Estonia is a European country known for its digital public services. In 2005, it became the first nation to hold a legally binding general election over the internet.
Estonia has a three-level higher education system: professional higher education and bachelor’s studies, master’s studies, and doctoral studies. Statistics Estonia reported 18 higher education institutions and 3,879 foreign students in 2025. Study in Estonia lists more than 150 degree programs that are fully taught in English. The Estonian government and universities offer various scholarships for international students, and doctoral studies in Estonia are tuition-free.
Tuition fees vary by university, level of study, program, and, in some cases, citizenship category. Applicants should review the latest official program page before applying.
Affordable Schools in Estonia for International Students
The fees below are based on current official pages. They are not a ranking of the least expensive institutions, and applicants should confirm the applicable fee for their program and citizenship category.
1. Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
- Tuition Fees: From 1,750 EUR/year for 2026/2027; fees range up to 14,000 EUR/year depending on the program and the student’s country of origin.
The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT) offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies in music and theater. Its academic areas include classical music performance; composition and improvisational music; musicology, music pedagogy, and cultural management; theater; and doctoral studies.
As of November 10, 2025, EAMT had 573 students. International students accounted for 26.5% of enrollment. A limited number of scholarships are available for international students.
2. Estonian Academy of Arts
- Tuition Fees: From 2,000 EUR/year for 2026/2027 international master’s programs; fees vary by program and citizenship category.
Established in 1914, the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) is the only public university in Estonia providing higher education in fine arts, design, architecture, media, visual studies, art history, and conservation. More than 1,100 students are enrolled.
For 2026/2027, EKA lists eight international master’s programs in art, design, architecture, and art culture. It also lists four doctoral programs for international applicants: Architecture and Urban Planning, Art and Design, Art History and Visual Culture, and Cultural Heritage and Conservation.
3. Estonian Aviation Academy
- Tuition Fees: 8,100 EUR/year for the Commercial Air Transport Pilot program. The Commercial Aviation Management program is listed at 3,780 EUR/year but has no intake for 2026/2027.
Established in 1993, the Estonian Aviation Academy (EAVA) is a state-owned professional higher education institution that educates and trains aviation specialists. It is located at Lennu 40, Reola, Kambja Parish, Tartu County.
Its fields of study include aviation management, aeronautical engineering, air traffic services, and aircraft piloting. Its current English-taught bachelor’s listings include Commercial Air Transport Pilot and Commercial Aviation Management, although Commercial Aviation Management has no intake for 2026/2027.
4. Tallinn University
- Tuition Fees: From 3,800 EUR/year for 2026/2027; fees depend on the program. PhD studies are tuition-free.
Tallinn University offers interdisciplinary study across six academic directions: Baltic Film, Media and Arts; educational sciences; natural sciences and health; humanities; digital technologies; and governance, law, and society.
The university reports approximately 7,000 students and 38 English-based degree programs. For 2026/2027, its listed bachelor’s tuition fees range from 4,200 to 5,400 EUR/year, while its listed master’s tuition fees begin at 3,800 EUR/year.
5. Tallinn Institute of Technology
- Tuition Fees: Program-specific. EU/EEA citizens generally study tuition-free, except for programs in the School of Business and Governance; non-EU students pay the applicable program fee.
The institution’s official English name is Tallinn University of Technology, commonly known as TalTech. Founded in 1918, TalTech is Estonia’s sole technological university and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies in engineering, natural sciences, IT, business, and maritime studies.
For the 2026 admissions cycle, TalTech lists four bachelor’s and 14 master’s programs taught in English. Its admissions page reports approximately 9,929 students, 8.4% of whom are international students.
6. University of Tartu
- Tuition Fees: Program-specific. Current English-taught first-level programs range from 4,200 EUR/year to 13,200 EUR/year.
Founded in 1632, the University of Tartu is Estonia’s oldest and largest university. It has four faculties: the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Science and Technology.
The university reports approximately 15,000 students, including around 1,600 international students. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Tartu is ranked joint 362nd globally.
For the 2026 admissions cycle, the university offers admission to 28 English-taught programs: three first-level programs and 25 master’s-level programs. Students admitted to English-taught programs either pay tuition or may receive a tuition-waiver place. The university states that tuition waivers are not available for English-taught bachelor’s programs.
We hope that this article on affordable study options in Estonia was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
