17.04.2025
admissions research
Further information
Monika Tasa
MA (Estonian and Comparative Folklore)
Office of Academic Affairs
Doctoral Studies Unit
Head of the Doctoral Studies Unit
General questions related to doctoral studies, intersectoral doctoral studies, general coordinator of the Estonian Doctoral School, doctoral networks
+372 737 6534
+372 5331 4613 (6534)
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What you need to know before applying for a doctoral programme

Doktorantuuri astuja meelespea
Author: Mariana Tulf

Doctoral studies are a part of the career path, giving you the knowledge and future skills needed to become a top specialist or manager. This page provides a quick overview of what you need to know before applying for a doctoral programme.

The doctoral journey starts with selecting a specialisation and the topic for the doctoral thesis, and finding a suitable supervisor. The University of Tartu offers 50 specialisations across eight doctoral programmes, from the humanities and medicine to educational sciences and engineering and technology. Depending on your specialisation, you can either submit your own topic or choose one from the list proposed by the university.

Doctoral studies run for four years. It is also possible to complete them over a longer period, up to eight years, with a reduced workload. In this case, at least half-time employment is required.

Choose a suitable (career) path

A doctoral researcher is usually a junior research fellow who enters into an employment contract with the university and performs duties related to their doctoral studies. The status as a junior research fellow allows researchers to focus fully on research and studies. This model is relatively rare in Europe.

The salary paid to a junior research fellow is comparable to the Estonian average salary: in 2026, the minimum monthly salary for a full-time junior research fellow is 2,100 euros. The employment contract comes with social guarantees.

In some cases, it is possible to start doctoral studies without an employment contract with the university. If you are employed in a job unrelated to doctoral studies and do not wish to leave the job to continue studies, explore the options for completing doctoral studies without an employment contract.

If you are working outside the university on the same topic as you would like to research in your future doctoral thesis, see the opportunities for intersectoral doctoral studies. If your employer is interested in collaborating with the university, it is a good way of combining doctoral research with your day job.

What to consider as a doctoral applicant

  • Doctoral studies require long‑term commitment. Choose an engaging research topic and suitable supervisor(s) to maintain motivation over four years.
  • If it is possible to apply with your own topic, allow sufficient time to prepare the project. If possible, discuss the project with prospective supervisors.
  • If you plan to apply for intersectoral doctoral studies, note that a cooperation agreement between the university and your (future) employer must be concluded before admission. It is possible to apply for intersectoral doctoral studies outside the regular application periods. You can improve your doctoral thesis project with support from your future supervisors.
  • See what documents are required for applying.
  • Read about the evaluation of motivation letters and doctoral thesis projects.
  • The admission decisions for the spring–summer admissions period are made by 15 July.

What to consider as a future doctoral researcher

  • Doctoral studies prepare you for work as an independent researcher and help you acquire both specialist knowledge and transferable skills. Your primary task will be writing your doctoral thesis. Your duties as a junior research fellow are outlined in your individual plan of research and studies.
  • Doctoral studies require diverse effort and careful planning. You can design the learning path yourself with the help of your supervisor(s). Make considerate choices and keep your overall timetable and future goals in mind. Plan your workload and schedule carefully to ensure steady progress while also maintaining your health.
  • Junior research fellows can, by agreement with their supervisors, arrange their working hours flexibly to accommodate their different duties within the working week and balance doctoral studies with family life.
  • All new doctoral researchers begin their studies in the autumn with an information event and orientation course, where they get an overview of the key deadlines, documents, planning and assessment processes, and the cross‑cutting doctoral topics. This also provides them an opportunity to meet fellow doctoral researchers and the university staff supporting their future path.
  • Doctoral programmes are flexible, with 30 ECTS credits allocated to studies. Read more about the specialisation of interest.
  • Doctoral researchers are expected to gain international experience during their studies. Further opportunities and plans can be discussed with the supervisor during the preparation of the individual plan.
  • The centres for doctoral studies, the Centre for Professional Development, and the Estonian Doctoral School provide self-improvement opportunities that address both the need to develop scientific thinking and changes in the labour market.
  • In matters related to doctoral studies, you will be supported by supervisor(s), the representative of your specialisation, the academic affairs specialist at the institute and the faculty’s centre for doctoral studies. Additional support during the studies is offered by the university’s support units, including the Counselling Centre and the Human Resources Office.
  • Doctoral studies at the University of Tartu are developed based on international standards and the best practices, as well as feedback from doctoral researchers.
  • After completing the doctoral programme, you can continue your career as a leading specialist in the public sector or an enterprise, or as a researcher and teaching staff member at the university. It is worth starting early to plan your career.