studies

Studying abroad

The Institute of Computer Science has several partner universities within the Erasmus+ programme. Before going to study abroad, it is important to coordinate the planned courses with your programme director so that your studies completed abroad would be counted towards your curriculum in University of Tartu.

You can find information about Erasmus+ partner universities here: ATI Erasmus+ Partner Universities.

What is the purpose of studying abroad?

Studying abroad provides valuable international experience, broadens your horizons, and gives you a strong advantage in the job market. Studying abroad also allows you to gain extra skills and knowledge directly related to your field of study, adding extra value to the courses taken at the University of Tartu.

Studies completed abroad are recognized as part of your studies at the University of Tartu. This means that studying abroad is planned as an integral part of the curriculum. The study abroad component is called the mobility window in the curriculum. The minimum workload during one semester abroad is 15 ECTS, which is also a prerequisite for obtaining an extension semester after the mobility period.

Open calls and application process

You can submit an application for studies abroad in case there is a competition round open for the specific exchange program or cooperation agreement. The main period for the competitions for study abroad in the next academic year runs from January until May. Usually one competition lasts from 3 to 6 weeks and is followed by the decision made by the study abroad committee or the institute within 2 weeks.

Additional competition rounds for the spring semester - in case vacancies remain - are announced in September.

Studying Abroad in the Computer Science BSc curriculum

Which part of the curriculum is recommended to complete abroad?

The BSc in Computer Science includes a special mobility module. The purpose of this module is to broaden both professional and cultural perspectives and to facilitate the recognition of study abroad within the curriculum, ensuring that studies are not extended due to time spent abroad.

During the mobility semester, a student completes 15–24 ECTS of Computer Science related courses abroad, which are counted under the mobility module. If fewer than 24 ECTS but at least 15 ECTS are completed abroad, the missing credits will be filled with other curriculum courses agreed upon with the programme director. By prior agreement, studies abroad can also be recognized in other ways, e.g., replacing other curriculum courses.

When is the best time to study abroad within this curriculum?

The most suitable time for studying abroad in this programme is the 5th semester (the autumn semester of the 3rd year). The mandatory course LTAT.01.004 “Communication in Estonian in Computer Science” can be completed via e-learning while studying abroad.

Studying Abroad in the Computer Science MSc Curriculum

Which part of the curriculum is recommended to complete abroad?

It is advisable to select courses abroad at the host university that complement your chosen specialization module with subjects not offered at University of Tartu and support the objectives of your Master’s thesis. This means the elective module can be completed partially or fully abroad, enabling further work toward your academic goals.

When planning study abroad, keep in mind that all the courses of the core module must be completed at University of Tartu. Courses taken abroad can also be counted towards other modules—for example, if more courses are taken than the elective module requires, or if a course fits better into another module such as the specialization module.

Elective module (12 ECTS), Optional course module (6 ECTS), and Master’s seminar (6 ECTS) can be completed partially or fully abroad.

The Master’s seminar module (6 ECTS) may be covered by seminar-format courses abroad that are similar in structure to our Master’s seminars.

The specialization module (24 ECTS) may be partially covered with suitable courses (if their content matches with our module goals) taken abroad, upon prior agreement with the programme director.

The courses of the Practice module (18 ECTS in total) can be taken partially or completely abroad and also separately from other courses, for example in a summer period. The courses suitable for the practice module have to be confirmed by the Practice Coordinator, Pelle Jakovits ([email protected]).

When is the best time to study abroad within this curriculum?

The most suitable time is the second year of studies, after completing the core module and at least one specialization module. When planning the semester abroad, this should always be discussed with the programme director. Also keep in mind that not all courses are offered every semester.

Studying Abroad in the Software Engineering MSc Curriculum

Based on prior agreement with the programme director students may study at a foreign university during their studies.

Which part of the curriculum is recommended to complete abroad?

When planning studies abroad, keep in mind that all the courses of the Base Module must be completed at University of Tartu. It is recommended to take courses while studying abroad that would fit into the Field Related Elective Courses Module. But courses taken abroad can also be counted towards other modules—for example, if more courses are taken than the Field Related Elective Courses Module requires, or if a course fits better into another module.

Courses taken abroad and fitted into the modules of the curriculum upon prior agreement with the programme director replace courses taught at University of Tartu. A student must complete at least 15 ECTS of courses in one semester while studying abroad.

Keep in mind that if you wish to fit a course into the Field Related Elective Course Module, the courses taken abroad must be regular courses (meaning block mode study courses are not accepted) taught to master level students in a technical curriculum. The courses must be related to computer science, software engineering or a related field. The same rule applies to seminar courses, which also may be replaced with studies abroad upon prior evaluation and approval by the programme director.

Although it is not recommended, the Narrow Field Module (24 ECTS) may also be partially covered with suitable courses taken abroad if their content matches with our module goals, upon prior agreement by the programme director. Different to the approval criteria for courses taken abroad under the Field Related Elective Course Module, students must provide evidence that the chosen courses have a high overlap content-wise with courses offered in the Narrow Field Module at the University of Tartu.

The Practical Training Module can also be fully or partly completed abroad. The courses suitable for the Practical Training Module have to be confirmed by the Practice Coordinator, Pelle Jakovits ([email protected]).

When is the best time to study abroad within this curriculum?

The most suitable time is the second year of studies, after the Base Module and the chosen Narrow Field Module courses are completed. When planning the semester abroad, this should always be discussed and coordinated with the programme director in advance.

Studying Abroad in the Data Science and Conversion Master in IT Curriculums

It is recommended to take courses that would fit into the Elective Courses Module, but other modules can also be considered, including the Optional Course Module. Courses taken abroad and fitted into the modules of the curriculum replace courses taught at the University of Tartu. A student must complete at least 15 ECTS worth of courses in one semester when studying abroad.

When is the best time to study abroad within these curricula?

In the Data Science curriculum, a suitable time for studying abroad is from the spring semester of the first academic year, so that the base module courses would be completed in University of Tartu.

Frequently asked questions

Will my study period at University of Tartu be extended due to my studies abroad?

  • The nominal period of study at University of Tartu will be extended by the semester spent abroad, provided that at least 15 ECTS of courses completed abroad are taken into account upon completing the curriculum at the University of Tartu.

Best places to use your mobility window:

  • ATI Erasmus + partner universities
  • There are other feasible options available. However, students need to do more preliminary work to find out what sort of courses are offered.
  • With the support of the Erasmus programme, it is also possible to do a traineeship abroad. More information about it can be found here.

Scholarships

  • More info can be found here.

How do I agree on the content of studies abroad?

  • Instructions related to studies abroad can be found here.
  • The Academic Mobility Coordinator in the Institute of Computer Science is Merilin Piirmann ([email protected]) who advises and supports students and staff in matters related to academic mobility (studying or working abroad, exchange programmes, partner agreements etc.). While planning the study abroad, do contact her to know more!

Contacts

Merilin Piirmann
Departmental Coordinator in the Institute of Computer Science for student exchange, Erasmus+ partnership agreements, counselling on all academic mobility options and the paperwork necessary
Narva mnt 18-3002
[email protected]

Academic Affairs Specialists

Narva mnt 18-3002
[email protected]

Jaanika Haljasmäe
Eramus programme institutional coordinator
Ülikooli 18-132
[email protected]