Estonia Government Scholarship (HARNO)
Fully funded scholarships by the Government of Estonia for international students to pursue Master's, PhD, or exchange studies at Estonian universities. Offers €660/month stipend, free tuition, travel grant, and health insurance. Applications open annually in September.
Quick Facts
Status
Opening SoonFunding
Fully FundedDeadline
October 1 (Degree/Exchange, annual) | May 1 (Summer School, annual)
Country
EstoniaAbout the Estonia Government Scholarship
The Estonia Government Scholarship program is administered by the Education and Youth Board of Estonia (HARNO) under the Ministry of Education and Research. It is open to international students from all countries except Russia and Belarus, and offers fully funded opportunities for Master's degrees, PhD programs, exchange semesters, and short summer school courses at Estonia's leading universities.
The scholarship covers full tuition fees at all Estonian public universities, a monthly living stipend of €7,920 per year (€660/month), travel grant support for return flights, accommodation assistance for up to 4 weeks, health insurance, and full access to university research facilities. For Master's and PhD students, this provides complete financial security throughout the program.
Estonia is widely regarded as the world's most digitally advanced country - the birthplace of Skype and TransferWise (Wise), with nearly 100% of government services available online. Estonian universities, particularly the University of Tartu and TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology), have strong international reputations in engineering, computer science, natural sciences, and social sciences.
The degree and exchange scholarship cycle opens annually in September for the following academic year, with a firm deadline of October 1. International students should begin preparing applications in August or September. Crucially, contacting the Estonian university directly before submitting the HARNO scholarship application - and confirming an admission pathway - significantly strengthens candidacy, as the scholarship requires evidence of admitted or pre-admitted status.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
Estonia is one of Europe's most innovative digital societies
an ideal environment for technology, CS, and engineering students
€660/month stipend is generous for a country with moderate living costs - Tartu and Tallinn are very affordable European cities
University of Tartu and TalTech are internationally recognized institutions with strong research programs
Open to ALL nationalities worldwide except Russia and Belarus
one of the broadest eligibility criteria of any European government scholarship
EU-connected academic environment
Estonian degrees carry European Union recognition and mobility
Relatively low competition compared to major Western European scholarships - good acceptance rates for well-prepared applicants
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Estonia
Estonia is a small Northern European country known as 'the most digital country in the world'. It is home to Skype, TransferWise, and dozens of major tech companies. Tallinn, the capital, is a beautifully preserved medieval city with a thriving tech startup scene. Tartu, home to Estonia's oldest university, is a vibrant student city. Living costs are moderate by European standards, and the country is very safe and internationally welcoming.
Eligibility Requirements
8 requirements
Documents Checklist
7 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Contact the Estonian university of your choice before applying - confirm your academic fit and obtain an admission or pre-admission indication
Apply online at the official HARNO portal: https://harno.ee/en/scholarships-and-grants/scholarships-studying-and-working-estonia/scholarships-international
Complete the official application form and upload all required documents
Ensure all documents not in English or Estonian are officially translated
Submit before October 1 for degree/exchange programs (September-October window)
For Summer School 2026, the deadline is May 1
Await HARNO evaluation and notification from the Estonian university
Application Timeline
September 2 (annual)
Application Portal Opens
HARNO application system for degree/exchange opens
October 1 (annual)
Degree/Exchange Deadline
All documents must be submitted by 23:59 Estonian time
May 1 (annual)
Summer School Deadline
Applications for summer language and culture programs
November - December
Selection & Notification
HARNO reviews applications and notifies selected candidates
January - April
University Admission Process
University admission formalities, visa application
September
Program Start
Academic year begins at Estonian universities
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Contact the specific Estonian university and department BEFORE submitting the HARNO application - a prior connection with a professor or department significantly helps
The motivation letter is central to your application - make it specific to Estonia, the university, and your research plan
Prepare all translations in advance - any document not in English or Estonian must be officially translated, and this takes time
Apply early - the September-October window is only 30 days for degree/exchange programs
For engineering, CS, and digital technology fields, TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology) is the strongest choice
For natural sciences, social sciences, and medicine, the University of Tartu has the broadest program offerings
Important Links & Contacts
🔗 Official Links
HARNO Estonian Government Scholarship Portal: Estonian Education and Youth Board (HARNO) - official scholarship information, eligibility, and application instructions for international students.
Study in Estonia Portal: Comprehensive guide to studying in Estonia - university programs, student life, and application procedures.
For Pakistani Students
Estonian Embassy accredited to Pakistan (New Delhi)
📍 30 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi 110011, India
📞 +91-11-43556800
🌐 newdelhi.mfa.ee →Estonia does not have an embassy in Pakistan. The Estonian Embassy in New Delhi, India is accredited to Pakistan and handles visa applications. Contact them for Estonian student visa requirements.
Embassy of Pakistan in Estonia (Helsinki Mission)
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/finland/ →Pakistan does not have an embassy in Estonia. The Pakistani Embassy in Helsinki, Finland covers consular services for Pakistani nationals in Estonia.
Students from Other Countries
The Estonian Government Scholarship is open to students from many partner countries. Contact the Estonian Embassy or Honorary Consul in your home country for visa requirements and scholarship eligibility.
Find Estonia Embassies Worldwide →Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions - click any to expand
English proficiency is required for most programs, but some programs waive IELTS if previous education was in English. Check the specific requirements of your chosen Estonian university program before applying.
Seven universities participate: University of Tartu, TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology), Tallinn University, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and Estonian Business School.
The Bachelor's level is only available for Estonian language and culture programs. For all other fields, the scholarship is available at Master's, PhD, and exchange semester levels only.
Yes. Estonia is moderately priced by European standards. In Tartu, €660/month comfortably covers food, transport, and personal expenses - especially as accommodation and tuition are covered separately.
The Estonia Government Scholarship does not automatically grant you university admission - it funds your studies if you are admitted. You must apply for and receive admission from an Estonian university separately, then apply for the HARNO scholarship. The scholarship application includes your admission/enrollment status. It is strongly recommended to contact Estonian universities and confirm your admission pathway before submitting the scholarship application.
Yes. Estonia is widely regarded as one of Europe's most advanced technology ecosystems - TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology) offers strong engineering and IT programs with close ties to Estonia's tech industry. The country has a very high density of tech startups and many Estonian universities have industry partnerships with EU tech companies. An Estonian engineering or CS degree provides a strong foundation for careers both in Europe and globally.
Ready to Apply?
Applications open September - get your documents ready now.
Apply on Official Website →Accuracy notice: Information on this page was verified as of May 2026. Scholarship details - including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and required documents - can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official website before submitting your application.
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