

1. Personal Statement: 40 points (min. required 28 points)
2. Interview: 60 points (min. requirement 42 points)

For candidates specialising on translating

1. Personal Statement: 40 points (min. required 28 points)
2. Sample of a translation 15 points (min. requirement 10,5 points)
3. Interview: 45 points (min. requirement 31,5 points)

Translation Specialisation:

How we assess

The examination board will assess each candidate individually based on the criteria. For the written part, each board member will assess the candidates based on the submitted materials and adds points into a table that calculates the average of the candidate. Based on the average the candidate is invited / not invited for the interview.

At least two board members must participate at the interview. One of the participating board members will be leading the interview, all members may ask questions. After each interview, there is a discussion among the board members who were present at the interview. Points are still entered individually into the table which calculates the average of the points given, and the final subtotal points.

If the candidate has also submitted a sample of translation, the board members will discuss it among themselves before entering the individual points into the table.

Find more information about the deadlines here.

Scholarships

Tuition fee discounts 2027/2028 Academic Year

The tuition fee for the MA programme in Estonian Studies at Tallinn University is €2,100 per semester.

Please note that the discounts are available only to students admitted in 2027. Four 50% tuition fee discounts are available across the two specialisations: Estonian Studies and East European Studies. The discounts are awarded on the basis of a single joint ranking of applicants across both specialisations. Students who receive the discount pay €1,050 per semester.

Starting with the 2027 intake, tuition fee discounts are awarded on a semester-by-semester basis, in accordance with the applicable university regulations. The deadline for applying for a tuition fee discount is 6 September 2027.

Move to Tallinn

Studying in Tallinn, means studying at a compact European capital where education, technology and digital innovation meet. As an international student, you can benefit from Tallinn University's support and access practical information to help you settle into life in Estonia from the basics of accommodation to the details about working while studying and of course where to find the student support services. 

Find information about:

• Accommodation
• VISA information
• Healthcare and insurance
• Cost of living
• Public transport
• Working while studying
• Peer support and student buddies
• Student Support Centre

Explore more practical topics that might come up as you relocate.

Contacts

Elsi Vänto
Study Counsellor-Study Specialist

For additional guidelines regarding admission procedure please contact the international admission specialist:

For additional information regarding student life at Tallinn University please contact Student Ambassadors.