HISTORY
The Estonians are first mentioned by the Roman historian Tacitus (1st century ) in Germania. Their political system was patriarchal, based on clans headed by elders. The first invaders of the country were Vikings, who from the mid-9th century passed through Estonia and Latvia on their way to the Slavonic hinterland. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the Danes and the Swedes tried to Christianize the Estonians, without success. Between 1030 and 1192, the Russians made 13 incursions into Estonia but failed to establish supremacy. a prosperous country and it has vast natural resources. Today the population of Canada is 35 million.
ECONOMY
As part of the interrelated Soviet economy, Estonia was basically an industrial region, with agriculture making a smaller contribution. Industry and agriculture remain important components of the economy of independent Estonia, but their portion of gross domestic product (GDP) and of the labour force have declined, while those of commerce and the service industry have grown. The Estonian economy experienced an initial downturn during its transition to a market economy (characterized by declining production, inflation, and unemployment), but by the mid-1990s it had rebounded, with some improvement across the decade following. Moreover, the Estonian economy has been cited as one of the most liberal in Europe; it has a balanced national budget, flat-rate income tax, and very few customs tariffs. Estonia was among the first eastern and central European countries with which the European Union (EU) started accession negotiations. It gained membership in 2004. Privatization of state-owned businesses was virtually complete by the beginning of the 21st century, though government controls remain over some energy and seaport activities.
CLIMATE
The temperate and humid climate of Estonia differs sharply from the climates of regions to the east (in Russia) at the same latitude. The country lies in the path of air masses borne by cyclonic winds that originate in the North Atlantic Ocean and carry warm air in winter and cool air in summer. The northern and western coastal areas tend to be milder than the country’s inland regions, while the eastern and southeastern regions tend to have a continental climate. The mean temperature is 17 to 23 °F (−8 to −5 °C) in January and 61 to 63 °F (16 to 17 °C) in July. Annual precipitation is about 24 to 28 inches (600 to 700 mm), which, coupled with negligible evaporation and low relief, leads to waterlogging. The Estonian climate is generally favourable for agriculture.
LANGUAGES
Estonian, the official language of the country, is a member of the Finno-Ugric branch of the Uralic language family. More than two-thirds of the populace speak Estonian as a first language; about an additional one-fourth speak Russian as their first language (mostly in the northeast), though few Estonians over age 60 or under age 20 speak the language.
TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Major highways link Tallinn with St. Petersburg and Riga, Latvia. The majority of the republic’s freight is carried by road, but freight also is transported by rail and sea. Estonia’s main rail lines connect Tallinn with Tartu and Narva. There are three commercial ports near Tallinn and another inland port at Narva. Estonia has a state-owned shipping company and a state-owned airline. The country’s major airport is at Tallinn, but there are also airports at Tartu and Pärnu. River transport is of local significance only.
EDUCATION
A law enacted in 1993 restructured education in Estonia and raised the level of compulsory attendance to age 17 or completion of the 9th grade. Education is conducted primarily in Estonian, but Russian continues to be the language of instruction in a number of schools. Higher education, which under the 1993 law was restructured along Western lines, is both public and private. Notable institutions include Tartu University (founded 1632) and Tallinn Technical University (founded 1918). Scientific research has been centred at the Estonian Academy of Sciences, founded in 1938.
HOUSING
More than two-thirds of Estonian households live in apartment buildings. About five-sixths of the housing stock in Estonia was built after World War II, and of that about one-fourth was constructed after 1981.
unded in 1938.
COST OF STUDYING IN ESTONIA
Universities in Estonia charge extremely low tuition fees for all students including international students. For both Bachelors and Masters programs, the average tuition fee is 1660 Euros per academic year while medicine student pays higher than other programs. In some cases, students are exempted from paying tuition fees depending on their financial condition or academic performance. We advise that you contact your university in Estonia to find out if you are qualified for a tuition fee exemption.
COST OF LIVING
The costs of living in Estonia are affordable and lower than in most other European countries. Majority of foreigners who have spent some time here opined that living conditions are similar to those in Western Europe. Cost of living in Estonia usually depend upon the student’s accommodation choices, lifestyle, and spending patterns.
ACCOMMODATION
Student accommodation prices in Estonia start from €100 per month in student dormitories. Some student dormitories are either single, double and triple rooms in some universities. Housing costs largely depend on the place it is located and flat size. These prices range from about €100 for a place in a double room in the residence hall to €180–€450 or more for a private flat.
FOOD
Students can usually enjoy a comfortable life with around €200–250 per month for food. Each student can decide food expenses depending on their individual needs. Every university also has its own cafeteria(s), and they sell at reasonable prices.
Daily specials on pubs and cafes: €2.50–€4
TRANSPORT
Public transport is available for all students and is free of charge in Tallinn (mainly for residents of Tallinn, and including international students studying in Tallinn). Local public transport in Tartu cost like €8.63 with a monthly ticket (viable with student card), a single ticket for a student for €0.51 (€1 on the bus). Most universities have everything available for students (supermarkets, cafes, shops, pharmacy, etc.) and are located within a short walking distance.
Taxi (depending on the company): average starting fee from €1.9, based on distance.
Bus ticket from the campus to Tartu cost €8.10–€10.50.
WORK OPPORTUNITY IN ESTONIA
International students in Estonia do not need an additional working permit to work while studying full time and they are allowed to work on the condition that it does not interfere with their studies. Students have to receive passing grades for a full load of courses and finish studies within the nominal time.
All non-EU students can also stay to Estonia for additional 9 months after their graduation (with the permission of the university) to look for a job in Estonia. Upon finding a job after graduation, they can use this time to apply for a temporary residence permit for work.
Quick facts:
Average monthly salary in Estonia:
€1,221 gross per month (2017) for a full time job
€7.40 gross per hour (2017) for a full time job
Minimum salary:
€470 gross per month (2017)
Working hours for international students:
not limited
How to find a job?
In Estonia, it is usual to send an e-mail to a potential employer; phone calls may work but are not normally preferred. You should send a CV, and a motivational letter and expected wage is often requested. Be ready for an interview. Most Estonian students work and study at the same time. Having a full-time or part-time job is very common.
DOCUMENT REQUIREMENT
- Your passport, valid for the duration of your studies plus one month.
- Two Photograph (With White Background)
- A letter of acceptance from a Estonian educational institution confirming name and length of the program, tuition fees, living expenses, semester for which the admission is valid and last date for registration.
- All educational documents, including marks sheets (SSC, HSC, Bachelors, Masters or other post- secondary, college, vocational or university diploma, certificate or degree).
- Proof of funds sufficient to cover your tuition and living expenses for your first year of study in Estonia.
- You must provide a one year statement of transactions from personal bank account(s) (an original certified bank issued statement or a certified copy of passbooks), as well as fixed deposit certificates, savings certificates, PSP certificates or any other proof of savings.
- You must also demonstrate that sufficient funds will be available to support yourself during the whole duration of your program.
- Confirmation of any scholarship, grant, teaching or research assistantship including name of the providing institution or organization, amount per semester or year and duration.
- If some or the totality of your funds are provided by a sponsor (either parents or third party) you must also include:
- Notarized declaration of sponsorship. If you have more than one sponsor, a separate declaration must be provided for each sponsor. However, sponsors who are husband and wife can appear on the same declaration.
- Details of assets and income for each sponsor with supporting documents such as
- property documentation, land deeds, rent agreement, business license, business tax information, employment letter with salary information.
- You must also provide the income tax forms (tax assessments and tax paid receipts showing total income and amount of income tax paid) for the past two years.
- If someone other than yourself or your parents is providing funds you must include:
- Letter of explanation as to the reason why this person is assisting
- Number of persons living in this persons household
- Proof of this persons relationship to you; birth, marriage or school certificates, passport.
- Affidavits or self-declarations are not acceptable proof of relationship.
- Proof of employment for yourself, if applicable, and your parents (employer’s full name, address, phone number, name of supervisor with his phone number, length of service and salary details).
- Your police clearance certificate and your birth certificate
- Proof of Tuition fee payment
- Visa Application forms
- 2 complete photo copy sets of all the above attested and notarized.
For Bachelor, Honors, Bs.c academic requirements should be:
| SSC | HSC | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 3.0 | 5.5 |
For Masters, Ms.c or equivalent academic requirements should be:
| SSC | HSC | BACHELOR | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.75 | 5.5 |
STUDY COST
Universities in Estonia charge extremely low tuition fees for all students including international students. Tuition fees in different universities can vary considerably depending on the level of studies and the speciality in question. Generally, tuition fees vary from 1660 EUR to 7500 EUR per year for Bachelor and Master programmes (with a few more expensive exceptions such as the Medicine programme that costs 11 000 EUR per year). Some of the more expensive specialities are medicine, law, business administration and social sciences. Some higher education institutions may differentiate tuition fees for students from the European Union and from outside the European Union. In addition, some universities offer various Master and Bachelor programmes with no tuition fee at all (tuition fee waivers, tuition free programmes).da.
LIVING COST
The costs of living in Estonia are affordable and lower than in most other European countries. Majority of foreigners who have spent some time here opined that living conditions are similar to those in Western Europe. Cost of living in Estonia usually depend upon the student’s accommodation choices, lifestyle, and spending patterns.
ACCOMMODATION
Student accommodation prices in Estonia start from €100 per month in student dormitories. Some student dormitories are either single, double and triple rooms in some universities.
Housing costs largely depend on the place it is located and flat size. These prices ranges from about €100 for a place in a double room in the residence hall to €180–€450 or more for a private flat.s).da.
FOOD
Students can usually enjoy a comfortable life with around €200–250 per month for food. Each student can decide food expenses depending on their individual needs. Every university also has its own cafeteria(s), and they sell at reasonable prices.or a place in a double room in the residence hall to €180–€450 or more for a private flat.s).da.
TRANSPORT
Public transport is available for all students and is free of charge in Tallinn (mainly for residents of Tallinn, and including international students studying in Tallinn). Local public transport in Tartu cost like €8.63 with a monthly ticket (viable with student card), single ticket for a student for €0.51 (€1 on the bus). Most universities have everything available for students (supermarkets, cafes, shops, pharmacy, etc.) and are located within a short walking distance.flat.s).da.