Government vs. University Scholarships in Estonia in 2025

If you’ve been dreaming about studying abroad but want something different, affordable, and modern—Estonia might just surprise you.

Estonia is a small country in Europe known for being super tech-savvy, safe, and student-friendly. It has great universities, and many programs are taught in English. Plus, living costs and tuition fees are lower than in many other European countries.

More and more international students, including from Bangladesh, are choosing Estonia for higher education. But like most places, studying there still costs money—so scholarships are a big help.

In this blog, I’ll explain the two main types of scholarships in Estonia—government-funded and university scholarships—so you can see which one might be right for you.

Let’s get started!

Types of Scholarships Available in Estonia

When I first started looking into scholarships in Estonia, I was surprised by how many different types there were. It felt a bit confusing at first—but once I broke it down, it all made sense.

Let me help you understand it too.

There are three main categories of scholarships in Estonia:

1. Government-Funded Scholarships

These are provided by the Estonian government or organizations connected to it. Their goal is to bring international students to Estonia and build strong education and research ties. These scholarships are often well-funded and come with clear rules and support.

2. University or Institutional Scholarships

These come directly from the universities in Estonia. Each university has its own scholarships for international students, and they may be based on your grades, talent, or financial need.

3. Private or External Scholarships

These are less common but still helpful. They might come from private companies, international organizations, or your home country’s government. While we won’t go deep into these here, it’s good to know they exist.

Now let’s dive deeper into government scholarships, since they are some of the best-known options for international students in Estonia.

🏛️ Government Scholarships in Estonia

Overview: Who Offers These Scholarships?

Government scholarships in Estonia are offered by several organizations, including:

• The Estonian Government

• The Ministry of Education and Research

• The Education and Youth Board (Harno), which used to be called the Archimedes Foundation

These scholarships are part of Estonia’s effort to welcome more international students, support global research partnerships, and make their universities more diverse and connected to the world.

Popular Government Scholarships in Estonia

Here are some of the most well-known scholarships you should know about:

Estonian National Scholarship Programme for International Students

This is one of the top government scholarships in Estonia.

✅ Who Can Apply?

• Students from many countries, including Bangladesh

• People applying for full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programs

• Sometimes even available for short courses or summer schools

💰 What Does It Cover?

• Monthly allowance to help with living costs

• Sometimes tuition fee support

• In some cases, it can also help with travel costs

📝 How to Apply

• Applications are submitted online through the Study in Estonia or Harno website

• You’ll need documents like your academic transcripts, motivation letter, and proof of admission (or ongoing application) to an Estonian university

🔍 Selection Process

• A panel reviews your application

• They look at your academic results, motivation, and how your goals match with the program

• It’s competitive, but fair—so take time to make your application strong

Estonian Development Cooperation Scholarships

These scholarships are part of Estonia’s efforts to support students from developing countries.

🎯 Who Are They For?

• Students from selected countries (Bangladesh is often included!)

• Mostly for Master’s degree programs

📚 What Fields Can You Study?

• Fields related to education, environment, digital technology, economics, and more—especially areas that support development goals

💸 What’s Covered?

• Tuition fees

• Monthly living allowance

• Sometimes health insurance and travel costs

This scholarship is perfect if you want to study something that helps you give back to your country later on.

Mobility Grants & Short-Term Study Scholarships

Not ready for a full degree yet? Or maybe you’re already in a program and want to attend a short-term course or research program in Estonia?

These scholarships are made for you.

📌 Who Can Apply?

• Exchange students

• Summer or winter school participants

• Researchers doing short-term training or collaborative projects

🧳 What’s Included?

• Travel and living support

• Program fees for short-term courses

These are great if you want to experience Estonia for a few weeks or months without committing to a full degree just yet.

✅ Pros of Government Scholarships

Let’s talk about the good stuff—why these scholarships are worth aiming for:

• 💯 Usually Fully or Mostly Funded
  You get help with tuition, living costs, and sometimes even travel.

• 🏅 National Recognition
  Being chosen for a government scholarship looks great on your CV or future applications.

• 🌐 Academic Cooperation
  These scholarships help build long-term study and research relationships between Estonia and your country.

• 📝 Structured Application Process
  The steps are clear, official, and well-documented—less guesswork!

⚠️ Cons of Government Scholarships

But it’s only fair I tell you the whole story. These scholarships also have a few challenges:

• 🎯 Highly Competitive
  Since they’re fully or largely funded, a lot of students apply.

• 🌍 Limited Spots
  Sometimes only a few students are chosen per country or region.

• 📋 Strict Rules
  Some scholarships may require you to return home after finishing your degree, or may have conditions on what you can study.

University Scholarships in Estonia

After looking into government scholarships, I realized there was another big opportunity I couldn’t ignore—university scholarships. These are offered directly by Estonian universities, and they come with their own benefits, challenges, and application processes.

Let me walk you through what I found and learned while exploring these.

Overview: What Are University Scholarships?

University scholarships in Estonia are provided by individual universities like the University of Tartu, Tallinn University, or TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology).

These scholarships are often:

• Funded by the universities themselves, or through partnerships with international organizations, businesses, and donors.

• Focused on attracting top talent—students who are academically strong, passionate, or bring something special to their program.

• Tailored to specific programs, so if you’re applying for Engineering, Arts, or Teacher Education, there might be scholarships just for you.

Unlike government scholarships, which are more general, university scholarships are closely linked to the programs and departments. That means your chances may improve if you match well with what the university is looking for.

Examples of University Scholarships

Let’s take a closer look at what some of the top Estonian universities offer.

🏛️ 1. University of Tartu Scholarships

The University of Tartu is one of the oldest and most respected universities in Estonia. It offers a range of scholarships for international students, including:

• Merit-Based Scholarships
  If your grades are strong and your application stands out, you might receive partial or even full tuition waivers.

• Need-Based Scholarships
  If you can show financial need alongside academic performance, there’s support available.

• Subject-Specific Scholarships
  Some programs—especially in natural sciences, medicine, and technology—offer extra scholarships for top students.

💰 Coverage: These scholarships often cover tuition fees (partially or fully), and in some cases, students may receive a small monthly stipend to help with living costs.

🏙️ 2. Tallinn University Scholarships

Tallinn University is known for its strong programs in social sciences, arts, humanities, and teacher education.

• They offer scholarships to top-performing students, especially in creative or community-based fields.

• There are also special scholarships for students in teacher training, which is great if you’re planning to return home and contribute to education.

💡 I remember reading about one Bangladeshi student who got a partial scholarship in media studies and went on to do amazing things in digital journalism after graduating!

🛠️ 3. TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology) Scholarships

If you’re into Engineering, IT, Robotics, or Cybersecurity, TalTech is the place for you.

• Scholarships here are program-specific and very competitive—but they offer excellent value.

• They often provide tuition fee waivers, especially for Master’s programs in high-demand tech areas.

🚀 TalTech is also well-connected with Estonia’s booming tech industry, so even if the scholarship only covers tuition, you might land a part-time tech job to support your living expenses.

✅ Pros of University Scholarships

Now, let me share what makes these scholarships a great choice:

• 🎯 Less Competitive
  Compared to government scholarships, university scholarships are often easier to get because they’re limited to students applying to that specific university.

• 🧪 Tailored to Specific Programs
  If you’re passionate about a certain subject, and you apply to a related program, your chances improve because the scholarship is designed for students like you.

• 👨‍🏫 Closer Support
  Since you’re dealing directly with the university, you’ll often get more personal help—from staff, professors, or the international student office.

• 📈 Can Be Renewed
  Many university scholarships are renewable for the second or third year, as long as you keep up your grades. It’s a great motivation to stay focused!

⚠️ Cons of University Scholarships

But just like government scholarships, university scholarships also have their limits. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• 💸 Mostly Tuition-Only
  While some government scholarships cover both tuition and living expenses, university scholarships usually focus on just the tuition fees.

• 📊 Renewal Depends on Performance
  If your grades drop or you don’t meet the academic standards, you could lose the scholarship in your second year.

• 🏫 Varies Between Universities
  Each university has its own scholarship rules, deadlines, and amounts. You’ll need to check each one individually—not as centralized as government programs.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

To make things clearer, here’s a simple comparison between Government and University scholarships in Estonia:

Ready to explore how to apply for these scholarships and what steps to take next? Let me know, and I’ll guide you through that part too!

How to Choose the Right Scholarship for You

Okay, so we’ve talked a lot about scholarships in Estonia—both government and university ones. But how do you know which is right for you?

Here are a few questions I asked myself, and they helped a lot:

❓ Ask Yourself:

• Do I need full support or just help with tuition?
  If you need help covering everything—like living expenses and travel—government scholarships are usually better. But if tuition help is enough, university scholarships can work great.

• Am I eligible based on my country or academic program?
  Some government scholarships are only for students from certain countries. University scholarships are more about what you want to study and how strong your grades are.

• Can I maintain the GPA they ask for?
  University scholarships often require you to keep your grades up to keep the funding. Think honestly about your academic habits and what kind of support you’ll need abroad.

Tips for Applying (From My Own Experience!)

1. Start Early
   Trust me, deadlines come fast. Start preparing your applications at least 6–9 months before the semester begins.

2. Get Your Documents Ready
   Most applications need:

   • Statement of Purpose (SOP)

   • Recommendation letters

   • CV or resume

   • Academic transcripts

3. Apply to Multiple Scholarships
   Don’t put all your hopes on one application. Apply to different programs and schools—you never know which one will say yes!

4. Talk to the Scholarship Office
   Most universities have an international office or scholarship coordinator. If something’s confusing, email them. They’re super helpful!

Other Funding Opportunities (Optional But Useful!)

While scholarships are awesome, there are a few other ways to help fund your studies in Estonia:

EU Programs Like Erasmus+

If you’re in Europe or studying at a university that partners with Estonia, you might be eligible for an Erasmus+ exchange, which includes financial support for travel and living.

External Foundations

Some private organizations and international NGOs offer scholarships based on things like leadership, development goals, or your field of study. Keep an eye out for these!

Part-Time Jobs in Estonia

International students in Estonia are allowed to work during their studies without a separate work permit. So even if your scholarship doesn’t cover everything, you can still earn a bit to help out.

Conclusion

Choosing between a government scholarship and a university scholarship in Estonia depends on your goals, your needs, and your study plans.

Let’s quickly recap:

• Government scholarships are usually full-coverage, nationally recognized, but very competitive.

• University scholarships are often program-specific, easier to get, and come with direct academic support.

Each option is valuable—and either one can help you start your international education journey in Estonia. The key is to find the right fit for you.

Estonia is modern, affordable, and full of opportunity. With the right scholarship, it could be your next home!

FAQs About Scholarships in Estonia

1. Can Bangladeshi students apply for scholarships in Estonia?
Yes! Many Estonian scholarships are open to Bangladeshi and other international students.

2. Do scholarships cover living expenses in Estonia?
Government scholarships often do. University scholarships mostly cover tuition.

3. Is IELTS required for scholarships in Estonia?
Yes, most programs require proof of English, usually through IELTS or TOEFL.

4. Can I work while studying in Estonia?
Yes! International students can work without a separate permit during their studies.

5. Are scholarships available for Bachelor’s programs?
Yes, both government and some university scholarships support Bachelor’s studies.

6. How competitive are Estonian scholarships?
Government scholarships are very competitive. University ones are usually less so.

7. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time?
Yes! It’s smart to apply to multiple scholarships and programs.

8. What documents do I need to apply?
Common documents include your academic transcripts, SOP, recommendation letters, and proof of English proficiency.

9. Do I need to know Estonian to study there?
No! Many programs are taught in English, especially for international students.

10. Where can I find the latest scholarship updates?
Check studyinestonia.ee, your university’s website, or follow education pages like GMC-Studies.