Disinformation and Societal Resilience

The University of Tartu offers a one-year, full-time Master of Arts in Social Sciences in Disinformation and Societal Resilience at its Faculty of Social Sciences in Tartu, Estonia. The programme is designed to develop interdisciplinary expertise for professionals working with the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, hostile information operations, and disruptive processes within the information sphere. It focuses on understanding information manipulation in a global context, developing strategic communication, strengthening societal resilience, and managing risks affecting organisations and communities.

The programme combines systematic theoretical knowledge with a practical approach that connects students’ studies to real-world disinformation challenges in their countries. Students benefit from the experience of scholars and practitioners and have opportunities to develop an international professional network focused on combating disinformation. The programme also includes a four-week internship with partner organisations actively working to combat information disorders, allowing students to gain practical knowledge of organisational processes and expand their professional connections.

Programme Structure and Learning Focus

During the programme, students develop knowledge and skills relevant to societal resilience and the information environment. The programme focuses particularly on information manipulation, strategic communication, risk management, social resilience, and practical approaches to addressing disinformation-related challenges. The detailed course structure is provided on the programme website.

Career Opportunities

The programme is intended for specialists for whom strengthening and maintaining societal resilience against disruptive processes in the information sphere is professionally important. Graduates can apply their evidence-based knowledge and strategies in their respective professional fields.

After completing the programme, graduates receive a Master of Arts in Social Sciences (Disinformation and Societal Resilience). Career opportunities are available in the public and third sectors, including public institutions, agencies, and NGOs. Potential areas of work include strategic communication, policy analysis, impact assessment, cyber security, media and information literacy through formal or non-formal education, and related fields. The programme also prepares graduates for emerging career opportunities as efforts to strengthen democracies against disinformation continue to develop.

Duration and Study Language

The programme is a full-time postgraduate programme with a nominal duration of 1 year (60 ECTS). The study language is English.

Tuition and Application Fee

The tuition fee is €14,000 per year. There are no tuition waivers available. 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.

An additional €100 non-refundable application fee applies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold either:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification and at least five years of professional experience, or
• A master’s degree or equivalent qualification.

The required degree must be obtained by the application deadline. Applicants using professional experience for assessment must upload a CV. Country-specific document requirements also apply. Entry qualification documents are accepted in English or Estonian.

English Language Requirement

All applicants must comply with the University of Tartu’s English language requirements. The source specifies that only the English tests and exemption categories listed by the University of Tartu are accepted; the exact test scores are not provided in the supplied information.

Motivation Letter

Applicants must submit a 700–1,000-word motivation letter in English explaining their motivation to study in the programme and reflecting on their previous experience in the field.

The motivation letter should address the applicant’s qualifications and motivation, relevant work experience and disinformation-related challenges, the professional or societal problem they want to solve, how they intend to apply the competencies gained from the programme, and how their studies could benefit their native country or local community.

Applicants are also asked to assess their general and professional competencies, including English communication, academic reading, teamwork, online collaboration, audio-visual material creation, international collaboration, social science research, and data analysis and interpretation. Examples should be provided where possible.

Applicants should also identify stakeholders who could help address the central problem described in their motivation letter. A drawing, sketch, or visualisation of the relevant stakeholders can be uploaded separately in the DreamApply application. This visualisation is optional, but applicants who do not provide it lose 20 points.

The motivation letter is assessed on a 100-point scale, covering the relevance of previous studies and professional profile, reasoning behind the professional problem and proposed solution, reflection on learning motivation and needs, benefits of learning for the applicant and society, and the coherence and logical structure of the letter. A minimum score of 51/100 is required to be admitted to the interview.

If AI assistance is used when preparing the motivation letter, the letter must explain how and for what purpose AI was used.

Admission Interview

Applicants who meet the motivation-letter requirement proceed to an online admission interview with the admissions committee. The interview assesses the applicant’s professional motivation, analytical and reasoning abilities, reflection skills, professional competencies, presentation and expression, and awareness of social issues and ethical sensitivity.

The interview lasts up to 30 minutes and is conducted online. The University of Tartu may use Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or BigBlueButton, with the admissions committee informing applicants which platform will be used and when the interview will take place.

The interview is evaluated on a 100-point scale, with a minimum passing score of 51/100. Assessment areas include motivation to study and work in the field, analytical and reasoning abilities, creativity and problem-solving, and professional prerequisites such as expressive and presentation skills and the ability to cope under pressure.

Online Interview Requirements

For the online interview, applicants need a computer or smart device equipped with a web camera, earphones, and microphone. The webcam is mandatory because applicants must be visually identified during the interview. An internet connection with a recommended speed of at least 1 Mb/s upload/download is also required.

Applicants must have an identity document available during the interview and ensure that their surroundings are free from other people and excessive background noise. Applicants are not allowed to save the interview.

Intake Information

The programme lists 31 August 2026 as the study commencement date. The source states that the application period has ended.

Upon successful completion of the programme, students receive the Master of Arts in Social Sciences (Disinformation and Societal Resilience) from the University of Tartu.