Study in Estonia

With Estonia being one of the most advanced e-societies in the world, it is no surprise that it also boasts one of the most advanced technical universities. I had the opportunity to travel there and witness how the university works.

The Tallin University of Technology (TTU), with more than 13 000 students and

2 000 staff members, is situated in Tallin which is the capital city of the north-eastern European country, Estonia.

Establishing a synergy between engineering and technology, natural, exact and social sciences in higher education, research and development, the institution has managed to create a university that is very much alive in the business ecosystem.

TTU brings to life the saying “practice makes perfect” by having prototype labs, mentoring and coaching programmes, access to international experts as well business model competitions. They even go as far as providing designing, lab services and consultations which gives the students an opportunity to practice what they study.

Since the university is big on innovation, their Mektory Innovation and Business Centre, which spans over

4 500 square metres, is a networking environment that provides a platform for entrepreneurs, students, professors, lecturers and investors to come together and produce new ideas as a team.

When touring the centre, one finds different rooms filled with students either constructing one or the other model while others are glued to computer screens, working on one some other computer programme.

Judging from the infrastructure, the centre strikes the balance between theory and practical. The cry for a balance between practical and theory is common in Namibia and this centre provides that immediate practical application of what is learnt theoretically.

In one of the many practical rooms, an entire air-conditioning system is constructed to physically showcase how an air-conditioning system works.

Showing off the air-conditioning practical room, Mektory staff explained that they make the studies as practical as possible so that the students are not bored by the theory, but they can from the very beginning know how to physically do what they are taught and at the same time enjoy what they are doing.

Since the university is centred around innovation, one of the centre’s roles is also to organise the legal protection of inventions created as the result of research and development activities of TTU. They also support the marketing of invention, know-how and all other intellectual property belonging to the institution.

Last year, the university had 49 inventions with 45 granted patents, 28 patent application and five utility models.

Apart from the lessons, the university also hosts an annual cooperation festival titled ‘Right Place, Right Time’. The festival is aimed at creating a broader platform to give entrepreneurs a look at the university’s value offer in creating innovation as well as solving development obstacles .

Just like any other university, there are a number of social and extra-mural activities students can engage in.

The university provides over 30 degree programmes such as integrated engineering, international business administration and law.

They also have Masters programmes in English such as international business administration, law, international relations and European-Asian studies and technology governance.

For the Master’s programmes, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the field of interest is needed.

For the bachelor programmes, secondary education, and in some programmes a secondary education diploma or equivalent is needed. The bachelor programmes in English are three years while the master programmes are two years.

Online applications are done on estonia.dreamapply.com by completing the application form, uploading educational documents and proof of ability to speak English.

You also pay a non-refundable application of 100 euros.

Application deadlines are 14 April for non-EU citizens. Non-EU students must also apply for a temporary residence permit at nearest Estonian consulate. The permit also allows students to work while studying.

On campus accommodation is 125 euros a month.

Early bird special of 3 700 euros is provided for students before 31 March while students paying at final deadline will pay 4 100 euros.

Skype software was created by Estonians Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu and Jaan Tallinn.

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