News

From the 2026/2027 academic year, many international master’s curricula at the University of Tartu will offer tuition waivers or reductions to students from the European Union. Students arriving from outside the European Union will have to pay tuition fees.

Tartu Ülikooli Pärnu kolledž alustas sel sügisel õppekoostööd jätkusuutlike pesuvedelike brändiga Effelis Bio, et toetada ettevõtte esimesi samme välisturgudele jõudmisel.

On 1 December, the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university, 142 doctoral degrees were conferred.

On 21 November, Rector Toomas Asser handed over the university’s this year’s 123 honorary decorations. This marked the beginning of the traditional events of the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university.

University of Tartu Asia Centre Annual Conference: Asia Update. Transformations and Futures of the Middle East will be held in Tartu on 23-24 April, 2026.

The University of Tartu Pärnu College building has undergone a major renovation. The refurbished building, offering a contemporary, energy-efficient and learning-friendly environment, will soon be opened.

At the Estonian Best Enterprises Awards Gala on 1 November, the innovation centre Kobar – established by the Pärnumaa Development Centre and the University of Tartu Pärnu College – was presented with the Entrepreneurship Promotion Award.

On 31 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to former rector, Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor Kalle Kirsimäe, and Professor Ivo Leito. The recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have also been selected.

On 27 October from 13–18, the University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place in the university assembly hall and online. Keynote speakers were Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Kersti Kaljulaid and Kristina Kallas.

Presentation of misleading environmental claims has become one of the major communication problems.

From 29 September to 3 October, the international intensive programme Coastal Tourism in the Anthropocene: Building Resilience from Past Lessons to Future Solutions took place at the University of Coimbra’s Figueira da Foz campus in Portugal.

The University of Tartu was founded on 25 October 393 years ago. This year, the anniversary was marked by memorial ceremonies, a concert and other events.

From 1 to 31 October, FitSphere invites students and staff to take part in the step challenge Sügissammud 2025, aiming to promote regular physical activity. Also, the most physically active higher education institution in Estonia will be determined .

Tourism lecturers and doctoral students Marit Piirman and Margrit Kärp from the University of Tartu Pärnu College took part in the 33rd Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality Research, held on the island of Bornholm, Denmark. In addition to networking, both presented papers based on their doctoral research.

On 27 October from 13–18, the University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place at the assembly hall of the university's main building and online to initiate a discussion on topics important for society and the university. The discussion were be based on the new University of Tartu strategic plan approved in June.

1 December marks 106 years from the opening of the Estonian-language University of Tartu. Traditional anniversary events are held on that occasion.

A recent overview published by the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) reveals that Estonia has performed exceptionally well in the European Union’s framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe (2021–2027). Among Estonian institutions, the University of Tartu has been the most successful participant in the programme, receiving almost €90 million in funding.

In June 2025, the University of Tartu Academic Sports Club conducted a survey on the physical activity habits of the university community.

The Faculty of Social Sciences gave out awards to outstanding support staff at the opening ceremony for the academic year.

Until 31 October, nominations can be submitted for the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award.