University of Tartu

University of Tartu

The University of Tartu is Estonia's largest and oldest university, founded in 1632. We are Estonia's national university and the centre of the country's academic spirit. We are a strong research university, promoting education and research worldwide. More than 17,000 people work and study at the university.

As a national university of Estonia, we bear responsibility for tackling challenges faced by the society, acting as a pioneer of the knowledge-based economy and promoting the attitude of lifelong learning and future skills. We ensure the continuity of Estonian intellectuals as well as the Estonian language and culture and as a strong research university, develop education, research, technology and other creative activities through interdisciplinary cooperation throughout the world.

The university was founded in 1632 by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. The university, which operated mainly under the Kingdom of Sweden in the 17th century and under the Russian Empire in the 19th century, has survived several closures and reopenings and moved a few times. In 1919, it was reopened as the Estonian-language University of Tartu. This laid the foundations for Estonian-language higher education and created a community of national intellectuals, who have a significant role in the development of the Estonian state, society and culture.

The University of Tartu is the only classical comprehensive university in Estonia. Research is done at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The university is among 1% of the world’s most cited universities and research institutions in 12 fields of research. 64 of our researchers are among the 1% most cited researchers in the world (Web of Science).