MA Entrepreneurship in Economic Policymaking

The MA Entrepreneurship in Economic Policymaking at the University of Tartu is a full-time master’s programme offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences in Tartu, Estonia. The programme has a nominal duration of 1 year and 60 ECTS and is taught entirely in English. Successful students receive a Master of Arts in Social Sciences (MA) degree.

The programme provides students with diverse knowledge of economic development, management, politics, and international trends, while developing strong analytical skills needed to understand and shape economic policies at the local, national, and global levels. Students can also explore the effects of economic policies by applying their knowledge to related areas, such as cybersecurity.

A distinctive feature of the programme is its combination of an economic perspective with entrepreneurship and startup thinking. Alongside field-specific knowledge, students develop cross-disciplinary skills, including the ability to distinguish important issues from non-essential information, apply strategic and conceptual thinking, manage negotiations and conflicts, and approach challenges through innovation.

The programme is designed to prepare graduates to become innovative and entrepreneurial public-sector specialists and leaders with modern economic knowledge. Students learn how to contribute to economic policymaking in the rapidly developing digital age while developing the skills needed to work effectively in a changing economic environment and society.

Students can benefit from a flexible study structure that allows them to combine their professional work and university studies. Teaching takes place at the University of Tartu Delta Centre, which brings together students, researchers, and innovators from areas including computer science, business and economics, mathematics, and statistics. The University of Tartu is also described in the source as being ranked among the top 350 universities globally.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a higher-education qualification. Depending on their previous education and professional background, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in economics and business, together with at least 5 years of professional experience; or
• A master’s degree or equivalent qualification in economics and business; or
• Another bachelor’s or master’s degree, together with at least 5 years of professional experience in a field related to the programme, where advanced knowledge of the field is required.

The required degree must be obtained by the application deadline. Applicants must upload their CV for the assessment of professional experience. Country-specific document requirements may also apply.

Application documents are accepted in English or Estonian.

English Language Requirement

All applicants must meet the University of Tartu’s English-language requirements. The source states that only the English tests and exemption categories specified by the university are accepted; no specific IELTS or TOEFL score is provided in the source text.

Motivation Letter

Applicants must submit a motivation letter with their application. The final version must be uploaded before submitting the application because it cannot be edited after submission.

The motivation letter must be 3,000–3,500 characters including spaces, written in English, and should explain the applicant’s motivation for pursuing master’s studies. It should also explain how the programme relates to the applicant’s previous professional experience and career goals.

The motivation letter should address:

1. Which curriculum topics are connected to the applicant’s previous professional activities.
2. How completing the programme could support the applicant’s career and their enterprise or organisation.
3. Challenges the applicant identifies in their personal or professional development.

The motivation letter is evaluated for a maximum of 100 points, based on previous professional experience and its connection to the curriculum, future professional career or development of the applicant’s organisation, critical analysis of the applicant’s career path, and writing skills.

A minimum of 51 points in the motivation letter is required for a positive result. Applicants must achieve a combined score of at least 66 points out of 100 from the motivation letter and professional experience to be considered for admission.

Professional Experience Assessment

Professional experience is evaluated using the applicant’s CV, which must be included in the online application by the application deadline. The assessment considers both the length of professional experience and its connection to the study programme.

Tuition and Application Fee

The tuition fee for the programme is €4,800 per year. The source states that there are no tuition waivers.

Applicants who are not citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland must pre-pay half of the first semester’s tuition fee after receiving an admission offer for enrolment in the programme.

An application fee of €100 is also required. The application fee is non-refundable.

Application and Study Dates

Applications for the programme begin on September 1. The application deadline is September 15, at 23:59:59 Eastern European Time.

The next studies begin on February 8, 2027.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are described as innovative and entrepreneurial public-sector specialists with modern economic knowledge. They are prepared to work successfully in changing economic environments and societies while taking into account different future work skills. The programme aims to develop professionals capable of applying economic, entrepreneurial, analytical, and strategic knowledge within their field.