Estonia 2023/24 - student fees and grants

National student fee

In Estonia full-time students in programmes taught in Estonian do not pay tuition fees, in either the first or the second cycle; there are no short-cycle programmes. International students in Estonian-language programmes are treated the same way, while programmes taught in a foreign language, such as English, generally charge fees. Fees can vary by field of study.

Institutions may charge you if you do not collect enough credits or extend your studies. The cap is EUR 50 per ECTS credit in most fields, EUR 100 in arts, medicine, veterinary studies and dentistry, and EUR 120 in aircraft piloting. Part-time students may have to pay tuition fees set by the institution.

Waivers apply to students with special needs, to students who are parents or guardians of a child under 7 or of a disabled child, and to part-time students in programmes that can only be offered part-time, such as some teacher-training programmes.

Student grants

Full-time home and international students can receive need-based and merit-based grants. Part-time students are not eligible, except in programmes offered only part-time. There is no age limit, and grants are paid monthly for 10 months. Need-based grants depend on the average income of the student and their family.

According to Eurydice data, the amounts reported for 2023/24 (which relate to 2023) were EUR 750 to EUR 2,200 a year for need-based grants and EUR 1,600 to EUR 3,000 for merit-based grants. In 2024 grant amounts doubled, to a minimum of EUR 1,500 and a maximum of EUR 4,400.

Loans

Publicly subsidised study loans are available to home and international students, full-time and part-time, with no age limit. Estonians and people with a long-term residence permit or permanent right of residence qualify if their studies last at least six calendar months; if they last under nine months, you get half of the maximum loan. Students on academic leave cannot borrow, and taking a loan lowers the maximum need-based grant you can receive. The source gives no loan amounts or repayment terms for 2023/24.

Tax benefit for student's parents

Taxpayers can deduct training costs paid during the year for themselves or for a child, grandchild, brother or sister under 26, so both parents and students with their own income can benefit.

Family allowances

There are no family allowances for students' parents.