Erasmus guide Tallinn University of Technology
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Tallinn University of Technology in Tallinn, Estonia.
Study abroad at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech): overview
Study abroad at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) makes sense for students who want a technical, English-taught programme with direct ties to a real startup scene, not just a historic campus. Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is Estonia's only technical university, founded in 1918 and based on a single Mustamäe campus in Tallinn. Useful proof points: around 11,000 students including roughly 1,500 international students from 90+ countries; five schools spanning Engineering, Business and Governance, Science, IT and the Maritime Academy; THE World University Rankings 601-800 bracket. Before choosing, confirm which courses run in English in your intended semester and whether the academic calendar fits your home university's terms.
Enrollment
Approximately 11,000 students in total.
International Mix
Around 1,500 international students, from more than 90 countries, including exchange and full-degree students.
Why students choose it
Mustamäe campus, Tallinn — best for students who want Engineering, IT, Business and Governance or Maritime studies and are comfortable in a compact, tech-oriented campus rather than a sprawling historic one.
Language of instruction: English (all incoming exchange courses and over 30 international degree programmes); Estonian for most Bachelor's-level domestic programmes
Exchange & application at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Start with home-university nomination by 1 May (autumn) or mid-October (spring), then the SoleMove application, Learning Agreement, transcript and English B2 certificate. TalTech itself recommends exchange students favour the spring semester where their home calendar allows, since the two academic years do not align perfectly.
✅Requirements
Nomination by a partner university, the SoleMove online application, Learning Agreement, transcript of records, English B2 certificate, and a passport or ID copy.
📨Nomination Process
Your home university's international office submits your nomination directly to TalTech before TalTech's own application deadline opens the student-facing application step.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA/Swiss students register their address after arrival, no visa needed. Non-EU students need a D-visa for stays up to a year, or a Temporary Residence Permit if staying longer than a year; TalTech's international office issues the documents needed to support the application.
🧭Orientation Week
Events hub: https://taltech.ee/en/incoming-students
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (Semester 1) | 1 May | 15 May |
| Spring (Semester 2) | Mid-October | 15 November |
Arrival Checklist
- Apply for TalTech dormitory housing (via app.campusttu.ee) as soon as your nomination is confirmed — rooms near the Mustamäe campus fill quickly.
- Non-EU students: start the D-visa process immediately after receiving your Letter of Acceptance; processing takes 15-30 days.
- EU/EEA students: plan to register your Estonian address within 3 months of arrival.
- Book private health insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage before your visa or residence permit step.
- Join the ESN TalTech IC welcome channels before arrival for orientation-week details.
Academics & courses at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Academics run on ECTS credits across two semesters (September-January, February-June), with course registration finalised in the ÕIS system during the first week. Confirm which English-taught courses are actually running before finalising your Learning Agreement.
📝Course Registration
Exchange students select courses through the Learning Agreement before arrival, then finalise registration in the online Study Information System (ÕIS) during the first week of the semester. TalTech advises checking the current list of English-taught courses carefully, since not every course listed runs in every semester.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
ECTS-aligned grading scale; confirm the exact conversion table with your home institution before departure.
✍️Exam Culture
Exams are scheduled within the official semester calendar; exchange students should confirm exam dates before booking return travel, since resits can fall after the main teaching period ends.
📚Library Access
Full library access, study rooms and academic databases activate automatically once enrolment is confirmed in the university systems.
Tuition & fees at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
TalTech charges no tuition to incoming exchange students under Erasmus+ or bilateral agreements. Full-degree non-EU/EEA tuition runs roughly EUR 2,800-6,000/year depending on programme — a separate category from exchange, so do not mix the two when budgeting.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 (no tuition for incoming exchange students) | |
| Full degree – EU/EEA | EUR 0 (tuition-free for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens) | |
| Full degree – non-EU/EEA | EUR 2,800-6,000/year (varies by programme) |
EUR 0 (no tuition for incoming exchange students)
EUR 0 (tuition-free for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens)
EUR 2,800-6,000/year (varies by programme)
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Housing near TalTech should move in parallel with your exchange application: apply for a Student Campus dormitory room as soon as your nomination is confirmed, or start the private Mustamäe/Kalamaja market early as a backup.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Tallinn
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Use the Incoming Exchange Students Office, Student Counselling Office, Sport Centre and ESN TalTech IC from week one — Estonian admin is largely online and fast once you start the right process.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes for non-EU/EEA students (minimum EUR 30,000 coverage); EHIC accepted as a supplement for EU/EEA students.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
TalTech does not operate its own on-campus medical clinic; students register with a family doctor (perearst) or a private clinic in Tallinn once they have an address and, where applicable, an ID-code.
🧠Mental Health
The Student Counselling Office provides academic and personal counselling support to enrolled students, including exchange students.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Covers medically necessary care for EU/EEA students visiting Estonia; not a substitute for full private cover if staying long-term.
Private international student insurance
Varies by provider; must meet the EUR 30,000 minimum coverage requirement
Required for non-EU/EEA students as part of the D-visa or residence permit application; compare providers for dental and mental-health coverage.
Campus services
Incoming Exchange Students Office
Application support, Letter of Acceptance issuance, visa documentation and general incoming-student guidance.
Student Housing (Student Campus)
Dormitory applications and room management for TalTech's roughly 2,200 accommodation places.
Student Counselling Office
Academic and personal counselling support for enrolled students, including exchange students.
Sport Centre
Campus gym and sports facilities; some activities count toward Physical Movement study credits.
ESN TalTech IC
The official Erasmus Student Network club for international students — orientation events, trips and the main peer-support network for newcomers.
Career Center
Career guidance, employer connections and internship support, with strong links into Tallinn's tech and startup employers.
Student life at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Student life at TalTech runs through ESN TalTech IC, faculty clubs and Tallinn's own hackathon and startup circuit — a genuine differentiator if you want more than a standard campus social scene.
Student Clubs
- ESN TalTech IC (international student club)
- Faculty-level engineering, IT and business student societies
- Startup and hackathon groups (Garage48, Latitude59-linked student activities)
Buddy Program
ESN TalTech IC's buddy/mentor system pairs incoming exchange students with local or returning-exchange students for the first weeks.
Sports & Recreation
- Campus Sport Centre gym and fitness classes
- Student sports clubs covering football, basketball and outdoor/winter sports
Public Groups & Communities
ESN TalTech IC — main international-student events and onboarding.
TalTech Incoming Exchange Students (official Facebook/Telegram groups announced each semester) — semester-specific logistics and group chats.
Tallinn housing and expat Facebook groups — useful backup layer, but verify before paying anything.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend Welcome Week and get your student ID and system logins sorted first.
- Finalise your course registration in ÕIS before the add/drop window closes.
- Apply for or confirm your dormitory room, or move fast on the private market if you skipped it.
- Join ESN TalTech IC's welcome events to build your first social circle.
Key exchange dates at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
The critical dates are nomination (1 May / mid-October), application (15 May / 15 November), Letter of Acceptance, visa or residence permit steps, dormitory application, Welcome Week and exam periods — keep resit windows visible before booking your return flight.
-
1
Nomination and application (Autumn intake)
April – 15 May
Home university nominates by 1 May; student completes the SoleMove application and Learning Agreement by 15 May.
-
2
Letter of Acceptance and visa steps
1 May – 22 June
TalTech issues acceptance letters; non-EU students should start the D-visa process as soon as theirs arrives.
-
3
Nomination and application (Spring intake)
Mid-October – 15 November
Same flow as autumn, compressed into a shorter window ahead of the February semester start.
Campus events hub: Browse all events