Tallinn University (Tallinna Ülikool, TLÜ) is a public research university in the centre of Tallinn, established in its present form on 18 March 2005, with 6,913 students (8% international) and 119 study programmes, 35 of them in English, in the university’s 2025 fact sheet.[1][2] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is placed in the 901–950 band.[3]
English-taught programmes charge fees per semester: the page lists, for example, €2,000 for Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies, €2,300 for Liberal Arts in Humanities and €2,900 for Law.[4] Fees are the same for all nationalities unless stated, and PhD studies are free.[4] For English-taught programmes the language requirement is CEFR level B2, shown for example with IELTS Academic 6.0.[5][6]
Key facts
| Official name | Tallinna Ülikool (Tallinn University, TLÜ) |
| Location | Central Tallinn, Estonia (Narva mnt 25, 10120 Tallinn)[7] |
| Type | Public research university[1] |
| Established | 18 March 2005, as a merger of several universities and research institutions in Tallinn; predecessor Tallinn Pedagogical University founded in 1919[1] |
| Students | 6,913, of which 8% international (2025 fact sheet)[2] |
| Study programmes | 119, of which 35 in English (2025 fact sheet)[2] |
| Staff | 916 full-time equivalent employees, 20% international (2025 fact sheet)[2] |
| Academic units | Baltic Film, Media and Arts School; School of Digital Technologies; School of Educational Sciences; School of Natural Sciences and Health; School of Humanities; School of Governance, Law and Society; Haapsalu College[2] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Band 901–950 (exact position not given)[3] |
| Tuition (English-taught, per semester) | €2,000 to €2,900 for the programmes listed; Digital Learning Games and Human-Computer Interaction €3,500 for non-EU/EEA citizens[4] |
| PhD studies | Without tuition fees[4] |
| English proof | IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, no component below 5.5, or an equivalent accepted test; B2 level required[6] |
| Application route | DreamApply for international applicants to English-taught programmes[5] |
| Official website | tlu.ee |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About Tallinn University
Tallinn University was established in its present form on 18 March 2005 as the result of a merger of several universities and research institutions in Tallinn.[1] Wikipedia names Tallinn Pedagogical University, founded in 1919, as a predecessor.[1] The university’s campus is in the heart of Tallinn.[2]
The university’s 2025 fact sheet lists 6,913 students (8% international), 119 study programmes with 35 taught in English, and 916 full-time equivalent employees, of whom 20% are international.[2] Its academic units are the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, the Schools of Digital Technologies, Educational Sciences, Natural Sciences and Health, Humanities, and Governance, Law and Society, and Haapsalu College.[2]
How is Tallinn University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Tallinn University is placed in the 901–950 band, according to Estonian World’s report on the release.[3] The report gives no single position for Tallinn University. Within Estonia it follows the University of Tartu (367th) and TalTech (600th).[3]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position or band as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Tallinn University?
The university offers 119 study programmes, 35 of them in English.[2] English-taught programmes named on its fee page include:[4]
- Bachelor’s: Audiovisual Media, Crossmedia, Law, Liberal Arts in Humanities, Liberal Arts in Social Sciences, and Politics and Governance.
- Master’s: Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies, Communication Management, Digital Learning Games, Educational Innovation and Leadership, Estonian Studies, Human-Computer Interaction, Human Rights in the Digital Society, Interaction Design, International Relations, Literature, Visual Culture and Film Studies, and Social Entrepreneurship.
This is the list on the fee page, not the full catalogue; the university’s programme search shows everything on offer. PhD programmes also exist; they carry no tuition fee.[4]
How much does Tallinn University cost?
Tuition fees depend on the programme. Unless the fee page says otherwise, they are the same for all students regardless of citizenship.[4] The page lists fees per semester and per year (two semesters), with the intake year in its headings. The page is titled “Tuition Fees 2026/2027”, but most programmes it lists are labelled with the 2027/2028 intake; only Interaction Design is shown for 2026/2027.[4]
| Programme | Level and intake on the fee page | Per semester | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interaction Design | Master’s, 2026/2027 | €2,400 | €4,800 |
| Audiovisual Media; Crossmedia | Bachelor’s, 2027/2028 | €2,500 | €5,000 |
| Law | Bachelor’s, 2027/2028 | €2,900 | €5,800 |
| Liberal Arts in Humanities | Bachelor’s, 2027/2028 | €2,300 | €4,600 |
| Liberal Arts in Social Sciences; Politics and Governance | Bachelor’s, 2027/2028 | €2,500 | €5,000 |
| Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies | Master’s, 2027/2028 | €2,000 | €4,000 |
| Communication Management; International Relations; Social Entrepreneurship | Master’s, 2027/2028 | €2,500 | €5,000 |
| Educational Innovation and Leadership | Master’s, 2027/2028 | €2,400 | €4,800 |
| Estonian Studies; Literature, Visual Culture and Film Studies | Master’s, 2027/2028 | €2,100 | €4,200 |
| Human Rights in the Digital Society | Master’s, 2027/2028 | €2,600 | €5,200 |
| Digital Learning Games; Human-Computer Interaction | Master’s, 2027/2028 | EU/EEA €2,000 · non-EU/EEA €3,500 | EU/EEA €4,000 · non-EU/EEA €7,000 |
Because the page carries no date and its labels mix intake years, check the programme page before you budget. PhD studies at Tallinn University are without tuition fees.[4]
Payment and fees to pay when applying
Non-EU/EEA citizens must pay the first semester’s fee to finalise their acceptance; later semesters follow the chosen payment plan (one payment per year, one per semester, or four per semester).[4] Applicants with foreign prior education pay a non-refundable application processing fee of €100 including VAT before their documents are processed.[5] Living costs come on top; see our Estonia overview.
How do you apply to Tallinn University?
International applicants to English-taught programmes apply in DreamApply. Estonian citizens and holders of a long-term or permanent residence permit apply through SAIS instead.[5]
- Bachelor’s: a certificate of upper secondary education or equivalent, plus the programme’s specific entry requirements. IB graduates must hold the IB diploma.[5]
- Master’s: a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, plus the programme’s specific entry requirements.[5]
- Entrance exams: many programmes have speciality exams, which may have several parts; their descriptions are published on the university website.[5]
Documents must be in Estonian or English; others need a certified translation. You may apply to no more than two competitions in one admission period, and international admission to bachelor’s and master’s programmes runs as a public competition once a year.[5] We give no deadlines here because they change every year; the procedure page does not show its own date.
Which English level do you need?
For English-taught programmes the requirement is CEFR level B2 at the start of studies.[5] The general proof-of-English page lists these minimum scores for bachelor’s and master’s applicants:[6]
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (or Online) | 6.0 overall, at least 5.5 in each component |
| TOEFL iBT (taken before 21 January 2026) | 72 total; reading 18, listening 17, writing 17, speaking 20 |
| TOEFL iBT (taken from 21 January 2026) | 4 total, at least 4 in each section |
| Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 169 overall |
| PTE Academic (or Online) | 59 overall, at least 59 in each component |
IELTS, TOEFL and PTE scores must be no more than two years old at the start of studies; Cambridge results are valid for ten years. Duolingo and medium-of-instruction letters are not accepted.[6]
Applicants who completed their previous education fully in English in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Switzerland or an EU/EEA country are exempt, as are IB graduates. The MA in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies and the MSc in Interaction Design have their own language rules.[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tallinn University free for international students?
No for bachelor’s and master’s programmes: fees depend on the programme and, unless stated, are the same for all nationalities. PhD studies are without tuition fees.[4]
How much are the tuition fees at Tallinn University?
The fee page lists €2,000 to €2,900 per semester for most English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes (about €4,000 to €5,800 per year), and €3,500 per semester for non-EU/EEA citizens in Digital Learning Games and Human-Computer Interaction.[4]
What is the difference between Tallinn University and TalTech?
They are separate universities in Tallinn. Tallinn University was established in its present form in 2005,[1] while TalTech is Estonia’s technical university. See the Estonia ranking for both.
How is Tallinn University ranked?
It is placed in the 901–950 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
Which English test score do I need for Tallinn University?
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, or an equivalent score in TOEFL iBT, Cambridge or PTE Academic.[6]
More about studying in Estonia
- Estonia: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Estonia
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Tallinn University (establishment and predecessor; secondary source)
[2] Tallinn University: One-pager 2025 (fact sheet marked 2025, no further date)
[3] Estonian World: Estonia’s top universities named in the QS World University Rankings (article of 18 Jun 2026; QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access)
[4] Tallinn University: Tuition fees (page without a date; titled “Tuition Fees 2026/2027”)
[5] Tallinn University: Requirements and procedure of admission to degree studies (page without a date)
[6] Tallinn University: Proof of English proficiency (page without a date)
[7] Tallinn University: Contact (page without a date; postal address)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.