Student rights and responsibilities

Completion of your study load


The completion of your study load is assessed at the end of each semester and academic year.

The minimum study load subject to completion is assessed in the case of first year bachelor students. By the end of the autumn semester, full-time students must complete curriculum courses to a volume of at least 15 ECTS to avoid dismissal.

Completion of the study load subject to completion according to the curriculum (part-time or full-time) is assessed at the end of each academic year.

ECTS are calculated cumulatively for the entire period of study (not separately for each semester).

Full-time students shall complete 75–100 per cent of their study load subject to completion according to the curriculum by the end of each academic year, that means:

  • at least 45 credit points by the end of the first year
  • at least 90 credit points by the end of the second year
  • at least 135 credit points by the end of the third year

Students who fail to meet the conditions of full-time study will be transferred to part-time studies and are required to reimburse their study costs to the EAMT.

Part-time students (does not apply to Non-EU students) shall complete 50–75 per cent of their study load subject to completion according to the curriculum by the end of each academic year, that means:

  • at least 30 credit points by the end of the first year
  • at least 60 credit points by the end of the second year
  • at least 90 credit points by the end of the third year

Students who fail to meet the requirements of part-time studies will be dismissed due to poor academic performance.

The completion of study load for free tuition (full-time curriculum in Estonian and targeted scholarships for studying in a non-Estonian curriculum).

Completion of the study load required for tuition-free studies is assessed at the end of each semester: the cut-off point is the starting date semester. To continue in tuition-free studies, students must collect at least 30 ECTS by the end of each semester. Credit points are calculated cumulatively for the entire period of study. The permitted credit point deficit that still allows tuition-free studies is a total of 6 ECTS for all previous semesters. Therefore, the minimum study load for tuition-free studies is as follows:

  • 24 credit points by the end of the first semester
  • 54 credit points by the end of the second semester
  • 84 credit points by the end of the third semester
  • 114 credit points by the end of the fourth semester

In assessing the completion of the study load, only subjects in the student’s selected curriculum (including courses in their minor field of study) and optional subjects in the volume required for the curriculum are considered valid. If the credit point deficit is larger than allowed, credit points must be paid for separately.

To clear their study arrears, students may apply for an additional year of study by paying a tuition fee according to the procedure established by the EAMT Council.

 

Change of curriculum


It is easiest to change your field of study upon entering a master’s degree programme after the completion of your bachelor studies. Students can also apply to change their curriculum or field of study during their bachelor study, but no later than at the end of the first academic year (before starting the second year of study). The curriculum or field of study cannot be changed during master’s studies.

It is also possible to stop your studies in one field of study and enrol at the academy in another field of study, but it must be borne in mind that according to the Higher Education Act, studies on the same academic level are free of charge only for individuals who have studied without a tuition fee for less than one half of the standard period of study (less than 1.5 years in the case of bachelor studies and less than 1 year in the case of master’s studies). Those who have already studied for more than one half of the standard period of study, cannot enrol at the academy in a tuition-free course before a period three times the standard period of study has passed from the first admission (9 years in the case of bachelor studies, 6 years in the case of master’s studies).

 

Academic leave


The procedure for taking academic leave is regulated by the Higher Education Act and the Regulations for Study at EAMT.
Academic leave means temporarily releasing a student from study and research responsibilities. Academic leave is granted under the following conditions:

  • upon the student’s own request (up to one year, once at each academic level,except during the first year of bachelor studies)
  • for health reasons (up to two years per academic level)
  • in the case of undergoing compulsory military service (up to one year)
  • taking care of a child (until the child attains three years of age)

Students on academic leave are not transferred to the next year of study and the completion time of their study is delayed by the time spent on academic leave.

Academic leave is not granted during the examination session. During academic leave, students will have limited access to the Academy’s classrooms for practicing, and they do not have the right to complete their curriculum, unless they are:

  • the parent of a child under 3 years of age, or the parent or guardian of a child with a disability;
  • the person with moderate, severe or profound disability;
  • settling academic arrears in relevant subjects;
  • completing studies in unfinished subjects for which at least 10 academic weeks have passed since the beginning of the term at the time of the application for academic leave.

To apply for academic leave, students must submit an application via Study Information System ÕIS, supplemented by additional documents, if needed. Based on the application for academic leave, the Rector shall issue a decree. The start and end dates of academic leave can be viewed in ÕIS under the student’s personal information.

 

Extension of studies


When a student studies for at least three months in a higher educational institution in a foreign state, the student’s standard period of study shall be extended by one semester (referred to as the extension semester). Studies completed in a higher educational institution in a foreign state must amount to at least 15 credit points in order to satisfy the Regulations for Study and contribute to completing the student’s curriculum. During such an extended study period, students may also attend additional specialist lessons up to 50 per cent of the course volume set out in the course description. The student’s right to use the Academy practice rooms is not limited.

If the standard study period for a student who has studied as an exchange student in a higher educational institution in a foreign state ends with the autumn semester, the bachelor and master’s examinations or the defence of the master’s thesis will generally take place during the examination session of the spring semester with no additional tuition fees or additional individual lessons involved.

An extension of studies for the purposes of making up for insufficient academic progress after the end of the standard study period may be permitted for the duration of one academic year (extra study year) for students who have fulfilled the requirements for full-time studies, except if the student’s standard study period has already been extended due to intensive study of the Estonian language or due to studies abroad. To use the extra year, the student has to submit an application to the Registry and Student Affairs Department, conclude a study contract and pay the tuition fee according to the rates established by the Academy Council. No additional subjects can be selected during the extra study year

During the additional year, a student is not allowed to take additional courses and they have limited access to the Academy practice rooms.

During the additional year, a student may take additional individual lessons within courses up to 50 per cent of the volume established in the course description, provided that the student pays for the ECTS credit points of the bachelor or master’s exam.

The final date of studies is postponed by the time spent on the intensive study of the Estonian language according to the volume of the language studies completed. If the volume of language studies is 6–30 ECTS, the standard study period is extended by one semester; if the volume of language studies is 31–60 ECTS, the standard study period is extended by two semesters. The extension of the standard study period is finalized after completing the intensive study of the Estonian language in full

 

 

Exmatriculation


Exmatriculation means the deletion of a student from the matriculation register. Reasons for exmatriculation may be:

  • at students own initiative;
  • completion of the curriculum to the full extent;
  • poor academic progress;
  • a significant breach of the terms and procedures of the regulation of studies;
  • failure to fulfil the obligation to pay for academic expenses;
  • endangering other students or other persons;
  • carrying out a major indecent act;
  • the death of a student, on the basis of a document certifying death;
  • upon exmatriculation of a student studying in a joint programme from the university
  • coordinating the joint programme.

Reasons for exmatriculation are more thoroughly explained in the Regulations for Study.

 

Feedback


At the beginning of each academic year, new bachelor students are asked for their feedback on the admission procedure, entrance examinations and the organisation of academic work during the first weeks. The survey will be carried out in the last lecture of the subject ÜAX400 “University Studies and Professional World”.

At the end of each academic year, students graduating from bachelor and master’s curricula at the Academy are asked for feedback on their studies in general: on the curriculum, study process, learning environment and support services of the Academy. The survey is carried out either as a focus group interview or via the Study Information System (ÕIS).

At the end of each semester, students can give feedback on each lecturer via the Study Information System, assessing their work, the content of the course, methods etc.

Feedback surveys are also conducted among doctoral students and alumni.

The more actively students participate in surveys, the more information they provide their lecturers and the Academy in general on their satisfaction and expectations.

Find more about the procedure for collecting and using feedback HERE.