Tallinn University
Tallinna Ülikool
Estonia's humanities and social sciences university, with English-taught bachelor's degrees in film, media, law and politics.
- Students
- 7,000
- International
- 11%
- of students
- Tuition
- €4,600
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 2005
About TLU
Tallinn University was created as a public university on 18 March 2005, when a decision of the Estonian parliament merged several Tallinn universities and research institutes into one institution. Its oldest root is the Tallinn Teachers' Seminar of 1919, later Tallinn Pedagogical University, so teacher education remains one of its strengths. The university describes itself as Tallinn's leading university of humanities and social sciences and has about 7,000 students.
Teaching is organised into six schools: the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (BFM), the School of Digital Technologies, the School of Educational Sciences, the School of Humanities, the School of Natural Sciences and Health, and the School of Governance, Law and Society, plus Haapsalu College. For international applicants, the English-taught bachelor's degrees are Audiovisual Media, Crossmedia, Law, Liberal Arts in Humanities, Liberal Arts in Social Sciences, and Politics and Governance, most lasting three years.
BFM is the best-known part of the university abroad: its graduates include the directors of several recent Estonian feature films, and students finish with their own film projects. Every TLU student also takes LIFE (Learning in Interdisciplinary Focused Environment), a project course in which students from different fields work with outside partners on real problems. The central campus is on Narva maantee, about 15 minutes' walk from the Old Town and the beach, which suits students who want a small, international university in a digital-first capital.
Promoter of Intelligent Lifestyle
University motto
Why students choose TLU
Six English-taught bachelor's degrees for 2027 entry, from Audiovisual Media and Crossmedia to Law and Politics and Governance.
Tuition of 4,600 to 5,800 euros a year for the English bachelor's degrees, the same for EU and non-EU students.
Admission by entrance exam rather than grade ranking: in Law, Politics and Governance and Liberal Arts in Social Sciences, a 20-minute interview decides the score.
The Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, whose alumni include the directors of Truth and Justice, Risttuules (In the Crosswind) and Fränk.
Admissions
Autumn 2027 entry
Selectivity
Tallinn University publishes no acceptance rate. Each programme sets an entrance exam, and the minimum enrolment threshold is 65 points out of 100. Audiovisual Media, for example, has 40 places: a score of 75 or more guarantees a place, and the rest go to the highest-ranked applicants above the threshold.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school diploma or equivalent | Completed secondary education giving university eligibility, with at least 60 percent of the possible maximum result; country-specific document rules apply |
|---|---|
| Law, Politics and Governance, Liberal Arts in Social Sciences | A 20-minute online interview worth 100 points on your CV, motivation and a programme-related article; minimum 65 points and English at least at B2 level |
| Audiovisual Media | Portfolio, CV and motivation letter (30 percent), two creative assignments (35 percent; at least 40 of 65 points needed to reach the interview) and a 15-minute interview (35 percent); choose the creative or technical module |
| Crossmedia | Three-stage exam starting with an audiovisual CV of up to three minutes in English (30 percent) |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 72 IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component; TOEFL iBT 72 (reading 18, listening 17, writing 17, speaking 20) for tests taken before 21 January 2026, or at least 4 overall and in each section on the new scale for later tests; Cambridge English 169; PTE Academic 59. Duolingo and medium-of-instruction letters are not accepted. IB graduates and applicants educated fully in English in listed countries can be exempt. |
Deadlines
- All bachelor's programmes (autumn 2027 intake) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~5 months1 November 2026 to 1 March 2027
One application window for all bachelor's programmes. Entrance exams take place several times during the application period.
Applications for bachelor's programmes starting in autumn 2027 open on 1 November 2026 and close on 1 March 2027. Applying early lets you upload missing documents after feedback from the admissions team before the deadline.
How to apply
International applicants apply online through DreamApply (Estonian citizens and long-term residents use SAIS). Upload your secondary diploma and transcript with official English translations, proof of English, your passport and any programme-specific documents such as a CV, portfolio or motivation letter, and pay the 100-euro application fee, which covers two programmes. The programme then invites you to its entrance exam, often held online by video; successful applicants may be asked to post their documents.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary qualification that gives university access in your country, with results of at least 60 percent of the maximum.
- Genuine interest in the programme and motivation to study the field, assessed in the interview.
- The ability to understand and discuss the main arguments of a programme-related article, in English at B2 level or above.
- For film and media programmes, creative or technical work shown in a portfolio and in timed creative assignments.
Tips for applying to TLU
- 1 Treat the interview as the whole exam: in Law, Politics and Governance and Liberal Arts in Social Sciences, 20 minutes on your CV, motivation and a set article decide your score out of 100.
- 2 For Audiovisual Media, choose the creative or technical module before you apply and build the matching portfolio: up to 15 minutes of film plus a piece of writing, or 10 themed photographs plus video, sound or editing work.
- 3 Aim for 75 points in Audiovisual Media, which guarantees one of the 40 places.
- 4 Book IELTS or TOEFL early: Duolingo is not accepted, and English requirements must be met by the 1 March 2027 deadline.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
Fees can be paid for the year, per semester or in eight instalments. Several schools offer tuition discounts: the School of Governance, Law and Society gives two 100 percent discounts for one year to the top two applicants by entrance exam score, Liberal Arts in Humanities offers two 50 percent discounts, and BFM offers 50 to 100 percent discounts from the second semester for students progressing on schedule. Estonian government scholarships at bachelor's level are limited to fields related to Estonian language and culture.
- 100 euros, covers two programmes
- Application fee
- Two 100% discounts for one year, for the top two applicants
- School of Governance, Law and Society tuition discounts
- About 200 euros a month for a place in a shared room, utilities included
- University dormitory
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (autumn and spring); single autumn intake for bachelor's programmes
Audiovisual Media (BA)
Three years of film and television production with a creative module (director, screenwriter, producer) or a technical one (cinematographer, editor, sound), a compulsory internship and a final film project.
Crossmedia (BA)
Storytelling across media platforms, finished with either a creative thesis built on your portfolio or a research thesis.
Law (BA)
European and international law at its core, with mooting and mock trials; students have interned at Baltic law firms, the European Parliament and the UN Human Rights Council.
Politics and Governance (BA)
English-taught political science including courses on party systems and the politics of the Baltic states.
Liberal Arts in Social Sciences (BA)
A broad, interdisciplinary social science degree taught in English, with admission by interview.
Research
- The Juri Lotman Semiotics Repository holds the archive of the semiotician Juri Lotman.
- The Centre for Educational Technology and the Centre for Innovation in Education build on the university's teacher-training tradition.
- The Estonian Institute for Population Studies and the Institute of Ecology are among its research centres.
- BFM runs the Centre of Excellence in Media Innovation and Digital Culture (MEDIT).
Schools & faculties
- Baltic Film, Media and Arts School
- School of Digital Technologies
- School of Educational Sciences
- School of Humanities
- School of Natural Sciences and Health
- School of Governance, Law and Society
- Haapsalu College
Student life
TLU's central campus is a group of connected buildings on Narva maantee, and the Karu Street dormitory sits right behind the Terra building. The university has its own symphony orchestra, mixed, men's and women's choirs, the folk dance group Soveldaja and a sports club, and every student takes the LIFE project course with classmates from other fields. Film students' work is celebrated at the annual Best of BFM gala. Dormitory places are limited, so many students rent privately; the university quotes about 200 euros a month for a dorm place and 400 to 900 euros for an apartment.
- LIFE (Learning in Interdisciplinary Focused Environment), a compulsory project course with outside partners.
- A symphony orchestra, several choirs, the folk dance group Soveldaja and a sports club.
- Best of BFM, the film school's gala of student work.
- Public transport in Tallinn is free for residents, including international students with a study residence permit.
Housing. The university mediates places in three dormitories, including Karu dormitory on the main campus, but places are limited and many students rent privately.
Location
Tallinn is Estonia's capital, a compact city where the medieval Old Town and the sea are a short walk from the university. Estonia runs most public services online, and the city has many start-ups. Students with a residence permit ride public transport free; the university puts food at 300 to 400 euros a month and apartment rent at 400 to 900 euros.
Nearest airport: Tallinn Airport (TLL)
Notable alumni
- TT Tanel ToomFilm director of Truth and Justice; graduated 2005, Tallinn University Alumnus of the Year 2020
- MH Martti HeldeDirector of the film Risttuules (In the Crosswind); graduated 2011
- TP Tõnis PillDirector of the feature film Fränk; graduated 2017, Alumnus of the Year 2026
- MT Mart TanielCinematographer spotlighted by the American Society of Cinematographers in 2017; graduated 2005
- MO Marianne OstratProducer of the documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood; Film Arts MA 2009
- KP Kalev PihlCEO of SK ID Solutions when honoured in 2016 for creating the Estonian e-identity; graduated 2002
- MT Maarika TruuCEO of Startup Estonia when named Alumna of the Year 2020; graduated 2012
- TM Tiit MaranAnimal ecologist and Member of the Estonian Parliament (as of 2026); graduated 2007
Frequently asked questions
Does Tallinn University teach bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes. For 2027 entry the English-taught bachelor's degrees are Audiovisual Media, Crossmedia, Law, Liberal Arts in Humanities, Liberal Arts in Social Sciences, and Politics and Governance.
How much does Tallinn University cost?
English-taught bachelor's fees for the 2027/28 intake are 4,600 to 5,800 euros a year, the same for EU and non-EU students. Non-EU students pay the first semester's fee to finalise their acceptance.
What is the Tallinn University application deadline for 2027?
Bachelor's applications for autumn 2027 are open from 1 November 2026 to 1 March 2027, through DreamApply for international applicants.
Is there an entrance exam at Tallinn University?
Yes. Each programme sets its own exam, from a 20-minute interview for Law and Politics and Governance to a portfolio, creative assignments and interview for Audiovisual Media. You need at least 65 points out of 100.
What IELTS score does Tallinn University require?
IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component, or TOEFL iBT 72 with section minimums for tests taken before 21 January 2026. Duolingo is not accepted.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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