Study Levels of study
Levels of study
Estonian higher education has two cycles, following the Anglo-Saxon bachelor-master model. Bachelor’s level studies form the first cycle and master’s level studies form the second cycle. In some specialties, the study programmes have been integrated into a single cycle.
The standard length of academic bachelor’s studies is usually three years with a required completion of ECTS* 180 credits (in exceptional cases four years and 240 ECTS credits) for graduation. With completion of degree requirements, a bakalaureusekraad (bachelor’s degree) is awarded.
Depending on the subject area, the standard length of a first level certificate of professional higher education studies is three to four years (180 – 240 ECTS credits). With completion of the required coursework, a rakenduskõrgharidusõppe diplom (Diploma of professional higher education) is awarded.
Students with an academic or professional bachelor’s degree may continue on to pursue the Master’s degree, or magistrikraad.
Master’s level studies are commenced after a bachelor’s degree and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of qualification is a prerequisite for admission. People who hold a professional higher education diploma can also commence a master's programme in a university pursuant to the procedure established by the university.
The standard length of master’s level studies is one to two years, working towards completion of 60-120 ECTS credits. Together with bachelor’s level studies a master’s is not awarded in less than five years (300 ECTS credits).
In addition to the two-cycle general structure, the study programmes of medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical, veterinarian, architectural and civil engineering training are single long-cycle studies with a nominal length of 5–6 years and with a capacity of 300–360 ECTS credits. Such single long-cycle studies are called integrated bachelor-master studies and are based on an integrated study programme, which contains both basic studies and profound specialisation. The completion of this degree will provide a qualification corresponding to a master’s level degree.
A master’s degree is a prerequisite for commencing doctoral studies. The standard length of doctoral studies is three to four years after which the postgraduate research degree doktorikraad is conferred.
*ECTS - European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
