Language requirements for doctoral applicants
On this page you will find accepted tests and ways to prove your English language proficiency if you are applying for doctoral studies at the University of Tartu.
International applicants to PhD level programmes must provide a proof of English language proficiency at a satisfactory level (level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Applicants for the Russian Language and Literature specialisation must provide proof of Russian language instead of an English language certificate (more information below).
An accepted English language test must be taken by the application deadline (for the November intake on 30 November at the latest).
- If you take the test by the application deadline and you do not have your English test score at the time you submit your application, you must upload proof of having registered for a language test to your online application.
- Taking the language test after the application deadline is not accepted.
- Applicants who are not able to submit the required documents by the given deadline are encouraged to apply in coming application rounds.
- The University of Tartu only accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Cambridge English and PTE Academic test scores which have been taken no more than 2 years before applying (test must be valid at least one month after you have submitted your application)
The following English language tests with scores outlined are accepted
Minimum requirement
- the minimum required score is 75
The University of Tartu only accepts TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition test results.
How to submit your score?
Test Taker Score Report must be uploaded to your online application. Results will be verified online by UT. TOEFL institutional code for the University of Tartu is 0133.
Minimum requirement
- the minimum required overall score is 6.0 and no part can be below 5.5
The University of Tartu accepts IELTS Academic and IELTS Online tests. IELTS General Training tests are not accepted.
How to submit your score?
Copy of the Test Report Form must be uploaded to your online application. Results will be verified online by UT.
Minimum requirement
- the minimum required score is 169
The university of Tartu accepts the following Cambridge English tests.
- Cambridge English: B2 First (former Cambridge English: First (FCE))
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (former Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))
- Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency (former Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))
How to submit your score?
Applicants who have taken above mentioned Cambridge test must order their result to be sent to University of Tartu electronically through Candidate Results Online website. Please upload your score report to your online application as well.
Minimum requirement
- the minimum required score is 59
The University of Tartu accepts PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online tests.
How to submit your score?
The score must be sent to the University of Tartu electronically via Pearson portal. Please upload your score report to your online application as well.
Minimum requirement
- minimum B2 level is required
The test is for applicants who are already in Estonia and it has to be taken before the application deadline. Please be aware that this test can be taken only once per academic year. More information about the test here.
The University of Tartu accepts the following exams:
- Finnish matriculation examination in English (ylioppilastutkinto), long course - graded at least magna cum laude approbatur (M) 5
- Latvian state exam in English (centralizētais eksāmens) - minimum required result is B2 level
- Lithuanian state exam in English (valstybinis egzaminas) - minimum required result is B2 level
State exam certificate must be uploaded to your online application.
- Completed International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in English with Diploma
- Completed the third cycle of European Baccalaureate Diploma in English
- Obtained General Certificate of Education (GCE or IGCE) qualification
These are the only exemptions. If your situation (including the country or region where you previously studied) is not described below, you must take a recognised English language exam listed on this website.
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You have completed secondary or university-level higher education (degree programme) in English in the USA, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom or in any EU/EEA member state.
What proof is required?
The language of instruction must be written on education documents (Canada, Switzerland, EU/EEA member states). If this information is not present, you must request an additional official document from the university
Studies in an offshore campus or online studies cannot be used to indicate language skills, a recognised English proficiency certificate is still required. - You have studied in English (with English as the medium of instruction) as a full-time student for at least one academic semester in a higher education institution in the USA, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom or in any EU/EEA member state.
What proof is required?
The transcript of records must include information stating that the applicant was enrolled in a programme taught in English (Canada, Switzerland, EU/EEA member states). If this information is not present, you must request an additional official document from the university confirming the language of instruction.
Studies in an offshore campus or online studies cannot be used to indicate language skills, a recognised English proficiency certificate is still required.
- You have worked in an English-speaking research group in a higher education institution in the USA, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom or in any EU/EEA member state for at least four months.
What proof is required?
The head of the research group must issue an official letter confirming the working language of the group, the work period and the tasks performed by the applicant. If your work period was shorter than four months or you worked remotely in a research group and were not present in the country, you need to take a language test listed above.
Russian language requirements
Applicants to Russian Language and Literature must provide proof of Russian language proficiency at a satisfactory level (B2 level according to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
The following tests with scores outlined are accepted (NB! Submit the score report by the application deadline):
- Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL) - minimum required result is B2 level;
- The European Language Certificate (TELC) in Russian - B2 level;
- Russian language test taken at the Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures of the University of Tartu. The test has to be taken before applying. Minimum B2 level is required.
Russian language requirement may be waived if an applicant:
- has completed secondary or higher education (degree programme) in Russian;
- has completed higher education in the field of Russian language.
We will examine the transcript of records of an applicant who belongs to any of the specified exempt categories.