There are two branches in the higher education system in Estonia - an academic branch and an applied higher education branch. Higher education can be achieved in universities and applied higher education schools as well as some vocational schools. Higher education institutions are divided into several funding segments: government funded, public and private.
Beginning in the 2002/2003 school year, the academic branch of the higher education system has 2 main stages and follows the Anglo-Saxon bachelor/master’s model. The first step is a bachelor’s degree and the second step is a master’s degree. In some disciplines, the bachelor’s and master’s degrees have been integrated into one program. The highest educational achievement is a doctorate degree.
A bachelor’s degree is the first step in higher education, during which a student delves into his/her general knowledge base and acquires a basic knowledge of the area in which he/she is specializing. This is also the time to fulfill the necessary requirements for a master’s degree and the beginning of a career.
Applied higher education is the first stage of higher education, during which the student acquires the skills necessary for a specific career or the competence to continue on with a master’s degree.
A master’s degree is the second step of higher education, during which the student will continue his/her studies in his/her chosen field and will acquire the skills for independent work and the necessary knowledge and skills for a doctorate.
A doctorate is the highest step of higher education, during which time the student acquires the skills and knowledge to develop a scientific, developmental or professional thesis.