Estonian international student levels stable after Covid-19

Published 04/01/2022

The number of international degree students in Estonia has dropped slightly in the 2021/22 academic year, but the total newly enrolled students has risen by 20% compared with the previous year, statistics have shown.

According to official figures, 5,072 students from overseas are enrolled with Estonian higher education institutions, a modest decline of 164 from the 2020/21 year.

The 1,748 newly enrolled international students in the current academic year is a rise of 298 compared to last year, the statistics showed.

“Estonia remains an attractive country for international students, which is also demonstrated by the increase in the number of students enrolled,” Eero Loonurm, the head of International Marketing for Higher Education at the Education and Youth Board said in a statement.

“There is a very real global competition with the best universities in Europe and around the world”

“However, the introduction of Estonian higher education on the global level and the invitation of foreign students to Estonian universities is a real art form, since there is a very real global competition with the best universities in Europe and around the world.”

Over 15 years, the numbers of international students in Estonia has increased by more than five times, with the Baltic state hosting 901 in 2006. Numbers peaked in 2019, when there were 5,528 international students at its higher education institutions. Research found that tax contributions from international students increased by 12.5% in 2019/20 to €10 million.

Students from neighbouring countries of Finland and Russia represent the top two largest source countries for students, with each accounting for 19% and 11% of the international student cohort, respectively.

Also within the top five countries are: Nigeria; Ukraine; and India. International students come from a total of 124 countries.

Of the 5,072 students, 2,122 are studying at a masters level, with 1,456 at a bachelors level. Interest in doctoral studies has also increased, the Study in Estonia agency highlighted, with 757 enrolling on courses at the level this year.

Photo: Study in Estonia

The most common field of studies among the international cohort are: business, administration, and law (1,574 students); humanities and arts (758); and information and communication technology (681).

Loonurm previously told The PIE that initial countries that Study in Estonia had targeted were Finland, Russia and Ukraine, as well as Latvia, Turkey and China, which are placed at 10, 11 and 13 in the top source countries for international students in 2021/22.

The number of students from Latvia has increased again this year, the agency added.

Only a fraction of the total numbers of international students study according to Estonian-language curricula, but the total doing so increased slightly to 214, up from 194 last year. The majority study in English.

Speaking with The PIE in 2019, Loonurm noted that opportunities to work during and after studies are a selling point for prospective students, as is Estonia’s reputation for e-development, IT and possibilities for start-up companies.

The post Estonian international student levels stable after Covid-19 appeared first on The PIE News.

Recent news stories