University of Tartu

Summary

Mission

The mission of the University of Tartu is to act as the leading force driving the development of knowledge-based society in Estonia and the guarantor of its continuity. In order to fulfil its mission, the University of Tartu advances research, education and culture and serves society through teaching and research, creating the preconditions for development of world-class research fields through international cooperation and, as Estonia’s national university, assuming its share of responsibility for the preservation of the Estonian people and nation.

In addition to furthering fundamental research and research-based teaching, the aim of the University of Tartu is to turn intellectual capital into innovative technologies and products and to apply it in knowledge-intensive development work.

The UT VCA mission proceeds from the mission of the University of Tartu and from the traditional role of the Academy in Estonian society. The mission of the Viljandi Culture Academy is:
- to function as the bearer of Estonian native culture and social opinion leader;
- to preserve and innovate Estonian local heritage and culture through different forms of art and activities which organize native cultural identities;
- to guarantee creative and educated elite in Estonian society whose approach to issues would proceed from their native culture and at the same time be open to the world;
- to be the mediator between traditional and professional culture;
- to introduce Estonian native culture to the international research, art and design community;
- to offer flexible higher education in interdisciplinary and borderline fields;
- to generate and implement new knowledge into art practice;
- to develop cross-cultural communication operating as a cohesive cultural model.

The aim of the Department of Estonian Native Crafts of UT Viljandi Culture Academy is to complete the mission of the national university concerning the ways of conveying and applying the knowledge of traditional technologies, guaranteeing interdisciplinary research and development as well as studies in the field, and providing the field with entrepreneurial output through innovative product development and design. The department will expand its range of activities, relying on cooperation with various institutes of UT and developing international cooperation between the research centres, universities, and enterprises in the field of research, art and design, and new media.

International role

UT is a trusted and active member of various international networks. UT has joined several regional and European cooperation networks to reinforce its international co-operation ties and to increase its international visibility. UT is the only Baltic member of the prestigious Coimbra Group, which unites reputable European research universities of long-standing traditions, and currently has representatives on both the Rectors’ Advisory Board and the Executive Board. It is also an active member of the Utrecht Network, European University Association EUA, The Baltic Sea Region University Network BSRUN and others.

UT has 48 bilateral cooperation agreements with universities from 19 countries and Erasmus agreements with more than 400 partners.

The international cooperation of UT VCA follows the objectives of the Lisbon treaty and supports the aims of the European Union to promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue (the European Agenda for Culture). All activities support sustainable development and have positive effects on the environment. Furthermore, it aims to produce content for the European Capitals of Culture year 2011 in Turku and Tallinn.

Participation in the EU educational programme Life Long Learning/Erasmus constitutes a great section of the UT VCA foreign relations, supporting the study and training exchange of students, lecturers and university staff. The number of bilateral agreements is growing with each year and has reached 31 bilateral Erasmus agreements with 10 different countries. The Academy initiated the bilateral institutional collaboration and cooperation agreement between UT and TAIK of Aalto University.

The UT VCA is a member of international associations such as: The European Association of Conservatories (AEC), The International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) and The European Association for Library and Information Education and Research (EUCLID). Within the Nordplus co-operation UT VCA is the member of Nordtrad (network for Nordic and Baltic countries that offer third level education in folk music) and Norteas (network for Nordic and Baltic theatre and dance institutions of higher education). The project 'Development of the Curriculas based on the Native Creative Practices PÄRTEL' involves universities, other institutions of higher education, NGOs, and private companies from Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, and Norway.

All departments of the UT VCA are participating or have participated as partners in various international projects financed by the EU. The project 'Act and Change – An Educational Dimension of Conflict Resolution Through Cultural Production' (coordinated by the Humak University of Applied Sciences) was honoured with a golden nomination of the European Award for Lifelong Learning in May 2009. The Department of Estonian Native Crafts launched the project 'Promoting Natural Material and Restoration Know-How' (with the Turku Vocational Higher School, and other Estonian and Finnish organizations in 2009; Central Baltic INTERREG IV A Programme 20072013, Southern Finland-Estonia Sub-programme, project period: 1.9.200931.8.2012).

International cooperation has taken place and is going on within the framework of several other projects with national financing, e.g. in the course of the project Developing Viljandi County Handicraft cluster (initiated by UT VCA), financed by the Ministry of Interior Affairs in 20072008. UT VCA is collaborating closely with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia which has supported study visits and international co-operation links with North-West Russia and the Nordic region.


Please describe the role of the applying unit in national and regional sectors and in home city and its collaboration with partner universities, associations, industrial and business connections and other institutions.

UT is the leading university of Estonia and the centre of academic life, culture and high-technology innovation. UT contributes to the development of society by solving practical problems in Estonia. In pursuit of this aim, UT cooperates with other universities, governmental institutions, local authorities and businesses.

UT VCA has entered into collaboration agreements with numerous regional and national institutions and associations. Collaboration agreements have been made with different libraries, state and local museums, city governments, vocational schools in the region, professional unions/associations, theatres and NGOs (especially Estonian Traditional Music Center). There are also strong collaboration links with the industrial sector and enterprises.

In recent years the cooperation in the framework of curricula development with vocational schools in the Viljandi region has increased considerably and with the development of the continuing education centre the cooperation with enterprises and public sector has also expanded. In recent years several in-service training packages have been developed, including a training package targeted at the foreign market.

The project „Development of the Curricula based on the Native Creative Practices PÄRTEL“ (European Social Fund, 1.2.0402.09-0029) involves 16 partners (institutions of higher education, NGOs, private companies, museums, and professional associations from Estonia and abroad). The project „Handicraft for Job 2“ (funded by the European Social Fund, Life Long Learning 2009-2012, Grant from Foundation INNOVE, Operational Programme for Human Resource Development priority axis „Good-quality and long working life“ Measure 1.3.1 „Increasing the Availability of Qualified Labour Force“,1.3.0102.09-0036) involves Estonian universities, professional artists, museums, entrepreneurs, and the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union.

With the leadership of UT VCA in June 6th 2009 the collaboration agreement between 17 different partners was signed for the creation of Regional Competence Centre in Viljandi. The Centre offers research and development activities and brokerage services. UT VCA promotes Viljandi County’s entrepreneurship in creative industry areas by using the know-how of higher education in culture area. The Competence centre has partnerships with organizations and enterprises in Estonia and abroad. The activity areas of the competence centre are wood and metalwork, visual technologies and performing arts, Estonian native construction, Estonian native textiles, design of virtual environments, and experimental tourism.

UT VCA is also leading the project to develop the Viljandimaa Incubator of Creative Industry that offers incubation services, product development environments, services of experimental laboratories and the Protolab of the Tartu Science Park for starting art and design entrepreneurs. This creative incubator increases entrepreneurial awareness among students, academic staff, and local creative entrepreneurs, and helps to develop local creative industry sectors.

National role

UT is the leading university of Estonia and the centre of academic life, culture and high-technology innovation. UT contributes to the development of society by solving practical problems in Estonia. In pursuit of this aim, UT cooperates with other universities, governmental institutions, local authorities and businesses.

UT VCA has entered into collaboration agreements with numerous regional and national institutions and associations. Collaboration agreements have been made with different libraries, state and local museums, city governments, vocational schools in the region, professional unions/associations, theatres and NGOs (especially Estonian Traditional Music Center). There are also strong collaboration links with the industrial sector and enterprises.

In recent years the cooperation in the framework of curricula development with vocational schools in the Viljandi region has increased considerably and with the development of the continuing education centre the cooperation with enterprises and public sector has also expanded. In recent years several in-service training packages have been developed, including a training package targeted at the foreign market.

The project „Development of the Curricula based on the Native Creative Practices PÄRTEL“ (European Social Fund, 1.2.0402.09-0029) involves 16 partners (institutions of higher education, NGOs, private companies, museums, and professional associations from Estonia and abroad). The project „Handicraft for Job 2“ (funded by the European Social Fund, Life Long Learning 2009-2012, Grant from Foundation INNOVE, Operational Programme for Human Resource Development priority axis „Good-quality and long working life“ Measure 1.3.1 „Increasing the Availability of Qualified Labour Force“,1.3.0102.09-0036) involves Estonian universities, professional artists, museums, entrepreneurs, and the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union.

With the leadership of UT VCA in June 6th 2009 the collaboration agreement between 17 different partners was signed for the creation of Regional Competence Centre in Viljandi. The Centre offers research and development activities and brokerage services. UT VCA promotes Viljandi County’s entrepreneurship in creative industry areas by using the know-how of higher education in culture area. The Competence centre has partnerships with organizations and enterprises in Estonia and abroad. The activity areas of the competence centre are wood and metalwork, visual technologies and performing arts, Estonian native construction, Estonian native textiles, design of virtual environments, and experimental tourism.

UT VCA is also leading the project to develop the Viljandimaa Incubator of Creative Industry that offers incubation services, product development environments, services of experimental laboratories and the Protolab of the Tartu Science Park for starting art and design entrepreneurs. This creative incubator increases entrepreneurial awareness among students, academic staff, and local creative entrepreneurs, and helps to develop local creative industry sectors.

Main focus

Education at UT is research-based on all levels. The university’s education, research and development activities focus on ensuring the continuation of Estonia’s national culture, on supporting the development of the Estonian society, on improving public health, on innovation, on promoting research-intensive business ventures and on raising public awareness of scientific research and its results.

Studies at UT are tightly linked to the research performed by university scientists. UT adheres to the Bologna process in the organisation of its studies and programmes, which implies built-in quality assurance and expert evaluations. To achieve this goal annual polls are conducted among graduates of the university to evaluate their initial success in the labour market. Relevant findings contribute to the development of further curricula.

UT Viljandi Culture Academy is combining science, cultural heritage, new media and art and design. The role of the Academy is to provide tertiary higher education and organize in-service training in the fields of art and design, humanities, social sciences, information sciences and educational sciences.

The academy has a crucial role in combining cultural heritage with modern and innovative creative and research areas. The academy offers flexible applied higher education in interdisciplinary and borderline fields of culture in order to generate new knowledge and the ability to apply it practically. As a new unit at UT, the main task of the Academy is to create a new synergy between art and design, crafts and research and to develop new BA, MA and PhD-level curricula in art and design and new media, in addition to existing cultural heritage-oriented curricula. The Academy puts great emphasis on combining high quality academic work and studies, and developing enterprising and sustainable teaching.

In addition to being a higher educational institution, the Academy is also oriented to becoming an educational, creative, spiritual and development center in the Baltic Sea region, in Estonia and in Viljandi County by being the engine for the development of creative industries in the middle of the Baltic.

Education

Faculties and departments

The University of Tartu (UT) was founded in 1632. UT is a public university with nationally recognized study programmes, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degree programmes. UT offers various study programmes for international students on all levels, including degree, semester and summer studies with instruction in English. UT has about 17 500 students, including more than 650 international students.

The University has nine faculties (Faculties of Theology, Philosophy, Science & Technology, Mathematics & Computer Science, Social Sciences & Education, Law, Economics & Business Administration, Medicine, Exercise & Sport Sciences) and five colleges (Viljandi Culture Academy, Eurocollege, Pärnu College, Narva College, Türi College). Viljandi Culture Academy joined the University in 2005.

University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy (UT VCA) has five departments: Department of Estonian Native Crafts, Department of Information Studies, Department of Culture Education, Department of Performing Arts, and Department of Music. VCA will be the key player for cooperation with Cumulus on behalf of the University of Tartu and will act as a liaison concerning any multidisciplinary collaboration initiatives between Cumulus and other areas of expertise of UT. UT’s strategy aims to strengthen the synergy and knowledge of the arts and design, extending these fields through other disciplines. As one can see, VCA is a multidisciplinary institution of the University of Tartu but its strategy and operations for Cumulus and from Cumulus to VCA are targeted to coincide through the areas related to design and crafts.

Bachelor level programs

UT currently offers 51 Bachelor's Degree Programmes and 16 Applied Higher Education Bachelor's Degree Programmes.
UT Viljandi Culture Academy provides 1 BA study and 11 Applied Higher Education (diploma) curricula. Diploma level study period is 4 years with 240 ECTS, BA level study period is 3 years with 180 ECTS.

In 2009 the development of diploma level curricula began with the funding of the European Social Fund (project „Development of the Curricula Based on the Native Creative Practices PÄRTEL“, grant from the Estonian Archimedes Foundation, Programme 'Cooperation of Institutions of Higher Education and Companies', Priority axis "Collaboration of Institutions of Higher Education and development of innovation", European Social Fund, 1.2.0402.09-0029).

Department of Estonian Native Crafts:
Diploma in Estonian Native Textile
Diploma in Estonian Native Construction
Diploma in Native Metalwork (in development)

Department of Information Studies:
Diploma in Information Science and Records Management
Diploma in Librarianship and Information Science

Department of Culture Education:
Diploma in School Youth work Manager-Teacher
Diploma in Culture Management

Department of Performing Arts:
Diploma in Theatre Studies
Diploma in Dance Art
Diploma in Theatrical Visual Technology

Department of Music:
Diploma in Jazz Music
Diploma in Traditional Music
BA in School Music (music pedagogy)

Master level programs

UT with its various faculties and colleges offers 67 Master’s degree programmes in Estonian and 12 MA Programmes taught in English, including 6 joint degrees (with two Erasmus Mundus joint degrees).
UT Viljandi Culture Academy offers 2 MA study level programmes. MA study period is 2 years with 120 ECTS:

MA in Music Teacher

MA in Educational Science (in cooperation with UT Faculty of Education, UT VCA offers the qualification in social pedagogy).

In 2009 the development of two new MA curricula began with the funding of the European Social Fund:

MA in Design and Creative Production (in development)
MA in Design of Virtual Environments (in development)
In cooperation with HUMAK and University of Bedforshire there is also in development an International MA in Comparative European Perspectives on Youth Work and Social Disadvantage (in development).

Research

Research activity and main areas

The University of Tartu is among the world’s 600 best universities. The university’s research groups are involved in many cooperation projects with top scientists and research institutions all over the world.

The University of Tartu accounts for more than a half of Estonia’s national research output, including over 800 science projects led by UT, over 2700 publications authored or co-authored by UT researchers, and around 100 doctoral degrees conferred by the university each year. UT research projects receive approximately 50% of total annual allocations the state makes available to research.

According to Essential Science Indicators, UT has reached the top 1% of the world’s most-cited universities and scientific institutions in the fields of Environmental Sciences & Ecology, Clinical Medicine, Plant & Animal Sciences, Chemistry and Social Sciences. The most successful field at UT is Material Science, which exceeds the world average citation rate by 40.5%. Molecular Biology & Genetics, Social Sciences, Economics & Business are among the fastest growing research fields at UT. As the national university of Estonia, UT is responsible for the preservation and evolution of the Estonian language and culture and offers the best research opportunities in the field of Estonian and other Finno-Ugric languages.

UT participates in six out of seven national Centres of Excellence for Research designated for 2008-2013, being the lead institution in four of those centres: Biodiversity, Translational Research in Neuroimmunology, Chemical Biology and Cultural Theory. UT is also an active partner in two more Centres of Excellence: Genomics, Computer Science. The total amount of funds assigned to the seven Estonian Centres of Excellence for the period 2007-2013 is 34 million euros.

As an institution committed to progress and innovation in Estonia, UT works with enterprises to develop new technologies and supports the creation and development of spin-off companies. UT has been granted six Estonian and 32 foreign patents, with an additional 33 pending. Several inventions have obtained international recognition. Close to one tenth of UT’s research and development financing comes from direct contracts with enterprises.

In general terms, research conducted at the university falls into four broad areas: natural and exact sciences, medical sciences, social sciences and humanities. Important contributions to the research work of the faculties are made by the university’s five colleges, the Estonian Genome Project and the University of Tartu Library.

UT Viljandi Culture Academy’s main research area is in humanities (art and design, archaeology, semiotics, ethnology, folkloristics, cultural communication studies, cultural studies), but there is an increasing amount of cooperation with social, economic, technological sciences and materials sciences. The Academy has also successfully completed the first sizeable basic financing research subject 'Raising the Abilities of Entrepreneurship and IT Based Output of Creative Industries through Fundamental and Applied Research' (PP2VK08906, funded by the Basic Grant of the University of Tartu 2008-2009).

Lecturers and students conduct regular academic work at the Academy, publish peer-reviewed articles on an international level; many employees have recently successfully defended their theses at UT or foreign universities. New trends in academic work have increased the academic cooperation between various research units within UT as well as international cooperation with the leading academic and art and design research centres in Finland, United Kingdom and Holland. In 2009 the Academy began publishing its series of academic publications Studia Vernacula. In 2009 'Traditional Woodworking and Building Crafts in Viljandi County in 2008' was published under the series.

Doctorate level programs

More than half of the PhD theses written in Estonia are defended at the University of Tartu. UT offers 35 Doctoral Programmes. The approximate number of doctoral students is about 1300. About 100 doctoral degrees are awarded annually. Nominal duration of Doctoral study is 4 years and study load specified in the curriculum is 160 credit points (ECTS 240).

In 2009, four universities founded the Graduate School of Culture Studies and Arts (UT, University of Tallinn, Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre). The cooperation partners of the Graduate School are the Centre of Excellence in Cultural Theory, the Baltic Graduate School and ZTMK (Zentrum für Theorie und Methodik der Kulturwissenschaften, University of Göttingen). Developing a new training system in art and design education at the highest levels of EU tertiary education currently has great relevancy.

UT has made specific preparations for opening a PhD programme in art and design and the international PhD Programme „Creative Production“. The cooperation partners of the international PhD programme are art and design universities of international renown: Aalto University School of Art and Design (TAIK), University of the Arts London (Camberwell-Chelsea-Wimbledon), Bergen National Academy of Arts, Art Academy of Latvia and Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts. The aim of the PhD Programme “Creative Production” is to offer a high quality environment for academic research in the Baltic region and to develop interdisciplinary cooperation within the University of Tartu with the Centre of Excellence in Cultural Theory (archaeology, semiotics, ethnology, landscape studies, folkloristics, religious studies, cultural communication studies, cultural studies), the Department of Semiotics, Institute of Technology (Intelligent Materials and Systems Lab), UT Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Tartu Science Park (Protolab).

Exchange

Subject areas for exchange students

The University of Tartu offers many English-taught courses in different disciplines for international students. Some courses are grouped into semester programmes delivered every year.

There are several semester study abroad programmes given every year and designed for visiting students. Visiting students can apply to only one semester programme at a time. In addition, students can take up to 9 ECTS outside of their programme at no extra charge. All the courses within the semester programmes are also included the general course lists.

Politics and Society of the Baltic States
History and Culture of the Baltic States
Business and Administration
European Union Studies
Eastern European Studies
Creation of the Rule of Law Society in Post-Communist Europe
Russian Language, Literature and Culture
Applied Measurement Science
Software Engineering
Semiotics

In addition to semester programmes in English there are also several degree programmes in English on BA, MA and PhD level studies.

At UT Viljandi Culture Academy at the moment no general courses are offered in English, but personal instruction in English or other languages (depending from lecturer) can be offered in practical lessons. Every semester all departments offer different courses in English (or other languages) for exchange students and an individual study programme for the exchange student will be designed.

Please visit: http://www.ut.ee/en/studies/exchange-and-semester-abroad/courses-taught-in-english

Application deadlines

Autumn Semester
May 1 - non EU applicants
June 1 - EU applicants

Spring Semester
November 1 - all applicants

Teaching languages

Main teaching language for exchange students is English, but at UT Viljandi Culture Academy personal instruction for different practical courses may also vary depending from lecturer (Finish, Russian, German).

Semester dates

Autumn term: 1st September – 31st January
Spring term: from the 2nd week of February – 3rd week of June

Cost of living per month (studying and living)

In Tartu the university accommodation is ca 100 EUR/month for a place in a double room. The prices for rental apartments starts from approximately 200 EUR/month.

In Viljandi the accommodation at student dormitory is cheaper than in Tartu. The rent is ca 64 EUR/month for a place in a double room.

Food and other personal expenses in Estonia are ca 250 EUR/month.