News

From the 2026/2027 academic year, many international master’s curricula at the University of Tartu will offer tuition waivers or reductions to students from the European Union. Students arriving from outside the European Union will have to pay tuition fees.

In the coming years, the University of Tartu will focus on developing practical solutions for promoting equal treatment to maintain and strengthen a safe learning and working environment for the entire university community. Planned activities include preventing sexual harassment and developing a system to handle such cases. An important basis for this work is the new gender equality plan for 2026–2030.

The University of Tartu is launching university-wide awareness activities to improve understanding of the principles of equal treatment and the support options available in cases of workplace bullying, unequal treatment and harassment. This forms part of the university’s ongoing work to create a safe and respectful learning and working environment.

Researchers from the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu have shown in a recently published study that antibacterial coatings which initially appear highly effective at destroying bacteria may lose their performance over time. Therefore, long-term testing is essential for developing the best antibacterial materials.

On 12 February 2026, the University of Tartu organized an international research funding information event titled Funding Nudge. The event focused on supporting researchers in navigating funding opportunities, preparing competitive proposals, and ensuring the smooth implementation of research projects. Participants included representatives of major Estonian public universities, the Estonian Research Council, DAAD, BAFF, and the international consultancy firm Civitta.

Ahead of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the University of Tartu announced the recipients of the contribution to society award, research award, language award and the teaching staff of the year awards for 2025.

On Friday, 20 February, the ceremony and concert dedicated to the 108th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia took place in the university’s assembly hall.

A record number of university members took part in the Digital Cleanup Month 2026. This shows that conscious digital hygiene has become a natural part of everyday work.

University of Tartu students can submit applications to study abroad under the Erasmus+ programme in the 2026/2027 academic year until 9 March 2026.

On 6 February, the Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser, together with the university mascot Tiksu, welcomed Karl Jürgenstein, Kait Kaarel Puss, Arnold Rein Tatunts and Andres Käosaar in the university’s main building after their successful row across the Atlantic.

Maaja Vadi, Professor of Management at the University of Tartu, has established the Maaja Vadi Family History Scholarship at the University of Tartu Foundation to support university staff and students in researching and recording their family history, genealogy or the activities of their predecessors, and sharing the results.

Preliminary results of the International Student Barometer (ISB) show that international students are satisfied with their studies at the University of Tartu. They highlight strong academic quality, supportive learning conditions and the city of Tartu as an excellent living environment.

From 9 to 15 February, the Women in Science theme week was held at the University of Tartu to highlight the role of women and girls in science, break gender stereotypes and encourage women to pursue careers in science.

22.–23. jaanuarini leidis Omicumi õppe- ja teadushoones aset Tartu Ülikooli molekulaar- ja rakubioloogia instituudi (MRI) ning genoomika instituudi (GI) aastakonverents.

On 23 January, the University of Tartu Foundation recognised the scholarship recipients of the autumn semester of 2025 and thanked the foundation’s donors in the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum. Scholarships were awarded from 33 funds in a total amount exceeding €200,000.

At an international lifelong learning conference held in December in the Czech Republic, participants confirmed that universities must invest increasingly in lifelong learning and offer flexible continuing education opportunities for learners at every stage of life. Representatives of the University of Tartu also took part in the conference.

On 2 February, IT Office will delete Teams and SharePoint groups without an owner. Before this, automatically selected group members will receive a notification email with instructions on how to proceed.

On 22–23 January, the Annual Joint Conference 2025 in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Genomics will take place in the auditorium of the University of Tartu Omicum building (Riia 23b/2–105).

On 13 December, the team Rowtalia, consisting mainly of University of Tartu alumni – Karl Jürgenstein, Kait Kaarel Puss, Arnold Rein Tatunts and Andres Käosaar – set off to compete in the ocean rowing race World’s Toughest Row Atlantic 2025.

We wish our university community and friends a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!