Master of Arts in Social Sciences
January 2 application system opens
March 15application deadline
May 15final admission results
August 29academic year starts
How to apply CONTACT US
Is digital transformation taking over the society? How are governments tackling secure data exchange and cybersecurity? How is and how should data analytics be employed in politics and governance? Are governments and public institutions allowed to profile citizens? Could digital transformation lead to greater discontent with politics and renewed authoritarian tendencies? How can democratic political leaders govern with higher efficiency whilst respecting citizens' data privacy?
These are important challenges to tackle, especially in the digital era. The MA programme in Politics and Governance in the Digital Age offers you the knowledge and skills for this enquiry.
This MA programme integrates key fundamentals of governance, digital transformation and data analysis as essential aspects of political developments in the contemporary world. Understanding digital governance is key for building a successful career in modern government, digital civil society, politics or international organisations.
The programme provides in-depth knowledge about core topics of political science such as modern political institutions, elections, political behaviour and ethics, combined with data-driven governance, e-democracy and critical thinking in the digital society. This is reinforced by training in data analytics, research methods and quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques.
Political science and international research among the highest-ranked specialties of University of Tartu by the "QS World University Rankings by Subject" in 2021 (range 151–200).
What will you get from this programme?
A career in government and politics requires three things:
knowledge about contemporary democracy and governance;
analytical insight and skills for data analysis methods;
outstanding communication skills.
The MA programme in Politics and Governance in the Digital Age delivers these objectives by integrating the study of politics with the rigors of analytical thinking and training in effective communication. In addition, you can complement your studies with a semester abroad as the Institute has numerous exchange opportunities.
Our learning outcomes include:
integrated knowledge of core components of politics and governance as well as of digital transformation, including state-held e-services;
data analysis skills using examples from digital services, the Estonian e-residency programme and the e-Estonia open data repository;
media competencies and critical thinking;
understanding of modern institutions and and of how digital transformation shapes political processes;
the ability to identify and analyse the key problems and processes of governance, involving both government institutions and civil society;
proper research skills to perform policy analysis and contribute to policy formation;
solid writing and oral presentation skills to be effective in a professional career;
an international perspective that will enrich career prospects both at home and globally.
Why study politics and governance in the digital age at the University of Tartu?
Your 5 reasons:
to learn the 'nuts and bolts' of politics and public policy: how to analyse and shape political processes;
to gain insight into the effects that digital transformation has on politics and modern governance;
to experience first-hand how e-democracy and e-governance can affect different aspects of life, as the City of Tartu and the country of Estonia are at the forefront of digital democracy;
for the opportunity to meet the policy makers, developers and technology companies that are leading the public sector digital transformation;
overall, you will learn how the digital transformation affects society and how to make use of it for a better future.
Politics and Governance in the Digital Age deals with questions that have characterized the social and political transformation in Estonia over the last two decades. Estonia is the leader in e-government, internet-based voting and other governance fields. For years, Estonia has been ranked as one of the most dynamic reformers in Europe, while at the same time maintaining a stable democracy and social environment.
The MA programme in Politics and Governance in the Digital Age is based on learning from this success story against the backdrop of global theories and trends in politics. We believe that Estonia is the place to study how digital governance can be implemented in today's world of globalization and digital transformation.
In academic scoreboards, UT ranks among the TOP 2% of universities in the world (THE World University Rankings 2016–2017) and international students have rated Estonia as the #1 place to stay (Erasmus Student Network Survey).
The UT offers advanced study facilities, excellent libraries, well-equipped computer labs and modern residence halls. Interactive and innovative teaching and learning methods are widely used. There is a wide variety of opportunities to study abroad, including Erasmus agreements with a broad range of European partner universities.
Studying in Tartu is both attractive and affordable – it means high-quality education at a low cost in a country that both has traditions and is very modern, is close to nature as well as technologically advanced, is proud of its unique culture and traditions as well as open to the world (Estonia is a member of the EU and NATO and it belongs to the eurozone and the Schengen space).
This MA programme will provide you with essential skills and knowledge both in comparative political science as well as in data analytics. Political scientists study the structure and theory of government and seek practical and theoretical solutions to political problems. Data analytics adds practical solutions to the identified problems. After graduating our programme many possibilities for applying your skills and knowledge will open up.
One option is, of course, to run in the next elections and become a parliamentarian, shaping policy. However, much more often the expertise and analytical skills of political scientists are enlisted by electoral candidates to ensure (re-) election. They thus become political aides or consultants, helping in electoral campaigns or with analyzing and interpreting legislative issues and constituencies once the candidate has been elected; they also often work in ministries and other state institutions (both on the national and supra-national levels) to ensure the implementation and monitoring of specific policies and laws.
Yet, many political scientists choose to stay outside the halls of power and state administration and become political commentators on TV and radio or write columns for newspapers, online portals or blogs; others may employ their analytical skills as policy analysts or public opinion pollsters in think tanks and other non-academic research institutes. Finally, political scientists are well-prepared to work in the third sector – as issue-related civic activists, consultants or managers of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and initiatives concerned with public accountability, equality, minority rights, refugee support or other crucial components of a functioning liberal democratic state and society.
What is crucial in all of these different jobs is the political scientist's ability to set aside his/her own prejudices and remain objective in gathering and analysing data as well as presenting the findings. In addition, digital competencies are now essential to the skill set that is required in every field of life. The MA programme Politics and Governance in the Digital Age will help to achieve this personal integrity and professionalism for future employment, wherever it may be.
Our graduates have gone to work as experts in think tanks, government offices, and NGOs both in their native countries or in international hubs like Brussels. Some have opted for academia and continued in doctoral studies.
Title Politics and Governance in the Digital Age Language English
Level of study Master's Location Tartu, Estonia
Degree awarded Master of Arts in Social Sciences Tuition fee 3,800 EUR/year
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences
Duration 2 years
Credits 120 ECTS
Study-form Full-time regular studies
Tuition fee and scholarships
Intake 2022
The tuition fee is 3,800 euros per year. Altogether 20 students will be admitted to this programme. Based on the admission's ranking list, 10 best applicants will be given the tuition waiver. There is 5 tuition waivers available for EU/EEA/Swiss applicants and 5 tuition waivers for applicants with other citizenships. Applicants do not have to apply for the tuition waiver separately, as they will be considered for the competition automatically.
NB! Applicants who are not citizens of the member states of the EU, EEA or Switzerland and do not hold a long-term residence permit in any of these countries are required to pay half of the semester fee after they have been informed of the admission decision (offer) via DreamApply. The official admission letter (necessary for visa application) will only be issued once the University of Tartu has received this payment. The second half of the semester fee is to be paid after the studies have started, by 20 September.
Information about the rules and conditions for tuition waivers as well as tuition fee payments is given here. Information about other scholarships is available here.
Courses in Politics and Governance in the Digital Age MA programme.
The MA programme in Politics and Governance in the Digital Age is taught by a young and diverse faculty trained at some of the world's best universities (Columbia, Cambridge, European University Institute, University of Arizona, Central European University). Our staff encompasses people from nearly a dozen nationalities, offering students a multi-faceted perspective on politics and change.
Research themes include:
e-governance (Prof. Robert Krimmer)
internet voting (Dr. Mihkel Solvak)
history of political thought and political theory (Dr. Eva Piirimäe)
party politics (Dr. Martin Mölder)
political behavior (Dr. Liisa Talving)
public governance (Dr. Kristina Muhhina)
Show student experience
"This programme is precisely what I wanted from my studies – sufficiently long as to allow me to properly dive in the depth of social science, methodologically rigorous and demanding so that I can develop the research skills crucial in the field and in the same time providing a friendly environment which makes a student really feel appreciated and helped, whenever necessary."
Adrian Nikolov, alumnus of Democracy and Governance (Bulgaria)
UT YouTube: Politics and Governance in the Digital Age, 10 questions with an international student
UT blog: Pavlo Cherchatyi, Why leaving the research site is important for a political scientist
UT blog: Meline Avagyan, What brought me to Tartu?
UT blog: Ukrainian Twins Studying the Same Field Would not Change a Thing
"After I completed my bachelor, I got the opportunity to intern with an NGO which got me interested in learning more about how civil society, the third sector and the state work together. By being part of the Democracy and Governance programme, I could explore the relationship between governments, civil society and the private sector in democratic as well non-democratic countries.
The study programme offers a great overview of how policymaking and governing in general works and how it has changed over years. I was further interested in joining this MA programme as it allows me choose electives from a great pool of fascinating classes which means that I can create my own study profile."
Jasmin, International Student Ambassador from Germany
Contact International Student Ambassadors to ask about life in Tartu or read their blog.
Students talk about their career aspirations
Emre Ağ, our student from Turkey, describes his experience in Tartu.
Student vlog
Courses 2021/2022
Living in Tartu
Ms Kerli Villems
Academic Affairs Specialist
kerli.villems [ät] ut.ee
Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, Estonia