University of Tartu

Cost of living

There is a legend as how difficult it is to leave Tartu. The second biggest city of Estonia has always been a permanent residence of real student life. General feedback from foreigners who have spent some time here is that living conditions are similar to those in Western Europe. One needs approximately a minimum of 200-250 EUR per month in order to cover basic expenses in addition to housing costs.Housing costs in Tartu largely depend on the location and size of an apartment. On average, the prices range from about 90 EUR, a place in a double room in the residence hall, to 320 EUR or more in private flats.

Here are some prices that might interest someone who is concidering University of Tartu for their destination of education.

Student’s modest budget per month:

Nightclub ticket: 8 EUR;
Theatre ticket: 10 EUR;
Movie ticket: 6 EUR (4 EUR before 5 PM);
Beer in a pub: 2 EUR;
Daily lunches at pubs in the city center: 3-4 EUR.

Sports

There are many reasonably priced cafeterias and pubs around the town. Entertainment is rather expensive, but a student card (ISIC) entitles to certain discounts including travelling in Estonia.
People who have been living in Tartu and experienced the student life here get somehow addicted to this town, always feeling the need to visit the city again.

Come and see for yourself!

NB! Estonia joined Euro area on 1st of January 2011. More about the currency exchange can be found from Euroweb: www.euro.eesti.ee

Health insurance

International students studying in Estonia are not covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa), unless they are employed in Estonia or have the right of permanent residence or a long-term residence permit. Thus you need to ensure that you have some other health insurance for your period of study in Estonia.

• EU citizens

If you are an EU citizen and have valid health insurance in your home country during your studies in Estonia, you can apply for the EU health insurance card (EHIC) or substitute certificate of an EU health insurance card (form E128). You should apply for that from the social service authorities in your home country before arriving in Estonia. 

NB! EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property. More information about what is covered with EHIC in Estonia can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/social/home.jsp?langId=en > Healthcare Abroad > Medical Treatment Abroad > Estonia.

To be eligible for an EHIC, you must be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

NB! EU and EEA students studying in Estonia for a degree are not covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, unless they are employed in Estonia or have the right of permanent residence, so they can obtain the EHIC only if they are covered by the social security system of their home country.

If you cannot get the EHIC for the reasons described above, please check if any of the private health insurances listed on the next page meets your expectations/needs. You should not be without any health insurance!

• Non-EU citizens

There is a strict policy in Estonia what an obtained health insurance must cover when applying for the residence permit.  See more information on www.ut.ee/en/studies/practical/before/insurance.

The Estonian Migration Board has confirmed that the following insurance companies are accepted:

Insurance offered by ISEP program (for ISEP students). If you have ISEP insurance you need to ask from IEES (claims@iees.com) the ‘Confirmation of Coverage’. As only the above mentioned insurances are approved by the Estonian Migration Board, the International Student Service recommends students to choose one of these insurance companies.

Students who are still determined to purchase some other worldwide health insurance must make sure that the following is included:      

• it must clearly state that the policy is valid in Estonia;
• it is of utmost importance that the health insurance policy states very explicitly that any costs related to student’s medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of the residence permit applied for will be met;
• there can be no reference to the fact that insurance is guaranteed in case of unavoidable medical treatment. Travel insurance is not acceptable.

Housing

Tartu Student Village is a non-profit organisation. Its founders are the University of Tartu and the Student Council. The main function of the Student Village is housing students, guests and the staff members of the University.

Student Village owns eight fully functional dormitories. The dormitories are located in various places around the town. International students are accommodated in the student dormitory at Raatuse Str. 22, located in the centre. For more information, please see the website of Student Village.

The mentioned dormitory consists of units comprising 3 study bedrooms (twin rooms) with a shared bathroom and kitchen. A place in a twin room costs around 93 EUR per month, the whole room costs double. The rooms include essential furniture and blankets. Pillow, linen and cookware are not provided - students should have their own. Before buying new cookware, find out if previous tenants have left behind some that you could perhaps use. The linen by the Student Village are provided for 1.92 EUR per day.

To have a place or a room in the dormitory:

2. On arrival to the dormitory, you have to pay a refundable deposit 50 EUR per place, otherwise you won’t get a key to your room;
3. Within 3 days after arriving, you have to go to the management office of the Student Village (Narva Str. 25, phone +372 740 9955) to sign a contract.
4. If you haven’t signed the contract by September 14 (autumn semester) or February 14 (spring semester), you will lose your place/room in the dormitory.

How to find an apartment

If the life in the dormitory seems not to be of your style, you could rent an apartment. The prices range from approximately 160 EUR in the farther parts of the town to 380 EUR or more in the centre (1-2 rooms). The rents are the highest in the fall – late August, early September. Information on rental apartments is available from real estate agencies and portals.  

Sport

Tartu offers a variety of opportunities to exercise, whether you are a serious athlete or simply want to stay fit and have fun. Aura Water Center has several swimming pools, slides and saunas. There are several well-equipped gyms and fitness clubs in town that offer classes on yoga, step, aerobics, etc. Numerous tennis, badminton and squashcourts, stadiums, sports halls and bowling clubs provide opportunities for active recreation. If you prefer outdoor activities, you can take up canoeing along the river, go horseback riding or simply enjoy a walk in one of the numerous parks.

The University Sports Centre coordinates sports training and exercise. The classes take place in the University's sports buildings, such as the sports hall (Ujula St. 4), stadium and gym (Staadioni St. 21), the Toomeoru tennis-court (Baeri St. 6, outside courts), gyms for wrestling, gymnastics and general purpose(Jakobi St. 5, Lai St. 37 and Nooruse St. 9), Emajõe rowing base (Ranna tee 1). To choose a class schedule and find out about the fees, please turn to the Sports Centre right in the beginning of the semester.

In addition to university facilities, there are several other gyms and fitness centers in town. Here are some of them: