News

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities offers numerous optional courses for the spring semester, available to both our students and all other students at the University of Tartu.

Students, staff, and alumni of the University of Tartu, as well as adult language and culture enthusiasts from outside the university, are welcome to participate. Registration ends on 8 February 2026, and courses begin in February.

All full-time students of the University of Tartu, the University of Latvia and Vilnius University may apply for the 2,000-euro scholarship if their proficiency in one of the Baltic countries’ languages is at least at C1 level and in the other two languages at least at A2 level. Visiting international students who study at one of the three universities in both semesters of this academic year may also apply.

With the annual awards, the university aims to recognise its employees’ and students’ outstanding achievements in teaching, doing research and serving society.

Join us for a Virtual Open Day where we will cover the admission process, important deadlines, English requirements, student life and much more for 2026 applicants.

On 27 November, the University of Tartu announced its teaching excellence ambassadors, who set an example for the entire university community. The title is given to recognise 20 academic staff members who develop their teaching based on evidence and support an open teaching culture that values learning.

The Juri Lotman Fund announces its scholarship contest for graduate students from the University of Tartu whose research continues the tradition of Lotman and his school in semiotics and Slavic philology. Application deadline is 30 January 2026, and the grantees of the scholarships will be announced on 28 February 2026.

On 21 November, the University of Tartu senate decided to make nominations for the national research awards of the Republic of Estonia.

On 31 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to former rector, Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor Kalle Kirsimäe, and Professor Ivo Leito. The recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have also been selected.

On 28 November 2025 at 12:15, Kaspar Kolk will defend his doctoral thesis "Trükitud raamatu esimene aastasada Eestis: raamatud, raamatukogud ja lugejad 15. sajandi teisest poolest 16. sajandi keskpaigani" ("The First Century of the Printed Book in Estonia: Books, Libraries and Readers from the Second Half of the 15th Century to the Middle of the 16th Century") for obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Classical Philology.

On 24 November 2025 at 12:15, Helen Roostma will defend her doctoral thesis„Affective Hauntings, Absolute Reality: Space, Time, Experience and the Haunted House Narrative“ for obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English Language and Literature.

The 10th conference will take place on the 27th–28th of November at the University of Tartu Library.

The University of Tartu was founded on 25 October 393 years ago. This year, the anniversary was marked by memorial ceremonies, a concert and other events.

Interest in the European Research Council (ERC) programme has grown among University of Tartu researchers. In response, the Grant Writing Unit is organising an ERC Information Event on 4 November 2025, focused on individual ERC Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grants.

On 7 October, members of the Committee on Education of the Swedish parliament (Riksdag), accompanied by the Swedish Ambassador Charlotte Wrangberg and the Swedish Honorary Consul Madis Kanarbik, visited the University of Tartu.

On October 8, 2025, the candidates for the Professorship of the Semiotics of Culture at the University of Tartu – Maarja Ojamaa, Sara Bédard-Goulet, and Mari-Liis Madisson – delivered their venia legendi lectures. The public lectures can be re-watched via UTTV links available under each lecture title.

On 27 October from 13–18, the University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place at the assembly hall of the university's main building and online to initiate a discussion on topics important for society and the university. The discussion were be based on the new University of Tartu strategic plan approved in June.

1 December marks 106 years from the opening of the Estonian-language University of Tartu. Traditional anniversary events are held on that occasion.

Until 31 October, nominations can be submitted for the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award.

All university staff and students are invited to nominate candidates who deserve to be awarded the university’s honorary decoration for their outstanding achievements.