4,654 students begin studies at the university this year

This year, 2,815 students start their studies at the University of Tartu at the first level of higher education, 1,643 in master’s studies and 196 in doctoral studies. All in all, there are 16,052 students at the university.

In 2025, the university opened 140 curricula and 4,755 student places on the three study levels. About 8,000 young people graduated from upper secondary school this year, and 45% of them applied to the University of Tartu. A total of 17,006 valid applications were submitted across all levels of study, which is 16% (2,348) more than last year. The number of applications for master’s curricula increased by 20%, with the largest growth in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The number of applications from international students rose by 24%. Nearly 450 degree-seeking students and 300 international visiting students start their studies in English-taught curricula. Most incoming degree-seeking students are from Ukraine and Azerbaijan, while most students arriving for a semester or an academic year come from Germany and France. Nearly 80% of all exchange students come to the University of Tartu through the Erasmus+ programme.

Aune Valk, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the University of Tartu, welcomes all new and returning students. “Although the number of new students has remained stable in recent years, the number of applications has increased by 36% over the last three years. As a result, those starting at the first and master’s levels have had a much more intense competition than the entrants of previous years. Congratulations on your success!”

In addition to the large number of applicants and the new location of the opening ceremony, the upcoming academic year also stands out, according to the vice rector, for the changed possibilities, needs, and risks associated with using artificial intelligence. “The university has its own rules, agreed-upon applications of artificial intelligence, and many opportunities to develop your skills and raise awareness in this field. Artificial intelligence has been said to make the smart smarter and the foolish more foolish. I sincerely hope that all our students will make the right choices on this path,” Valk said.