You can study public health in Estonia at bachelor and master level. There are English‑taught programmes at several universities. Follow this guide to see the steps, typical costs and where to begin.
Study levels and pathways
Estonia offers two main levels for public health.
- Bachelor - three years of full‑time study. You learn basics of health promotion, epidemiology and health policy.
- Master - two years of full‑time study. You can specialise in topics such as global health, health economics or environmental health.
Both levels are open to EU and non‑EU students. Choose the level that matches your previous education.
Entry requirements
Universities check a few core items.
- Completed secondary school for a bachelor, or a relevant bachelor degree for a master.
- Good academic record - usually a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Proof of English proficiency. Common tests are IELTS (6.0) or TOEFL (80).
- For some master programmes, a short motivation letter or work experience in health is useful.
Exact numbers can vary, so check the programme page of each university.
English‑taught programmes
Three Estonian universities regularly offer public health in English.
- University of Tartu - Bachelor in Health Sciences, Master in Public Health.
- Tallinn University - Bachelor in Health and Social Care, Master in Global Health.
- Tallinn University of Technology - Master in Health Informatics (focus on digital health).
Visit the national study portal or each university’s admissions page for the latest list of English courses.
Typical tuition and living costs
Tuition depends on your citizenship.
- EU students - typically 1500-4000 euros per year.
- Non‑EU students - typically 4000-8000 euros per year.
Living expenses in Estonia are moderate.
- Accommodation - 300-500 euros per month for a student room or shared flat.
- Food, transport and leisure - about 350-450 euros per month.
- Total monthly budget - roughly 650-950 euros.
These figures are averages. Always check the latest cost information on the university’s finance page.
Application timeline and steps
Plan your actions well ahead of the start of the academic year.
- Check the exact deadline on the programme page - usually between March and July for autumn intake.
- Gather documents: passport, diploma, transcript, English test result, CV and motivation letter.
- Submit the online application through the university portal or the national study portal.
- Pay the application fee if required - typically a small amount of 50-100 euros.
- Wait for the admission decision - it can take from four to eight weeks.
- If accepted, apply for a student visa at the national immigration authority. Start this process at least two months before the start date.
- Arrange housing and health insurance.
All steps are described in detail on the university’s admissions page.
How universities find candidates
Estonian universities use open registers and international platforms to meet potential students. They also search the Eduuro register, where you can list your field of interest, education level, English score and uploaded documents. When a university finds a profile that matches their programme, they can contact you directly.
Common questions
Do I need a student visa?
If you are a non‑EU citizen, you will need a student visa. Apply at the Estonian embassy or consulate after you receive your admission letter.
Can I work while studying?
Yes. Non‑EU students may work up to 20 hours per week during term time. EU students have the same right to work without a special permit.
What if my English is not perfect?
Many programmes accept an IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 as the minimum. If you are close to the threshold, contact the admissions office - they sometimes allow a conditional offer pending a higher score.
How Eduuro helps
Create a free profile with your field, education level, English level and documents. Admissions offices that search for exactly that can find you and write first.
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Check the university's own admissions page and the official immigration site of the country before you act on anything here.