Highlights of the UniTartu Summer School 2025

UniTartu Summer School 2025 marked its fourth edition this year, bringing together participants of 25 nationalities to the vibrant city of Tartu. Over two inspiring weeks, from 28 July to 8 August 2025, the learners took part in summer courses across various fields, including science and technology, politics and governance, medicine, and IT. In addition to the academic experience, they enjoyed a social programme that offered opportunities to explore Estonia and its culture, discover the history of the university, connect with peers from different courses, and simply unwind during the summer evenings.

We asked participants for feedback and the overall result speaks for itself: 91% expressed high satisfaction with the UniTartu Summer School 2025. They especially appreciated the quality of the study programmes, study facilities, cultural programme, and the overall smooth organisation of the summer school.

90% satisfaction with academic content

Participants explained their high ratings of the academic work by underlining the outstanding quality of the summer school. They emphasised the uniqueness of the courses, the hands-on learning experience, insightful study visits, and engaging teaching methods.

Participants of the Computational Immunology course, coordinated by Igor Filippov and Alexandra Elsakova, highlighted the richness of the learning experience, describing it as a “perfect overview of the complex topic”. They appreciated the extensive knowledge exchange and valued the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the wide range of methods and metrics available to assess TCR diversity.

Participants of the Self-Driving Cars summer course, led by Tambet Matiisen, emphasised the uniqueness of the course and its practical approach. One participant noted, “The Self-Driving Cars programme is truly one of a kind.” They particularly appreciated the opportunity to develop valuable technical skills - especially in software simulation and through hands-on experience with real vehicle testing.

The course in Secessionist and Statehood Bids in Times of Crises, taught by Professor Eiki Berg, explored fundamental questions of sovereignty and statehood in the context of secessionist conflicts. Participants noted that the course helped them gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics behind secessionist movements, conflict resolution mechanisms, and academic approaches to studying warfare. They particularly valued the practical experience, including a field trip to Narva and the Baltic Sea, which offered fresh perspectives on the topic. One participant summed up the overall impression, saying: “The course setting is very systematic and compact.”

Participants of the Synthetic Biology and its Applications course, led by Associate Professor Ilona Faustova, stressed the practical focus of the course, particularly valuing the “hands-on practice in the molecular biology lab”. They appreciated the opportunity to acquire new laboratory techniques and gain valuable insights into synthetic biology and the everyday processes encountered by bioengineers.

Learning environment valued at 94%

The summer courses this year were hosted across several of the University of Tartu’s institutes: the Institute of Bioengineering, the Institute of Computer Science, the Institute of Biomedicine, and the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies. These innovative hubs provided learners with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, well-equipped classrooms, and modern computer centres. Together, these facilities created an inspiring learning environment that significantly enriched the summer school experience.

Cultural programme rated 90%

During the summer school, participants enjoyed a variety of cultural events, including a Tartu city tour, board game night, visits to the University of Tartu Museum and the Estonian National Museum, a trip to South Estonia, a boat trip on the Emajõgi river, and a scavenger hunt in the Karlova district of Tartu. These activities gave participants a chance to explore the vibrant city of Tartu and discover more of Estonia, while also bringing everyone together to connect and enjoy time beyond the classroom.

The trip to South Estonia turned out to be the favourite activity among participants, earning an impressive 98% satisfaction rate. Many described it as a memorable and well-organised day full of discovery - from exploring Estonia’s beautiful nature and local traditions to enjoying a swim and visiting the castle. One participant summed it up perfectly: “It’s an experience I would gladly repeat without hesitation.”

Participants also mentioned the board game night as a fun and relaxed opportunity to socialise and meet new people, while the University of Tartu Museum tour stood out for the way it brought the history of Tartu and the university to life through its fascinating artefacts. The scavenger hunt, with its engaging and interactive format, was another highlight. One participant pointed out: “It was a super fun way of discovering Tartu and spending time in a group.”

Organisation of the summer school – 92% satisfaction

Participants gave a high rating to the organisation of the UniTartu Summer School, describing it as well-structured and enjoyable. They appreciated the welcoming atmosphere of the summer school team and the balance between learning and social activities. One participant commented, “Everyone was really friendly, and I had a great experience overall.”

Finally, 96% of participants said they would recommend the UniTartu Summer School to others. Based on this feedback, the programme left a strong positive impression on the participants.

The UniTartu Summer School team looks forward to welcoming participants to another inspiring summer in 2026!