In Estonian Universities, Most Popular Specialties Promise Well-Paid Jobs

According to the Estonian Education Information System (SAIS), the University of Tartu received nearly 17,000 applications, Tallinn University over 10,000, and Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), where registration is still open, over 7,000. Tartu and Tallinn health care colleges each received over 3,000 applications, the Estonian University of Life Sciences over 2,000, the Academy of Internal Security and the Academy of Arts fewer than 1,500, and the Academy of Music and Theatre just under 600.

In an interview with ERR, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of the University of Tartu Aune Valk noted that applicants likely seek assurance that their chosen field will be in demand and well-paid. Therefore, programs in medicine and natural sciences remain popular, with the number of applicants increasing by more than 10%. The increase in social sciences was smaller.

Most Popular Programs by University

At the University of Tartu, the most applications at bachelor's level were for medicine (713), followed by psychology, economics, and physiotherapy, which had the highest competition with 13.25 applications per place. At master's level, analytical chemistry was most popular (299 applications) with the highest competition (11.96 per place), along with language teacher training for multilingual schools, special education, and speech therapy. At doctoral level, political science received the most applications (111), but computer science had the highest competition (53 per place).

At Tallinn University, the most popular bachelor's program was psychology (956 applications) with the highest competition in the university (23.9 per place). Other high-demand programs included early childhood education, special education, social work, and physical education. At master's level, foreign language teacher training received 135 applications, and education management had the highest competition (7.33 per place). At doctoral level, educational sciences were most popular (16 applications), but health-related behavior and well-being had the highest competition (8 per place).

TalTech is still accepting applications. At bachelor's level, building design and construction management received the most (598), while logistics and mobility had the highest competition (5.45 per place). At master's level, artificial intelligence in business was most popular (96), and at doctoral level, technical sciences (95).

In health care colleges, nursing was the most popular bachelor's program (Tartu: 834, Tallinn: 1122). In Tartu, midwifery had the highest competition (18.86 per place), while in Tallinn, dental technology had the highest (29.08). At master's level, Tartu's most popular was mental health nursing (10 per place), and Tallinn's health sciences (239 applications, 4.78 per place).

At the Estonian University of Life Sciences, veterinary medicine was the most popular bachelor's program (267), but geodesy, land management and real estate management had the highest competition (7.6 per place). At master's level, accounting and financial management received 101 applications, while horticulture had the highest competition (2.8 per place). At doctoral level, environmental sciences and applied biology had 8 applications (4 per place).

At the Academy of Internal Security, police service was most popular (643), with customs and taxation having the highest competition (10.6 per place). At the Academy of Arts, bachelor's level: fashion, textile and accessory design (85), interior architecture had the highest competition (6.75). Master's: graphic design and interaction design each received 51 applications, with graphic design having the highest competition (6.38). Doctoral: art and design (53, competition 17.67).

At the Academy of Music and Theatre, bachelor's: acting was most popular; master's: interpretation pedagogy (7 per place); doctoral: one program – music and theatre art with 18 applications.