Education in Estonia
The Republic of Estonia Education Act provides the organisation and principles of the education system. According to its objectives, education is divided into general education, vocational education and hobby education. The levels of education are as follows: pre-school education, basic education (first level of education), secondary education (second level of education) and higher education (third level of education).
All the information regarding the Estonian education system is entered into the online state register EHIS – Estonian Education Information System. The EHIS includes data about educational institutions, students, teachers, study modules, as well as about education licences and educational certificates.
Education system
Children up to 7 years of age usually go to nursery schools, ie they acquire pre-school education. The students acquire basic education in grades 1 to 9. In addition to basic education, it is possible for students in grades 7 to 9, to enter into vocational training by taking elective subjects.
In case the studies are interrupted and a student does not have basic education, it is possible for him or her to transfer to vocational training aimed at the students of 17 years of age and older (the duration of the training is 2 years, only professional skills are acquired). It is also possible to continue acquiring basic education in the form of evening classes, distance learning or as an external student.
After acquiring basic education, students have four possible options for further studies:
- upper secondary school – general secondary education is acquired (3 years);
- vocational and secondary education – general secondary education and some professional skills are acquired(3 years);
- vocational educational institution –secondary vocational education is acquired (3-3.5 years);
- vocational educational institution – professional skills are acquired without general education (2 years).
After acquiring secondary education, students have three possible options for further studies:
- vocational educational institution –vocational education (1-2.5 years) or professional higher education (3-4.5 years) is acquired;
- institution of professional higher education, colleges of universities – professional higher education (3-4.5 years) is acquired;
- university – academic education is acquired (Bachelor’s degree (3 years) >Master’s degree (2 years) > Doctor’s degree (3-4 years)).
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