According to the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act, teaching in Estonia may be carried out pursuant to the curriculum of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) or a curriculum developed on the basis of the Convention defining the Statute of the European Schools (European Baccalaureate).
IB (International Baccalaureate)
The IB is an internationally recognised educational curriculum developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). The IBO is an international educational organisation, founded in 1968 and situated in Hague.
Only IBO-recognized schools are allowed to use the internationally recognized IB curricula. The curricula has four different levels from preschool to upper secondary education:
- PYP - Primary Years Programme,
- MYP - Middle Years Programme,
- DP - Diploma Programme,
- CP - Career-related Programme (not available in Estonia).
In Estonia, the language of instruction for IB programmes is English, which is one of the three official languages of the IBO.
The IB DP curriculum ends with international exams in all subjects. Good exam results enable students to study in both Estonian and foreign universities. For admission to Estonian universities IB graduates do not have to take Estonian National Exams.
To complete the IB curriculum and obtain a secondary education qualification, all requirements of the IB Diploma Programme must be fulfilled. Upon meeting all the requirements, a qualification certifying secondary education, the Diploma of the International Baccalaureate, is awarded, as confirmed by an educational document issued by the IB organization. This document will bear the notation: "Diploma awarded." This qualification grants access to higher education. If parts of the IB curriculum or other requirements remain incomplete, the IB will issue a transcript listing the completed examinations, with the notation: "DP Course awarded." This indicates that the secondary education qualification has not been granted, and the individual does not have access to higher education.
According to the IBO, IB curricula is used in over 150 countries ~ in 5000 schools. The number of schools and countries offering the programme is increasing constantly. IB diploma is recognised in more than 2193 accredited universities in the world, including the University of Tartu, the Tallinn University, the Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian Academy of Arts and Estonian University of Life Sciences.
More information on IB curricula can be found on IBO website.
EB (European Baccalaureate)
European Baccalaureate is internationally recognized European Schools` curricula that includes multilingual and multicultural educational programs from preschool to upper secondary education:
- N1-N2 – nursery programmes,
- P1-P5 – primary programmes,
- S1-S7 – secondary programmes.
The European Schools (ES) is an intergovernmental organisation set up by the EU Member States and the European Union, which are the contracting parties to the Convention defining the Statute of the European Schools.
The main goal of the ES is to provide uniform education to the children of the staff members of the European Union institutions. All European Schools apply a harmonised curriculum to allow trouble-free movement of students between all schools in the ES system. The EB curriculum pays special attention to developing the fundamental values of the EU, the students' mother tongue and teaching at least two foreign languages. Some subjects are taught in the second language. In the primary level (grades P3 to P5), the European Hours are in the second language (L2), whereas in the secondary level (grades S3 to S7), subjects taught in the second language include history, geography, economics and ethics.
The EB diploma is an officially recognised entry qualification for higher education in all EU countries. EB diploma holders enjoy the same rights and benefits as other holders of secondary school-leaving certificates in their countries, including the same right as nationals with equivalent qualifications to seek admission to any university or institution of tertiary education in the European Union.
The system of European Schools has 31 general education institutions in the academic year of 2018/19. Of those, 13 are I category European Schools and 18 are accredited European School. Accreditation can be applied by the EU member state from the the Board of Governors of the European Schools and it must be renewed every three years.
European Schools are located in 14 different EU member states: Belgium (6 schools), Germany (4 schools), Italy (3 schools), Luxembourg (6 schools), the Netherlands (2 schools), France (2 schools), Spain, Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Greece, Slovenia and Estonia.
More information on EB curricula can be found on the website of the European Schools and about the European Baccalaureate examinations here.
Possibilities for studying on internationally recognized curriculas
Internationally recognized education is offered in seven schools in Tallinn and Tartu, mostly in private schools with tuition fee. Tallinn English College and Miina Härma Gymnasium are municipal schools that are funded by the local government and the studying there is free of charge. The special contracts define the target group and enrollment criteria.
School |
Curricula / language of instruction |
Program / class |
| Tallinn European School | EB English & French |
- Nursery years (4-6-year-olds) - Primary years (grades 1-5) - Secondary years (grades 6-12) |
| International School of Estonia* | IB English |
- PYP Preschool (3-4-year-olds) |
| Miina Härma Gymnasium | IB English |
- PYP (grades 1-4) - MYP (grades 5-9) - DP (grades 11-12) |
| Tallinn English College | IB English |
- PYP (grades 1-4) - MYP (grades 5-8) - DP (grades 11-12) |
| Audentes International School | IB English |
- PreDP (grade 10) - DP (grades 11-12) |
| Tartu International School | IB English |
- PYP Preschool (3-6-year-olds) - PYP (6-12-year-olds) |
| International School of Tallinn** | IB English |
- PYP Kindergarten (3-4-year-olds) ja Preschool (5-6-year-olds) |
* Estonian International School is accredited by the Council of International Schools and New England Association of Schools and Colleges
**Tallinn International School is a candidate school of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Availability of preschool education in English and French in Estonia
Pre-school education in English and French can be acquired in Tallinn and Tartu (only in English).
Nursery schools and groups in English and/or French in Tallinn:
- Preschool of International School of Estonia (3-4-year-olds) – English speaking;
- Preschool of International School of Tallinn (3-6-year-olds) – English speaking;
- Tallinn International Kindergarten (2-7-year-olds) – English speaking;
- Preschool of Tallinn European School (4-6-year-olds) – English and French speaking;
- Private Nursery School Kalli-kalli (1,5-7-year-olds) – an English and a French speaking group;
In Tartu, there are two options for English speaking children:
- an English speaking group in the Private Nursery School TERAKE (2-6-year-olds) and
- Tartu International Kindergarten (2-6-year-olds).
International treaties
Based on international treaties, the Tallinn German School and the Kadrioru German School offer advanced studies in German, whereas the Tallinn Finnish School applies the Finnish curriculum. The Tallinn German Gymnasium and the Kadrioru German Gymnasium are municipal schools where education is free of charge. The Tallinn Finnish School is a private school with tuition fee.
Last updated: 04.11.2024
