Admissions
Applications for entry in the 2026/27 academic year will open on 1 February 2026.
Applications can be submitted on DreamApply or SAIS:
- international applicants with foreign education have to submit their application on DreamApply and pay the application fee;
- international applicants with a degree obtained in Estonia and a valid Estonian ID have to submit their application on SAIS and do not have to pay the application fee;
- Estonian nationals applying to international programmes have to follow the rules here and apply on SAIS.
The admission deadline for international programmes is 2 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).
Admission interview will be held on 17 March 2026. The exact interview time for each applicant will be announced to him/her via e-mail a few days ahead.
NB! This programme offers EKA alumni scholarships.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Suitable MSc candidate has a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in architecture, landscape architecture, geography, construction, art history, sociology, urban planning, political science, or other arts & humanities fields.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by 2 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).
— Application (submitted via DreamApply or SAIS: 01.02—02.03.2026)
— Payment confirmation (applications will only be processed after 80 EUR application fee is received by the Estonian Academy of Arts)
— Copy of your bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent, and its translation into Estonian or English (please check the requirements here)
— Copy of your transcript of records, and its translation into Estonian or English (please check the requirements here)
— English language proficiency certificate (please check the requirements here)
— Copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card
— CV (max 3 A4 pages)
— Sample of your previous work can be one of the following:
- Portfolio (single PDF document, max 20 pages, max 12 MB)
- Writing sample (single PDF document, max 6000 words)
- Combined sample of creative and written work
— Motivation letter (max 500 words) should explain why you are intertested in the Urban Studies programme, and how you understand the terms “city,” “urbanism,” and “urbanization”. How does your education/experience prepare you for the programme? How would you benefit from, and contribute to, the programme? Discuss.
NB! Translations are only requested if documents are not in English or Estonian. Both the copies of documents in their original language and translations have to be attested.
ASSESSING CRITERIA
The selection process has two rounds. First, the candidates are evaluated on the basis of their CV, previous study performance, motivation letter, and portfolio or/and writing sample.
Depending on their previous education/experience, the candidates present a portfolio, or/and a writing sample in urban studies or relevant fields (architecture, planning, urban design, geography, sociology, political sciences, history, anthropology, art, etc.). Realized/published work is not required, but is an advantage.
The application should demonstrate intellectual curiosity and an imaginative grasp of the urban question. We require that the candidates have a strong academic record, and a clear idea of how their education and experience have prepared them for the urban studies programme. We are looking for independent, critical thinkers experienced in or interested in collaborative work, encompassing urban theory and practice. A good command of the English language is required.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.
INTERVIEW
NB! All applicants will receive feedback via DreamApply, and all interviews with international applicants will be held via Zoom.
In the second round, in-depth interviews are conducted with prospective candidates.
