ESTONIA

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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CONTENTS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMMES

1. Names of PA Degrees and Years of Study

Table 3 provides an overview of the PA degrees provided by Estonian universities. The PA curricula of the University of Tartu, Tallinn Technical University, the Tallinn University of Educational Sciences and the Estonian Business School are provided in Annex 1.

Table 3. Names of Degrees Provided by Estonian Universities (PA Programmes)

Degree Institution	BA (4 years)	Master’s (2 years)	PhD (4 years)
University of Tartu	Bachelor of Arts in PA, Baccalaureus Artium (avalik haldus)	MPA, Master of Public Administration (professional degree, avalik haldus ); MA, Master of Arts in PA and Social Policy (Academic degree), Magister Artium (avalik haldus ja sotsiaalpoliitika)	PhD, Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration and Social Policy, Philosophiae Doctor (avalik haldus ja sotsiaalpoliitika)
Tallinn Technical University	BPA, Bachelor of Arts in PA, Baccalaureus Artium (haldusjuhtimise bakalaureus)	MPA, Master of Applied Science in Public Administration (professional degree), (haldusjuhtimise magiste) MA, Master of Arts (Academic degree), (haldusjuhtimise magister)	PhD, Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration, Philosophiae Doctor (filosoofiadoktor haldusjuhtimine)
Tallinn University of Educational Sciences	BA, Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, Baccalaureus Artium (haldusjuhtimine)	MA, Master of Arts in Public Administration (haldusjuhtimine)
Estonian Business School	BPA, Bachelor of Public Administration (avalik haldus)

The number of years of study required for the various degrees is standardised in Estonia. The nominal study period is four years for a bachelor’s degree (one hundred and sixty credit points), two years for a master’s degree (eighty credit points) and four years for a PhD (one hundred and sixty credit points). The Estonian Ministry of Education sets these standards. It is possible to graduate in less time, although these cases are rare. It is also permissible to prolong the period of study by a few years (in most cases up to two years), which is done somewhat frequently, particularly in graduate programmes. It is also possible to earn degrees through the Open University schemes or through individual study schemes.

2. Entry Requirements

Entry to Estonian universities is competitive and linked to government allotted places. PA programmes have had an increasing number of applicants each year. Table 4 illustrates the application figures and number of spaces available in the PA undergraduate programmes in from 1997 to 1999.

Table 4. Government Allotted Places for Undergraduate PA Programmes and Numbers of Candidates, 1997 to 1999

Institution	Allotted Spaces per Year	Applications per Space
		1997	1998	1999
University of Tartu	20	252 / 12.6	267 / 13.4	266 / 13.3
Tallinn Technical University	30	165 / 5.5	84 / 2.8	138 /4.6
Tallinn University of Educational Sciences	13 in 1998 15 in 1999	n/a	298 / 22.9	378 / 25.2

Considering applications per space, PA is one of the top three most popular fields of study in Estonia. PA programmes have tried to analyse what has caused these high application rates by soliciting feedback from students and prospective students. The main reasons cited were:

• modern interdisciplinary curricula with many elective courses and a large degree of choice for further specialisation;
• many courses taught by foreign and visiting professors;
• increasing attention paid to PA reform by politicians and mass media;
• shortage of career opportunities in the private sector;
• the field of PA itself is becoming more interesting due to the EU integration process.

All candidates who seek to enter undergraduate programmes must have graduated from either a secondary school, gymnasium, vocational high school or their equivalents. The majority of universities base their entrance exams on state exams, which are conducted centrally by the Ministry of Education during the final year of secondary school. A bachelor’s degree is required for entering a master’s programme, and a master’s degree for applying to a PhD programme.

The university selection process is largely decentralised, and therefore entry requirements differ from one university to another, and from one faculty/department to another. Individual programmes can largely determine their entrance requirements and also make admissions decisions.

Entrance exams are compulsory for students applying for government allotted spaces. As a rule, candidates who are willing to become “paying students” have to follow the same procedure of entrance exams.

2.1. University of Tartu

Entrance to the BA Programme

A precondition of applying to the Faculty of Social Sciences is successfully passing two state exams: an essay in Estonian and an exam in a foreign language (English, German or French). All candidates have to pass a broad multiple-choice aptitude test consisting of questions from various fields from art history to mathematical logic to Estonian government. Candidates who pass the aptitude test (usually 30-40% of all candidates) must submit their curricula vitae and an essay in English on the topic “Why I Want to Study PA?” These form the basis of an interview, which is partly conducted in English as all PA students have to follow texts and courses in English. The aptitude test and the interview are given equal weight, and candidates are ranked on this basis. Graduates of foreign universities must follow the same procedure.

Entrance to the Master’s Programme

As PA was not taught in Estonia until 1994, graduates of any other field may apply. Candidates must submit an application, a curriculum vitae, a BA thesis, an outline of the master’s thesis and any publications. These form the basis for an interview, in English, by senior faculty members. Entrants to the MPA programme are strongly advised to have practical experience in public service. While the MA programme is predominantly meant for full-time study, it is designed for practising civil servants or those with a strong practical bias. The board of the Department of PA and Social Policy approves a final list of master’s students.

Entrance to the PhD programme

The selection procedure is similar to the master’s programme. All candidates are expected to have a master’s degree, not necessarily in public administration. The board of the Department of PA and Social Policy approves a final list of master’s students.

2.2. Tallinn Technical University

Entrance to the Bachelor’s Programme

Tallinn Technical University enrolls students according to the results of three state exams: mathematics, native language (Estonian, Russian) and a foreign language (English, German or French). The mathematics exam is given the same weight as the other two exams combined. Candidates are ranked purely according to the results of the exams.

Entrance to the Masters’ Programme

Applicants must be either graduates of the bachelor’s programme, have a diploma certifying completion of a higher education programme or have passed a five-year “diploma programme” at Tallinn Technical University and have earned at least one hundred and forty credits. The average grade of undergraduate studies must be at least 4.0 (on a five-point scale) for those who apply to the master’s programme immediately after finishing their BA studies. Candidates are expected to provide two letters of recommendation, including one from a potential supervisor. The selection board evaluates applications on the basis of results of earlier studies, recommendation letters and the results of an oral exam with a candidate.

Entrance to the PhD Programme

Candidates need to have a M(P)A or an equivalent academic degree. Candidates who have demonstrated excellent results in their master’s studies may enroll prior to defending their master’s theses. Candidates are expected to provide two letters of recommendation, including one from a potential supervisor. In addition, candidates are asked to submit outlines of their PhD theses. The board makes admissions decisions on the basis of submitted materials, the earlier field of study of the candidate and the result of an oral exam.

2.3. Tallinn University of Educational Sciences

Entrance to the Bachelor’s Programme

Candidates must pass two state exams in history and a foreign language (English, German or French). In addition, all candidates have to pass a professional suitability test, which consists of a competency test and group-work.

Entrance to the Master’s programme

Candidates have to pass an exam in a foreign language and a test of professional suitability.

2.4. Estonian Business School

Students are admitted on the basis of state exams and an interview.

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