University of Tartu opens its doors to future applicants

On 26 February, the University of Tartu (UT) holds an Open Doors Day during which final-year secondary school students and other future applicants can take part in various activities.

The University of Tartu library hosts a study fair on the UT curricula at which experienced specialists give admission and career advice. Together with representatives of student organisations, participants can find out how to be more than a student and what else they can do for personal development during their studies at the university.

Marleen Otsus, Specialist for Marketing of the University of Tartu and project manager of the Open Doors Day, said that at the conference hall of the library, students and alumni will hold discussions on the topic. The audience will be involved in the discussions as they can send the performers questions via an online platform. “Students, for instance, will speak about their choice of curriculum and how they became students and what the student life is about. Alumni will share their thoughts on how they found their way to their area of specialisation and in which ways has the university shaped their career,” described Otsus.

Workshops taking place in faculty buildings will give future applicants a chance to test their suitability for particular specialisations. In addition, it is possible to take part in lectures and practical sessions, have a look into classrooms, take a sample academic test and meet teaching staff and students. On the same day, information sessions on English-taught Bachelor’s curricula take place.

The Open Doors Day gives the participants a unique opportunity to learn about the UT curricula in a completely new and exciting way. “For the first time, potential students can ‘meet’ our curricula on a blind date. We hope this helps participants to better understand the content of our curricula or discover something completely new,” Otsus explained. “What makes the blind date exciting is the fact that the particular curriculum will be known only in the course of the date,” Otsus added.

During guided tours to student dormitories at Narva mnt 25 and Raatuse 22, participants can get advice on how to fill in the dormitory application to get a place at the most suitable dormitory, see the common areas of dormitories and peek into some dormitory rooms.

The programme also includes a guided tour at the University of Tartu main building with its former student lock-up in the attic, the historical lecture hall, the stately assembly hall and the UT Art Museum. On that day, student card holders can visit UT museums free of charge.

Free special buses will bring registered participants to Tartu from Tallinn, Narva, Viljandi and Pärnu. In Tartu, it is possible to take a free shuttle bus to Maarjavälja to visit Chemicum, Physicum, Biomedicum and the Institute of Technology. More than 2000 people are expected to take part in the Open Doors Day.

Registration for free buses and workshops is open on the University of Tartu website. Useful information can be also found on the event’s page on Facebook.

Further information: Marleen Otsus, Specialist for Marketing and project manager of the Open Doors Day, University of Tartu, +372 5668 1613, marleen.otsus@ut.ee