FAQ

Apply by 2 March 2026 to begin your studies in the autumn of 2026.

You will need to submit a CV, sample of your previous work, motivation letter, undergraduate diploma, transcript of records, certificate of English language proficiency, and a copy of your passport/ID card. And you need to pay the application fee. Please see the admission requirements for further details. 

Yes, absolutely. Your background should be adjacent to other relevant fields such as architecture, planning, urban design, geography, sociology, political sciences, history, anthropology, art, etc.). The motivation letter is a great place to elaborate on your previous studies and current interest in urban studies.

Yes, you can! You will need to submit a written confirmation (email, certificate etc) from your educational institution stating your final educational documents will be issued no later than at the end of June 2026. You will need to send your undergraduate diploma to us by June 30, 2025.

Please find the minimum language skills requirements here.

Applications can be submitted on DreamApply or SAIS:

• international applicants with foreign education have to submit their application on DreamApply;
• international applicants with a degree obtained in Estonia and a valid Estonian ID have to submit their application on SAIS;
• Estonian nationals applying to international programmes have to follow the rules here and apply on SAIS.

Further instructions can be found here. 

During the two-stage admission process, we will review your application documents, and invite shortlisted candidates for an interview (in person or Zoom). Independent thinking, curiosity to learn, and collaborative skills are the main qualities we look for in our candidates. We assume you can demonstrate thoughtful engagement with cities and urban change, and reflect on your motivation to pursue urban studies. Other evaluation criteria include good academic record and fluency in English.

The application has two rounds. All candidates will receive feedback in March, 2026. Interviews will be organized on 17 March, 2026. The results will be communicated by March 30, 2026.

You will receive a Master’s Degree in Urban Studies.

It is a 2-year program that consists of 120 ECTS.

The tuition fee is 1050 EUR/semester for both EU and non-EU candidates. The tuition fee does not include the costs of student housing, food, visas and other expenses related to daily life in Tallinn. The fee does not fully cover the costs of study trips abroad. A limited number of scholarships might be available. More information can be found here 

The autumn semester begins in the last week of August and ends in the third week of December, followed by an exam period in January. The second semester starts in the last week of January and ends in the last week of May.