The Estonian University of Life Sciences is an innovative institution for those passionate about environmental and rural issues. Here, knowledge is created and shared to advance the bioeconomy for the benefit of nature and humanity.
Our responsibility lies in the interaction of:
With deep academic traditions, teaching and research at the Estonian University of Life Sciences are of a world-class standard. The university ranks among the best in the world in the fields of agriculture and forestry, specifically in 45th place.* In plant and animal sciences, as well as environmental and ecological research, we are in the top 1% of the most cited research institutions globally.**
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
**Clarivate Analytics
Like all public universities, the activities of the Estonian University of Life Sciences are aimed at serving society. This primarily means offering higher education and creating new knowledge through research. In addition to education and research, the university's third role is knowledge transfer—supporting innovation through business collaboration. Over 150 research and development cooperation projects have been established with businesses.
Read more about the university's goals in the development plan.
The Estonian University of Life Sciences is large enough to offer a wide range of expertise in its field and provide the opportunity to address topics in collaboration with various specialists in a thorough manner, yet small enough to foster a sense of community and direct interaction between colleagues, faculty, and students.
As the fourth largest university in Estonia, nearly 3,000 students study here, of which around ten percent are international students. Each year, there are more than 3,500 people taking part in our continuing training programs.
The university community also includes 1,100 employees and nearly 35,000 alumni, who value the core principles of rural life, promote a sustainable and nature-friendly lifestyle, and contribute to the creation and implementation of new technologies.
Our compact university campus, with its lecture halls, research laboratories, dormitories, library, and sports building, is located on the outskirts of Tartu – Estonia's true capital of higher education. Some of our work also takes place in research and practical bases, such as the Järvselja Forestry Training and Experimental Forest, the Polli Horticultural Research Centre, the Rõhu Experimental Station, the Märja Experimental Livestock Facility, and the Limnology Centre by Lake Võrtsjärv.
The history of the Estonian University of Life Sciences dates back to 1848, when the Tartu Veterinary School was founded. In 1873, it was transformed into the Tartu Veterinary Institute.