English

NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by March 31st 2025.

EKA accepts the following international language tests as proof of English language proficiency. Here are the minimum requirements set by EKA:

– TOEFL ITP: min 543
– TOEFL iBT: min 72
– IELTS (Academic or Indicator): min 5.5 (with at least 5.5 in each component)
– FCE (Cambridge English: First): required minimum result for B2 is 160
– CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced): C1 level
– CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): C2 level
– PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): min 59
– International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (English A, English B, English Literature and Performance) final exam grade at least 5
– European Baccalaureate Diploma Language 1 or Language 2: positive score in the final English exam

State exams in English taken in Estonia, Finland or Latvia:
– Estonian state exam in English: required minimum level is B2 (state exams taken between 1997 and 2013, 66 points or higher)
– Finnish Matriculation Examination (ylioppilastutkinto) in English (long course): at least cum laude approbatur
– Latvian state exam in English (centralizētais eksāmens): at least 70%

Upload the certificate digitally to the application.

NB! We accept language certificates for up to two years after they are issued.

WAIVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

English proficiency test may only be waived if the applicant meets one of the following requirements:

– The applicant has completed their secondary education, bachelor’s or master’s degree taught fully in English in one of the following countries: EU/EEA member states, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or United Kingdom. The applicant must have resided in the mentioned country while doing their studies. Please also note that the transcript of records must include that studies were conducted fully in English.

– The applicant has studied for at least one academic year as a full-time student (obtaining a minimum of 45 ECTS with positive results) in English in an institution of higher education in one of the following countries: EU/EEA member states, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or United Kingdom.

NB! We will only accept certificates issued by educational institutions if the waiver criteria is met.

A motivation letter must be added to your application.

A relevant portfolio is required.

– Portfolio or defended master’s thesis

Portfolio (including a defended master’s thesis if you wish) is required for an artistic or practice-based doctoral thesis, and a defended master’s thesis is sufficient for a text-based doctoral thesis.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by March 31st 2025.


– copy of your BA and MA degree certificate or equivalent


– copy of your transcript of records for BA and MA level studies


– English language proficiency certificate


– copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card


– CV (please find the form here)


– motivation letter

Please specify the position you are applying for in your motivation letter. Doctoral positions offered by EKA can be found here.


– portfolio or defended master’s thesis

Portfolio (including a defended master’s thesis if you wish) is required for an artistic or practice-based doctoral thesis, and a defended master’s thesis is sufficient for a text-based doctoral thesis.

– proposal of the doctoral thesis (please find the form here)

– academic CV of the prospective supervisor(s). Please note that having a supervisor is not required for applying. However, if you have a supervisor, you will need to ask their consent for submitting their CV. You will also need to include their name and email in your thesis proposal. If the supervisor is employed at the Estonian Academy of Arts, CV is not required.

Passing the preliminary round is required for admission to the interview.

The doctoral entrance examination consists of an individual interview (approx. 20 minutes). The examination result (0 – 10 points) will be based on the interview, the portfolio and the submitted doctoral thesis proposal.

Candidates will be evaluated on the adequacy of the submitted material and their maturity to undertake doctoral studies.

The examination score (0 – 10 points) will consist of the following components:
– Doctoral thesis proposal 50 %
– Level of creative work 30%
– Professional competence and motivation 20%

Interviews will take place on April 22, 2025.

NB! The exact interview time for each candidate will be announced to him/her via DreamApply a few days ahead.