Academic information

Each program combines lectures, seminars, study-trips and independent study.

Responsibility for the content of each course lies with the respective university department and the responsible professor for the course. Each course meets the academic requirements of the University of Tartu.

Students will receive course materials in the form of printed handouts or on CD during the first lecture or prior to the start of the program via e-mail. Students are expected to work independently with the course materials as directed by the professors. If the course requires readings to be completed prior to the start of the program, reference to the materials will be sent in advance to each participant.

Each participant will be awarded a certificate if he/she fulfils the attendance requirements and if required, passes tests or/and submits the written assignment.

According to the European academic credit system applied by the University of Tartu, 1 ECTS credit equals 26 hours of study, which includes contact hours with the instructor in lectures and seminars, independent work and practical studies. In addition to the classroom work the participants of the summer programs are required to participate in the afternoon meetings and field-trips designed by the program instructors - which constitute part of the required study. Typically one week of studies at the summer programs awards 2 ECTS credits. There are some programs which may award more credtis for studies in the event the student submits a research paper. In this event the requirements are given in the respective program description.


CREDITS AND ECTS

Upon successful completion of the chosen ISU program students will receive the Certificate of Completion and an Academic Transcript awarding official University of Tartu academic credits.

Each 3-week program is worth 6 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits; Estonian and Russian language courses 3-4,5 ECTS credits.
For the program "European Integration: the EU from West to East" students will receive 4 ECTS credits from Utrecht University and 4 ECTS credits from the University of Tartu.
The 2nd Martens Program on International Law is worth 2 ECTS credits with the option of 4 ECTS credits if the student submits an individual research paper.

The Academic Transcript will indicate pass/fail option. If the participant wishes to receive a letter grade, he/she needs to notify the University two weeks in advance. The participant will be assigned a research paper which needs to be submitted by two weeks after the end of the program.

As Estonia is part of the European Union, all the University of Tartu credits are fully transferable to any university in the world recognizing university studies within the European Union. Each student needs to check with their university study abroad advisor prior to arrival how ECTS credits transfer into their national system of credit points.