Estonian higher education is well regarded internationally, and Estonia follows the Bologna Process and uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which makes its degrees easier to compare with qualifications across Europe and beyond.
With the founding of the University of Tartu in 1632, higher education in Estonia has a long and distinguished history. Estonian universities and colleges now provide international students with modern learning environments and more than 150 fully English-taught degree programs. Tuition fees vary by institution and program, and bachelor’s and master’s programs generally cost between €1,500 and €15,000 per year.
Furthermore, Estonia is known for its advanced e-society, including e-government and other widely used digital services. You’ll also be able to breathe easily while you’re here, as Estonia has some of the cleanest air in Europe. Estonia is also a forest-rich country, with forest land accounting for 51.5% of its total land area. When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, it is easy to escape back to nature. This article looks at some of the best-known business schools and business-related study options in Estonia.
Top Business Schools in Estonia
1. Estonian Business School
The Estonian Business School (EBS) in Tallinn is the oldest privately owned business university in the Baltics. Established in 1988, it teaches entrepreneurship and business administration at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and is the only business university in Estonia. EBS currently reports more than 1,100 students.
Moreover, the school has a strong international outlook and offers English-taught study options that help students build worldwide contacts. EBS and Lancaster University Management School signed a double diploma agreement in 2007, and EBS students in the International Business Administration program can still pursue a double degree opportunity with Lancaster University Management School. Various programs are also organized by the EBS Student Council and its International Club to make international students’ time at EBS even more memorable.
Students and instructors can benefit from EBS’s international network, which now includes more than 80 partner universities. In 2016, the English-language Bachelor’s level International Business Administration program became the first in Estonia to receive EPAS accreditation, and the current program page describes the program as EFMD-accredited. This makes EBS one of Estonia’s most internationally oriented business education providers.
2. Tallinn University of Technology
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) was founded in 1918 and is the sole technological university in Estonia. TalTech is a research-based university offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in engineering, natural sciences, IT, business, and maritime studies. Its School of Business and Governance focuses on economics, business, law, and public administration.
TalTech is also a top business education option in Estonia. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, TalTech is ranked #=635. The School of Business and Governance offers five master’s programs in English and also has doctoral studies in Business, Economics, and Governance. TalTech has more than 400 agreements with partner universities around the world, giving students numerous opportunities for international exchange and cooperation.
Moreover, TalTech serves as a contact point for a wide range of organizational and product development concerns for businesses and public institutions. Its campus includes the Mektory Innovation and Business Center and Tehnopol Tallinn Science Park, where scientists, students, and entrepreneurs meet to solve practical product development problems and generate new ideas for the future.
3. Tallinn University
Tallinn University (TLU) has roots in teacher education dating back to 1919, while Tallinn University in its current form was established by an Act of the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia in 2005. The university is one of Estonia’s interdisciplinary public universities and offers a range of English-taught programs, including business-related study through its Social Entrepreneurship master’s program.
The university’s project-based learning helps students develop competence across different subjects. Its Social Entrepreneurship program is a two-year English-taught master’s program for practicing social entrepreneurs or students who want to develop their own social enterprises. Learning in Interdisciplinary Focused Environment (LIFE) is a university-wide project-based course at TLU, where students from different study fields work together on collaborative projects.
Today, Tallinn University is ranked #901–950 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 1001–1200 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. A contributing factor to the student experience is the university’s modern city-center campus, which supports interdisciplinary study and research.
4. University of Tartu
Estonia’s oldest and largest higher education institution, the University of Tartu (UT), was founded in 1632. It is one of Northern Europe’s leading universities and is ranked #=362 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Times Higher Education also describes UT as being among the top 1% of the world’s universities.
UT offers strong business and economics study options through its School of Economics and Business Administration. Its Bachelor of Business Administration is a three-year full-time program covering areas such as business law, management, economic policy, accounting, finance, marketing, ethics, human resources, the global economy, innovation, and research methods. The school also offers master’s and doctoral study options, including Economics and Business Administration Ph.D. programs.
UT is active in international organizations and networks such as ENLIGHT, The Guild, LERU, U4, and the Coimbra Group. The university has partnership agreements with universities around the world and participates in student exchange programs and networks such as Erasmus+, ISEP, and AEN. It also offers international degree, semester, and summer programs in English.
5. Estonian University of Life Sciences
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s
The Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ) is not a traditional business school, but it is relevant for students interested in business connected to rural economy, sustainability, agriculture, forestry, food, and environmental fields. The university is Estonia’s leading center for agriculture, forestry, veterinary medicine, food and environmental sciences, rural economy, and sustainable engineering.
The university previously had an Institute of Economics and Social Sciences, but since January 2022, teaching and research have been carried out through three institutes: the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, and the Institute of Forestry and Engineering. EMÜ’s current degree portfolio includes Business and Planning among its Estonian-language fields of study.
For international students, EMÜ currently lists three fully English-taught programs: Veterinary Medicine, Landscape Architecture, and Environmental Governance and Adaptation to Climate Change. Applicants seeking an English-taught business degree should therefore confirm current program availability before applying.
We hope that this article on the best business schools in Estonia was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Business Programs for International Students!
