As a European Union member, Estonia offers temporary protection to people fleeing Ukraine. Since the start of the armed conflict, over 24,000 Ukrainians have entered the country.
According to the Minister of the Interior, the temporary protection allows Estonia to “offer the Ukrainians a sense of security and social guarantees, granting them access to education, the labour market, and social protection.”
The Baltic country has 19 higher education institutions. Combined, they welcome around 5,000 international students every year. Most come from Finland, Russia, Nigeria, and Ukraine.
Below, you’ll discover helpful support programmes and initiatives for displaced Ukrainian students:
Credential evaluation
- The Estonian ENIC/NARIC (Academic Recognition Information Centre) is responsible for recognising foreign education qualifications. This organisation is an official subdivision of the Education and Youth Board.
- The Ministry of Education and Research offers additional information about the higher education system in Estonia.
Scholarships and financial aid
Examples of financial support and initiatives from Estonian universities:
- University of Tartu – Ukrainian students can study for free during the spring semester of 2022 and can apply for a special need-based allowance.
- Tallinn University of Technology – offers free study places to Ukrainian students admitted in the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Tallinn University – will offer tuition-free study places to students from Ukraine in the 2022-2023 academic year in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research.
- The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre – Ukrainian students can apply for special need-based allowances, need-based study grants, or special scholarships to continue their studies.
You can also apply for regular scholarships offered by the Estonian government and universities.
While you’re at it, check out our scholarships, the International Distinction Awards. You can win up to 10,000 euros. The application deadline is 31 May.
Study programmes and opportunities
- Ukrainian students can find some Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes that cost under 4,000 euros per year. PhD and exchange programmes are tuition-free for everyone.
- Some higher education institutions, like Tallinn University, are also looking at ways to offer Estonian language courses to students from Ukraine.
- The Study in Estonia website provides additional information about credit systems, grades, and exams.
- Learn more about the university application process and student life in Estonia.
Other support resources
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers helpful resources to Ukrainian refugees about arriving and staying in Estonia. These include details on transportation, reception centres, applying for temporary protection, etc.
- Contact one of the reception centres for help or answers to your questions: Tartu, Tallinn, or Pärnu.
- The Estonian Refugee Council’s website lists contact details for their counselling centres, information on efforts to evacuate war refugees, and other initiatives.
- Urgent medical aid is available to all Ukrainians entering Estonia. However, additional health care is provided only after receiving temporary protection.
* Please note we give our best to constantly update the information posted here, but we may not be able to track all specific changes that may occur.