Important Info for Graduating
Study levels
- Level I, Bachelor’s studies with the volume of 180 ECTS, official standard study period 3 years.
- Level II, Master’s studies with the volume of 120 ECTS, official standard study period 2 years.
- Level III, Doctoral studies with the volume of 240 ECTS, official standard study period 4 years.
Exceptional curricula
The volume of the curriculum of Veterinary Medicine is 360 ECTS and the and the official standard study period is 6 years. The curriculum of Engineering is made up of 300 ECTS and the official standard study period is 5 years.
Completion of the curricula of Veterinary Medicine or engineering corresponds to the Master’s level education, consisting of integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s curricula. Students who have completed this program may continue in the doctoral school.
Structure of Study Levels
| Bachelor's studies | Master's studies | Ph.D studies* | Veterinary studies | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 160 ECTS | 120 ECTS | 240 ECTS | 360 ECTS |
| General studies | 22-35 ECTS | 22-35 ECTS | ||
| Base studies | 22-35 ECTS | 20 ECTS | 70-75 ECTS | |
| Speciality studies | 45-100 ECTS | 70-85 ECTS | 35-40 ECTS | 190-200 ECTS |
| Elective studies | 22-60 ECTS | 15 ECTS | 45-60 ECTS | |
| Electives | 8 ECTS | 5-8 ECTS | up to 5 ECTS | 7-15 ECTS |
| Final thesis or final examination | 8-15 ECTS | 30 ECTS | 180 ECTS | 8 ECTS |
Study regulations
Regulation of Studies link opens in new page(enforced 01.08.2024)
Terms and Procedure for Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning and Transfer of Study Resultslink opens in new page (enforced 01.03.2020)
Terms and Procedure for Covering the Cost of Tuition in Formal Educationlink opens in new page (enforced 01.08 2022)
Terms and Procedure for Covering the Cost of Tution in Formal Educationlink opens in new page (enforced 01.08.2024)
Conditions and Procedure: Applying for, Awarding and Payment of Study Allowances link opens in new page(enforced 01.08.2022)
Statute of Curriculumlink opens in new page (enforced 30.03.2023)
Final thesis regulations
Requirements and Procedure for the Awarding of Bachelor’s and Master’s Degreelink opens in new page (enforced 01.03.2020)
Conditions and Procedure for Awarding Doctorateslink opens in new page (enforced 01.05.2020)
Guidelines for formatting final theseslink opens in new page (enforced 01.09.2024)
Courses
Modules
The majority of programmes comprise different modules, i.e. sets of subjects determined by the curriculum. Modules can be either obligatory or elective. Obligatory modules may also include elective subjects (e.g. from the three subjects available one has to be selected). All studies combine a wide choice of subjects, fieldwork and research projects.
In faculties, courses may be divided into three levels: lower, middle and upper. Before taking middle level and upper level courses, all required lower level courses must be completed.
Optional subjects or electives
The student can select an elective from the subjects taught at the university or other universities. All subjects taught at the University can be chosen to be an optional subject if the necessary prerequisite subjects have been passed. Prerequisite subjects are to be passed prior to taking another subject.
Registration for courses
In order to register for a course, contact your study specialist. You will need to use the online study information system called ÕIS - Study Information Systemlink opens in new page which he or she can help you with. The user name and password are provided by the University. See additional information herelink opens in new page.
Additionally you may turn to the studies information specialist of your instutute who will register you on your chosen courses.
Exams
Thesis and examinations
When the Bachelor’s programme terminates with the Bachelor’s examination or the defence of the Bachelor’s thesis, the Master’s level students must defend their Master's thesis. The completion of the master's degree program usually takes two years. Upon acceptance to a graduate degree program, students are required to submit a plan of study to their faculty, which will be reviewed by the faculty committee.
All Ph.D programmes end with the completion of a dissertation and its defence. The dissertationlink opens in new page is defined as a scientific paper with original outstanding results, which have been published in outstanding journals, and articles of which the candidate is the leading author. The Doctorate Boards will make a decision as to whether the dissertation corresponds to the requirements and will appoint two opponents.
Guidlines for final thesislink opens in new page
Types of exams
There are two types of exams in the University. Some end in the grading process, grades ranging from A to F. Second type of exam ends with a mere "Pass" or "Fail", with no specific description of students' achieved level.
Please note that when you are coming as an exchange student, your university might not recognise results described in the pass-fail system and therefore it might be very hard to transfer your credits when leaving Estonian University of Life Sciences. Please learn about your universitys policies before beginning your studies here and then choose the courses respectively.
Students usually have to take up to six oral or written examinations at the end of each term during the four-week examination session. If failed, students are allowed to resit the examinations once. If then also failed, students have to retake the whole course.
Registration for exams
In order to register for a course, you will need to use the online study information system called ÕIS - Study Information Systemlink opens in new page. The user name and password are provided by the University.
Additionally you may turn to the studies information specialist of your instutute who will register you on your chosen courses.
Grading system
All courses taught at the university end with an examination (in Estonian: eksam) or a pass/fail assessment (in Estonian: arvestus). There may be several independent examinations in separate parts of the course. At the end of each semester, during a 4-week examination session, there are usually oral and written examinations.
Academic achievement is graded under two systems: differentiated assessment and a non-differentiated assessment.
Courses
Modules
The majority of programmes comprise different modules, i.e. sets of subjects determined by the curriculum. Modules can be either obligatory or elective. Obligatory modules may also include elective subjects (e.g. from the three subjects available one has to be selected). All studies combine a wide choice of subjects, fieldwork and research projects.
In faculties, courses may be divided into three levels: lower, middle and upper. Before taking middle level and upper level courses, all required lower level courses must be completed.
Optional subjects or electives
The student can select an elective from the subjects taught at the university or other universities. All subjects taught at the University can be chosen to be an optional subject if the necessary prerequisite subjects have been passed. Prerequisite subjects are to be passed prior to taking another subject.
Registration for courses
In order to register for a course, contact your study specialist. You will need to use the online study information system called ÕIS - Study Information Systemlink opens in new page which he or she can help you with. The user name and password are provided by the University. See additional information herelink opens in new page.
Additionally you may turn to the studies information specialist of your instutute who will register you on your chosen courses.
