​In Estonian digital society, IT specialists are in high demand

Students get a scholarship-covered opportunity to complete half of their studies at a partner company, says Mattias Jõesaar, marketing and communication specialist, University of Tartu

In the Estonian digital society, information technology (IT) specialists are in high demand in every walk of life.

The students face a dilemma — should one settle for a job just after graduation or aim for higher goals. The Institute of Computer Science at the University of Tartu (UT) — a reputed university in central and eastern Europe — has found a solution through the Industrial Master’s Programme. The master’s students of Software Engineering and Computer Science get a chance to study half of their curriculum in a partner company. They solve the company’s practical problems and write their finals based on the studies.

Practical assignments are a prominent aspect for Computer Science and Software Engineering Master’s programmes. Selected students can do practical assignments at the partner companies, under the guidance of two thesis supervisors — one from the company and other from the university.

It’s a good opportunity for international students to build relation with the industries. Though students are not employed by the companies during the programme, but they receive an extra monthly scholarship.

In their first semester, students can apply for the Industrial Master’s format, which is currently in its second year. The Institute of Computer Science will pick the best candidates and after an interview, students start with the second semester.

This gives an option to solve the dilemma of choosing between a job or the university. The IT companies can resolve their practical problems with educated specialists and the university can transfer their knowledge and expertise to the companies via a three-way cooperation.

The application deadline for Software Engineering and Computer Science programme is March 15, 2019. Application for the Industrial Master’s Programme (for UT students) are accepted in October-November.