Higher Education and Research - Settle in Estonia programme

Higher Education and Research

HANDBOOKS

Estonia: State, Society and Language

Private and Public Services

Networking, Volunteering and Leisure Time

Working and Labour Market

My Rights and Responsibilities

Higher Education and Research

Kindergarten and Schools

Children and Family

Residence and Citizenship

Business and Entrepreneurship

Introduction

1. Estonian higher education and research - facts

2. Higher education in Estonia

2.1. The higher education institutions

2.2. Various levels of higher education

Higher education qualifications

First level of higher education

2.3. Quality of higher education

2.4. Academic life: what do you need to know?

Forms of study

System of study

Curriculum, module, subject

Assessment and grading

Recognition of prior and experiential learning

2.5. Teaching at the university

2.6. Students in Estonian higher education

Statistics

2.7. Academics in higher education

Academic staff positions

Responsibilities of the academics

2.8. Academics in higher education

Support for students

Student representation

Support and networking for academics

2.9. Academics in higher education

3. Research in Estonia

3.1. R&D institutions

University-Industry cooperation

3.2. Policy research institutions

3.3. Organisation of research and development

3.4. The state of research and developmen

Natural sciences

Engineering and Technology Sciences

Medical Sciences

Agricultural sciences

Social Sciences

Humanities and the Arts

3.5. Funding of research

The framework of funding research Funding instruments

3.6. Intellectual property

INTRODUCTION

Dear reader,

Thank you for participating in the “Settle in Estonia” programme. Our programme has been designed for foreigners who have decided to move to Estonia and our courses have been available to new arrivals since 2015. Whether your reason for choosing Estonia is based on your family connections, work, study or business interests, our programme is here to help you settle in and nd your feet in a new country.

The handbook you currently have in front of you is designed to act as a reference point you can use even after the course has nished. We hope it will be useful to you during your rst years in Estonia and will help you nd the correct and up-to-date information on the subject you are interested in. The handbook is updated on a regular basis to make sure the information contained in it is accurate. You can nd the details of the current issue on the back cover. When new versions become available, you can nd them on the website: issuu.com/settleinestonia

This handbook gives a short overview of Estonian research and higher education landscape. It provides information that could be important for a present or prospective student, academic or researcher. This handbook can be viewed as a “ rst aid package” that will help you better orientate yourself when planning studies or research in Estonia, in academic life and in teaching and learning practices, in communicating with professors or students, including in academic networks, in nding funding to your research etc.

De nitely check these other handbooks as well:

Residency and legal issues are covered in the handbook on residence and citizenship

Work and internship related topics are covered in handbook working and the labour market

Leisure time and networking is more thoroughly covered in handbook networking, volunteering and leisure time

Tere tulemast Eestisse! Welcome to Estonia!

Head lugemist! Have a good read!

1. FACTS ABOUT HIGHER

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

Kes külvab tuult, lõikab tormi He who sows the wind will reap a storm

In the academic year 2022/23

About 44,100 students enrolled in higher education. Compared to the previous year, the number of students in higher education has decreased.

About 4900 foreign students studied in Estonia.

About 9030 research and development personnel were employed at Estonian public universities and other non-pro t research institutions.

1129 foreign researchers worked at Estonian non-pro t research institutions in 2021, which is 21% more than in the previous academic year.

In 2022, 1,75% share of R&D expenditure in GDP in Estonia.

2. HIGHER EDUCATION IN ESTONIA

2.1. THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

A good source about higher education in Estonia is the website studyinestonia.ee

The Estonian higher education system has three levels and follows the European Higher Education Area Bachelor-Master-PhD model. There are two types of higher education institutions in Estonia: universities (EE: ) and applied higher education institutions (EE: ).

Higher Education in Estonia is regulated by the Higher Education Act (EE: ). Additionally, each of six public Estonian universities has its own legislative act that provides for the legal status, objective and limits of autonomy of the university as well as the bases of its management, nancing and activities.

Lennart Meri Former president of Estonia

(1992-2001)

People can be successful only in environments where they either understand or think they understand the underlying causal relationships.

Universities are institutions that o er academic higher education. At universities, students acquire these academic quali cations at di erent levels: the bachelor’s (EE: ), master’s (EE: ) and doctoral (EE: ) level. Universities may also o er professional higher education studies. Estonian universities o er a wide selection of courses ranging from veterinary science to semiotics, and from animation to international relations.

Public universities bene t from relative autonomy that gives them a certain degree of independence in managing and organising the academic structure, teaching and research work, the course curricula, the terms and conditions for the employment of teaching sta , and academic life in general.

Eesti Kunstiakadeemia (Estonian Academy of Arts)

Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemia (Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre)

Eesti Maaülikool (Estonian University of Life Sciences)

Tallinna Tehnikaülikool (Tallinn University of Technology)

Tallinna Ülikool (Tallinn University)

Tartu Ülikool (University of Tartu)

Estonian Business School (private)

Did you know?

In recent years, the number of R&D personnel in the private sector has increased by 47% in contrast to a decrease (-7%) in the public sector.

Applied higher education institutions usually o er professional higher education with an aim to provide professional skills. These applied higher education institutions may also o er master-level degree programmes, often in collaboration with universities.

There are two types of applied higher education institutions in Estonia: public (funded by the state budget) and private. These institutions provide study programmes mainly in the following elds: social sciences (economics, international relations, law), business administration, theology, and ne arts.

Eesti Lennuakadeemia (Estonian Aviation Academy)

Kaitseväe Akadeemia (The Estonian Military Academy)

Sisekaitseakadeemia (Estonian Academy of Security Sciences)

Tallinna Tehnikakõrgkool (TTK University of Applied Sciences)

Tallinna Tervishoiu Kõrgkool (Tallinn Health Care College)

Kõrgem Kunstikool Pallas (Pallas University of Applied Sciences)

Tartu Tervishoiu Kõrgkool (Tartu Health Care College)

There are also four private professional higher education institutions that o er professional higher education programmes.

Did you know?

Higher education is valued in Estonia: 41% of all 25–64-year-old people and 44% of all 30–34-year-old people have a higher education. In the European Union, this percentage is only higher in Ireland, Lithuania and Luxembourg.

Out of ~13,300 students admitted in 2022/23, the majority is studying business, administration, and law (19%), technology, production, and construction (13%), humanities and arts (14%), ICT (12%) and health science (12%).

2.2. VARIOUS LEVELS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2.2.1. Higher education quali cations

Since year 2002/2003 the Estonian higher education system has been following a three-cycle structure according to the bachelor-master-doctoral programme model of the European Higher Education Area.

To ensure that all submitted education documents are authentic and grant access to higher education in Estonia, they are veri ed by an Academic Recognition Information Centre (so called ENIC/NARIC system). If it becomes evident that the presented documents are false or do not enable access to higher education, higher education institutions reserve the right to withdraw any study o er which has been made to a candidate. Thus, the Estonian ENIC/NARIC system evaluates foreign quali cations and determines whether they correspond to Estonia quali cations, this includes employment related quali cations in non-regulated professions harno.ee/enicnaric.

2.2.2.

First level of higher education

Secondary education is required to access higher education in Estonia. In addition, universities may impose additional entry requirements such as entrance examinations, results of state examinations, academic tests or interviews. Those wishing to study courses taught in English can submit documents via the electronic admissions portal DreamApply via the link estonia.dreamapply.com

Estonian students use the electronic Admission Information System SAIS, sais.ee. You may also submit your documents in person.

The rst level of higher education consists of professional higher education studies and Bachelor studies. The rst level of studies usually lasts for 3–4 years. Professional higher education provides the skills required to work at a speci c vocation or continue on the master’s level. Bachelor’s study is more academic and provides the basic theoretical knowledge and main skills required to either continue the studies or start work. The rst level of higher education ends with an exam or a nal research paper.

A bachelor’s degree is often insu icient to work at one’s chosen profession, and a master’s degree or professional experience may be required. For example, you can only study to be a doctor, a veterinarian, a pharmacist, a dentist, an architect, a civil engineer or a class teacher through an integrated programme which combines the bachelor’s and master’s study and lasts 5–6 years and generally ends with an exam, sometimes also with a nal thesis or project.

The second level of higher education is master’s study, which allows students to acquire more profound knowledge and skills in their subject, and provides them with the knowledge and independent work skills to continue at the doctoral (PhD) level. A bachelor’s or equal degree is a prerequisite for applying for master’s study. A master’s study generally lasts two years and ends with a master’s exam or independently prepared and thoroughly researched master’s thesis. A master’s degree is generally deemed su icient to begin work in the eld studied and it is also the minimum level to carry out teaching at the university.

The third level of higher education is a doctoral study, which provides knowledge and skills for independent research, development or creative work. A doctoral study lasts 3–4 years. The outcome of doctoral study is a PhD degree – a degree that requires the student to write and defend a doctoral thesis. A doctoral thesis may be a creative work (depending on the area of speciality) or scienti c research in the form of a monograph or a collection of scienti c articles. A PhD degree is a prerequisite for becoming a researcher, some higher-level civil servants are also expected to have it.

PhD programme

180-240 EAP (3-4 years)

INTEGRATED BACHELOR’s and MASTER’s programme

300-360 EAP (5-6 years)

MASTER’s programme

60-120 EAP (1-2 years)

BACHELOR’s programme

180-240 EAP (3-4 years)

PROFESSIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION

180-270 EAP (3-4,5 years)

GYMNASIUM

2.3. QUALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The quality of higher education can primarily be assessed by international comparison.

Estonian universities are ranking in QS World University Rankings quite highly and in general, the ranks have been improving over the last years. The ranking of three Estonian universities in 2024 is following:

1. University of Tartu: rank 358

2. Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech): rank 651-660

3. Tallinn University: rank 1001-1200

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

In the eld of engineering and technology, Tallinn University of Technology is represented, which is 451-500 among the best in the world in the eld of engineering sciences and technology.

The University of Tartu is the only one represented in arts and humanities (rank 289), life sciences and medicine (rank 321), in natural sciences, (rank 378), in the social sciences (rank 401-450).

In even narrower areas, such as political science, linguistics, geography, agriculture and forestry, the University of Tartu stands up high on the ranking list (between 151 and 250). The University of Tartu has a professional ranking between 301-350 in computer science.

Tallinn University of Technology highlights the ranking in areas: engineering and technology (451-500), business and management (501-550), in the eld of electricity and electronics (351-400).

Estonian University of Life Sciences is represented in the eld of agriculture and forestry (rank 37).

1,75% Share of R&D expenditure in GDP in Estonia.

Each curricula group taught in Estonia and each institution is assessed regularly, every seven years. Curricula is regularly assessed by the state and new curricula must receive state approval before opening. The main direction of education at the Estonian universities is towards a more practical and problem-solving based study. Curricula aims to include more modern methods and teach life-skills such as group work and interdisciplinary approaches.

Students with special needs are also welcome at Estonian higher education institutions. Estonia supports students with special needs in acquiring higher education: students with special needs who study in Estonia as long-term residents, with a temporary residence permit, or with a permanent or temporary right of residence, are also eligible for the scholarship scheme. Universities are mostly accessible: many academic buildings are equipped with ramps and/or lifts. Larger libraries have Braille printers and other technical aids available. More information is available from the school you are interested in.

Besides the main studies, universities also o er shorter (1–4 weeklong) courses, taught in English, on Estonian language and culture, and courses on other topics (e.g. humanities, e-services and cybersecurity). More information is available on the Study in Estonia website, see more at studyinestonia.ee/study/programmes/short-courses

The universities’ training centres also organise further training courses of varying lengths for professional development, as well as hobby trainings. These can be organised as study days, longer programs, e-learning courses, summer schools, a series of lectures, or custom-built or ordered trainings all over Estonia. A fee is normally charged for further training courses.

Further information

Dreamapply – admissions portal for foreign students who do not have an Estonian ID-card or bank account, found at estonia.dreamapply.com

Admission Information System (SAIS) – to apply for courses taught in Estonian. To apply through SAIS, you need an Estonian ID-card or an Estonian Internet banking account that allows you to sign in, found at sais.ee

Study in Estonia – a comprehensive and practical website introducing higher education opportunities and student life in Estonia, found at studyinestonia.ee

Estonian Education and Youth Board – manages information about funding, scholarships and mobility opportunities, and directs it towards students, young scholars, and teachers. See more at harno.ee/en

State-portal eesti.ee – contact details of universities. Each university’s website will have more information about courses o ered, the organisation of studies, etc. See more at eesti.ee

2.4. ACADEMIC LIFE: WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

Since the 2012/2013 academic year, higher education in Estonia has been free of charge for those who study full-time and in Estonian.

There are generally no tuition fees in Estonia, and Estonian-language curricula are free. A fee is generally charged for studying courses taught in English at bachelor’s and master’s levels, but all doctoral study courses are free at Estonian universities. It is possible to take a student loan during studies and apply for scholarships. Read more about scholarships o ered to foreign students on the website of the Estonian Education and Youth Board via this link harno.ee/en

Curricula are generally in Estonian, but it is becoming more possible to study in English and some rare courses are provided in Russian. More information about English-language programmes can be found at studyinestonia.ee.

Tuition fees for English-taught degree programmes at di erent universities can vary, depending on the level of studies and the speciality. Generally, tuition fees range from 1500€ to 6000€ per year for bachelor’s and master’s programmes (except the medicine programme which is 11,000€ per year). Some higher education institutions may have di erent tuition fees for both students from the European Union and those from outside the European Union. Additionally, some universities o er various bachelor’s and master’s programmes with no tuition fee at all (tuition fee waivers, tuition free programmes), especially in the engineering and ICT eld. There is a wide range of scholarships available for both bachelor and master studies students.

Student loan (EE: )

Every student enrolled at Estonian universities are eligible for the student loan. The interest rate on a student loan is ca. 2% + 6-month euribor.

You have to meet the following conditions to apply for a student loan:

You are a citizen of the Republic of Estonia or the holder of a long-term residence permit or permanent right of residence

The length of your studies as set out in the curriculum is 6 months or more

You are a full-time or part-time student

In a university or an institution of professional education that is governed by Estonian public law or that operates on the basis of the Private Schools Act, or

On the basis of secondary education in a state or municipal institution of vocational education or an institution of vocational education that operates on the basis of the Private Schools Act, or

In a foreign educational institution that is equivalent to the educational institutions listed above

You are not on academic leave

You do not have any debts

As of 2023, the student loan amount ranges from 1000 to 3000

There are two options for securing a student loan:

Suretyship of two persons

Property located in Estonia

Doctoral studies at public universities are free of charge and the tuition fee of private institutions can be waived. PhD students admitted before September 2022 who are studying at state-funded study places are entitled to a state-provided doctoral allowance of €660 a month. The monthly allowance also covers the doctoral student’s national health insurance. It is also possible for PhD students to receive additional stipends on top of the doctoral allowance (e.g. performance stipend, smart specialisation stipend, etc) – this depends on the university.

Furthermore, additional scholarships are available for international PhD students. In addition, there are various programme-based doctoral study placements, for which the funding comes from other sources. Opportunities that are more speci c can be inquired about from the department of the university where you wish to study. Consult with your home university or visit studyinestonia.ee for scholarships!

The reform of doctoral studies

In 2022, the doctoral studies in Estonia were redesigned in such a way that most doctoral students are guaranteed the position of junior researcher at a university or research and development institution or an employment contract concluded in an institution outside the university in a eld related to their doctoral thesis.

The employment contract relationship enables clear xation and remuneration of the duties related to doctoral studies in order to make doctoral studies more e ective. It also ensures social guarantees for PhD students, such as annual paid leave and the possibility of receiving sickness bene ts.

A doctoral degree completed in cooperation with partners outside the university is called 'a transfer of knowledge doctoral degree'. In such a case, the doctoral research is conducted with the needs of the company or the institution in mind, and the doctoral student works for the partner company or institution.

The possibility that the PhD student does not enter into an employment contract for carrying out research, completes their studies in addition to other main work and does so without the right to receive the doctoral allowance will be preserved. The transition to the new concept of doctoral studies will take place gradually until 2026.

2.4.1. Forms of study

Full-time study (EE: ) – 75–100% of the nominal volume (usually 60 ECTS per academic year) of the curriculum must be completed by the end of the academic year (i.e. 45–60 ECTS per academic year). If the student does not ful l the requirements of full-time study by the beginning of the following academic year, he or she will be transferred to the part-time study. To obtain and retain a residence permit for studying, you must study full time. Full-time tuition is a prerequisite for studying free of charge when studying Estonian-language (and several English-language) programmes and it is required by many grants and scholarships.

Part-time study (EE: ) – 50–75% of the curriculum must be completed by the end of the academic year (i.e. 30–44 ECTS per academic year). A part-time student is a fully entitled student in the eyes of the university.

External student – a student whose workload is less than that of a part-time student, but who has the right to complete the curriculum, take examinations and tests, and/or complete the nal examination or defend their thesis. External students do not have student status or rights. There are mainly three (temporal, i.e. time-related) forms of study in Estonian higher education. Daytime study means Mon-Fri during the daytime; cyclical study lectures take place on the weekends or in the evenings, and distance learning (EE: ) where you attend school less than once a month and at other times, so studies take place independently and at home. Which form of study is used depends on the curriculum and is not related to the workload of the students.

Full-time study is a form of study in which daily attendance is expected from students. Part-time study or distance learning or part-time study is a form of study where studies are conducted in study sessions and the emphasis is on the student’s independent work. Studies take place in the form of contact classes, practical training and independent work.

Leelo Tungal

Poet and children’s writer

If anything changes here in Estonia, then in the future, thanks to today's children.

2.4.2. System of study

Academic calendar

The academic year is the temporal calculation unit of the study process, beginning on 1st of September (or the week including 1st of September) and ending on 31st of August. The academic year consists of two 20-week semesters. The academic calendar speci es the dates of the beginning and end of the academic year, semesters, and holidays. Academic calendars can be found on university websites.

Academic quarter-hour (EE: ) means that lectures, seminars and other study begin 15 minutes after the full hour. It is common practice in universities but depends on university and academic sta . So, always worth checking!

Study Information System

The Study Information System ÕIS (EE: ) is an online database that supports your management and organisation of your studies. Most universities in Estonia use ÕIS; it is a common communication channel between a lecturer/university and a student. Notices and information sent through ÕIS are considered to have been o icially forwarded to the student. ÕIS is web-based and therefore easily accessible.

ÕIS is very useful as it contains a summary of the subjects a student has chosen, the study materials, grades, etc. ÕIS keeps and systematises data concerning the studies at the university.

Moodle

Moodle is a learning management system designed for both students and teachers. Teachers can create their courses in Moodle and send the learners to Moodle automatically at the ÕIS course syllabus. Most of the course materials are being stored and disseminated via Moodle. Typically, you can log in to Moodle with the username and password of your university com-

puter network (the same you use for logging in to the ÕIS). Many video-based courses (such as webinars) take also place through the internet (for example, Big Blue Button, Zoom or Teams).

2.4.3. Curriculum, module, subject

A curriculum is a document which sets out the general goals of the studies, the learning outcomes, the nominal study period, the workload of the curriculum, the language of instruction, the requirements for the commencement of studies, the list, workload and a brief description of subjects, the options and requirements for choosing subjects, the options for specialisation as well as the requirements for completing the studies.

A curriculum is comprised of a set of modules. The module of introductory courses provides students with a general overview of the subject area. Speciality modules focus on providing students with speciality knowledge. Students can also choose a minor, which will give them an overview of interesting specialisations outside of their major. The goals and learning outcomes of the curriculum are de ned on the basis of knowledge, skills and competencies, which take into consideration the learning outcomes of the study period, as described in the higher education standards and the requirements of the Estonian labour market.

A subject is a set of knowledge and skills (competencies) you need to acquire related to the issues in a particular discipline or area. Passing a subject is marked by the performance indicator (for example, a grade or passed/non-passed).

Subject categories are as follows:

Compulsory subjects: subjects that the students must acquire within a curriculum

Elective subjects: subjects that can be selected from a list of subjects provided in the curriculum

Open electives: subjects that can be selected freely from the subjects listed in the di erent curricula of the university

The course description provides a brief introduction to the subject in Estonian and English and is accessible on the university study system ÕIS. The course description includes the following information: the code and name of the

subject, the language of instruction, prerequisite subject(s), the workload of the subject, the objectives of the course and expected learning outcomes (knowledge and skills acquired through the course of study), a brief description of the subject course, the name of the teaching sta member and the method of assessing learning outcomes (di erentiating or non-di erentiating assessment).

The course programme or syllabus is a document de ning the content of a subject and the prerequisites for study. The syllabus is made, updated and entered in ÕIS by the teaching sta member in charge of the subject. It is obligatory for the teaching sta member to follow the syllabus. If necessary, the syllabus may contain extraordinary studies (lectures by visiting sta member, etc.). The syllabi are made public and available in the university’s ÕIS. The teaching sta member introduces the syllabus to the students at the opening lecture.

The syllabus includes the following information

The workload and timetable of contact classes

The quota of participants, if necessary

The list of topics to be covered, topics for independent work

A list of required and recommended study material/literature

The method of assessing the achieved learning outcomes (e.g. oral or written examination or prelim, test, the summary essay, report, course paper, course project, etc.)

The requirements that need to be met before the nal assessment of learning outcomes (prerequisite subjects, participation in seminars, written papers, etc.)

The principles of grading (including the weight of ongoing assessment) and possibilities for retaking the examinations

The volume of study is measured in European Credit Transfer System credits (ECTS, EE: or ). A single ECTS is equivalent to 26 hours of work done by a student. Students can study at universities full time or part-time. However, it is also possible to study as an external student without matriculation at the university, for a fee.

The time may be spent in various combinations of the classroom, laboratory, library, o -campus and at homework. Students earn credit points following the requirements speci ed in the curriculum of the subject, and they result from the achievement or completion of the nal assessment of the learning outcomes. The volume of a curriculum in one o icial standard academic year is 60 credits.

2.4.4. Assessment and grading

All courses taught at the university end with an examination (EE: ) or a pass/fail assessment (EE: ). There may be several independent examinations in the separate parts of the course. There are usually oral and written examinations at the end of each semester, during a 4-week examination session in the end on each term (usually in January and in June).

Academic achievement is assessed according to one of two systems: di erentiated assessment (grading A-F) and non-di erentiated assessment (passed/failed).

The examination or preliminary examination is considered passed if it is graded with a grade ranging from “E” to “A”. The results are entered in the Study Information System (ÕIS).

A excellent/suurepärane (outstanding performance)

B very good/väga hea (outstanding performance with some errors)

C good/hea (generally sound work with a number of notable errors)

D satisfactory/rahuldav (fair but with signi cant shortcomings)

E su icient/kasin (some knowledge of the subject but severe shortcomings)

F insu icient/puudulik (unsatisfactory knowledge)

2.4.5.

Recognition of prior and experiential learning

Recognition of prior and experiential learning (RPL; EE: ) is a process which makes it possible to take into account the knowledge and experience acquired elsewhere when ful lling the admission requirements or completing a study programme in order to avoid re-learning something that a student has already learned. RPL bene ts those who wish to continue un nished studies or change their speciality, as well as those who wish to apply for the accreditation of knowledge and skills gained from additional training, work and other experiences.

Applying for RPL is in most cases free of charge for students. RPL applications are assessed individually. Universities have RPL advisers who can give information about the implementation possibilities of RPL.

2.5. TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY

Teaching in higher education involves planning a study process, conducting teaching activities, assessing and giving feedback, supervising and reviewing, and methodological activities.

In recent years, the teaching practices in Estonian higher education have been a target of reforms and several developments. Academics’ teaching skills and competencies have been paid a lot of attention via various programmes and training courses. The level of teaching skills among the teaching sta is crucial for the professional competitiveness of higher education graduates.

Teaching is a process which is

Planned together with the students

A process of cooperative learning and cooperation

Used to create conditions for critical understanding, discussion, constructing common knowledge

Meant for broadening experiences

Intended for learning how to learn

Used for connecting learning with practice

Supporting the development of the students’ personality

Some examples of learning methods:

Lectures, including conversation, discussion, explanation and demonstration (up to 40% of auditory studies)

Seminars, practicums, group work, including written exercises, experiments, etc. (up to 60% of auditory studies)

Active study methods, including simulations, role play, discussions, eldtrips, project study and problem study

Studying in an e-learning environment

Independent work (students’ independent work in the lecture, homework, writing research papers and essays, independent work with literature and research activities)

Individual supervision

The form of studies recommended at Estonian higher institutions is active learning. Active learning is a process of studying in which students participate actively. It helps students interpret the acquired knowledge and associate it with reality.

Some examples of active learning methods:

Taking notes

Work-along exercises

One-minute essays

Concept maps

Peer teaching

Study partners and working in pairs

Group work

Case study or case-based learning

Questions and answers

Requirements for successful learning:

The study material must be signi cant to the student, i.e. important. The more voluntary the learning process is, the more important it is to motivate the student. When engaging with adults you will have to keep in mind that they may already have an idea or even skills that do not necessarily coincide with the ones you teach

Trying to re-learn something in a di erent way is always harder than simply adding knowledge

The material you teach must be appropriate or slightly challenging for the student. It is very di icult for a person to learn if he does not understand the material

Learning success can also be increased by revising and bringing examples. Making the subject auditory or visual also helps in understanding. Another typical misconception that teachers have is thinking that once they have spoken the student has learned all there is to learn

Teaching...

Is not saying what is right, imposing viewpoints, active academics and passive learners

Should be cooperative, interactive, directed towards the re ection and development of students

Is a creative learning process of developing opportunities for orientation, cooperation, connections and critical interactions, inspiring and something that creates new values

Academic calendar

Research shows that students like to be actively involved in the study processes (96% agree or strongly agree), but only 25% of students have experienced active involvement in academics. Discussions with other students help them to improve comprehension (87% agree or strongly agree). Student involvement, active participation and interactive discussion in the study process are prerequisites for learning.

Did you know?

There is a relatively small power distance between students and university teachers in Estonia. Professors/teachers/researchers treat students as their equals and students can initiate discussions where the professor is more of an expert and advisor.

2.6. STUDENTS IN ESTONIAN HIGHER EDUCATION

2.6.1. Statistics

General statistics 2022/23

About 44,100 students were studying in Estonia in 18 higher education institutions

Most of them study for bachelor programmes (69%). 26% of them were master students and 5% PhD students

The most popular programmes are the ones in Business, Administration and law; Arts and humanities; Information and communication technologies

Statistics on international students

Most of the international students are enrolled in master programmes – 2043. A lot of them study to obtain a bachelor’s degree – 1324 or PhD – 763

Students of 123 di erent nationalities study in Estonia. Top 10 countries of their origin are Finland, Russia, Nigeria, Ukraine, India, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Latvia, Turkey and USA.

91% of international students are happy with their life at university and 97% feel safe in Estonia

Interesting facts on students in Estonia

Estonian students are independent and often need to cover their own study and living costs.

Students spend more time at work than at the university. Students over 30 dedicate an equal amount of time to studies and work. The work of 3 out of 5 students is related to their speciality.

Almost half of the alumni think that studies should include more practice in the workplace.

There are more female students at all levels of higher education. For example, in master’s studies, over 65% of the students are female.

The size of study groups varies depending on the eld. The smallest groups are in art and humanities (commonly 10–20 students or even fewer). The biggest groups are in medicine, natural sciences, social sciences, business and law (groups of over 100 students).

Most important skills and knowledge for work among Estonian universities’ alumni: professional knowledge and skills, communication skills, problem solving skills, independence and responsibility.

Source: Ernst & Young Baltic 2020. Eesti kõrgkoolide 2016.–2018. aasta vilistlaste uuringu aruanne.

All students in the Estonian higher-education system have the right to:

Receive timely and professional assistance in the planning and execution of their studies

Be informed of the requirements and the execution procedures of all subjects and of any changes in their curricula

Freely plan their studies within their curricula

Participate in all contact studies o ered by the academic units of the university

Complete their studies during the nominal study period under the conditions that were valid when they commenced their studies

However, they have a few obligations too, such as to:

Ful l their obligations prescribed in the study regulations and in their study contract

Follow good academic practice, including zero tolerance on plagiarism

In Estonia, plagiarism is considered the most serious violation of academic ethics. Plagiarism means publishing another author’s work (e.g. a study, an article or another text, but also a picture or a gure) or part of it (e.g. a diagram, a formula, a citation, but also a point of view or idea) as one’s own or using it extensively without referencing the source. The most frequent cases of plagiarism involve the use of unreferenced sources. You must provide a reference to all publications, fundamental views, ideas, citations, formulae, numeric data and images by other authors that you use.

A study carried out in 2014 looked into the role expectations of Estonian students and academics. How do they see their role and what are the role expectations for each?

A good student is...

A student thinks

adheres to deadlines, is diligent and conscientious, hard-working and studious attends lectures and seminars, participates actively, asks questions is interested in the subject, develops oneself and is self-motivated

A good professor is...

generates interest about the subject, is active and enthusiastic, happy and humorous relates the subject with its practical application, expresses oneself well and is interesting to listen to

A professor thinks

is approachable, empathic, exible, friendly, and helpful is motivated (interested in the subject, with clear aims and a positive attitude, is active)

is conscientious, adheres to deadlines, is precise and proper participates actively in class, asks questions, expresses his or her opinion

has profound knowledge on the subject and is broad-minded, furthers his or her knowledge and develops oneself

presents the subject in an interesting way, loves his or her teaching profession and is committed to it

presents information clearly, varies teaching methods, prompts students to ask questions and answers them

Source: adapted from Vadi et al., 2014. “Õppejõud ja üliõpilane: rollikäsitluse vaade”. Uuringu lõpparuanne.

2.7. ACADEMICS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

There are over 5000 academics employed in higher education in Estonia. About half of the academics are women. One third of academics are professors or assistant professors and about 40% are lecturers. About 10% of academics are international academics. The number of international academics working in Estonian non-pro t research institutions is increased over years.

The ratio of students to academic sta in higher education institutions is 14-15 students per academic sta on all levels, which is a bit less than average ratio in European Union.

Salaries of academics

The higher education institutions have full autonomy over the decision of salary levels for academic sta . Salaries di er according to the position, workload, number of years worked and quali cation. There are di erences in salaries across Estonian universities and higher education institutions. In 2022, the average monthly gross salary of Estonian academic personnel in public sector was 2627 euros, while the average salary in Estonia in general was 1685 euros.

2.7.1. Academic sta positions

‘Academic sta position’ refers to the position held by a person at the level of higher education whose employment duties are related to teaching or research, development or creative activities or both. Each university establishes the grades of its academic sta positions, the conditions of and procedure for lling the positions, and the requirements applicable to academic sta (consult with your home university).

The Higher Education Act stipulates four academic sta positions:

Professor — an academic sta position, the holder of which is usually required to have a doctorate. The main duties involve research, development or creative activities of an international level and the management of such activities, organisation of studies and teaching in the eld, and the supervision of students and academic sta .

Lecturer (EE: ) — an academic sta position, the main duties are related to teaching in one or multiple levels of higher education.

Research fellow (EE: ) — an academic sta position, usually required to have a doctorate. The main duties involve research and development; a junior research fellow participating in research is required to have a supervisor.

Teacher (EE: ) — an academic sta position, the main duties are related to teaching in the two lower levels of higher education.

An ordinary academic sta member is generally elected through public competition. A xed-term employment contract can be signed with an ordinary academic sta member for up to ve years. The employer evaluates an academic sta member at least once every ve years. Where an academic sta member does not pass an evaluation, the employment contract may be terminated extraordinarily.

To provide an academic sta member with the security of employment, a tenure may be established on the conditions and in accordance with the procedure established by the employer, which is funded from a stable funding measure usually allocated from the state budget.

The employer establishes the duration of the annual holiday of academic sta : annual holiday is typically either 42 or 56 calendar days. An ordinary academic sta member has the right to, once every ve years, get a semester free of teaching duties, during which their employment duties include their professional skills improvement, research and development or creative work.

Some key characteristics of academics in Estonia :

Academics are satis ed with their work, but not with their work conditions

Most academics nd their work interesting (84%), perceive independence in teaching and research (78% and 65% respectively) and feel the opportunity to study and develop in their profession (64%). So, the work itself is what motivates them the most. But less than half of the academics are satis ed with the general academic atmosphere (42%), position and salary conditions (42%) as well as workload and environment (49%).

Combination of giving lectures and conducting research

It is the common preference of academics to combine giving lectures with conducting research. Approximately half of the working time of a typical academic comprises lecturing and teaching, the rest is taken up by other work assignments.

Opinions on teaching competence and shortcomings in skills

Academics associate teaching competence with specialised knowledge rather than with teaching skills. Successful teaching is also related to the motivation and background knowledge of the students. Teaching quality is negatively a ected by large classes, shortage of funds, and a sizeable workload.

Research is project-based

Project-based funding may be the main reason for explaining the fact that lecturers feel more stable at work (61%) than researchers (only 29%), as well as the overall low level of satisfaction of researchers with their career opportunities.

Source: Mägi, E. et al. 2019. Akadeemilised töötajad teadmusühiskonnas. Tartu: Tartu Ülikool ja Mõttekoda Praxis

2.7.2 . Responsibilities of the academics

Study regulations in each higher education institution specify the responsibilities of academics in the context of teaching.

The core responsibilities of academics are:

Compiling a study programme, which includes the topics/themes to be covered, recommended reading, assessment methods and criteria. The study programme is usually made available to the students prior to the course

Conducting teaching (lectures, seminars) in accordance with the study programme

Providing students with study materials (online, on paper)

Assessing and giving feedback to the work/exams of the students

Assessing the students’ achievements and entering the results in the study information system. Tallinn University, for example, requires assessment to be done within ten working days. The results are then entered into the study information system (ÕIS)

Most academics (67%) work full time but it is common to take on extra work assignments in other universities or elsewhere. The average workload of academics is 43 hours in a week during a term.

Academic roles: lecturer and supervisor

A lecturer is a person who performs the main tasks of the academic sta of the university and/or is a renowned expert/trainee in the eld and/or a visiting lecturer. A lecturer must have at least a master’s degree or an equivalent quali cation and have the competence to teach in the eld.

Tasks associated with lecturers’ responsibilities:

The study regulations of each higher education institution specify the responsibilities of academics in the context of teaching:

Compiling a study programme, which includes the topics/themes to be covered, recommended reading, assessment methods and criteria. The study programme is usually made available to the students prior to the course

Auditory work, including in-service training and open university tasks (lectures, practicums, exercises, seminars, colloquiums) and web-based work, if necessary

Checking and evaluating the students’ work (evaluating the work during the process, preparing and accepting preliminary examinations and exams)

Assessing the students’ achievements and entering the results in the study information system (ÕIS)

Consultations (if necessary)

Supervising students (if necessary), see the supervisor’s guideline

Reviewing and/or opposing master’s thesis (if necessary)

Conducting admissions exams for new prospective students (if necessary)

Preparing auditory studies and online courses

Compiling teaching and methodological materials

Participating in compiling study programmes and curricula

Participating in the work of the deciding bodies and committees (incl. the appeal and plagiarism proceedings committee, etc)

The supervisor’s role and tasks

The supervisor of a bachelor’s or a master’s thesis is a lecturer, research fellow or a doctoral student if they have acquired at least a master’s degree or an equivalent quali cation. As an exception, the supervisor can also be from outside the university. A master’s thesis can have up to two supervisors. Both the supervisor’s and co-supervisor’s names are added to the title page of the thesis.

The supervisor:

Has to be acquainted with the research eld and the methods chosen by the student and be able to supervise a thesis on the topic

Helps the student with both choosing the topic and putting together a content-rich thesis. The student has to have the opportunity to turn to the supervisor for help with problems and questions that may arise throughout the process of writing the thesis

Has to help with identifying the main problems, wording the hypotheses, choosing the research methods, nding the necessary sources and turn the student’s attention to any mistakes and drawbacks found in the paper

Must keep in mind that they are not the co-author of the thesis. The student has to show initiative, stay in touch with the supervisor and inform the supervisor about the development of the thesis. The supervisor is not obliged to correct the form and content of the paper but point out shortcomings and o er solutions. The student must take the suggestions into account when perfecting the thesis, but they are not obligated to take the supervisor’s suggestions into consideration if they do not agree with them and concurrently present reasonable arguments

Has the right to refuse to continue supervising if the student does not abide by the deadlines set for compiling the paper. The supervisor has the right to quit supervising and the student has the right to switch supervisors if the chosen topic is beyond the competencies of either party

2.8. SUPPORT SERVICES AND NETWORKING

2.8.1. Support for students

Most universities have special student support centres, where specialists can give advice on topics related to residence permits and studies. Foreign students can rely on these services as well. The range of services and their content may vary in di erent universities. Larger universities are able to o er more services, whereas smaller ones might not have a separate career adviser and psychological counsellor. Support services are free of charge for students.

Generally, the following services and support are available to all students:

Academic or educational counselling – advice and help in planning studies and with questions about the organization of studies

Psychological counselling – trained psychologist’s support in case of study-related problems or di iculties in personal life (available at the University of Tartu, at the Tallinn University of Technology, at Tallinn University, and at the Estonian University of Life Sciences).

Counselling for students with special needs – information about available grants and technical aids; advice and help in adapting to and coping with studies (available at the University of Tartu, at Tallinn University of Technology, and at Tallinn University).

Tutors or buddies – student volunteers who have completed special training and can help rst-year students and foreign students of their course at the beginning of their studies (the tutor system is in place at the University of Tartu, at Tallinn University of Technology, at Tallinn University, and at the Estonian University of Life Sciences).

Supporting students – student volunteers who have completed special training and help students with special needs (only at the University of Tartu).

Career counselling – advice, information and training that can help you to plan and promote your career, make decisions concerning education and professional development, and improve job-seeking skills.

More information about work and internship see in the handbook on working and the labour market.

Many universities have welcoming websites for its international students and sta . There are also student ambassadors who can give an advice when it is needed.

Should you be interested in joining an organisation during your studies, there are many opportunities for you to do so. The following are some examples to get you started:

Erasmus Student Network which represents exchange students, but all other foreign students are also welcome. ESN o ers student-to-student counselling.

AIESEC – an international youth organisation that o ers students a variety of programs, including internships and volunteering opportunities.

AEGEE – one of the biggest student organisations in Europe, uniting 13000 members from 161 student cities in 40 countries. AEGEE is open to students of all subjects, aegee-tartu.ee

BEST – Europe’s largest engineering students’ organisation. Organises lectures and training courses, engineering competitions, and the job fair Key to the Future, best.ee

There are also 24 academic organisations in Estonia, which are the Baltic-German equivalents to fraternities and sororities (EE: and ). These organisations are mainly gender-based and primarily expect local students.

2.8.2.

Student representation

In Estonian higher education institutions, student councils represent the rights of their institution’s students; and participate in organising the lives of those in the higher education institution. In larger higher education institutions, there are also smaller representative organisations in each faculty and/or institute. The representations are di erent but involving them in decision-making is mandatory. Each curriculum also has its own feedback system and it is mandatory to involve students in changing the curriculum. In Estonia, councils are not party-political organisations, but members are not prohibited from belonging to parties themselves.

A foreign student can participate in student council elections and also run himself or herself. It is also possible to be a volunteer or temporary assistant. So far, foreign students have not been too active as participants in these councils, but they are very welcome and their contribution is absolutely necessary.

The umbrella organisation of all Estonian councils is the Federation of Estonian Student Unions (EÜL). The EÜL represents students on a national level and is a member of several international student organisations, such as the European Students Union, the National Unions of Students of Nordic Countries (NOM), etc. The EÜL is Estonia’s o icial representative of the international ISIC card aimed at pupils, students, teachers and young people. See more at eyl.ee

2.8.3.

Support and networking for academics

EURAXESS is a Europe-wide network set up to assist researchers who work or study abroad. EURAXESS has service centres in 43 European countries. They o er free advice on administrative and practical issues that mobile researchers and their family members may come across when living and doing research in a foreign country. There are 11 EURAXESS service centres in Estonia that provide customised assistance to researchers (doctoral students, lecturers, postdoctoral scholars, visiting professors, and other academic sta ) coming to Estonia. In addition to assistance, they also share relevant information to academics, incl. overview of local research ecosystem, jobs, funding, as well as training and networking possibilities. See more at euraxess.ee

Free of charge relocation services are provided also by Tartu Welcome Centre and International House of Estonia (Tallinn). They provide registry

services and organise networking events for internationals, among other activities. More information at tartuwelcomecentre.ee and workinestonia. com/internationalhouse/ In addition, many universities have welcoming websites and their own internal support services system for sta .

Worth checking:

University of Tartu (UT)

Welcome seminar by the Rector of UT welcomes all international sta and doctoral students at a reception held at the beginning of autumn semester.

Counselling of employees. UT sta can contact a counsellor if they have problems in their working life. Counsellor-chaplain aims to contribute to UT employees' psychological and mental well-being, increase their ability to act e ectively, and help improve the relationship climate in the university's working environment.

Wellbeing club “Live Positive Club for UT sta members” aims to help international sta feel at home at the University of Tartu and in Estonia. The club will meet monthly, and the central themes are general well-being and taking care of one's mental health.

Culture evenings "Tartu-rich in cultures" showcase the worldview, traditions, art and nature of di erent countries and people. Events are held in the Tartu Nature House.

Dorpater Dozentenabend – a social club for UT international sta – o ers an opportunity to socialize and exchange thoughts and ideas. Club nights are usually held once a month on a Wednesday.

Estonian language and culture courses International sta and visiting faculty members of UT as well as their family members can sign up for one Estonian language course per semester free of charge. Additionally, one Estonian culture course can be attended free of charge. Courses consist of one to two classes per week.

Estonian language cafés for those international sta members interested in practising the Estonian spoken language.

Primary internal communication channels for international sta : UT intranet (siseveeb.ut.ee/en) and UT public webpage (ut.ee/en).

Tallinn University (TLU)

Welcome Web: tlu.ee/en/welcome-web

International research and teaching sta are kept updated with university news via its weekly newsletter called “Weekly”.

Language and culture courses as well as individual counselling upon request.

Tallinn Unive rsity of Technology (TalTech)

TalTech o ers Estonian language courses for foreign PhD students and foreign employees on level A1 (beginner) and A2 (you already know the basics). Courses take place once in a week (90 min) in classroom or online meetings. Before the course starts, we ask the preferences from participants.

Once a semester, TalTech organises New Academic Sta Information Day for the international sta where various topics are discussed: e.g. mentorship at TalTech, possibilities for intenational mobility, the e-learning environment Moodle, and so forth.

International sta members at TalTech willing to socialise in English are also welcome to join the American English Club (taltech.ee/en/americanspace/american-english-club)

Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ)

International Club with a focus on students (incl. PhD students). A signi cant part is played by the buddies for international students. Buddies assist students during their whole stay at EMÜ and organise social events to bring together local and international students (with an emphasis on Estonian culture and customs).

Welcome days to new international students every August and January.

Mailing lists for both international sta and students and a closed Facebook page for international students.

The Rector of the University of Life Sciences welcomes all international sta and students at a reception held at the beginning of each academic year (usually in September).

All international sta members can sign up for Estonian language courses at the Language Centre of EMÜ.

2.9. LIBRARIES

Estonia’s network of libraries includes public, school, science and specialised libraries and the Estonian National Library (EE: ). The Estonian National Library is a public body that collects and preserves books published in Estonia or contains information on Estonia. It is tasked with research and development in library studies and related disciplines, and with ful lling the duties of a parliamentary and scienti c library. DIGAR is the e-library environment of the Estonian National Library. It holds books, newspapers, magazines, maps, music sheets, photos, postcards, posters, illustrations, audiobooks, and music les.

2.9.1. University libraries

We always recall the forgotten... And imagine that we are learning something.

Every university has a library, and, in addition, larger universities have specialised libraries for di erent departments and institutes. Libraries admin-

Nikolai Baturin Novelist

ister electronic databases, which make it easy to nd the necessary materials for teaching and research. You can nd quiet study areas in libraries, but many of the services they o er (e.g. nding information in databases, extending return dates, etc.) can also be done via the internet.

To use the library, you must register in person or electronically with your ID-card. A student or sta of the university can register as a reader, but in several instances, other interested parties can do so as well, though options may be limited. Each library has di erent opportunities for, which publications can be borrowed, what can be used on-site and what can be accessed at home. Libraries use the interlibrary borrowing system and documents can also be ordered from abroad (for an extra fee). To take advantage of these opportunities and more; you can nd additional information on the library websites.

In the autumn, libraries o er short orientation courses for new users. You may nd courses on how to look for books in the catalogue or on the shelf, how to borrow books and extend the return date, and other services o ered by the library. The websites of many libraries also have instructions on how to search the library catalogue. Larger universities have an expert for each eld, who can help nd materials.

Larger libraries and departments/institutes also o er more in-depth courses on specialised searches and referencing (sometimes available online) for students writing their bachelor, master and doctoral theses. Library websites also have instructions for self-learners on how to search the library catalogue and how to use databases.

Libraries also o er other services:

Printing, copying, scanning

Using computers (all academic buildings, including the library, o er free Wi connection and Eduroam (Education Roaming – roaming in academic networks), which you can access with your smart devices)

Booking private or group study rooms

Renting computer accessories (e.g. an ID card reader, headphones) and devices for the visually impaired

To learn more about other libraries in Estonia please check the handbook about networking, volunteering and leisure time.

Databases

Libraries have joined international databases (e.g. Academic Search Complete, ERIC, MEDLINE) and common database search platforms (e.g. EBSCO Discovery, EBSCOhost Integrated Search, Web of Knowledge), which enable the searching of scienti c journal articles, e-books, research papers, etc, in many databases. You do not need to be physically present at a library to use databases as you can easily access them online. Each library has precise instructions on how to access scienti c articles and which searches to use.

Online Catalogue ESTER – 15 of Estonia’s largest libraries share a common online catalogue, which also contains information about items found at university college libraries and specialised libraries. ESTER contains records for books, periodicals, musical scores, sound recordings, electronic resources, etc. See more at ester.ee

How do I access databases such as the Thomson Reuters Web of Science, Scopus or ERIH?

It is possible to access the Thomson Reuters Web of Science, Scopus, ERIH and other databases through the websites of university libraries. For instance, if you are a researcher at the University of Tartu, you can easily access the databases listed above by logging in as a University of Tartu user.

Databases of the University of Tartu Library: utlib.ee

Databases of the Academic Library of Tallinn University: tlulib.ee

Databases of the Tallinn University of Technology Library: taltech.ee/en/library

Databases of the Estonian University of Life Sciences: library.emu.ee

Databases of the Academy of Arts: artun.ee/en/studies/library/

3. RESEARCH IN ESTONIA

Üheksa korda mõõda, üks kord lõika

Measure nine times, cut once

Estonia has a broad, innovative and diverse higher education and research landscape. Today, nearly all basic research is conducted in, and funded by the public sector; on the other hand, the private sector focuses mainly on product development and innovation. There is an average of 8 persons with a doctorate per 1000 working-age people in Estonia (10 in OECD countries and 12.6 in Finland).

A good source to further understand the research eld in Estonia is the excellent gateway of researchinestonia.eu and their electronic handbook “Higher Education and Research in Estonia”.

3.1. R&D INSTITUTIONS

In addition to Estonian universities (see more in the previous chapter), there are in addition 15 evaluated research and development (R&D) institutions that are the following:

Culture and society

Institute of the Estonian Language

Estonian Literary Museum

Estonian National Museum

Under and Tuglas Literature Centre of the Estonian Academy of Sciences

Health

National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics

Protobios OÜ

The Center of Food and Fermentation Technologies

Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge

Competence Centre on Health Technologies

BioCC OÜ

National Institute for Health Development

Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ

Natural sciences and engineering

Cybernetica AS

The Software Technology and Applications Competence Centre (STACC OÜ)

Metrosert AS

In addition to the institutions listed above, research is done through centres of excellence and doctoral schools. They are funded from di erent programmes, with new funding periods starting in 2024.

University-Industry cooperation

ADAPTER is a free service created by the Estonian research and development (R&D) community, to o er simple access to the best of Estonian R&D for all companies and organizations.

Check also grants: adapter.ee

What is a centre of excellence?

A centre of excellence in research is a consortium of several research groups internationally recognised in their eld of research. The goal of centres of excellence is to improve the quality and e iciency of scienti c research through cooperation between research groups.

The main activities supported for the centres of excellence are the acquisition of infrastructure and equipment; work visits or assignments carried out in other institutions; the training and mobility of researchers; national and international cooperation relating to centres of excellence; development and testing of innovative ideas; dissemination of information and the popularisation of research ndings.

Databases

The amount provided in the programme period 2024-2030 will be 70 million euros. The maximum amount of funding to be provided to one centre is 7 million euros.

To further increase the economic and social impact of science in Estonia, targeted funding measures have been created in support of applied research and inter-sectoral collaboration:

SekMo - a funding scheme supporting three kinds of mobility between academia and non-academic sectors:

1) the employment of doctoral degree holders from academia at Estonian private and public sector entities;

2) the employment of a top specialist from non-academic sector at academia; for education, development, technology transfer or innovation activities;

3) doctoral studies for knowledge transfer (also called industrial doctoral studies).

RITA – a programme co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund that aims to increase the ability to apply the results of research, development and innovation activities in the society, as well as to create a favorable political environment for this goal.

Find more information about these programmes on the website of the Estonian Research Council (www.etag.ee).

What is a doctoral school?

Doctoral schools are another way to establish recurrent, albeit smaller, communities focusing on a speci c issue or approach. A doctoral school is run by a university in cooperation with a partner/partners, that may include: other Estonian and foreign universities, R&D organisations, public sector institutions and companies. Doctoral schools are project-based and funded by the European Social Fund. From the year 2024 six new thematic doctoral schools are planned to be established by the Estonian universities.

More information: etag.ee and researchinestonia.eu

What is ETIS?

ETIS is the Estonian Research Information System (EE: ). Its main role is to store and pool information on research and development institutions, researchers, research projects and various research results.

ETIS also serves as a platform for submitting applications both for researchers and institutions.

Although you are not obliged to create an ETIS account, it is strongly recommended to do so and to update your research activities regularly.

ETIS enables you to:

Upload, and later easily download your CV and keep track of your research activities

Submit applications for grant competitions in Estonia

Disseminate your research outcomes at a larger scale

Increase your visibility on the World Wide Web (Google and other search engines direct to ETIS accounts)

Search for and network with other researchers working in Estonia

An ETIS user account can be created for persons that have some connection with Estonian research. Account is generated automatically when the user logs in for the rst time with an Estonian or some of the available European ID-s. In the absence of these login options, a new account can be created on the log-in page of ETIS.

More information: etis.ee

3.2. POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

Besides state-accredited R&D organisations and research done at the universities, there are several organisations in Estonia carrying out applied science research. This includes mainly the policy-research and policy-analysis. These independent organisations are also called think-tanks and they generate policy-oriented research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues that enable policymakers and the public to make informed decisions about public policy issues. The major ones in Estonia are the following:

Institute of Baltic Studies (IBS), ibs.ee

Policy Research Center Praxis (Praxis), praxis.ee

International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), icds.ee

Centre for Applied Social Sciences (RAKE), skytte.ut.ee/et/sisu/ sotsiaalteaduslike-rakendusuuringute-keskus

Centar Centre for Applied Research (CENTAR), centar.ee

The rst three among this list are regularly nominated in the international ranking of the best think-tanks in the world and as the major ones in Central and Eastern-Europe (Global Go to Think Tank Index).

3.3. ORGANISATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The main legislative pillar for organising R&D&I in Estonia is the Organisation of Research and Development Act (ORDA) passed by the Parliament in 1994, last amended in 2019. The purpose of ORDA is to provide the principles for organising R&D and to ensure legal means for the preservation and further development of scienti c and technological creation as a component of Estonian culture and the Estonian economy.

Anne Kahru Scientist

[Successful research] is a combination of work, talent, luck and a good team. It is also important to get burnt from time to time, which is an organic part of a researcher's life. However, my laboratory has also had really di icult times, from which it was impossible to come out if not the joint strength of good colleagues. Good experimental science cannot be done alone today.

The core national research and development and innovation guideline document is the Estonian Research and Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy 2021-2035 (or RDIE 2021-2035).

The three underlying principles and main objectives of research in Estonia are laid down in the strategy Estonia’s development relies on research-based and innovative solutions:

1. Research in Estonia is of a high level and diverse. It is internationally competitive and visible and covers the main elds of higher education and culture.

2. Estonia´s development relies on research-based and innovative solutions.

3. Estonia’s business environment encourages entrepreneurship and the emergence and growth of knowledge-intensive enterprises, the creation and export of higher value-added products and services, and investments in all regions of Estonia. RDI investments selected and managed by the smart specialisation method encourage the development of growth areas at a heightened pace.

The RDIE focus areas are:

digital solutions across all areas of life; health technologies and services; valorisation of local resources; smart and sustainable energy solutions; viable Estonian society, language and cultural space

The rst four focus areas are also the RDIE focus areas with entrepreneurial and economic development potential, i.e. the areas of smart specialisation.

The focus areas are prioritised in cooperation between the state, enterprises and research institutions in line with Estonia’s development needs and opportunities. Prioritisation means that the aim is to increase the importance of these sectors in the Estonian economy, including in exports, and in meeting development needs, and that the government provides the additional support for research and development activities required for this.

3.4. THE STATE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The share of Estonian high-level research articles has grown rapidly. For the publications published in 2013-2023 by Estonian authors, 15.5% reached 10% of the world`s most cited publications. This indicator places Estonia #9 in Europe in terms of scienti c impact. The most cited elds (compared to global average of the eld) according to Web of Science are presented in the graph.

10 MOST CITED FIELDS

3.4.1. Natural science

Estonian natural sciences put great emphasis on studying the reasons for climate change. The current changes in climate are often seen as the impact of industrial development, but Ülo Niinemets, professor of plant physiology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, argues that plants in the biosphere also emit gasses, with hundreds of thousands of various chemical by-products. He and his colleagues use big data analysis to assist in their studies.

On the other hand, big data analysis can also be e ectively applied to business management. The professor of software engineering at the University of Tartu, Marlon Dumas, has studied business process management (BPM) for more than a decade. The analysis of data helps to reduce the costs and error rates of business when applied correctly.

However, the major player in big data analysis in practice is Sharemind: a company providing programmable and secure computations with practical applications. Sharemind it is a data-analysing service based on complex mathematical calculations, which has a wide scope of impact and can give wider view on how Estonian government, society and broader environment functions.

3.4.2. Engineering and Technology Sciences

In Estonia the area of engineering and technology sees signi cant scienti c attention reserved for the material sciences, textile technology, electronics, robotics and a host of other elds.

There is a remarkable amount of scienti c support behind the nano ber fabric. For example, Estonian scientists have developed a unique method of electrospinning, which will make it possible to produce large quantities of nano ber in the future. Nano ber fabric is thinner than a hair’s breadth, which may consist of hundreds of bres. It is used in medicine and electronics but may also revolutionise the clothing industry in the coming decades.

At the same time, a signi cant amount of research is being done in another area of engineering: developing a robot that copies the shape and motions of a sh. With an objective to understand how sh interact with their environment and how water ow could be used to save energy.

Did you know?

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) has worked out a unique method of electrospinning as a result, which will make it possible to produce large quantities of the yarn in the future. Electrospinning means turning polymer solution into bres in a high-voltage electrical eld, and even though the principle of electrospinning has been seen before, the one created at TalTech is unique.

3.4.3. Medical Sciences

Clinical medicine and basic medicine are well developed in Estonia. Areas explored in the most fundamental parts of medical research include molecular biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, etc. The Estonian Biobank soon holds protected data on 20 percent of the country’s adult population and is a massive boon to medical research. Estonia stands out for its ongoing ambition of developing and implementing the personal health care system. Furthermore, in the framework of genetics research, signi cant steps have been taken in nding new solutions for screening genetic disorders and studying the genetical structure across Europe.

Non-invasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT) is the latest and most precise screening method for detecting aneuploidy, and it’s based on the sequence analysis by second generation sequencing of cell-free fetal DNA (c DNA) in mother’s blood circulation.

3.4.4. Agricultural sciences

Estonian agriculture is a heart-warming story of connected people. From producer to processor, advisor to scientist, collaboration is key. Being connected ensures agricultural land remains healthy, practices environmentally sound and regional traditions respected; this also means having access to locally produced and grown food on the tables. High quality and pure food is one of the natural resources of Estonia, therefore research into food safety and the sustainable production of quality food plays a key role.

3.4.5. Social Sciences

Achieving success in Estonia is a game of juggling international research and public expectations for scientists. Having to convince the public that your work will also be visibly applied to everyday life. As a result, an interesting and exciting trend has emerged. Research within social sciences in Estonia has various applications in media studies, psychology, innovative learning and teaching solutions, as well as demographic studies. However, most of all Estonia is famous for its e-solutions, e-voting and most recently e-residency amongst others.

As a result, Estonian social scientists are interested in the impact of e-voting on political behaviour. They have rather surprising ndings to share from their studies based on the experiences of e-voting in Estonia.

Another concern of modern societies is the growing amount of bureaucracy. The issue of whether bureaucratic institutions can be innovative has also become a poignant eld of study for Estonian researchers.

3.4.6. Humanities and the Arts

Estonia is a relatively small country. It is also one of the world’s smallest countries to have its own educational and scienti c infrastructure, steeped in its own cultural traditions and in its own language. Humanities scholars have a dual role to play in Estonia, to both produce top-notch international research whilst bearing the torch for the Estonian language, culture, education, and scienti c inquiry. Here are is an example to help you get a feel for what they do.

Evolution has occurred when some changes become irreversible due to its stabilisation, and it usually means a modi cation of existing constraints or sca olding. Kalevi Kull argues that by living, not only can we not avoid evolution, but we actually in uence it.

Demonstration of the role of communication and making meaning from the organisation of living systems is the central focus of a biosemiotics specialist’s work. This uses an application of semiotic models in biology, and not only in biology to be precise. Contemporary biosemiotics has strongly in uenced the whole of the semiotics eld, as the humanitarian sphere recognises the importance of pre-linguistic sign processes as inevitable in human life.

3.5. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH

3.5.1. The framework of funding research

Research and development are carried out by universities and other public and private sector educational and research institutions. Additionally, the Estonian Academy of Sciences, as an independent and high-level association of researchers, contributes to solving problems related to Estonian research and issues of social and economic development.

The R&D programme design and evaluation is done by the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Economic A airs and Communications, and other ministries too. Under their supervision, the Estonian Research Council funds research, and Estonian Business and Innovation Agency funds innovation.

The policies themselves are prepared by and implemented by the ministries. The Ministry of Education and Research is advised by the Research Policy Committee, and the Ministry of Economic A airs and Communications is advised by the Innovation Policy Committee.

Research in Estonia is mainly nanced by government and businesses. Accounting for approximately 40% and 50% of research funding, respectively. The rest comes from foreign funds, mainly from EU framework programmes.

3.5.2. Funding instruments

Baseline funding means nancing of R&D institutions to attain their strategic development objectives, including co- nancing national and foreign projects and opening up new research routes, and invest in infrastructure. Baseline funding is provided from the state budget via the Ministry of Education and Research to R&D institutions who have been evaluated positively. Baseline funding maintains the nancial stability and gives R&D institutions a better chance to focus on their core activities.

Overview of the funding instruments designed particularly for the researchers and teams teams

Light blue: state budget, pink: support from EU funds

Personal research funding

Personal research funding is organised by the Estonian Research Council and comes from the state budget and includes three categories of grants corresponding to the di erent levels of a research career:

The postdoctoral research grant is a grant aimed at supporting the launch of a research career of the people with a doctoral degree obtained from an Estonian university at a foreign R&D institution or among highly quali ed research groups.

Start-up grant is a grant aimed at supporting the researchers with initial research experience to launch their independent research career at an Estonian R&D institution, to set up their research group, and to contribute to educating the next generation of researchers (incl. doctoral students).

Team grant is a grant aimed at supporting researchers in continuing their research career at an Estonian R&D institution, ensuring high-quality research, leading a strong research group, and educating the next generation of researchers (incl. doctoral students).

Proof-of-concept grant

A proof-of-concept (PoC) grant (up to one year) is a competency-based research funding instrument for experimental development in order to test and/or create conditions for the commercialisation of research outcomes. PoC funding is organised by the Estonian Research Council and the means for it come from the state budget.

Mobility Funding

Researcher mobility support enables both Estonian and foreign researchers to carry out research in a new research environment to exchange experience, expand their co-operation networks and obtain new skills. Outgoing mobility is supported by the postdoctoral research grant of personal research funding (see above).

Incoming postdoctoral grant

Support is provided for all researchers who have earned their doctoral degrees abroad in coming to Estonia for postdoctoral research. The support is aimed at researchers who have received a positive result (at least 70 points) in the Marie Skłodowska Curie (MSCA) postdoctoral individual grant application round but have not received funding, wishing to continue research in Estonia.

Returning researcher grant

Support is provided for researchers (Estonian citizens or current/former Estonian residents) who have been working outside Estonia and would like to return to Estonia. The prerequisites are postdoctoral fellowship or an equivalent level of research completed abroad.

Other programmes and options for PhD students and young faculty members

Kristjan Jaak Scholarships

The scholarships for degree studies abroad are available for individuals beginning or continuing their PhD studies at a recognised university abroad and willing to return to Estonia after graduation.

Short study visits (up to 30 days) for MA and PhD students and young faculty members.

To support the next generation of scientists, universities use various means to provide possibilities for PhD students. For example, in the frames of doctoral schools (see above) they have been organising summer and winter schools, provided options for international study mobility and for interdisciplinary research projects. They also use ERASMUS+ means for supporting the sta mobility. Some research groups may have their own further funding available to support the PhD students. More information should be enquired at the websites of the universities.

Young researchers can also participate in research competitions; see more at the Estonian Research Council: etag.ee/en/science-communication

More information about funding opportunities can be found at webpages of Estonian Research Council (etag.ee), Education and Youth Board (harno.ee) or researchinestonia.eu

Lennart Meri Former president of Estonia (1992-2001)

In a changing world wins the one who goes with the world, even slightly faster than the world. They reach ahead of the world, can foresee problems, questions and solutions that life puts on their path.

3.6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Did you know?

According to the Estonian Patent O ice, in 2021, Estonian applicants led 24 patent applications and 36 utility model applications. Estonian applicants also led 3 international patent application for forwarding to WIPO.

Though many aspects of national intellectual property (IP) laws have been standardised through a number of international agreements, intellectual property protection varies from country to country and is valid in the country or territory of the work’s origin to citizens and permanent residents.

In Estonia, the Copyright Act (EE: ) protects authorship rights. Moral rights and economic rights constitute the content of copyright. According to the Estonian Copyright Act, the moral rights of an author are inseparable from the author’s person and are non-transferable, while the economic rights of an author are transferable as a single right or as a set of rights, for a charge or free of charge. The author of a work who created it under an employment contract has a moral right to the work s/he created; however, the economic rights of the author generally remain with the employer (section 32 of the Copyright Act). This applies to monographs, textbooks, handbooks, etc. As a rule, universities waive the bene t of the economic rights of the author of scienti c articles, conference presentations and other similar materials.

The free use of others works is permitted without the agreement of the author and without payment of remuneration for scienti c, educational, informational and judicial purposes if mentioning is made of the name of the author of the work, if it appears thereon, the name of the work and the source publication (section 19 of the Copyright Act). For instance, it is possible to use a lawfully published work for the purposes of illustration in teaching and scienti c research to the extent justi ed by the purpose and on the condition that such use is not carried out for commercial purposes.

The Patents Act (EE: ) regulates the legal protection of patentable inventions. An authorised institution gives out protection documents; in Estonia, it is the Patent O ice. The Estonian Patent O ice (EE: ) is a government agency that operates under the Ministry of Justice and provides legal protection to patents, trademarks, utility models, industrial designs, geographical indications and integrated circuits. The o ice provides free consultations by phone, email or in person.

Similar to many other European universities, researchers in Estonia have the obligation to give notice of any invention to their university. The author has the right to obtain a fair return on those cases where the invention is owned by the university (section 13 of the Patents Act).

Therefore, in case of any copyright-related questions, your rst contact is your employer.

Innovation is supported and thus advice and assistance are o ered by Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EE: ).

LIST OF REFERENCES

O icial guides and gateways:

Destination Estonia – Relocation Guide: Compilation of practical info for new arrivals in Estonia workinestonia.com/coming-to-estonia/relocation-guide/ e-Estonia Portal: eesti.ee – gateway to all government information and public e-services.

Settle in Estonia: settleinestonia.ee – Your guide to settling in Estonia Gateway to Estonian research ecosystem, incl. roadmap for coming to Estonia: euraxess.ee/ Visit Estonia: visitestonia.com - gateway to travel and sights in Estonia

Study in Estonia: studyinestonia.ee gateway to higher education in Estonia Research in Estonia: researchinestonia.eu — information and news about research activities in Estonia.

Found in Estonia: foundinestonia.ee — bi-weekly podcast sharing stories of people who have moved to Estonia.

Ministries and other institutions:

Ministry of Education and Research: hm.ee/en – education, research and Estonian language.

Ministry of Social A airs: sm.ee/en – health care, labour, social services.

Ministry of Culture: kul.ee/en — information about the state’s culture, sports, arts and heritage conservation activities.

Ministry of Justice: just.ee/en – legal and criminal policy of the state.

Ministry of the Interior: siseministeerium.ee/en – citizenship, migration, identi cation documents and internal security.

Ministry of Foreign A airs: vm.ee/en – security, business diplomacy and human rights.

Estonian Ministry of Economic A airs and Communications: mkm.ee — economy, entrepreneurship, business-academic cooperation.

The Integration Foundation: integratsioon.ee/en – information about adaptation in Estonia, adaptation programme Settle in Estonia, Estonian language courses, citizenship and Estonian Language houses etc.

Estonian Institute: estinst.ee/en/ – information about Estonian society and culture.

EURES: eures.ee/en – pan-European network for job-seekers.

Unemployment Fund: tootukassa.ee/eng – o icial website of Eesti Töötukassa, which administers the social insurance provisions related to unemployment, and organises labour market services.

Pension Centre: pensionikeskus.ee- information about the Estonian pension system.

Police and Border Guard Board: politsei.ee/en – legal basis for staying in Estonia, identity documents, citizenship.

Police and Border Guard Board Migration Advisors: politsei.ee/en/migration-consultants – free legal advice by PBGB personal advisors about di erent legal grounds to live in Estonia and the necessary documentation

Emergency contacts:

112 - 24/7 emergency telephone number for ambulance, police and rescue workers.

1247 – State helpline for trustworthy governmental information, state measures on coronavirus, psychological rst aid to all in need.

116 006 – Victim support helpline assistance to people who have fallen victim to an o ence, negligence, or mistreatment or experienced physical, psychological, economic, or sexual violence.

1220 – The Medical Counselling Advice Line o ers medical advice (calling from abroad, dial +372 630 4107). 24/7 in Estonian and Russian, between 15.00-17.00 in English

KEYWORDS

academic calendar academic sta positions assessing career counselling centres of excellence

citation statistics curriculum

databases

doctoral schools focused areas of research

funding research

student loan student organisations supervising

grading / grades universities

higher education institutions international students in Estonia

learning methods

lecturing

mobility fundingt

moodle

patents

personal research funding

plagiarism

proof-of-concept grant

psychological counselling

support services

FURTHER READING

Networking, Volunteering and Leisure Time

Volunteering in Estonia

Leisure activities and free time

Family vacation and kids

Making friends and networking

Youth work and hobby education

Lifelong learning

Estonian working environment

Securing a job in Estonia

Salaries, taxes and returns

Working rights and contracts

Skills and language in Estonia

Pension and health insurance

Private and Public Services

Working and Labour Market

Relocation and belongings

Counselling and mentoring

Residence and housing

Identity documents

Transportation

Local media and information

Residence and Citizenship

Education in Estonia

Moving to Estonia

Residence and registration

Naturalisation and citizenship

Estonian migration policy

Estonian migration compared

Kindergartens and childcare

Schools in Estonia

Learning languages

Studying for adults

Vocational education

My Rights and Responsibilities

Family and Children

Rights and opportunities

Offences and misdemeanours

Protection from violence and abuse

Relevant support

Child protection

Business and Entrepreneurship

Economic and business environment

Entrepreneurship and startups

Setting up a company in Estonia

Legislation, taxation, and accounting

Employer's perspective on staff

Legal aspects and forms for companies

Estonian state and its structure

Political and legal system

Culture, perceptions and habits

Geography

Estonian language

Opportunities for learning Estonian

Kindergarten and Schools

Estonia: State, Society and Language

Education in Estonia

Kindergartens and childcare

Schools in Estonia

Learning languages

Studying for adults

Vocational education

Contracting companies: Expat Relocation Estonia OÜ

Design and layout: Richard Kaarna, richardkaarna.com

Printing: Printed at Librix Print powered by wabrix.ee

Responsible publisher: Integration Foundation

Settle in Estonia website: www.settleinestonia.ee

The project is co-funded by the European Union via the European Social Fund and by the Republic of Estonia.

Handbook version: April 2024

© 2024 Integration Foundation. All rights reserved.

Provided the use of the work is not carried out for commercial purposes, it is allowed to use it without the author’s permission as established in Chapter IV of the Copyright Act. The Ministry of Culture points to the fact that pursuant to the Copyright Act, in the case of unlawful use of the work, compensation for the patrimonial or non-patrimonial damage caused and delivery of that which was received may among other things be claimed for.