Studying abroad
Since the academic year 2020/21, all Estonian curriculas of the Institute of Education have a module for studying abroad, which enables to study as an exchange student at a foreign university. The study abroad module helps the students to understand what part of the curriculum they can complete while studying abroad, so that they can consider the possibility of studying abroad at the beginning of their studies.
What is the purpose of studying abroad?
Studying or doing a traineeship abroad provides valuable international experience, broadens your horizons and is definitely an advantage in the labour market. Studying abroad is an essential part of the curriculum at the University of Tartu and by consulting the curriculum in SIS, you can see what part of the curriculum will get done while studying abroad. The part of foreign studies in the curriculum is called a module of foreign studies. The volume of study abroad is a minimum of 15 ECTS per semester, which is a prerequisite for obtaining the next extension semester for studying abroad. When studying for a shorter period or completing a traineeship, the volume of studies is smaller in credits.
How to plan your studies at the University of Tartu if you want to go abroad?
We recommend consultation with an academic affairs specialist at the initial stage of planning so that you can put together a suitable study plan for the period of study abroad and the following study period.
For further information and any queries contact the Mobility Specialist responsible for student mobility in the Institute of Education (Annika.Konsap@ut.ee, Mobility Specialist).
Will my study period at the University of Tartu be extended due to my studies abroad?
The study period may be extended if the minimum amount of subjects is studied abroad during the semester and less than 75% of the study volume of the semester has been completed in the semester(s) preceding the study abroad. In general, it depends on the completion of the curriculum at UT and the volume of studies abroad.
How to finance your study or traineeship abroad?
- Erasmus+ Europe learning mobility – 3 to 12 months.
- Erasmus+ International learning mobility – 3 to 5 months.
- Erasmus+ Traineeship – 2 to 6 months. Students have to find a place for traineeship by themselves. This scholarship can also be applied by a recently graduated student for up to 4 months.
- ISEP program (International Student Exchange Programs) - 320 universities around the world provide free tuition, accommodation in dormitories and meals. Travel expenses must be covered by the student.
Scholarships can also be applied through other scholarship programs. Read more!
Exchange students are guaranteed free tuition at a partner university. In many cases, there is also free accommodation in the university dormitory and a monthly scholarship or free meals.
Definitely go! Ultimately, you have nothing to lose. This experience gives so much and develops you in every field that no ordinary semester can achieve at your home university.
What part of my curriculum is recommended to study abroad?
At least 15 ECTS per semester should be selected at a foreign university. The volume of modules required at the University of Tartu is reduced by the amount of ECTS acquired at a foreign university. The subjects taken at a foreign university must be approved by your curricula's academic affairs specialist.
Exceptions:
Courses may be taken from the basic module (base module for teacher education, obligatory base module), the obligatory narrow field module of Special Education (only medical subjects are allowed), the elective speciality module of Special education (only "Observation practice" course is allowed) and the elective modules. Optional courses are also suitable to choose.
Courses may be taken from all modules except Graduation Thesis or Graduation Exam module.
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Research module.
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Research module.
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Graduation Thesis module. It is suggested to combine 3.2.1 module (9 ECTS) with Teaching Practice for Vocational Teachers II (6 ECTS) or 4.1 Foreign language module's courses (6 ECTS).
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Bachelor's Thesis module.
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Master's Exam or Master's Thesis module.
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Master's Exam or Master's Thesis module, but it is suggested to select courses from Elective module.
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Master's Exam module.
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Speciality Studies module and Master's Thesis module.
It is possible to pass all modules at a foreign university except Master's Exam or Master's Thesis module.
What semester, in my curriculum, is the most suitable for studying abroad?
Those who go abroad to study in the last semester must realise that the results from their courses might not be available by the end of the semester in UT and could cause postponement of their graduation.
We suggest to start planning for applying abroad in the autumn semester of the first academic year. The best time for studying abroad is from third to fifth semester of the curriculum.
We suggest to start planning for applying abroad in the autumn semester of the first academic year. The best time for studying abroad is from third to fifth semester of the curriculum.
We suggest to start planning for applying abroad in the spring semester of the first academic year. The best time for studying abroad is from third to forth semester of the curriculum. There is also an opportunity to study abroad from fifth to ninth semester, but even then start planning as early as possible.
We suggest to start planning for applying abroad in the autumn semester of the first academic year. The best time for studying abroad is from third to fifth semester of the curriculum.
The ideal time for studying abroad is the autumn semester of the third year. In case you select previously suggested subjects, you can focus on your bachelor's thesis during this period, supported by an online course at that time. It is also important that you pass the courses "Comparative Education" and "Multicultural Education" before you go abroad, which will help you to adapt to a different learning and working culture. Studying abroad does not extend your nominal study time at the University of Tartu.
We suggest to plan studying abroad in the second year and, depending on the student's choice of specialty and the chosen foreign university, it may take place in the autumn or spring semester.
We suggest to start planning for applying abroad in the autumn or spring semester of the first academic year. The best time for studying abroad is from second to third semester of the curriculum.
We suggest to start planning for applying abroad in the autumn or spring semester of the first academic year. The best time for studying abroad is from second to third semester of the curriculum.
The best time for studying abroad is third semester of the curriculum. At the same time, it may be difficult to study abroad in this curriculum, as the condition for studying in the curriculum is to work in an educational institution during your studies.
We suggest to start planning for applying abroad in the autumn or spring semester of the first academic year. The best time for studying abroad is from second to third semester of the curriculum.
We suggest to start planning for applying abroad in the autumn or spring semester of the first academic year. The best time for studying abroad is from second to third semester of the curriculum.
I feel that living in a foreign country and being at the centre of new and exciting developments has given me great encouragement personally, and added a great deal to my store of knowledge and my way of thinking.
