A look back at 2025

It has been a busy year at the University of Tartu: we celebrated the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university, our researchers and students received recognition, the number of admission applications increased at every level of study, and a new strategic plan was adopted.

The year 2025 in figures:

• University of Tartu researchers received seven European Research Council grants;
• 21 inaugural lectures were held;
• 16% more applications for studies at the University of Tartu were submitted this summer;
• 123 people received a University of Tartu honorary decoration;
• 1,600 young people attended the University of Tartu Open Doors Day.

January

For the first time, the digital cleanup campaign at the University of Tartu lasted for almost an entire month of January. In total, university members freed up 4,313 GB of space on their devices and discarded 93.5 kg of old external data carriers. In 2026, from 5 to 30 January, digital clutter will be cleared at the University of Tartu. Read more at university webpage.

February

For the fifth time, the Day of Women in Science was celebrated at the university, this year with the panel discussion “Does the University of Tartu need an equal treatment commissioner?”.

At the ceremony marking the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the University of Tartu contribution to society award, research award, language award and the teaching staff of the year awards for 2024 were presented. The contribution to society award was given to the University of Tartu Move Lab for improving the health and well-being of children and young people. The research award went to the discovery by researchers of the Centre for Climate Research that anthropogenic air pollution causes snowfall and reduces cloud cover in industrial hot spots. The language award was given to the research team behind Neurotõlge for creating a digital translation engine for Finno-Ugric languages.

March

On the occasion of Mother Tongue Day, writer Kristiina Ehin, journalist Taavi Eilat, pharmacist Indrek Ventmann, and statistician Ene-Margit Tiit shared their thoughts on how Estonian and the use of Estonian play an essential role in their lives and work.

This year’s public lecture was held on 14 March in the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum, where Lecturer in South Estonian Language and Culture Sulev Iva delivered a lecture in the Võro language for the first time in the history of the university’s Mother Tongue Day celebrations.

April

The third University of Tartu Spring Run took place, attracting a record number of sports enthusiasts – more than 700 participants reached the finish line. In addition, during the month, university’s staff and students could take part in the step challenge “Kevadsammud 2025”, logging more than 101 million steps in total.

May

The professorship of liberal arts was handed over to poet, children’s author and prosaist Viivi Luik, whose lecture course focused on depicting era-specific archetypes in literature.

Collaboration between the University of Tartu and the city of Tartu turned the green area in the Maarjamõisa district into an urban nature oasis partially maintained by Gotland sheep. Various methods for enriching urban nature were tested in the Maarjavälja green area, providing benefits for wildlife and a beautiful and healthy living environment for people.

June

The University of Tartu Strategic Plan for 2026–2035 was adopted, focussing on increasing the international competitiveness and social impact and creating the best learning and working environment.

This spring, the University of Tartu issued diplomas to 3,093 new alumni, including 1,595 graduates at the first level of higher education (professional higher education, bachelor’s studies), and 1,498 master’s graduates (incl. integrated studies).

July

This year, 10,808 people applied for first- and second-level studies at the University of Tartu, submitting 14,863 applications in total. Compared to 2024, the number of applications for first-level studies increased by 14% and the number of applications for master’s studies by 23%. Doctoral studies are also gaining popularity: the number of doctoral applicants from Estonia increased by 19% compared to 2024.

August

More than 40 people from the University of Tartu spoke at the Opinion Festival. University’s researchers took part in debates on forestry and nature conservation, students led discussions ranging from foreign policy and security to media literacy and the dangers of the virtual world. Experts from the university’s centres of excellence helped clarify issues related to mental health and spoke about improving cancer treatment and prevention.

September

Due to renovation works in front of the university’s main building, the opening ceremony of the academic year took place at Pirogov square. This year, 2,815 news students started at the first level of higher education, 1,643 in master’s studies and 196 in doctoral studies. In total, there are 16,052 students at the university.

The area in front of the university’s main building got a fresh look. In addition to replacing the asphalt and renovating the retaining wall, the square has been fitted with seating areas featuring diverse greenery and bicycle parking.

October

On 25 October, the university’s founding 393 years ago was marked by memorial ceremonies, a concert and other events.

From 27 October to 2 November, during the memorial week marking the 80th anniversary of the birth of the former rector Professor Peeter Tulviste, a memorial conference took place at the university assembly hall, and the exhibition “Bibliophile Peeter Tulviste” was opened at the university library.

The University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place at the assembly hall of the University of Tartu, with Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Kersti Kaljulaid and Kristina Kallas as keynote speakers.

In the step challenge “Sügissammud 2025”, students of the Faculty of Science and Technology took the first place among universities. In total, UT participants logged 67,090,299 steps, which is about 50,318 km.

November

The university announced the first 20 teaching excellence ambassadors: academic staff members who develop their teaching based on evidence and support an open teaching culture that values learning.

The traditional higher education day “Study in Tartu!” was once again held at Kultuurikatel in Tallinn, giving upper secondary school students the chance to learn about the diverse study opportunities available in Tartu.

December

On 1 December, the University of Tartu celebrated the 106th anniversary of the founding of the Estonian-language university. At the anniversary ceremony of Estonia’s national university, this year’s recipient of the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award was announced – Professor emerita Ene-Margit Tiit.

University of Tartu researchers Velle Toll, Hanna Hõrak and Triin Laisk received three Consolidator Grants from the European Research Council. In the three projects funded from the recent call, researchers will study the climate impact of air pollution particles, the formation of cell patterns in plant leaves, and women’s hormonal sensitivity.