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
Government and Politics (BA) I year
2021/2022 autumn semester
2021/2022 spring semester
Government and Politics (BA) II and III year
2021/2022 autumn semester
2021/2022 spring semester
European Studies (MA) I and II year
2021/2022 autumn semester
2021/2022 spring semester
PG, EURUS, IRRS (MA) I and II year
2021/2022 autumn semester
2021/2022 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 whilst registering for courses. You can find a list of your programme compulsory courses on 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.
4. Curricula study guides
5. Regulations and documents in the Faculty of Social Sciences
6. Additional materials:
Deadlines for submitting the final thesis
2021/2022 autumn semester
3 Dec Submitting thesis for pre-defences (EÕM, EURUS)
17 Dec Pre-defences (EÕM, EURUS)
7 Jan Submitting thesis for defences (bachelor and master programmes)
21 Jan Defences (bachelor and master programmes)
2021/2022 spring semester
15 Apr Submitting thesis for pre-defences (EÕM, EURUS)
29 Apr Pre-defences (EÕM, EURUS)
16 May Submitting thesis for defences (bachelor and master programmes)
30-31 May Defences (bachelor programme)
1-3 / 6-7 June Defences (master programmes)
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.
Skytte Institute offers students the opportunity to study abroad as long as it is connected to their current study programme.
You are encouraged to become involved in the global academic scene by participating in short-term mobilities (e.g. participation in international conferences, workshops, doing fieldwork), and in long-term international credit mobility (studying a semester or a year abroad), and, if possible, to even do an internship abroad. These activities have become an essential part of studies, as they allow you to immerse yourself in other cultures, develop your own contact network as well as their competencies.
For going to study abroad, the student normally does not have to pay for tuition abroad and will generally receive a scholarship. The student remains a student at the University of Tartu while taking part of a student exchange programme, meaning that the student is not pursuing a degree in another country.
Our Erasmus Coordinator for studying a semester or a year abroad is Uta Kührt, uta.kuhrt@ut.ee, and the Internship Coordinator is Jaak Erik Laja, jaak.erik.laja@ut.ee. They will gladly help you further.
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 Jaak Erik Laja will gladly provide you with additional information. You will find his contact information on the right.
The UT Counselling Centre offers students of all levels of study:
All the above to ensure that you can take the most of your studies!
Powerpoint presentation files with institute logos (16: 9 format)