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

Starting 2025-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-07-01 00:00:00

Language

Partially taught in English, Partially taught in Estonian

IELTS

6

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TOEFL^® IBT

72

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Credits

240 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

History

Academic requirements

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

English requirements

IELTS

6

Schedule an IELTS test!

TOEFL^® IBT

72

Pass IELTS with Swoosh English! Sign up for a free writing masterclass or claim your exclusive 25% Studyportals discount and accelerate your preparation by taking a course designed by experts to get you the results you need.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We 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.

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).

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

Free

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 0 EUR per year during 48 months.
EU/EEA

Free

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 0 EUR per year during 48 months.

PhD studies in Tallinn University are without tuition fees.

Living costs for Tallinn

598 - 948 EUR /month

Living costs

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