Study Medicine in Tartu – University of Tartu
University of Tartu · Estonia
English-taught medical degree with around 24 places per cohort.
At a glance
The key facts about this university at a glance.
Programmes
Medicine
Tuition fees
13,200 EUR per year
Duration
6 years
Language of instruction
English
Admission process
Online entrance exam in physics and chemistry plus a selection interview
Intake
Autumn semester
Recognition
Automatically recognised across the EU
Living costs
Total students
How Safe Is This Study Location?
Based on assessments from residents and visitors collected by Numbeo over the past five years.
6 years
Climate
Average daytime highs by month.
✓ Placement without a grade cut-off — we place you regardless of your school-leaving grades. We go through the specific requirements together.
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Why study medicine abroad at this university?
The University of Tartu was founded in 1632 and is Estonia's oldest and largest university, with around 15,000 students, about 1,600 of them from abroad. It is organised into four faculties with 32 institutes. The English-taught Medicine programme comprises 360 ECTS, lasts six years and leads to the Doctor of Medicine degree; there are 24 places per cohort.
- Programmes: Medicine
- Language of instruction: English
- Standard duration: 6 years
- Start of studies: Autumn semester
- Requirement: General higher-education entrance qualification. Check in a free study consultation whether you meet the requirements for placement at this university through Medschool Experts.
Study medicine or dentistry: programmes and language of instruction
Structure, duration, language of instruction and degree — for every programme at this university.
- Medicine: The Medicine programme leads to a medical degree. The pre-clinical phase establishes the scientific foundations; the clinical phase adds patient-facing work.
Study conditions and campus life abroad
The programme lasts six years and comprises 360 ECTS. The first two years form the pre-clinical phase with anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology and embryology. From the third year, clinical subjects take centre stage — internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, neurology and psychiatry — each complemented by placements. The sixth year is practical and works like a full clinical internship year, leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree.
Admission: how to get a place to study medicine abroad
The basic requirement for placement at this location is a general higher-education entrance qualification. When placed through Medschool Experts, there is no separate entrance test. Get in touch to find out whether we can place you at this university, and book a free study consultation.
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- Support with your start, preparation and finding accommodation
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- Guidance all the way to your first job
Preparing properly with Medschool Experts
We handle the complete application, including all formalities, and submit it on time. We guide you through the study visa, enrolment, and administrative requirements on the ground. Because Estonia is an EU member state, recognition of your degree within the EU is generally straightforward — we advise you on the requirements for your specific target country. We remain your point of contact after your studies begin.
Tuition fees and living costs to study medicine abroad
The tuition fee is 13,200 EUR per year. Before making any decision, ask the International Office to confirm the amount in writing, specifying whether accommodation, insurance, and registration fees are included.
Additional one-off costs include the application fee, visa, health insurance, travel, and usually a deposit for accommodation. Contact us for current living cost estimates.
Degree recognition and career prospects
Estonia is an EU member state, so the Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC applies to the Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tartu. It is recognised automatically throughout the EU/EEA and in Switzerland, with neither an equivalence assessment nor a knowledge test.
You apply for your licence to practise with the competent authority of the country where you want to work. Most countries ask for proof of medical-level proficiency in their national language, and processing times vary.
With your licence, specialist training is open to you on the same terms as graduates of domestic medical schools. With only 24 places per cohort, you come from a very small group and gain a lot of patient time early on — a real asset in job interviews. And a degree from Estonia's oldest university is valued across Europe.
Alumni now practising internationally
Former students of this university who, according to publicly available sources, now work as doctors or dentists internationally. Anonymised overview — not an indication of any cooperation with Medschool Experts.
The city as a place to study medicine
Tartu is Estonia's second-largest city and its intellectual centre, shaped by the university founded in 1632. The city lies on the Emajõgi river, which connects it to nearby Lake Peipus, one of Europe's largest lakes. Tartu is at its best in summer: July highs reach a pleasant 21 °C, ideal for long evenings in the riverside parks or at a café on Town Hall Square.
Student life shapes the city, rents are well below Western European levels, and the atmosphere is young, calm and safe. Tartu's own airport (TAR) mainly serves Helsinki; for other destinations, Tallinn Airport (TLL) is about 190 kilometres away, easily reached by bus or train, with direct flights across Europe.
- City: Tartu
- Country: Estonia
- Entry: Student visa required
About the author
Marcel Kloos
Federally recognised dentist, founder and owner of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos founded the company while still studying abroad himself; since then more than 500 study places have been arranged. Originally from Stuttgart, he studied dentistry in Sofia from 2015 to 2021 and is a federally recognised dentist.
He now lives in Bern and runs the company full-time as its owner. He visits the partner universities in person on a regular basis.
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Student story
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FAQ: studying medicine abroad at this university
What are the entry requirements for University of Tartu, Faculty of Medicine in Tartu?
You need a general higher-education entrance qualification (A-levels or equivalent). There is no numerus clausus, so your school-leaving grade does not determine your place. You will also need a sufficient command of English and a student visa.
How do I apply through Medschool Experts?
Medschool Experts handles placement at this location without a grade-based admission cap. Whether we can place you with your profile is something we clarify in a free, no-obligation consultation — where we also discuss which university is the best fit for you.
What does it cost to study at University of Tartu, Faculty of Medicine?
The tuition fee is 13,200 EUR per year. Additional costs include the application fee, visa, health insurance, travel, and accommodation. Always ask the International Office to confirm every figure in writing — figures quoted by third-party portals can vary significantly.
How is the programme structured and how long does it take?
The programme lasts 6 years. First comes the pre-clinical phase with the theoretical foundations, then the clinical phase with examination courses and placements at affiliated hospitals. The final year is primarily practical in focus.
Is the degree recognised in the EU?
As Estonia is an EU member state, medical degrees are automatically recognised across the EU under the Professional Qualifications Directive, provided graduation requirements are met. For non-EU countries you wish to practise in, confirm requirements separately.
Will I receive a transcript of records?
Yes. Your performance is recorded in a transcript showing subjects, examinations, and grades. This is exactly the document the authorities need later for the equivalence assessment. Keep all semester certificates and grade reports safely — they are difficult to obtain retrospectively.
Can I transfer to a university in my home country during my studies?
There is no automatic transfer route. A transfer to a domestic faculty involves an individual credit-recognition process and depends on available places in higher semesters. Plan your studies as a complete path to graduation.
How does Medschool Experts support you on the ground?
We organise the application and all documents, support you through enrolment, accommodation, and administrative requirements, and remain your contact after your studies begin. We also tell you upfront where the weaknesses of this particular location lie.
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