How to Apply to Universities in Estonia: Requirements, Deadlines and Portals

Two application systems

Estonia runs two separate application routes. Estonian citizens and long-term residents finishing secondary school in Estonia apply through the national SAIS admission system at sais.ee, which pulls grades and exam results directly from Estonian public registers, so you rarely upload documents yourself.

Everyone else, including applicants from other European countries, applies through DreamApply , the shared platform most Estonian universities use for their foreign-taught bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

Documents you need

Requirements vary slightly by university and programme, but most DreamApply applications ask for the same core set of documents, based on TalTech's admission requirements :

• Secondary school diploma or bachelor's/master's transcript, with an official English translation

• Copy of your passport identification page

• Proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL, for English-taught programmes

• Motivation letter written for the specific programme

• Standardized test scores where the programme requires them, such as the GRE for some master's degrees

Some universities also run an online admissions test or interview after reviewing your documents, particularly for competitive master's programmes.

Extra steps for specific fields

Programmes in art, music and design usually add a portfolio review or audition on top of the standard document check, submitted through the same DreamApply account. Medicine, dentistry and a handful of other competitive programmes add a written entrance exam, tested either online or at a designated test centre. Check your specific programme page for these extra steps early, since preparation time varies and some tests run only once per intake.

Language requirements

English-taught programmes ask for a recognized English test score, usually IELTS or TOEFL, unless your prior education was fully taught in English. Estonian-taught programmes expect strong Estonian language skills, generally confirmed through a language certificate or through completing your prior schooling in Estonian, since teaching, exams and coursework all run in Estonian from day one.

Deadlines vary by university and citizenship

Application windows differ by institution, and most universities give EU and EEA citizens a longer window than non-EU applicants. Two examples from the 2026 intake show the pattern:

Both universities open applications in January or February, per TalTech and Tallinn University . Check your target university's own deadline page early, since exact dates shift every intake and some programmes close earlier than the general deadline.

Application fees

Many Estonian universities charge a non-refundable application fee. TalTech, for example, charges EUR 100 per applicant, covering applications to up to two programmes, according to TalTech . Current TalTech students and graduates are exempt. Pay the fee before submitting your application, since most systems will not forward an unpaid application for review.

Getting your diploma recognized

Every foreign education document goes through Estonia's ENIC-NARIC centre for academic recognition before you enrol. TalTech notes this review takes up to one month, and the university reserves the right to withdraw an offer over fraudulent documents, so submit your paperwork as soon as you have it rather than waiting for the deadline.

After you apply

Once a university makes a conditional offer, non-EU/EEA applicants typically pay the first semester's tuition to confirm their place, then send physical copies of their documents by post. After enrollment, non-EU/EEA citizens apply for a temporary residence permit or long-stay visa for study, while EU/EEA citizens register their stay with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board instead.

Tips for a stronger application

• Request school or university transcripts and their official translations weeks before the deadline, since issuing offices often take longer than expected.

• Write a separate motivation letter for each programme, tied to that programme's specific courses and staff, rather than reusing one generic letter.

• Confirm the exact portal for your target university before you start, since a few institutions run their own system instead of DreamApply.

• Submit your application well ahead of the deadline, since document review and diploma recognition both take time your application cannot skip.

If you apply to more than one programme

Most application portals let you list a small number of programme choices in order of preference within a single application, rather than forcing you to submit a separate application for every option. Confirm how many choices your target university allows and whether it charges one fee for all of them or a separate fee per programme, since practice differs between institutions.

Keep a copy of every document you submit and the confirmation emails that follow, since you may need to resend materials if a reviewer asks for a clearer scan or an updated translation partway through the process.

If you are rejected or waitlisted

A rejection from one programme does not close off the rest of your application. Some universities open a second, smaller intake later in the year for programmes with remaining places, and a waitlisted application sometimes converts to an offer once other admitted students decline their place. Check your university's own policy on waitlists and late intakes directly, since these details are not standardized across Estonian institutions.