Studies

Congratulations! You are now a full-time student at the Johan Skytte Institute for Political Studies. To make the best use of your university time, we have compiled on this page the materials that a student at our institute may need.

Be sure to read the study instructions and guidelines section and pay special attention to the Skytte Institute's Bachelor's and Master's Degree Document. It sets out all the requirements that the written work of our institute must meet. In addition to guidelines for formatting the title page, you will learn which reference system to use and how to avoid plagiarism. These are, of course, just a few examples. The document itself is, first and foremost, a practical and necessary tool for your study years.

Programme info in Study Information System (ÕIS):

Government and Politics (BA), taught in Estonian
European Studies (MA), taught in Estonian (English needed to achieve learning outcomes)
Politics and Governance in the Digital Age (MA), taught in English
International Relations and Regional Studies (MA), taught in English
Central and East European, Russian & Eurasian Studies (MA), taught in English, joint programmes coordinated by The University of Glasgow
European Union - Russia Studies (MA), taught in English

Academic Affairs Specialists Lossi 36-301:

Linda Liis Tanni

linda.liis.tanni@ut.ee

+372 737 6212

Aigi Hommik

aigi.hommik@ut.ee

+372 737 5583

Internship and Study Abroad Coordinator Lossi 36-301:

Uta Kührt

uta.kuhrt@ut.ee

+372 737 5154

Government and Politics (BA) I year
2022/2023 autumn semester
2022/2023 spring semester

Government and Politics (BA) II and III year
2022/2023 autumn semester
2022/2023 spring semester

European Studies (MA) I and II year
2022/2023 autumn semester
2022/2023 spring semester

PG, EURUS, IRRS (MA) I and II year
2022/2023 autumn semester
2022/2023 spring semester

Please note that these timetables are according to ÕIS2. Please also make sure that you have all the compulsory courses in your schedule while registering for courses. You can find a list of your programme compulsory courses on the ÕIS2 curricula page.

1. Study instructions. Studies at the University of Tartu are organised according to certain rules. Please get acquainted with Study Regulations, the most important document regulating your studies in the University of Tartu.

2. Your rights as a student. The site is also a good source for UT good practice of learning.

3. Requirements for final theses, forming of the defence committee, appointment of a reviewer, and for the defence and second defence at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies. (updated in December 2021) Current document and its three annexes lay out the rules and the requirements. After reading you will also know how to avoid plagiarism using the most common citation styles.

Annex 1: Guidelines for writing and formatting papers
Annex 2: Thesis guidelines and assessment criteria
Annex 3: Informed consent for the online defence of the thesis and for the recording of the defence

4. Curricula study guides

5. Regulations and documents in the Faculty of Social Sciences

Good Practice in Supervision in the Faculty of Social Sciences
Procedure for Processing Cases of Academic Fraud in the Faculty of Social Sciences
Procedure and Conditions of Competition for Filling Vacant Student Places in the Faculty of Social Sciences
Procedure for Assessing Doctoral Students Progress in Research and Conducting Progress Reviews in the Faculty of Social Sciences
Procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning and Professional Experience in Degree Study in the Faculty of Social Sciences

6. Additional materials:

Defences in the 2022/2023 academic year

Autumn Semester

05.12. Submitting thesis for pre-defences (EURUS, EÕM)
19.12. Pre-defences (EURUS, EÕM)
09.01. Submitting thesis for defences (all bachelor and master programmes)
23.01. Defences (all bachelor and master programmes)

Spring Semester

14.04. Submitting thesis for pre-defences (EURUS, EÕM)
28.04. Pre-defences (EURUS, EÕM)
15.05. Submitting thesis for defences (all bachelor and master programmes)
29.-30.05. Defences (RT)
31.05-1.06. Defences (IRRS, EURUS)
2.06. Defences (PG)
5.06. Defences (EÕM)

Defended theses

Before choosing a topic for your final thesis, it may be good to get acquainted with the theses that have been defended in the past by your fellow students. Find out what has already been researched and set your plans and research focus accordingly. All thesis defended after 2016 are in the University of Tartu repository DSpace page.

The University of Tartu Library and our social sciences library have also all earlier thesis. Our library is conveniently located in our own house at Lossi 36-316 and is open Mon-Fri 10.00 - 18.00.

We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to spend a part of your studies outside of Estonia. You can do so by studying one or two semesters abroad, by doing a traineeship abroad or participating in a summer school. In addition to or instead of a whole exchange semester, you can also go on a short-term mobility or blended mobility for up to 30 days. If you are interested in studying abroad, then it is a good idea to start planning the necessary steps as soon as possible. You find more information on the homepage of the UT Study Abroad Center which will certainly help you in making your choice. Also feel free to turn to our institute’s coordinators for advice, you find their contacts in the panel on the right.

Information on open calls and application process
Search for a suitable study abroad destination in the SoleMove search engine (choose Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies as your home unit)

University of Tartu Library
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-18:00
Address: W. Struve 1, Tartu
Contact: library@ut.ee, +372 737 5702

Library of Social Sciences
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00
Address: Lossi 36-316, Tartu
Contact: so.raamatukogu@ut.ee, +372 737 5940

At the Library of Social Sciences, you can find literature from different specialties: journalism and communication, public administration, politology, and political science, sociology, social work, social politics, and psychology. In addition to the libraries above, you are most welcome to use all the University of Tartu subject libraries.

One of the best ways how to gain practical knowledge, and professional work experience, is to do an internship during your studies. Our internship coordinator will gladly provide you with additional information. You will find all contact information on the page's right panel.