The Estonian Academy of Arts was established in 1914 as the only public university in Estonia, located in the capital city of Tallinn. Tallinn is the major financial, industrial, educational hub of Estonia, located 50 miles South of Helsinki. The Old Town is recognised as one of Europe’s best kept medieval cities and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The academy offers bachelor's, master’s and PhD courses to students. These classes range from animation to accessory design to glass art. They also offer cyclical studies such as jewellery and blacksmithing, as well as open academy courses of product and textile design. The university prides itself on small class sizes with a low student-to-professor ratio, which they argue create a more personal approach.
The academy prioritises practice-based or artistic research, which can be seen in their work.
Students are offered study abroad opportunities in Europe and the Nordic-Baltic countries through Erasmus+ and Nordplus. Students can also access internship opportunities, reinforcing the focus on practice-based learning.
Outside of academia, the student council create a lively atmosphere for students on campus with an array of extracurricular activities. The sports and culture committee organises events such as the Fox Party and Graduation Party, as well as club activities such as chamber choir and swimming.
The academy partners with businesses, both local and national, to carry out development projects and to help businesses improve their products. For example, the fashion design department works to design uniforms and style for personal, costume and photo consultations.
