In response to the growing threat of misinformation and hostile information operations, the University of Tartu Institute of Social Studies presents a one-year master's programme dedicated to training specialists with interdisciplinary expertise in combating disinformation. This programme is tailored for students from countries often targeted by information manipulation and malicious misinformation.
Estonia, situated on the eastern border of the European Union, has experienced repeated challenges to its societal resilience due to information manipulations and hostile narratives. In response, the country has developed smart digital solutions, high levels of media and information literacy, and transparent decision-making processes. Our master's programme provides a unique opportunity to learn from these efforts, bringing together academic knowledge and practical experiences from within and outside the country.
The programme leverages cutting-edge research in communication, law, psychology, sociology, data science, and regional studies to enhance societal resilience across Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia. Students will delve into the impacts of disinformation, explore different dimensions of societal resilience, and identify sources of vulnerability. Students contribute to a holistic understanding of the problem and its regional solutions through country-based practical projects. Moreover, this journey will connect students with an international professional network actively engaged in combating disinformation daily.
Read more about the programme from its information sheet.
Watch info session dedicated to the MA in Disinformation and Societal resilience international degree programme where Maria Murumaa-Mengel and the programme director Maia Klassen offer insights into the programme's curriculum, opportunities, and the learning environment.
Our programme aims to equip professionals with essential and adaptable knowledge in communication, sociology, data sciences, regional studies, law, and psychology. Students will learn to analyse information processes and make policy recommendations to effectively combat disinformation, while actively contributing to the strengthening of societal resilience.
The programme is designed for specialists for whom the issue of building and maintaining societal resilience in the face of disruptive processes within our information sphere is a matter of professional necessity. The skills and knowledge gained during the year at the Institute of Social Studies will enable graduates to apply evidence-based strategies in their respective fields for the next decade.
Upon completion, graduates will be awarded a Master of Arts in Social Sciences (Disinformation and Societal Resilience) and will find career opportunities in the public and third sectors. This includes positions in public institutions, agencies, and NGOs, specialising in strategic communication, policy analysis, impact assessment, cyber security, media and information literacy through formal or non-formal education, and more. As the field of strengthening democracies against disinformation continues to evolve, new and unforeseen career paths emerge each year.
To enhance practical skills, the programme offers a four-week internship with our partner organisations actively combating information disorders. Through these internships, students gain firsthand knowledge of working processes and expand their professional network, providing invaluable connections for future work in the field.
1) bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification and at least 5 years of professional experience or
2) master´s degree or equivalent qualification – please see our country-specific document requirements
English language proficiency – please see our acceptable tests and exempt categories or requirements for the Estonian state exam in English for citizens of Estonia.
NB! Citizens of the Russian Federation who, under the legislation of the Republic of Estonia, cannot apply for a long-stay visa or residence permit to study or do not have a valid legal basis to stay in the Republic of Estonia until the end of the curriculum’s standard period of study are not eligible to apply to the University of Tartu in the 2024/2025 academic year.
According to the current legislation, citizens of Belarus can apply for Estonian long-term visa or temporary residence permit for studies and are therefore eligible to apply to the University of Tartu.
Estonian applicants should apply via National Admission Information Systems (SAIS). Further information in Estonian is available here.
the score of the motivation letter (yields 50% of the final score)
the admission interview (yields 50% of the final score)
The motivation letter (in English, 700-1000 words) explains the candidate’s motivation to study in the programme and reflects on previous experience in the field. The letter of motivation may be accompanied by a letter of recommendation (not mandatory) from a representative of your organisation, a partner organisation or a national authority, for which a maximum of 5 additional points may be awarded.
Cover letter components:
Evaluation of the letter:
The motivation letter will provide an insight into the candidate’s professional readiness and motivation to study in the programme. The motivation letter will be assessed based on the following criteria in a 100-point system:
Using ChatGPT to generate the motivation letter is forbidden. We check the use of AI and will disqualify candidates whose work is flagged as created by AI. To be admitted to the interview, the motivation letter must score 51 out of 100 points.
The admission interview will take place with the admission committee and will aim to assess:
The interview will last up to 30 minutes and will be conducted online via Zoom.
Evaluation of the interview
The interview will be assessed on a 100-point system based on the following criteria:
To pass the admission interview, a score of 51/100 points is needed.
For each assignment, the maximum score is 100 points and minimum score 51 points to be considered for admission. The applicant needs to receive at least 51 points for the motivation letter, in order to qualify for the admission interview. After the interview, the final admission score is calculated. The total admission score will be the weighted sum of the score of the motivation letter and the interview. The maximum number of final points is 100. Only applications which receive 66 points and above as a combined score from both indicators will qualify for admission.
Further information on assessing candidates´ academic performance and calculating admissions´ score.
The decision about granting a tuition waiver is made based on the motivation letter, the interview and the need for financial support described by the candidate in the application. Also, to be considered for the tuition waiver, the cumulative score of the admissions process must be at least 80 points.
The following information applies to international students and Estonian students who graduated abroad:
The application system opens on 2 January and closes on 15 March. The following documents must be submitted electronically via DreamApply by 15 March:
Submitted applications can not be edited. It is only possible to upload new documents (e.g. graduation certificates). Applicants will receive feedback and notifications through the DreamApply system to their e-mail. Incomplete applications or those submitted by e-mail will not be considered for admission.
Guide to submitting an electronic application on DreamApply.
NB: The University of Tartu has no official partnerships with agents or educational representatives. We strongly recommend applying directly to the university without the help of unauthorised third-party entities. Should you use such a service, please ensure that your application's contact information is your personal details (your e-mail, phone number, etc.).
The evaluation of applications will be made based on the electronic copies added to DreamApply. A general ranking list will be formed based on the electronically submitted applications and admission results (including offers) will be announced to all applicants personally via DreamApply by April 30 at the latest. Admitted candidates are expected to accept or decline the offer in DreamApply in 7 days. If the decision is not communicated to UT via DreamApply by the stipulated deadline, UT reserves the right to withdraw the admission offer.
NB! It is not possible to postpone the beginning of studies to the next academic year.
Terms and conditions of the admission offer
Admission offers are conditional. This means that there are conditions in the offer which the applicant needs to fulfil in order to be admitted (e.g. sending application documents by post; obtaining the required level of education). If the conditions are not met, UT has the right to withdraw the offer. Also, UT reserves the right to withdraw or amend any offer or revoke the matriculation of a student, if it becomes evident that the application contains fraudulent information, the qualification does not provide access to the chosen study programme or the student is found to have omitted key information from the application. Should such circumstances occur, UT will not be liable for any material or immaterial loss which the student may suffer as a result.
Once the admission results have been announced, all admitted students are required to send the application documents by post to: Student Admissions, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18-133, Tartu 50090, ESTONIA.
The documents are expected to be mailed only by those receiving the admission offer (unless instructed otherwise by the admissions staff). The documents must reach the university within 3 weeks from the announcement of the offer. If the application documents do not reach us by the deadline, the university has the right to withdraw the admission offer. Applicants will be informed when their documents have arrived.
Requirements for educational documents
All copies of educational documents (diplomas and Diploma Supplements/transcripts) must be officially certified. By certified we mean that the copies should bear an original signature and seal of the authority certifying that these are true copies of the original document(s). The copies can be certified either 1) by an authorised official of the issuing institution, or 2) by a notary, or 3) with an Apostille attached. NB! Country-specific requirements may also specify the way documents from certain countries must be certified.
Please note that UT does not accept simple copies made on the basis of already certified copies (primary copies are needed).
Paying the tuition fee (applicable to those receiving a fee-based study place offer)
The official admission letter will be sent to admitted students electronically via DreamApply only after the admissions office has received and reviewed hard copies of the application documents, and received the tuition fee pre-payment (if a pre-payment was required, please see step 3 for more details).
NB! The electronic admission letter is also sufficient for non-EU students for applying for visa at an Estonian embassy.
Once the admission letter is issued, accepted students may proceed further with arranging their arrival. All non-EU students should first consult information on the process of visa and temporary residence permit application to be sure, as where and when the relevant documents need to be applied.
NB! Admitted students who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland need to make sure they obtain the Estonian long-term visa on time in order to be able to participate in the orientation programme for international students held in the last week of August. They are also required to visit the Admissions Office in person to complete their arrival registration by September 2, 2025, at the latest. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of their admission decision and visa.
Note that housing at the UT dormitories can be applied during a limited period of time, unless specified otherwise on the website. For housing alternatives please find further information on Tartu Welcome Centre website.
Travel information can be found here.
Based upon common queries, the most important information has been summarised into a pre-arrival information website UT Getting Started.
Estonian applicants should apply via National Admission Information Systems (SAIS). Further information in Estonian is available here.
Applications for full-time degree studies for 2024 are no longer being accepted. However, you may pursue your studies as an external student from February 2024. An external student is a person who wants to:
External students are not matriculated, i.e. they are not students. An external student is a person who has the right to complete the curriculum, including taking exams and passing evaluations for up to 30 credits (ECTS) per academic year, completing practical training, and taking the final exam or defending a graduation thesis. The status of an external student is assigned for a semester or an academic year. A contract between the university and the external student defines the relationship between the external student and the university. The tuition fee is paid on the basis of the credit point price and the volume of credit points registered for the semester.
If you wish to join the programme as an external student, please send us your previous educational documents and proof of English language proficiency. We may request you to send additional documents after the initial application.
All necessary documents should be forwarded to Kathriin Liiber, our programme coordinator (kathriin.liiber@ut.ee).