University of Tartu strategic plan for 2026–2035
As Estonia’s national university, the University of Tartu is responsible for the development of the Estonian state and society by fostering education, science, culture and technology. We carry the sole responsibility for developing many specialisations and have a special role in the development of Estonia’s only university hospital.
The goal for the next decade is to take a leap forward in increasing international competitiveness and societal impact, and creating the best learning and working environment. The choices in the strategic plan have been shaped based on the international situation, societal trends, and the needs and strengths of the University of Tartu to ensure a targeted and effective advancement of the university. The University of Tartu strategic plan will be implemented through three-year action plans that define the objectives, activities, responsible persons and resources.
University's three areas of development
Key performance indicators help us monitor progress towards our objectives
To assess our success, we use key performance indicators that enable us to monitor whether our investments and activities are helping us achieve the desired outcomes.
| Indicators | Baseline 2024 | Target 2030 |
|---|---|---|
| An internationally competitive research university | ||
| Percentage of publications among the world’s top 10% most cited research publications | 20.1% | 22% |
| Volume of international research funding (mEUR) | 33.6 | 35 |
| Number of high-level research publications per academic staff member | 1.07 | 1.20 |
| Percentage of international academic staff | 20.1% | 20–25% |
| Percentage of international students | 8.1% | 7–15% |
| Percentage of graduates who participated in learning mobility | 13.9% | 18% |
| A societally impactful university | ||
| Students’ satisfaction with the teaching of courses | 88% | 92% |
| Number of continuing education learners | 44,944 | 50,000 |
| Dropout rate | 8.1% | 6.7% |
| Volume of business contracts (mEUR) | 1.67 | 10 |
| Volume of contracts with the public and third sectors (mEUR) | 11.2 | 13 |
| Number of university’s spin-offs | 58 | 80 |
| Percentage of joint publications between institutes | 12.5% | 14% |
| Percentage of international staff with at least B1 proficiency in Estonian | 14.4% | 30% |
| Percentage of international students taking Estonian language courses | 51% | 75% |
| Percentage of high-level publications in Estonian | 5.6% | 7% |
| University with the best learning and working environment | ||
| Percentage of newly admitted students with outstanding study results | 41.6% | 50% |
| Number of doctoral graduates | 126 | 164 |
| Academic succession (ratio of academic staff aged under and over 50) | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Alumni involvement in further studies at the University of Tartu | 43% | 46% |
| Employees’ workplace wellbeing (index range –3 ... +3) | 1.73 | 2.0 |
| Employee satisfaction with university’s support units | 88.8% | 92% |
| Greenhouse gas emissions per person (kg CO2 e) | 1,383 | 1,000 |
Video inspired by the strategic plan
The visual story below illustrates how the principles of the strategic plan become visible and tangible in everyday university life.
Strategy documents supporting the strategic plan
These are more focused documents that describe how the objectives of the strategic plan are implemented in specific areas of activity.
The aim of the university’s financial strategy is to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the university and all its faculties and to enhance the university’s efficiency in all fields of study and research and in the service of society.
The goal of the university's spatial development strategy is to ensure a modern, health-promoting, safe and flexible physical environment, which supports the university’s research, academic and public activities, and to establish the directions and principles for creating this environment.
University of Tartu strategy for Ida-Viru County for 2025–2030 presents the university’s main thematic areas, courses of action, objectives, specific activities, and performance indicators related to Ida-Viru County for the year 2030. Among other things, the strategy aims to create a framework for the division of labour and cooperation among university units both during the strategy period and after the end of funding for the reforms.
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The preparation of the strategic plan is led by the strategic planning committee.
In the spring and summer of 2024, ideas were gathered from the university community, in the strategic planning committee and at the joint meeting of the council and the senate to select the areas in which a leap ahead is desired. In the autumn, the CASS completed an analysis of the societal trends affecting the university (in Estonian).
In the autumn, the first version of the strategic plan was prepared based on the ideas gathering and societal trends, with five possible development paths. Then, university members were involved in the discussions:
- 713 employees (including 207 from support units and 506 from academic units) and many student representatives participated in assessing the trends;
- staff members of 44 units gave feedback on the five proposed development trends through the heads of their units.
In December, the next draft of the strategic plan was completed as a result of involving the staff.
At the first meeting in January 2025, the strategic planning committee further supplemented the working version.
In February, the strategic planning committee, together with faculties and support units, refined the development trends, their objectives and key indicators.
On 10 March, the University of Tartu council discussed the state of the strategic plan at the session.
From March to May, the strategic planning committee and the Rector’s Office refine the development trends and objectives.
On 12 May, the University of Tartu council discussed the state of the strategic plan at the session again.
On 30 May, the University of Tartu senate gave their evaluation of the strategic plan at the senate session.
16 June 2025 the council approved the new strategic plan.
- Tõnu Esko, Vice Rector for Development (chair of the committee)
- Mari Moora, Vice Rector for Research
- Aune Valk, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs
- Kstina Noormets, Director of Administration
- Kalle Hein, Head of Finance
- Taivo Raud, Head of Rector’s Strategy Office
- Kristi Kerge, Head of International Cooperation
- Urmas Nõmmik, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Studies
- Klaarika Marton, Head of Dean's Office at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Margit Keller, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Associate Professor in Social Communication
- Uku Vainik, Associate Professor of Behavioural Genetics
- Sander Pajusalu, Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor of Clinical Genetics
- Priit Kaasik, Professor in Functional Morphology
- Johann Langemets, Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Associate Professor in Functional Analysis
- Liis Siinor, Research Fellow of Physical Chemistry
- Jaanika Anderson, UT Library Director
- Renar Kihho, President of Student Body, student representative
- Martin Meitern, Development Adviser
17.03.2025 University council discussed the new strategic plan and offered guidance for improvement
11.02.2025 New strategic plan defines the university’s role in a changing world
1.01.2024 How do societal changes affect the University of Tartu?
20.09.2024 Discussions on the university’s new strategic plan continued at Pärnu College
15.04.2024 Preparation of the university's new strategic plan begins
