The Regulation is established pursuant to clause 9 1) of the Statutes of Tallinn University of Technology. [entry into force 01.08.2026]

Chapter 1
General provisions

§ 1. Scope of application

(1) The Regulation lays down the conditions and procedure for the admission of  applicants to bachelor’s, integrated, master’s and professional higher education studies at Tallinn University of Technology (hereinafter referred to as “the university”).

(2) For the purposes of this Regulation, the terms set out below have the following meanings:
1) “Student applicant” means a person applying for admission to degree studies.
2) “International student applicant” means a student applicant who has neither Estonian citizenship nor a long-term Estonian residence permit nor a permanent right of residence.
3) “Admission requirements” means the conditions governing admission on a competitive basis and the admission thresholds established annually for study programmes by a decision of the University Senate for admission to first- and second-cycle studies. Admission to second-cycle studies is also subject to prior education requirements. In justified cases, the Senate may also establish a maximum number of students to be admitted to a study programme (hereinafter referred to as “the admission limit”), taking particular account of teaching quality and the resources required to deliver the programme. If an admission limit is established for a study programme, places shall be allocated according to a ranking list based on applicants’ results under the admission requirements. [entry into force 18.11.2022]
4) “Threshold” means the minimum score required under the admission requirements of the relevant study programme to guarantee admission to that programme. The result required for applying, i.e. the application threshold, is the minimum score required to submit an application. Applicants who meet this threshold shall be offered places in rank order until the admission limit for the study programme is reached. [entry into force 18.11.2022]
5) “Special admission condition” means a criterion that, when met, entitles an applicant to admission to a university study programme (except architecture) without being subject to the admission requirements for that programme.
6) “Matriculation” means the admission of an applicant to the university as a student, from which point the person acquires the rights and obligations arising from the Higher Education Act and other legislation.
7) “Re-matriculation” means the re-entry of a person on the student register to continue studies on the same study programme. Re-matriculation is governed by the Academic Policies established by the University Senate.
8) “Additional matriculation” means matriculation through a School.
9) “Repeat matriculation” means undertaking studies again at the same level of higher education.
10) “General requirements for application” mean the requirements concerning the admission application, supporting documents, prior education and language proficiency.
11) “Supplementary requirements for application” mean the requirements that apply to international applicants in addition to the general requirements for application. Under these requirements, international applicants shall submit paper documents to the university in the prescribed form and by the prescribed deadline and pay a one-off fee for processing their admission documents. Applicants from outside the European Union and the European Economic Area shall also pay the tuition fee for the first academic year in advance.
12) Admission to a joint or double degree programme established under a cooperation agreement shall be considered equivalent to admission to a degree programme at Tallinn University of Technology. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

§ 2. Admission and terms and conditions of competition

(1) In order to be admitted to the university, a student applicant must meet the general requirements for application, including the requirements concerning prior education, qualifications and language proficiency; submit an application in the prescribed form and the other documents required by this Regulation; and meet the applicable admission requirements or special admission conditions.

(2) Admission takes place by way of a competition. The admission schedule shall be laid down by the Rector in the admission calendar.

(3) Applicants shall be admitted in accordance with the admission requirements. The University Senate shall establish admission requirements for each study programme annually by a separate decision.

(4) Applicants shall be ranked according to the scores obtained under the admission requirements for the relevant study programme.

(5) Persons who have achieved outstanding sporting results and meet the general requirements for application shall be admitted to bachelor’s, professional higher education, integrated bachelor’s and master’s studies, or master’s studies on the recommendation of the Sports Club of Tallinn University of Technology, within the number of places allocated to athletes for the academic year by the University Senate. A student who has been admitted under these conditions or has applied for and received a place allocated to athletes shall be exempt from tuition fees. [entry into force 30.11.2023]

(6) The number of student places shall be determined by the number of applicants who have exceeded the threshold or by the admission limit established for the study programme. [entry into force 18.11.2022]

(7) An international applicant who wishes to study in an Estonian-language study programme shall demonstrate his/her proficiency in Estonian by presenting a certificate attesting to at least B2-level proficiency or by successfully completing the university’s Estonian language test. An international applicant who meets the requirements of § 8 of the Regulation must, as a prerequisite for applying to an Estonian-language study programme, demonstrate his/her proficiency in Estonian as specified in this section. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

(8) The content and conditions of the admission tests specified in the competition requirements shall be published on the university’s website at www.taltech.ee no later than the first day of the application period set out in the admission calendar established by the Rector.

(9) Studies shall not commence on a study programme if fewer than 15 applicants per main field of study in bachelor’s, integrated or professional higher education studies, or fewer than 10 applicants per main field of study in master’s studies, have confirmed their places, unless the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs decides otherwise. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

§ 3. Submission of applications and other document

(1) A student applicant, other than an international applicant, shall submit an application for admission electronically via the  Estonian Admissions Information System (hereinafter referred to as “SAIS”) at www.sais.ee.

(2) A student applicant, other than an international applicant, whose data have not been entered into national registers, shall submit the documents required for admission to the Admission and Student Counselling Centre of the Office of Academic Affairs.

(3) An international applicant applying for admission to a study programme taught in English, shall submit his/her application fand other required admission documents electronically via DreamApply (hereinafter referred to as “DA”) at www.estonia.dreamapply.com. An international applicant applying to a study programme taught in Estonian shall submit their application via SAIS.

(4) An international applicant, other than a graduate of Tallinn University of Technology, shall pay a one-off fee of EUR 100 (including VAT) for processing his/her admission documents. The fee shall be paid by the application deadline. The admission document processing fee is non-refundable.

(5) The university may reject an applicant’s application if the applicant provides incomplete or inaccurate information in the application; submits forged documents; fails to submit all required documents by the deadline set by the university; violates good academic practice; or is an international applicant who fails to pay the fee specified in subsection (4) of this section or subsection 12 (10) of this Regulation.

(6) To verify and clarify the information provided in the documents, the university may consult the study information system of Tallinn University of Technology, the Estonian Education Information System and the International Baccalaureate Information System; submit enquiries to educational institutions and other institutions; and submit educational documents for academic recognition to the Academic Recognition Information Centre (Estonian ENIC/NARIC) of the Education and Youth Board.

(7) Once an international applicant has confirmed their place, the university may require the applicant to submit the documents specified in § 9 or § 11 of the Regulation as paper originals or notarised copies and/or copies that have been legalised or certified by an apostille, or in another form specified by the university. An international applicant required to submit paper documents shall submit them by the deadline and in the form specified by the university. If the international applicant fails to submit the documents by the deadline or in the required form, processing of his/her admission application shall be terminated

(8) Documents shall be submitted in Estonian or English. An international applicant shall attach an Estonian or English translation certified by the issuer, a sworn translator or a notary to any document in another language.

(9) Copies of submitted documents, including notarised or officially certified copies, and notarised or officially certified translations shall not be returned to the applicant. Documents shall be stored in accordance with the procedure established by the university.

(10) The university may require an applicant who will be under the age of majority at the start of the academic year to submit a notarised birth certificate, copies of his/her guardians’ passports, and any other documents the university deems necessary in connection with the minor’s enrolment. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

§ 4. Repeat matriculation in the same level of higher education level [entry into force 30.11.2023]

(1) A student enrolled in the 2023/2024 academic year or later shall pay tuition fees for the entire study programme if the student:
1) is already enrolled in a tuition-free higher education programme when commencing studies;
2) has previously studied tuition-free at the first or second cycle of higher education for at least 365 calendar days and no more than ten years have elapsed since the student’s exmatriculation from the same level of higher education;
3)  when commencing an integrated bachelor’s and master’s study programme, has previously studied tuition-free on an integrated bachelor’s and master’s study programme or at the second cycle of higher education for at least 365 calendar days and no more than ten years have elapsed since the student’s exmatriculation from the programme; [entry into force 01.09.2025]
4) has previously been enrolled in tuition-free studies at the same level of higher education twice and no more than ten years have elapsed since the student’s exmatriculation;
5) has been exmatriculated and re-enrolled on the same study programme within two years;
6) is already enrolled in a tuition-free programme of vocational education following secondary education when commencing studies. [entry into force 01.09.2025]

(2) The tuition fee provisions set out in clauses (1) 2), 3) and 4) of this section shall, from the beginning of the 2024/2025 academic year until the end of the 2026/2027 academic year, apply to students enrolled in higher education before the 2024/2025 academic year only if they previously studied tuition-free at the same level of higher education for more than 50% of the nominal duration of the study programme. If a student discontinued their studies before the 2024/2025 academic year and studied tuition-free for less than 50% of the nominal duration of the study programme, their enrolments in tuition-free studies before that academic year shall not be taken into account when they enrol at the same level of higher education from the 2024/2025 academic year onwards. The student shall be entitled to commence tuition-free studies at that level on two further occasions. [entry into force 01.09.2025]

(3) Calendar days spent on academic leave shall not be included in the calculation specified in clauses (1) 2) and 3).

(4) The decision shall be based on the nominal duration of the study programme, expressed in days, as recorded in the state register, and the number of days for which the student has studied tuition-free.

(5) The tuition fee provisions laid down in subsection (1) of this section shall apply, from the 2027/2028 academic year onwards, to students enrolled at the university before the 2024/2025 academic year.

§ 5. Notification and confirmation of student places

(1) SAIS and DA are the official information exchange environments, where information related to admission is collected, processed made available to applicants.

(2) Applicants admitted by a decision of the admission committee shall be notified via SAIS, and international applicants via DA. The notification shall specify the deadline for confirming their place.

§ 6. Admission procedures

(1) Each year the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs shall approve the membership of the following admission committees:

1) the admission committee for bachelor’s, integrated, professional higher education and master’s studies. The committee shall comprise the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and representatives of all the Schools and the Office of Academic Affairs. The committee shall be responsible for admission decisions, proposals to the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs not to commence studies on bachelor’s programmes where fewer than 15 applicants per main field of study have confirmed their places or master’s programmes where fewer than 10 have done so, and the resolution of disputes in accordance with subsection 14 (2) of the Regulation;

2) the subcommittee for processing applications in SAIS. The sub-committee shall comprise representatives of all the Schools and the Office of Academic Affairs. Each member of the subcommittee may process personal data in SAIS to the extent necessary to perform duties assigned to him/her. The subcommittee shall be responsible for entering applications, verifying whether applicants’ prior education meets the requirements, processing application attachments, creating student places and entering admission test results;

3) the subcommittee for organising admission tests that replace state examinations. The chair of the admission committee shall appoint the members of the subcommittee The subcommittee shall be responsible for preparing, conducting and assessing admission tests in mathematics and Estonian.

(2) The dean shall establish the School’s subcommittees for conducting admission tests for first- and second-cycle studies.

Chapter 2
Requirements and procedure for admission to bachelor’s, integrated and professional higher education studies

§ 7. General requirements for application

(1) All persons with secondary education or an equivalent qualification have an equal right to apply for studies at the university. A student applicant may submit up to two applications for admission.

(2) Applications shall be submitted within competition groups organised by study programme.

(3) Applicants who have completed International Baccalaureate (hereinafter referred to as “IB”) or European Baccalaureate (hereinafter referred to as “EB”) studies shall be admitted on the basis of their IB/EB diploma.

(4) To be admitted under a special admission condition without being subject to the programme’s admission requirements, an applicant must meet at least one of the special admission conditions set out in § 8 of the Regulation. A student applicant applying under a special admission condition shall receive the maximum competition score.

(5) The score used to determine whether the admission threshold has been met shall be calculated on the basis of state examination results, university-organised admission tests, other tests or interviews, and/or grades on the secondary education certificate.

(6) Applicants to study programmes taught in English shall, in addition, demonstrate at least B2-level English proficiency by passing the English state examination, a valid internationally recognised English language test approved by the university, or an English language test administered by Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University or the University of Tartu. English language proficiency may be required when applying to a study programme taught in Estonian. The list of accepted language tests and the required scores shall be approved by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

(7) Evidence of the English language proficiency specified in subsection (6) of this section shall not be required from a student applicant who:
1) has completed an IB or EB diploma programme;
2) has acquired secondary or higher education in English in the European Union, the European Economic Area, Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Switzerland, and whose English language proficiency is at least at B2 level. The Office of Academic Affairs may request documentary evidence in paper form or verify the applicant’s English language proficiency through an online interview. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

(8) The results of mathematics and Estonian language examinations taken at Tallinn University of Technology shall be considered equivalent to the results of state examinations. Applicants who have acquired their secondary education or an equivalent qualification abroad shall compete for admission to study programmes taught in Estonian on the basis of their results in the mathematics and Estonian admission tests or the Estonian state examinations required for admission. The Estonian language test may be taken only by applicants who have not taken the state examination in essay writing, Estonian or Estonian as a second language, or whose examination score is below the required minimum. Only student applicants who scored at least 70 points in the narrow mathematics state examination in the year in which they apply, or whose score in the broad mathematics state examination meets or exceeds the university’s minimum application threshold for that year, are eligible to take the mathematics test. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

(9) The state examination in Estonian as a second language may be replaced by a B2- or C1-level examination, provided that the applicant achieves a score of at least 60% and meets the proficiency requirements for the relevant level.

(10) For graduates of IB and EB programmes, examinations taken in subjects that meet the competition conditions approved by the University Senate and the admission requirements for bachelor’s, engineering, professional higher education and master’s studies shall be treated as equivalent to state examinations. IB/EB examination scores shall be converted into state examination scores.

(11) International applicants must have an average secondary education grade of at least 60% of the maximum possible grade. If this average is below the required threshold, the requirement may be considered met if the applicant’s average grade in previous higher education studies is at least 60% of the maximum possible grade. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

§ 8. Admission under special admission conditions

(1) A student applicant with the required level of education shall be admitted to Tallinn University of Technology if the applicant:
1) has achieved one of the ten highest scores in the final round (or in the preliminary round in 2020 if no final round was held) of an Estonian national subject olympiad for grades 11 and 12, or is ranked among the top twenty upper secondary school pupils in the overall ranking;
2) has participated in the final round (or was invited to the final round in 2020) of an Estonian national mathematics, physics, chemistry or informatics olympiad for grades 11 and 12;
3) has, as an upper secondary school pupil, participated in an international competition and obtained a result;
4) [repealed – entry into force 30.11.2023]
5) [repealed – entry into force 30.11.2023]
6) [repealed – entry into force 30.11.2023]
7) [repealed – entry into force 30.11.2023]
8) has won first, second or third prize in the National Contest of Young Scientists;
9) has completed an elective course as an upper secondary school pupil. [entry into force 30.11.2023]

(2) The olympiads, competitions and elective courses recognised by the university for admission under special admission conditions shall be determined by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. [entry into force 30.11.2023]

§ 9. Submission of applications and other documents

(1) A student applicant, other than an international applicant, applying via an information system to a study programme taught in English shall submit the following documents:
1) an online application via SAIS;
2) a request for secondary education data from the state register. If the data are unavailable, the original and a copy of the document certifying secondary education shall be submitted;
3) a passport or an ID card (if an application is submitted in person); [entry into force 30.11.2023]
4) a diploma or certificate demonstrating that the applicant meets the special admission condition;
5) for applicants who acquired their secondary education abroad, an assessment from the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre.

(2) An international applicant applying via an information system to a study programme taught in English shall submit the following documents:
1) an online application via DA;
2) an identity document (a passport or an ID card); [entry into force 30.11.2023]
2’) a residence permit card, if applicable; [entry into force 30.11.2023]
3) a copy of the document certifying a name change, if the international applicant has changed his/her name;
4) copies of documents certifying completion of secondary education or an equivalent qualification or, if these have not yet been issued, a certificate showing the results of studies completed to date;
5) unless otherwise agreed, the international applicant shall attach an Estonian or English translation certified by the issuer, a sworn translator or a notary to any document in another language.;
6) a diploma or certificate demonstrating that the applicant meets the special admission condition;
7) a certificate of English language proficiency.

Chapter 3
Admission to master’s studies

§ 10. General requirements for application

(1) Persons who have obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited study programme or completed an accredited professional higher education study programme, or who hold an equivalent qualification, may apply for admission to master’s studies.

(2) If an applicant’s prior education is in a field that does not meet the admission requirements for the study programme, the applicant shall submit an application in the prescribed format to the Programme Director by 10 June for an assessment of their previously acquired competencies. The programme director may specify which courses the applicant must complete to be eligible to apply to the study programme. These courses must be completed before applying.

(3) Applications for master’s studies shall be submitted within competition groups organised by study programme. An applicant may apply for up to two student places.

(4) International applicants applying to study programmes taught in English shall, in addition, demonstrate at least B2-level English proficiency by passing a valid internationally recognised English language test approved by the university or an English language test administered by Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University or the University of Tartu. The list of accepted language tests and the required scores shall be approved by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.

(5) Evidence of the English language proficiency specified in subsection (4) of this section shall not be required from an applicant who has completed education in English in the European Union, the European Economic Area, Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand or Switzerland, and whose English language proficiency is at least at B2 level. The Office of Academic Affairs may request documentary evidence in paper form or verify the applicant’s English language proficiency through an online interview. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

(6) International applicants, except those who have completed the required higher education qualification or a subsequent higher education qualification in a member state of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) or the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), must achieve the score required by the competition conditions in either the standardised Graduate Record Examinations test (hereinafter referred to as “GRE”) or the knowledge test specified in those conditions. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

(7) International applicants must have an average grade of at least 60 % of the maximum possible grade in the qualification required for admission. If the average grade in the required higher education qualification is below the specified threshold, the requirement may be considered met on the Programme Director’s proposal if the applicant’s average grade in previous master’s studies is at least 60% of the maximum possible grade. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

§ 11. Submission of applications and other documents

(1) A student applicant, other than an international applicant, applying via an information system to a study programme taught in English shall submit the following documents:
1) an online application via SAIS;
2) a request for data from the state register confirming the required higher education qualification. If the requested data are unavailable, the original and a copy of the document certifying the qualification shall be submitted;
3) the original and a copy of the diploma supplement if a grade point average is required;
4) a passport or an ID card if the application is submitted in person; [entry into force 30.11.2023]
5) if the applicant’s prior education does not meet the admission requirements, a decision of the programme director on the suitability of the applicant’s prior learning or specifying the courses to be completed before admission, together with a certificate confirming completion of any required courses;
6) for applicants who acquired their higher education abroad, an assessment from the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre.

(2) An international applicant applying via an information system to a study programme taught in English shall submit the following documents:
1) an online application via DA;
2) an identity document (a passport or an ID card); [entry into force 30.11.2023];
2’) a residence permit card, if applicable; [entry into force 30.11.2023]
3) a copy of the document certifying a name change if the applicant has changed his/her name;
4) copies of documents certifying completion of higher education or an equivalent qualification or, if these have not yet been issued, a certificate showing the results of studies completed to date;
5) unless otherwise agreed, the international applicant shall attach an Estonian or English translation certified by the issuer, a sworn translator or a notary to any document in another language;
6) a certificate of English language proficiency;
7) a GRE score report or the result of the knowledge test specified in the university’s competition conditions. [entry into force 18.11.2022]

Chapter 4
Matriculation

 § 12. Matriculation of a student

(1)  A student applicant shall be matriculated only if he/she meets the general requirements for application and the admission requirements and confirms his/her place by the prescribed deadline. In addition to meeting the general requirements for application and the admission requirements, an international applicant shall also meet the supplementary requirements for application set out in subsections 3 (4) and (7) of the Regulation and subsection (10) of this section.

(2) International applicants shall have a legal basis for staying in Estonia at the time of matriculation.

(3) Upon matriculation, the student’s study programme version, form of study and, in the case of tuition-fee-paying studies, their obligation to pay tuition fees shall be specified.

(4) Upon matriculation, a student shall be assigned a semester limit (SEL) in the study information system based on the nominal duration of studies.

(5) Student applicants shall be matriculated by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.

(6)  The university may terminate the admission procedure on the basis of a decision of the admission committee or annul a matriculation decision on the basis of a decision of the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs if it becomes apparent that:
1) the applicant’s education or qualifications do not meet the requirements for admission to the intended level of higher education;
2) the applicant has seriously violated generally accepted standards of conduct or good academic practice, including by damaging the university’s reputation through the dissemination of false information or the making of unfounded accusations in the media. Academic practice means conduct that upholds the university’s values and complies with the requirements laid down in legislation. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

(7) The university shall not be liable for any pecuniary or non-pecuniary damage resulting from the termination of the admission procedure or the annulment of a matriculation decision under subsection (6) of this section [entry into force 18.02.2025]

(8) Persons from outside the European Union commencing studies on a tuition-fee-paying study programme shall pay the tuition fee for the first academic year before matriculation. If an international applicant fails to commence studies or declines his/her place, this fee shall not be refunded unless circumstances beyond the applicant’s control prevent the applicant from commencing studies and the applicant submits a completed refund form to the university within one calendar year of submitting his/her admission application. The refund form shall be sent to the international applicant at the personal e-mail address provided in DA. [entry into force 08.10.2024]

§ 13. Additional matriculation through a School or regional College [entry into force 01.08.2026]

(1) An applicant may apply for additional matriculation at the university through a School or regional College if the applicant: [entry into force 01.08.2026]
1) has completed courses included in the study programme with a total workload of at least 30 ECTS credits;
2) has acquired the prior education required to apply for the study programme;
3) meets additional conditions established by the dean.

(2) For additional matriculation, the applicant shall submit an application to the dean’s office of the School or regional College by the deadline specified in the academic calendar and complete and submit an APEL application in the study information system. [entry into force 01.08.2026]

(3) An applicant may apply for additional matriculation to tuition-free studies if the study programme offers tuition-free studies and the applicant has not already exercised his/her right to tuition-free studies on another programme at the same level of higher education under § 4 of the Regulation.

Chapter 5
Challenging decisions

§ 14. Challenging admission decisions

(1) The result of an admission test may be challenged by submitting a written appeal to the chair of the relevant admission committee of the School or regional College within three working days of publication of the test results An appeal shall be reviewed by a committee established by the chair of the admission committee of the School or regional College and comprising at least that chair and one other member of the admission committee. The applicant who filed the appeal shall be notified of the committee’s decision within three working days of the submission of the appeal. [entry into force 01.08.2026]

(2) Other decisions and acts related to admission may be challenged by submitting an appeal to the admission committee within three working days of notification of the decision or performance of the act. The applicant shall be notified of the decision within three working days of the submission of the appeal. [entry into force 30.11.2023]

Chapter 6
Implementation of the Regulation

§ 15. Repeal of a Regulation

(1) The following provisions of Regulation No 13 of 21 November 2017 of the University Senate “Admission Requirements”, are repealed: the provisions of § 1 concerning first- and second-cycle studies, subsections 2 (2), (3), (5)-(6’), (8) and (9), the provisions of subsections 3 (1) and (3) concerning first- and second-cycle studies; § 4, subsection 5 (1), the provisions in  subsections 5 (2)- (4) concerning first- and second-cycle studies and subsection 5 (5), subsections 6 (1), (3) and provisions in subsection 6 (4) concerning first- and second-cycle studies, §§ 7–12, subsections 16 (1), (3), (4) and (5), subsection 17 (1) and provisions in subsection 17 (2) concerning admission to first- and second-cycle studies.

§ 16. Entry into force of the Regulation

(1) Clause 1 (2) 8) and § 13 shall enter into force on 1 August 2022.

(2) The Regulation, except for clause 1 (2) 8) and § 13, shall enter into force with retroactive effect from 1 January 2022.

§ 17. Implementing provisions

The directors of Kuressaare College and Virumaa College shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of a dean within the structural units they manage, to the extent provided for in this Regulation. [entry into force 01.08.2026]