Master of Science in Engineering - Software Engineering

Delivered by Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Sciences
The international Master`s programme in Software Engineering aims at providing students with advanced software engineering and management skills, as well as specialized skills in two major application domains: enterprise systems and embedded real-time systems. The Master´s programme is jointly delivered by the two largest public universities in Estonia - University of Tartu and Tallinn University of Technology. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a joint degree signed by both universities. 

Why choose Estonia for your Master`s?
Teaching staff
General admission requirements
Application process, documents, deadline
Announcement of admissions results
Important information for non-EU applicants
Curriculum structure and courses
Language of instruction
Programme duration
Tuition fees and scholarships
To get more information

NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD 2008

This Master`s degree programme has been
selected by the Estonian Ministry of
Education and Research as one of
the winners of the 2008 national competition
of the most attractive international Master's
programmes in Estonia.

Why choose Estonia for your Master`s?
Estonia is well known for its eagerness in embracing technology driven innovation. It is a pioneer in electronic identity, electronic voting, and vigorous in adopting mobile technology, online banking and electronic government services. Estonia is also home to internationally successful IT innovations as well as a groundswell of IT ventures. The programme will expose students to this exciting environment and provide them with skills in innovative and cutting-edge software technology.

Excellent international career prospects
The programme will provide the specialized knowledge and professional skills needed in a career path leading to high-end technical roles (e.g. software analyst, architect or research engineer) or managerial roles (e.g. project/team leader or technology officer). Graduates from the programme will be well equipped to join the highly dynamic software industry in the Baltics, Northern and Eastern Europe.
After I graduate, I do believe I am going to work in international company. Even during my studies I will have the chance to get this experience. I study Software Engineering and nowadays IT is very important worldwide.
As an open minded and enthusiastic person, I strongly suggest others to get study abroad experience. It is not only about university education at but also about education in real life; visiting new places, knowing different cultures, meeting interesting people… 

Yenal Turan, Turkey students of UT Master's in Software Engineering


Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu The Master´s programme at the University of Tartu gave me a head-start in my career as software developer. Well before the end of my studies I had already secured a job that now gives me a lot of professional and personal satisfaction and international experience. My years as a student left such an impression on me that I decided to enroll in PhD programme while working.

Vladimir Šor, PhD Student
Software Architect, Webmedia


Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu The study environment at the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Tartu is very intense and so is the student life. Lecturers are approachable and supportive, and fellow students are keen to share their learning experiences and are excited about their future. Tartu is definitely a great place for studying!

 Eneli Sutt
 Master`s Student

 Teaching staff:
The programme will be taught by professors with international experience from the Institute of Computer Science at University of Tartu and the Institute of Informatics at Tallinn University of Technology. Several courses will feature guest lecturers from the industry or foreign institutions. The research component of the programme will draw upon the infrastructure and competencies of the Estonian Center of Excellence in Computer Science.

General admission requirements:
  1. Bachelor`s degree (or equivalent) in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Systems or a related field. Applicants with a Bachelor`s degree in Mathematics or Natural Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Business and Economics must have completed at least 24 ECTS in Information Technology, including courses in Programming, Database Technology and Software Engineering.
  2. English language requirements
Application process:
The application process will be managed by the University of Tartu, which is the main coordinating institution. To apply:

1. Submit the online application form available on the university’s website. You will receive an applicant code, which gives access to your account to track your application status. We ask you to upload the electronic copies of all the required documents to your application. This makes the pre-processing of your application quicker and is especially important for candidates applying to more than one programme.
2. Mail the application (do not send any documents by e-mail!) with all the required documents by the indicated deadline to:
International Student Service, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18, Tartu 50090, ESTONIA.

Documents to be submitted:

  1. online application
  2. motivation letter - guidelines and evaluation criteria are included in the online application form
  3. completed and signed application form for file icon recognition of prior learning
  4. official copy of the Bachelor's diploma or its equivalent and Diploma Supplement     (transcript/mark sheet) in the original language*
  5. official translation of the Bachelor’s diploma and Diploma Supplement  (transcript/mark sheet) into English, translation certified
  6. proof on the English language proficiency. Requirements are available here
  7. copy of the passport page stating the applicant’s personal particulars
*Please note that in order to be considered official, all academic transcripts must bear a seal, and a signature of an authorized official. Official documents must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic records certified by notary publics are not official. Documents sent with  an Apostille are official.

NB!  Applicants graduating in 2012 and having their diplomas issued later than application deadlines (in July, for example), please send an application form and the most recent official Transcript of Records by the required deadline. Inform the International Student Service when the final diploma will be issued. For detailed information contact the Service.

Only completed applications will be considered by the Admission Commission!

Application deadline:    April 16

Announcement of admissions results
The university`s Admissions Commission will announce final admissions results, including info on tuition waiver scholarships i.e. state funded study places, by June 1st. Admission notifications are sent by an e-mail. All admitted students must inform the university of their decision to accept or cancel admission offer by June 8th.
Please note that the decision regarding admission can only be taken if all required documents have been sent to the university!

Important information for non-EU applicants

Country specific requirements
Important application information for applicants from Canada, Cameroon, China, India, Iran, Nigeria, Northern Cyprus, Turkey, Western Africa, and the USA 

Residence permit issues
Please find more information about the application process for the residence permit

Curriculum structure:
Core compulsory module 24 ECTS
Specialization module 24 ECTS
Practice module 18 ECTS
Elective courses 24 ECTS
Master`s thesis 30 ECTS
TOTAL 120 ECTS

Location:
Depending on the choice of specialization students will be based either in Tartu (specialization: Enterprise Software Engineering) or in Tallinn (specialization: Embedded Real-Time Software Engineering) for most of the program`s duration. Elective courses, the Practice module and Master`s thesis can be done at both locations. All students, regardless of specialization, will spend some time during the period of their studies at both partner universities.

By clicking on the links you can read course syllabi and in some case listen to audio recordings of lectures.
Core compulsory module (24 ECTS):
Tartu-based:    Software Economics
                            Systems Modeling
Tallinn-based:     Requirements Engineering
                               Software Quality and Standards

Specialization module (24 ECTS):
Tartu-based:  Enterprise Software Engineering
Enterprise System Integration
Business Process Management
Data Mining
Seminar on Enterprise Software

Tallinn-based: Embedded Real-Time Software Engineering
Foundations of Embedded Real-Time Systems
Real-time Operating Systems and Systems Programming
Real-Time Software Engineering
Formal Methods in Embedded Real-Time Systems Development

Practice module (18 ECTS):
The practice module provides an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge acquired during the program. Students have a choice between:
Option 1: An internship of 2 to 3 months in a software company such as Cybernetica AS, Helmes, Microlink and Webmedia, or in the IT department of a large organization such as Hansapank/ Swedbank and EMT, either in Tallin or in Tartu.
Option 2: A combination of software projects and teaching practice.

Elective courses (24 ECTS):
Tartu-based:    User Interface Design
                            Social Informatics
                            Advanced Algorithmics
                            Estonian for International Students
                            Software Engineering Management
                            Secure Programming Techniques
                            Text Algorithms
                            Software Testing
Tallinn-based:  Agent-Oriented Modeling
                            Hybrid Systems
                            Estonian for International Students
                            Principles of Secure Software Design
                            System Reliability and Fault-Tolerance
                            Schedulability Analysis Using Formal Methods

Language of instruction:
English

Programme duration:
2 years

Tuition fees and scholarships:
The programme fee is 3200/year and covers tuition, essential study materials, supervision and advice for thesis preparation. The 15 top-ranked students during the admission procedure will receive a state-funded study place covering full tuition for the 2 years of the programme.

There is also a possibility to be granted a monthly stipend of the programme "DoRa 9"


Additional information:
University of Tartu                      www.ut.ee                           
Tallinn University of Technology   www.ip.ttu.ee   
Tartu                                         www.tartu.ee                                                  
Tallinn                                       www.tourism.tallinn.ee                                              
Estonia                                     www.visitestonia.com 
Facebook page for Software Engineering students at the University of Tartu                                     

Address for inquiries:

Prof. Marlon Dumas, Programme Manager
marlon.dumas[@]ut.ee

International Student Service
University of Tartu
Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, Estonia
Telephone +372 737 6109
studyinfo[@]ut.ee