Admissions 2026/27
The Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) offers four international doctoral programmes in fine art, design, architecture, art and culture.
Applications for entry in the 2026/27 academic year will open on 1 February 2026.
NB! 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 applicants is 31 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).
Admission interviews will be held in April 2026, please check the timetable here.
Doctoral studies info session time: 11 February 2026 at 3 pm (EET) via zoom.
Candidates with special needs:
Candidates with special needs have the same admission requirements as everyone else, but based on their special needs, it may be possible to request adjustments during the admission process. If you find that there is a need and possibility for it, please contact our advisor for students with special needs at kaialeena.pino@artun.ee, preferably at least 30 days prior. With the request, please state the programme you are applying to, and the needed adjustments.
Contesting admission decisions:
The appeal process is in place to give candidates a chance to contest the decision in case they find that the admission rules were violated during the process. In order to be able to contest the decision, the candidate must describe all the circumstances of the alleged violation and refer to any possible evidence.
The application submitted by the candidate must include:
1) an explanation of the contested decision or action;
2) a reason why the candidate believes that the decision or action violates their rights;
3) an unambiguous request from the applicant.
Applications must be submitted to admissions@artun.ee and the deadline for contesting decisions is 6 May 2026.
Applications related to admissions to doctoral programmes will be reviewed by the Vice Rector for Research. Decisions will be carried out within two business days after the submitting deadline.
PhD programmes offered by EKA
Nominal duration of doctoral studies is 4 years and study load is 240 ECTS. EKA offers the following PhD programmes for international applicants:
ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING
More information about the programme can be found here, and please find the detailed curriculum here.
Doctoral positions offered by EKA:
- 1 doctoral student – junior researcher position at the Faculty of Architecture;
- 1 doctoral student – junior researcher position at PAKK (more information about the position at siim.tuksam@artun.ee);
- 1 doctoral student position with EKA scholarship;
- up to 1 doctoral students without EKA scholarship.
More detailed information about the status and funding of PhD students can be found here.
NB! Please specify the position/-s you are applying for in your motivation letter.
Admission requirements
The main requirements for admission to doctoral studies are a master’s degree or other relevant qualification that gives access to doctoral level studies in Estonia, and English language proficiency at B2 level. Please note that educational qualifications obtained abroad are recognised by EKA on the basis of assessments and opinions of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre.
NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by 31 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).
Exception: Students graduating in the summer of 2026 who are unable to submit their educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) before the deadline are required to submit their latest transcript of records containing their current grades, and a written confirmation (email, certificate etc) from their educational institution stating that final educational documents will be issued to graduates no later than 30 June 2026.
The deadline for submitting educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) is 30 June 2026 at the latest. Soon-to-be graduates who will not be able to submit their educational documents by 30 June 2026 are not eligible to apply for the 2026/27 academic year.
Required documents:
- Application (submitted via DreamApply/SAIS between 01.02–31.03.2026)
- 80€ application fee (paid via bank transfer)
- Copy of your bachelor’s and master’s degree certificate or equivalent, and their translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested), please check the requirements here
- Copy of your transcript of records (BA and MA level studies), and their translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested)
- English language proficiency certificate, please check the requirements here
- Copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card
Additional documents:
- CV (please find the form here)
- portfolio (including a defended master’s thesis if you wish) is required for an artistic or practice-based doctoral thesis, and a defended master’s thesis is sufficient for a text-based doctoral thesis
- motivation letter (please specify the position/-s you are applying for)
- proposal of the doctoral thesis
Optional documents:
- Academic CV of the prospective supervisor/-s. Please note that having a supervisor is not required for applying. However, if you have a supervisor, you will need to ask their consent for submitting their CV. You will also need to include their name and email in your thesis proposal. If the supervisor is employed at the Estonian Academy of Arts, CV is not required.
NB! Applications are only processed after the application fee (80 EUR) is received by EKA.
Assessing criteria
The doctoral entrance examination consists of an individual interview (approx. 20 minutes). The examination result (0 – 10 points) will be based on the interview, the portfolio and the submitted doctoral thesis proposal.
Candidates will be evaluated on the adequacy of the submitted material and their maturity to undertake doctoral studies.
The examination score (0 – 10 points) will consist of the following components:
- Doctoral thesis proposal 50 %
- Level of creative work 30%
- Professional competence and motivation 20%
ART AND DESIGN
More information about the programme can be found here, and please find the detailed curriculum here.
Doctoral positions offered by EKA:
- 1 doctoral student – junior researcher position at the Faculty of Fine Arts;
- 1 doctoral student – junior researcher position at the Faculty of Design;
- 1 doctoral student position with EKA scholarship;
- up to 2 doctoral students without EKA scholarship.
More detailed information about the status and funding of PhD students can be found here.
NB! Please specify the position/-s you are applying for in your motivation letter.
Admission requirements
The main requirements for admission to doctoral studies are a master’s degree or other relevant qualification that gives access to doctoral level studies in Estonia, and English language proficiency at B2 level. Please note that educational qualifications obtained abroad are recognised by EKA on the basis of assessments and opinions of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre.
NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by 31 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).
Exception: Students graduating in the summer of 2026 who are unable to submit their educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) before the deadline are required to submit their latest transcript of records containing their current grades, and a written confirmation (email, certificate etc) from their educational institution stating that final educational documents will be issued to graduates no later than 30 June 2026.
The deadline for submitting educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) is 30 June 2026 at the latest. Soon-to-be graduates who will not be able to submit their educational documents by 30 June 2026 are not eligible to apply for the 2026/27 academic year.
Required documents:
- Application (submitted via DreamApply/SAIS between 01.02–31.03.2026)
- 80€ application fee (paid via bank transfer)
- Copy of your bachelor’s and master’s degree certificate or equivalent, and their translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested), please check the requirements here
- Copy of your transcript of records (BA and MA level studies), and their translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested)
- English language proficiency certificate, please check the requirements here
- Copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card
Additional documents:
- CV (please find the form here)
- portfolio (including a defended master’s thesis if you wish) is required for creative doctoral thesis, and a defended master’s thesis is sufficient for a text-based doctoral thesis
- motivation letter (please specify the position/-s you are applying for)
- proposal of the doctoral thesis
Optional documents:
- Academic CV of the prospective supervisor/-s. Please note that having a supervisor is not required for applying. However, if you have a supervisor, you will need to ask their consent for submitting their CV. You will also need to include their name and email in your thesis proposal. If the supervisor is employed at the Estonian Academy of Arts, CV is not required.
NB! Applications are only processed after the application fee (80 EUR) is received by EKA.
Assessing criteria
The doctoral entrance examination consists of an individual interview (about 20 minutes). The examination result (max 10 points) is based on the interview, the portfolio and/or the previously defended master’s thesis and the submitted doctoral thesis proposal.
Candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Motivation to study: knowledge of the field, motivation to complete the studies and to defend the doctoral thesis.
- Development potential for research and/or creative work: originality and relevance of the thesis topic, research experience and interest, professional maturity and relevance.
- In creative research potential for combining creative practice with research: link between professional work and research, knowledge of the field, awareness of the specific features of creative and practice-based doctoral work.
- Expressiveness and self-representation in terms of content and style: fluency and smoothness of communication.
ART HISTORY AND VISUAL CULTURE
More information about the programme can be found here, and please find the detailed curriculum here.
Doctoral positions offered by EKA:
- 1 doctoral student – junior researcher position at the Faculty of Art and Culture;
- 1 doctoral student position with EKA scholarship;
- up to 2 doctoral students without EKA scholarship.
More detailed information about the status and funding of PhD students can be found here.
NB! Please specify the position/-s you are applying for in your motivation letter.
Admission requirements
The main requirements for admission to doctoral studies are a master’s degree or other relevant qualification that gives access to doctoral level studies in Estonia, and English language proficiency at B2 level. Please note that educational qualifications obtained abroad are recognised by EKA on the basis of assessments and opinions of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre.
NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by 31 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).
Exception: Students graduating in the summer of 2026 who are unable to submit their educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) before the deadline are required to submit their latest transcript of records containing their current grades, and a written confirmation (email, certificate etc) from their educational institution stating that final educational documents will be issued to graduates no later than 30 June 2026.
The deadline for submitting educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) is 30 June 2026 at the latest. Soon-to-be graduates who will not be able to submit their educational documents by 30 June 2026 are not eligible to apply for the 2026/27 academic year.
Required documents:
- Application (submitted via DreamApply/SAIS between 01.02–31.03.2026)
- 80€ application fee (paid via bank transfer)
- Copy of your bachelor’s and master’s degree certificate or equivalent, and their translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested), please check the requirements here
- Copy of your transcript of records (BA and MA level studies), and their translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested)
- English language proficiency certificate, please check the requirements here
- Copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card
Additional documents:
- CV (please find the form here)
- defended master’s thesis
- motivation letter (please specify the position/-s you are applying for)
- proposal of the doctoral thesis
Optional documents:
- Academic CV of the prospective supervisor/-s. Please note that having a supervisor is not required for applying. However, if you have a supervisor, you will need to ask their consent for submitting their CV. You will also need to include their name and email in your thesis proposal. If the supervisor is employed at the Estonian Academy of Arts, CV is not required.
NB! Applications are only processed after the application fee (80 EUR) is received by EKA.
Assessing criteria
Candidates for doctoral studies have to submit an application form and a written doctoral thesis proposal. The proposal should include a description of the research topic, suggested methods, preliminary sources and theoretical starting points, a suggested structure of the thesis, and the name of a possible supervisor. The project should also demonstrate the relevance of the topic to contemporary art historical discussions and highlight the original contribution of the researcher in the context of their subject. The committee will have previously examined the submitted written materials, and will conduct a free-form interview on the spot. If necessary, the committee will ask questions relating to the project. The candidate must also be prepared to answer questions on general cultural and art-historical themes, to talk about their previous experience with art history, and to demonstrate their motivation for research.
The committee will assess the project’s relevance, clarity, pertinence of the research topic for contemporary art history, originality. Consideration will be given to the candidate’s willingness to undertake research and study, their orientation in relevant aspects of the chosen field, motivation to undertake doctoral studies.
CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION
More information about the programme can be found here, and please find the detailed curriculum here.
Doctoral positions offered by EKA:
- 1 doctoral student – junior researcher position at the Faculty of Art and Culture;
- 1 doctoral student position with EKA scholarship;
- up to 2 doctoral students without EKA scholarship.
More detailed information about the status and funding of PhD students can be found here.
NB! Please specify the position/-s you are applying for in your motivation letter.
Admission requirements
The main requirements for admission to doctoral studies are a master’s degree or other relevant qualification that gives access to doctoral level studies in Estonia, and English language proficiency at B2 level. Please note that educational qualifications obtained abroad are recognised by EKA on the basis of assessments and opinions of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre.
NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by 31 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).
Exception: Students graduating in the summer of 2026 who are unable to submit their educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) before the deadline are required to submit their latest transcript of records containing their current grades, and a written confirmation (email, certificate etc) from their educational institution stating that final educational documents will be issued to graduates no later than 30 June 2026.
The deadline for submitting educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) is 30 June 2026 at the latest. Soon-to-be graduates who will not be able to submit their educational documents by 30 June 2026 are not eligible to apply for the 2026/27 academic year.
Required documents:
- Application (submitted via DreamApply/SAIS between 01.02–31.03.2026)
- 80€ application fee (paid via bank transfer)
- Copy of your bachelor’s and master’s degree certificate or equivalent, and their translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested), please check the requirements here
- Copy of your transcript of records (BA and MA level studies), and their translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested)
- English language proficiency certificate, please check the requirements here
- Copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card
Additional documents:
- CV (please find the form here)
- defended master’s thesis
- motivation letter (please specify the position/-s you are applying for)
- proposal of the doctoral thesis
Optional documents:
- Academic CV of the prospective supervisor/-s. Please note that having a supervisor is not required for applying. However, if you have a supervisor, you will need to ask their consent for submitting their CV. You will also need to include their name and email in your thesis proposal. If the supervisor is employed at the Estonian Academy of Arts, CV is not required.
NB! Applications are only processed after the application fee (80 EUR) is received by EKA.
Assessing criteria
The doctoral entrance examination consists of an individual interview (about 20 minutes). The result of the examination (max 10 points) will be based on the interview, the previously defended master’s thesis and the submitted doctoral thesis proposal.
The examination score (0 – 10 points) will consist of the following components:
- Motivation and qualifications for doctoral studies 25 %
- Previous research experience 25%
- Quality of the doctoral thesis proposal (knowledge of the field, relevance of the research topic, novelty and adequacy of the problem statement) 50%
