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Master of Arts in Social Sciences - European Union - Russia Studies

Delivered by EuroCollege, University of Tartu

A two year inter-disciplinary MA-Programme combining political science, economics, law, history and cultural studies. The integrated programme binds together the study of two main regions Europe and Russia in one coherent curriculum, providing a comprehensive understanding of political, social, and economic developments in the EU and its member states as well as in Russia and its neighbouring transition countries.

"The European Union and the Russian Federation are geographically close, direct neighbours in Eurasia, and both play a significant and increasingly visible role in today's World Politics and Economics. Given the great potential for development and mutual cooperation of the EU and Russia there is an increasing necessity to educate specialists having excellent knowledge and great competence in the EU or/and Russia."

Kristiina Tõnnisson, PhD
Director of the EuroCollege, University of Tartu

What you will get from this programme?
Why study in Estonia?
General admission requirements
Application process
Documents to be submitted
Application deadline
Important information for non-EU applicants
Announcement of admissions results
Curriculum structure
Language of instruction
Tution fees

What you will get from this programme?

  • Thorough, comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of policies, politics, economics, law and the history of the European Union and the Russian Federation.
  • Academic qualification for successfully taking up challenging tasks in dealing with the EU, Russiaand their mutual relations.
  • Professional competence for advancing political, commercial, and cultural dimensions shaping the future development of the European Union and the Russian Federation.

Why study in Estonia?
One of the most dynamic new EU member states, and a unique location between the East and the West. Due to its favourable location on the shore of the Baltic Sea, Estonia has often been regarded as a bridge between different countries and cultures. The country's complex history and successful transition from a communist past to democracy offers a unique perspective on the problems shaping the future of the region and the continent.

General admission requirements:

    Application process for international candidates:

    1. Submit the online application form. 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 printed and signed 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.

    Application process for Estonian candidates:
    See the Estonian-language page of European Union - Russia Studies

    Documents to be submitted:

    1. online application
    2. motivation letter - guidelines and evaluation criteria are also included in the online application form
    3. official copy of the Bachelor's diploma or its equivalent and Diploma Supplement (transcript/mark sheet) in the original language*
    4. official translation of the Bachelor's diploma and Diploma Supplement (transcript/mark sheet) into English, translation certified
    5. proof on the English language proficiency
    6. 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. Documents sent with an Apostille are official. Some country-specific requirements also specify the way documents must be certifed

    NB! Applicants graduating in 2013 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 complete applications will be considered by the Admission Commission.

    Application deadline: April 16

    Important information for non-EU applicants

    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 3rd. 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 10th.

    Please note that the decision regarding admission can only be taken if all required documents have been sent to the university.

    Curriculum structure:

    Compulsory courses module (45 ECTS) builds a strong theoretical base for understanding different disciplines combined in the programme and also trains academic writing skills and introduces research methods. It provides comprehensive approaches on the general developments in the European Union, in Eastern Europe and in Russia.

    Facultative courses module: (39 ECTS) provides detailed analysis on developments in all of the regions and different policy fields:

    • Courses related to European Union are designed to give a comprehensive, theoretical and up to date overview of EU decision making processes in law and policy fields;
    • Courses related to Russia's Economic, Social and Political Affairs are designed for students who decide to concentrate their studies and research on Russia-related topics. It aims at analysing the realities and policies of the Russian Federation;
    • A number of courses focus on EU - Russia relations and their role in the global context, which make way for a fresh input to the debate of EU's or Russia's impact;

    Elective courses module (6 ECTS)

    Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

    Language of instruction: English

    Program duration: 2 years: three semesters of study, one semester of Master's thesis writing.

    Tuition fees:
    Tuition fee is EUR 3200/year and it covers tuition, materials and some field trips within Estonia. Housing, food, insurance and other living expenses are not covered by the tuition fee. 10 best applicants will be offered the tuition-waiver scholarship.

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