11 - Estonia - Curriculum

country: Estonia

Uniform requirements for higher education curricula are established. These concern the standard period of study, the requirements for the teaching staff, the conditions for the commencement of studies and the conditions for the completion of studies. In case of professional higher education, also the relation between theoretical instruction and practical training is established. In case of all curricula, the requirement exists that:
  • the contents of subjects determined in the curriculum must differ from the contents of subjects determined in another curriculum of the same educational institution at least by one third of the total volume with regard to both the same level and all levels of higher education;
  • at least 50 per cent of the study volume determined in the curriculum shall be taught by the members of the teaching staff who work with a work load of at least 51 per cent in this educational institution or in an educational institution that has entered into a contract between curricula or educational institutions;
  • the volume of auditory work shall constitute not more than 50 per cent of the volume of the subject.
Studies are completed by taking an examination or defending a final research paper at all levels of higher education with the exception of Doctoral study that is completed with the defence of a Doctoral thesis.

The contents of specific curricula are not governed by uniform requirements, the educational institutions are free to prepare curricula and courses within the general requirements.

The requirements for teaching staff include requirements for the number of members of teaching staff with a qualification corresponding to a curriculum with regard to the volume of subjects prescribed by the curriculum and it varies according to levels of study.

A student with no command of Estonian shall be provided an opportunity to learn Estonian profoundly during one academic year and, therefore, the standard period of his or her studies is prolonged by one year. The national language studies of the students at places created on the basis of state-commissioned education shall be financed from the resources provided in the state budget for state-commissioned education.

On 1 September 2007, the learning outcomes of higher education levels established by the Higher Education Standard came into effect; the learning outcomes must since academic year 2009/2010 be the basis for renewing of curricula and implementation of learning-outcome-based curricula. A graduate of the first level of higher education must, among other things, be able to explain orally and in writing issues related to his or her professional field in at least one foreign language and to participate in discussions. Increasing fluency in a foreign language relevant to the respective professional field is also stipulated with regard to acquisition of Master’s and Doctoral level degrees.

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Date: 2009
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