University of Tartu

University of Tartu
Tartu Ülikool
Latin: Universitas Tartuensis
Former names
Academia Gustaviana,
University of Dorpat/Yuryev,
Tartu State University
TypePublic
Established1632 (closed 1710–1802)
FounderGustavus Adolphus
Budget€264 million (2024)
RectorToomas Asser
Academic staff
2,001
Administrative staff
1,538
Students14,778
Undergraduates9,327
Postgraduates4,317
1,134
Location,
58°22′52″N 26°43′13″E / 58.38111°N 26.72028°E / 58.38111; 26.72028
CampusUrban (University town)
Colours  White
  Blue
NicknameUT, unitartu
AffiliationsCBUR, EUA,
Coimbra Group,
Utrecht Network,
Atomium Culture
Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
MascotTiksu
Websiteut.ee

The University of Tartu (UT; Estonian: Tartu Ülikool; Latin: Universitas Tartuensis) is a public research university located in the city of Tartu, Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is also the largest and oldest university in the country. The university was founded under the name of Academia Gustaviana in 1632 by Baron Johan Skytte, the Governor-General of Swedish Livonia, Ingria, and Karelia, with the required ratification provided by King Gustavus Adolphus, shortly before the king's death on 6 November in the Battle of Lützen (1632).

15,206 students study at the university, of whom over 1,500 are foreigners (10%). Most of the curriculum is instructed in Estonian. However, there are still 30 English-taught programs: three at the undergraduate level and 27 at the master's level, including the Erasmus Mundus program in Excellence in Analytical Chemistry.

The historical buildings of the university are included in the European Heritage Label list as "embodiment of the ideas of a university in the Age of Enlightenment". The university is a member of the Coimbra Group and the Utrecht Network.

The mascot of the university is a blue bird called Tiksu.