Growing number of continuing education learners shows trust in the University of Tartu as a training provider

Almost 46,800 learners took part in the University of Tartu’s continuing education programmes last year, which is 5% more than in the previous year. For several years now, participants have increasingly preferred longer, more comprehensive courses.

In 2025, a total of 46,783 continuing education learners participated in 1,292 courses. The majority took part in continuing education programmes, and 658 enrolled in degree courses. This means that there were three continuing education learners for every degree student at the University of Tartu last year.

Most courses were still in the 27–80-hour range (35.5%), but there was a significant increase in courses exceeding 240 hours; these accounted for nearly one-sixth of all continuing education programmes. Over the past year, people’s interest in in-depth courses and acquiring an additional specialisation or new skills in a specific field has grown.

The number of participants in micro-credential studies increased by nearly 100 last year: 544 adult learners began their studies in micro-degree programmes and 60 in micro-credential programmes. The flexible arrangement of these courses makes them suitable for working people. Almost half of the respondents to the feedback survey said they wished to continue their studies in degree programmes.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk highly values the university staff who, in addition to conducting top-level research and teaching students, also teach continuing education courses. “It is important for us to offer flexible continuing education opportunities to different target groups and help address the challenges the state is facing. Nearly one third of the university’s training programmes last year were in the field of education. We provide systematic support to schools in the transition to Estonian-language instruction and, through the Teachers’ Academy programme, we offer micro-degree programmes for teachers to enhance or acquire professional competences,” said Valk.

There are also excellent examples from other fields. For example, the high-level micro-degree programme Genetics in Personalized Medicine is delivered to doctors for the second time. English-taught online micro-degree studies for Ukrainian citizens and selected African countries were supported by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). The target groups, funding opportunities and learning options in the university’s continuing education are very diverse.

About half of the learners improved their knowledge through online learning, indicating a preference for flexible learning opportunities. Last year, the university offered 21 massive open online courses (MOOCs) to 8,939 participants.

More than 2,000 people used the opportunity to participate in free state-commissioned continuing education programmes funded by the European Social Fund, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and the Just Transition Fund. The University of the Third Age programmes for older learners, delivered in 19 locations across Estonia, were also popular. University staff had the opportunity to participate in 231 internal training courses.

Continuing education learners developed their knowledge and skills through the summer and winter university programmes, and the International Summer School programme continued. Students of general education schools were offered e-courses for exam preparation and learning support, as well as the opportunity to study at the Youth Academy.

In 2025, the university also developed training courses commissioned by ministries, local authorities, healthcare and educational institutions, and companies.