Upper secondary school system and admission for universities in Estonia Kaija Murasov International Student Service

Secondary education General secondary education Vocational secondary education Graduation from basic school is required (nine-year comprehensive school)

General secondary education 3 years of general studies For graduation: - State examinations passed - School examinations passed - All courses finished with a positive grade

Vocational secondary education At least 3 years of studies Vocation + secondary education Taking state examinations is optional

Grading system 5-grade scale (3 is passing grade) 5 ( % of maximum result) 4 (70 – 89% of maximum result) 3 (45 – 69% of maximum result) 2 (20 – 44% of maximum result) 1 (0 – 19% of maximum result)

Examinations 5 examinations required, of which at least 3 must be state examinations (riigieksamid) State examination in Estonian language (or Estonian language as second language) compulsory. From 3 state examinations one can be foreign language Minimum passing result – 20 points from 100 (year 2012)

Admission to universities The higher education institution may introduce specific admission requirements, such as entrance examinations, state examination minimum scores, interviews, etc. Mostly used: state examinations, entrance examinations, average grade from secondary school (programme specific requirements) Minimum score – usually 60 points

Bachelor programmes in UT Business Administration Medicine studies (partly in English)

Admission for Business Administration Upper secondary education Proof of English proficiency Mathematics grade (60%) Motivation letter (40%) IBO school graduates - applicants with a final examinations score 28 or higher, and a score of 6 in higher level Mathematics are automatically admitted to the programme

Admission for the english group of Medicine Upper secondary education SAT biology E/M test score IBO school graduates - applicants whose score from final examinations is 35 or more points, and one of the exam results - biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics - of a higher level course is 6 or more points, are admitted to a study place.

Difficulties with admission Which results to use for admission?

English language requirements TOEFL – min 69 points IELTS – min 5.5 points Requirement may be waived if an applicant: - has successfully studied at the University of Tartu - has completed secondary education in English in EU/EEA member states; USA; Canada; Australia or New Zealand; - has studied in one of the EU/EEA member states and learned English as the first foreign language for seven years and taken the final exam with a result that indicates correspondence to B2 level

Any questions?

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