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Tallinn University’s East European Studies major is a two-year, English-taught pathway within the MA in Estonian Studies. It is designed for students who want to understand Eastern Europe through its languages, cultures, history and politics. The major combines language learning with interdisciplinary coursework, helping you explore how imperial legacies, Soviet and post-Soviet experiences, and contemporary developments shape the region.

You learn through seminars, discussion, reading and analytical writing. Language study supports your engagement with regional sources and debates, while electives allow you to develop a focus in literature, history, linguistics or regional politics. Throughout your studies, you learn to compare perspectives, interpret complex material and develop independent, well-supported arguments.

Studying in Tallinn gives you a Baltic perspective on Eastern Europe. Estonia’s multilingual environment, historical experiences and ongoing debates about identity and democracy provide a concrete setting for the questions you explore. Lectures, conferences and cultural events offer further opportunities to connect your academic interests with intellectual life beyond the classroom.

The major provides a foundation for further academic study and professional work where regional knowledge, cultural understanding and informed analysis matter. It can also deepen the expertise of students already working in fields connected to Eastern Europe.

This major is right for you if you:

• want to explore Eastern Europe through connected perspectives on language, culture, history and politics;
• have a background in the humanities or social sciences, or come from another field and want to develop an academic focus on the region;
• are interested in questions of identity, memory, language and political change;
• want to combine language learning with cultural, historical or political analysis;
• enjoy reading, discussion and analytical writing and want to develop your independent research skills;
• are considering doctoral study or professional work in international relations, diplomacy, cultural institutions or other contexts connected to Eastern Europe.

At the core of the major is an interdisciplinary approach to Eastern Europe through:

• Languages and identities
• Literature and culture
• History and memory
• Politics and contemporary regional developments

Compulsory courses include:

• Introduction to Estonian Studies and East European Studies
• Languages and Identities in the East European Space
• East European Literatures and Cultures
• Current Issues in East European Studies

These courses establish a shared analytical foundation for understanding the region and comparing developments across different historical, cultural and political contexts.

Language study is an integral part of the major. Options include Estonian, Russian, Polish and Ukrainian, with courses at different levels for beginners and students continuing previous study. You develop language skills that help you engage with sources, cultural contexts and regional debates.

Electives allow you to shape your academic focus around your interests. Options may include:

• East European Politics
• Russian and Slavic Cultural Linguistics
• Paradigms of Russian Culture
• Estonian Language and Identity

Teaching follows a cyclical format, with classes usually held from Thursday to Saturday, helping you combine study with professional commitments.

The major concludes with a master’s thesis (24 ECTS) aligned with your academic interests. Through the master’s seminar, you develop your research focus, strengthen your academic writing and prepare to conduct independent research on a topic connected to Eastern Europe.

Put your knowledge into practice

Your studies connect language learning with cultural, historical and political analysis of Eastern Europe. Through reading, discussion, analytical writing and independent research, you develop your ability to interpret sources, compare perspectives and communicate informed arguments about the region.

Engage with academic and cultural life

You are encouraged to participate in lectures, seminars, conferences and cultural events organised by Tallinn University and partner institutions. These activities offer opportunities to explore your interests and encounter different perspectives beyond the classroom, while remaining optional.

The major draws on cooperation with the Juri Lotman Semiotic Repository and the School of Governance, Law and Society. These connections support interdisciplinary study and bring additional cultural, historical and political perspectives to your learning.

Erasmus+ and exchange opportunities

As a Tallinn University student, you can take advantage of opportunities to study abroad and gain international experience through exchange studies.  Find out more about exchange opportunities.

Finishing your studies

At the end of your studies, you will complete and defend a master’s thesis on a topic related to Eastern Europe. The thesis gives you the opportunity to investigate a research question in depth, critically analyse sources and demonstrate your ability to conduct independent research.

Career opportunities

Knowledge of Eastern European languages, cultures, history and politics can support careers where regional expertise, analysis and cultural understanding matter. Depending on your interests and previous experience, you can pursue opportunities in:

• International relations and diplomacy
• Policy research and analysis
• Cultural institutions and heritage
• Education and research
• International cooperation and cultural exchange
• Communication and regional analysis

After your master’s studies, you can also pursue doctoral studies in fields such as cultural studies, history, linguistics or related humanities and social sciences, subject to the admission requirements of your chosen programme.

Explore our PhD programmes

Student life and learning environment

Meet our teaching staff

Meet the full 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: 40% is based on the personal statement and 60% 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 is 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.

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.

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)

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.

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.