Highlights
Tuition fee
Free
Free
Unknown
Tuition fee
Free
Free
Unknown
Duration
48 months
Duration
48 months
Apply date
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Campus location
Tallinn, Estonia
Campus location
Tallinn, Estonia
Taught in
English
Taught in
English

About

The History programme of Tallinn University aims to prepare researchers, lecturers and other academic staff in the broad fields of history, including archaeology and art history.

Overview

In doing this, the History programme of Tallinn University is first and foremost meant to supervise the students in developing the required skills for independent research. The students get an in-depth knowledge of contemporary approaches in the humanities and in cultural theory.

Concerning the PhD programme in Art History, we welcome first of all people who are interested in pre-modern art and interdisciplinary studies in Visual Culture. In Archeology, we welcome projects relating to the prehistory of Estonia and its neighbours, especially in the late Iron Age, but also topics in the field of urban archeology. In history, we welcome projects in all fields related to the past of the Baltic States, Russia and Europe in general, but also topics related to Baltic-German (Cultural) History and Environmental History/Studies.

Why study with us?

  • The doctoral study programme of history was opened in 2003. It developed further according to the international traditions of doctoral study organisation, introducing the best practices whenever possible in the Estonian setting. As a result, the number of doctoral students has increased reasonably and evenly.
  • Doctoral students are supervised individually. The actual study process is partly organised in the form of general courses, whereas the remainder of the time schedule takes into account the individual necessities and opportunities of the student; doctoral seminars take place both as subject-based and as part of the series of seminars in the School of Humanities, and doctoral students are involved in the projects of the School and in the teaching process whenever possible.
  • The study programme design takes into account that doctoral students need to go to work and is focused on the completion of the doctoral thesis.

Graduate career options

A doctoral diploma enables working in employment positions that require a doctoral degree, as managers and top level experts in Estonian, EU and international institutions, also as researchers, lecturers and leading specialists in the fields of history, art history, and archaeology.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure:

  • PhD studies consist of a course component and a thesis component. Many of the courses are based on individual work and demand close co-operation with the supervisor.
  • Some subject courses and all general courses will have contact meetings. Not all the general courses will be offered in English every year.
  • PhD students must participate in the PhD seminars throughout their studies.
  • The official full-time study period of PhD studies is four years.

Key information

Duration

  • Full-time
    • 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Partially taught in English, Partially taught in Estonian
TOEFL® IBT
72
PTE Academic
59
IELTS
6

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  • 4.9/5 student rating

Credits

240 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

  • Tallinn, Estonia

What students do after studying

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL® IBT
72
PTE Academic
59
IELTS
6

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation
Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

  • Trusted by 300k learners
  • 98 accuracy using real exam data
  • 4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

  • Completed Master’s degree or the equivalent.
  • Proof of English Proficiency.
  • A research proposal accepted by the prospective supervisor (length approx. 3 pages / 1500 words without the list of sources).
  • A one page description of candidate’s teaching experience so far and a vision of the possible teaching assignments to be conducted during the PhD studies at Tallinn University.
  • CV (including a list of candidate’s publications).

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Tallinn University and/or in Estonia, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
  • International

    Non-residents
    Free
  • EU/EEA

    EU/EEA Nationals
    Free

Additional Details

PhD studies in Tallinn University are without tuition fees.

Living costs

Tallinn

Estonia
598 - 948 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for History.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Read more about eligibility

U.S. government
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
660 EUR
Deadline
01 Oct 2026
Scholarship for degree and exchange study in Estonia
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The Education and Youth Board
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

ServiceScape
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships

Read more about eligibility

ACES Education Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1550 EUR
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
ELES-Scholarship (Ernst-Ludwig-Ehrlich-Studienwerk)

Read more about eligibility

Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
660 EUR
Deadline
17 Apr 2026
Grant for researchers and academic staff
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The Education and Youth Board
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
700 EUR
Deadline
16 Apr 2026
Scholarships for Summer and Winter Schools
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The Education and Youth Board
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Admit Lab
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
350 EUR
Deadline
31 Aug 2026
Estonian National Scholarships

Read more about eligibility

The Education and Youth Board
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Leopold Figl Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IELTS from 6 to 9
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme

Read more about eligibility

The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

PlagiarismSearch
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid

Read more about eligibility

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation
Location not available

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