On Thursday, 11 December, from 11:50 to 13:00, we will be updating the University of Tartu website. During this time, there may be interruptions of up to 10 minutes when the website will not be accessible. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause!
Meist meedias
Six new academicians are from the University of Tartu
The general assembly of the Estonian Academy of Sciences elected seven new members of the academy, including six from the University of Tartu.
University members are invited to propose nominees for annual awards until 20 December
With the annual awards, the university aims to recognise its employees’ and students’ outstanding achievements in teaching, doing research and serving society.
Number of University of Tartu doctoral graduates has reached recent years’ highest level
On 1 December, the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university, 142 doctoral degrees were conferred.
Join the Virtual Open Day 2026 on 15 January
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.
Photo gallery: Toomas Asser presented the University of Tartu honorary decorations
On 21 November, Rector Toomas Asser handed over the university’s this year’s 123 honorary decorations. This marked the beginning of the traditional events of the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university.
University of Tartu nominated 38 researchers for national research awards
On 21 November, the University of Tartu senate decided to make nominations for the national research awards of the Republic of Estonia.
Four University of Tartu researchers among the world's most influential
The analytics company Clarivate revealed its 2025 list of Highly Cited Researchers, which includes four researchers affiliated with the University of Tartu.
Ene-Margit Tiit received lifetime achievement award for popularisation of science
On 12 November, at the Estonian Research Council’s annual science communication conference, the traditional science popularisation awards and special prizes were presented to those who speak about science in an inspiring way.
Students of University of Tartu Faculty of Science and Technology logged most steps among universities in step challenge
From the University of Tartu, 110 students and 205 staff members signed up for the step challenge that took place from 1 to 31 October.
Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences conference “Green Transition and Smart Solutions: Science for a Sustainable Future"
The annual conference of the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences will take place on Friday, the 28th of November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year’s recipients of honorary decorations have been announced
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.
Doctoral defence: Nidal Fetnassi "Determinants of moth assemblages across human-modified landscapes of Estonia and Morocco"
On 21 November, Nidal Fetnassi will defend her doctoral thesis "Determinants of moth assemblages across human-modified landscapes of Estonia and Morocco" to obtain the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in zoology and ecology.
Watch the recording: University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world”
On 27 October from 13–18, the University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place in the university assembly hall and online. Keynote speakers were Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Kersti Kaljulaid and Kristina Kallas.
Best speakers in three-minute thesis competition focused on expressing uncertainty and waste gas-eating bacteria
The three-minute thesis competition for doctoral researchers, held at the University of Tartu Library on 22 October, featured 13 popular-science short lectures in Estonian and 14 in English.
Come to listen to doctoral researchers’ three-minute lectures
The University of Tartu three-minute thesis competition offers everyone the opportunity to learn in simple language how the research of current doctoral researchers contributes to making the world a better place to live in the future. The competition will be held on Wednesday, 22 October at 10:00 in the conference hall of the University of Tartu Library.
University celebrated its 393rd anniversary
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.
Doctoral defence: Elisabeth Prangel "The impacts of land-use change and ecological restoration on biodiversity and ecosystem service supply in semi-natural grasslands"
On 29 October at 9:15, Elisabeth Prangel will defend her thesis "The impacts of land-use change and ecological restoration on biodiversity and ecosystem service supply in semi-natural grasslands".
ERC Information Event for University of Tartu researchers
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.
University’s autumn orienteering course marks 160 years of meteorology in Tartu
From 13 October to 16 November, the university family and all others are invited to complete the orienteering course “160 years of making sense of weather observations”.
Doctoral defence: "Rural marketing: connections between local government, communities, and heritage"
On 6 November at 10:15, Andres Rõigas will defend his doctoral thesis to obtain the degree of Doctor Philosophiae in Human Geography and Regional Planning.
