Estonia planning to introduce fees for one-year master’s programs

Text Ingel Kink
Photo Andrei Chertkov

The Estonian Ministry of Education and Research is planning to introduce tuition fees for one-year master’s degree programs, aiming to bring more private funding into higher education. The primary goal, however, is to encourage students to make more deliberate and informed decisions about their education.

Currently, the University of Tartu offers around ten one-year master’s programs in Estonian and English. If the proposal is enacted, these programs will require tuition fees. According to Aune Valk, vice-rector for academic affairs at the University of Tartu, the change aligns with the nature of these specialised programs.

TalTech’s vice-rector for academic affairs, Hendrik Voll, expressed support for the proposal, stating that universities have anticipated this change.

“Universities have been operating for the past few years with the understanding that this possibility – charging tuition fees for masters programs – would eventually arise. It’s positive that developments have now progressed to the point where this opportunity will hopefully become available in the near future,” said Voll.

The Ministry of Education has addressed concerns that universities might create additional one-year master’s programs to benefit from tuition fees. “Under the principles agreed upon through the Bologna Process, master’s degree programs should generally consist of five years of study – typically a three-year bachelor’s program followed by a two-year master’s program. Any other options are considered exceptions or additional opportunities aimed at providing flexibility,” said Kristi Raudmäe, head of the higher education division at the Ministry of Education and Research.

The proposal also includes the option for universities to charge tuition fees for doctoral students from outside the European Union. Such cases are expected to be rare, but the change could address specific situations, such as when international students or organisations are willing to fund advanced studies.

Source: ERR 

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