The University of Tartu plans to reduce the number of English-language medical study places. So far, 24 students studying in English have been admitted. In the future, there could be seven fewer. The university wants to add 20 Estonian-language places starting from the next academic year. This will help reduce the shortage of doctors.
University Dean Külli Kingo says: "We want to increase the number of medical study places. We know that by 2033, we will need 1,250 new doctors. Currently, we have 186 study places. Every year, we need to train 14 more doctors to meet this demand."
Over the past two years, the university has itself created additional study places. In 2023, 180 students began medical studies, and this year, 187. Joel Starkopf, a member of the university hospital's board, says: "In ten years, we will have 10% fewer doctors. This is a fact, not a prediction. Admitting 200 first-year students would be the optimal minimum we can do."
If the number of international students decreases, the income from tuition fees will also decline. Creating 20 additional study places would cost 500,000 to 700,000 euros. The Ministry of Education and Research says that finding additional funding is a priority. This is being discussed with the universities.