Our Story

TalTech is Estonia’s only university of technology and the nation’s leading centre for technological education and research. We develop solutions to today’s challenges while shaping tomorrow’s society. More than a university, TalTech is a launchpad for people driven to change the world through science, technology, and innovation.

We champion high-quality, practice-oriented engineering and technology education, offering learning opportunities throughout every stage of life—from inspiring school students to supporting lifelong learners. Our mission is to equip Estonia and the global workforce with outstanding experts who are ready to lead technological and economic progress.

TalTech advances world-class research that drives impactful innovation, technology transfer, and the development of future technologies. We focus on globally significant challenges, from the green transition and clean energy systems to defence, security, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence.

As both a centre of knowledge and a catalyst for economic and societal development, TalTech transforms research into practical solutions with real-world impact. Our researchers and students create technologies that shape the future, while our close collaboration with industry fosters innovation and breakthrough discoveries.

We are an ambitious, internationally minded university with aspirations that extend far beyond Estonia. Our goal is to become the leading university of technology in the Nordic region and rank among Europe’s finest, delivering world-class education and research.

TalTech is a vibrant community where students, researchers, staff, alumni, and partners form a powerful network that contributes to society’s progress. We have grown alongside Estonia and continue to grow with the ambition of strengthening the country’s reputation as a home of quality, innovation, and technological excellence.

At TalTech, you can take a virtual tour around the campus. Wherever you are, with just a small amount of time you can get a quick guided overview of the amazing possibilities. 

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TalTech is the only university in Estonia that has everything you need, from a residential hall to dormitories on a compact campus, state-of-the-art laboratories, a modern library, a business centre, an active student house, sports hall, a number of restaurants, and numerous student organisations. This means there is always a way to put what you study into practice, meet new people, and make connections that will be useful in the future.

Take a quick look at student life in TalTech!

From special technical courses to Tallinn College of Engineering

The story of Tallinn University of Technology dates back to 17 September 1918, when the Estonian Technical Society, which united local technical intellectuals, started to organise special technical courses in Estonia, which was occupied by German forces at that time. After Estonia’s independence, the need for engineers, architects, and technicians increased. In 1919, the society continued its activities as a private school called Tallinna Tehnikum (Tallinn College of Engineering, TT).

Kopli Iron School

In the interest of further development, TT was nationalised in 1920 and the young institution soon achieved the status of a state higher education institution. Until 1931, TT operated in tight conditions on Pikk Street, then moved to the headquarters of the former Russian-Baltic shipyard in Kopli. Although the aim was to build the school’s own building, it was not achieved due to a limited budget. However, despite the material difficulties, there were enough enthusiastic young people who wanted to study at TT.

Tallinn or Tartu: the technical university is established in the capital

From the late 1920s, the plan to merge TT with the University of Tartu inhibited its development. The situation did not improve until 1936, when the government decided that the technical university should be located in Tallinn. TT was changed to Tallinna Tehnikainstituut (Tallinn Technical Institute). In 1938, it was renamed Tallinna Tehnikaülikool (Tallinn University of Technology). However, the outbreak of the Second World War interrupted the rapid development. In the wake of the war, the university lost numerous faculty and students, not to mention assets.

Soviet-era Tallinn Polytechnic Institute as the leading technical university

During the Soviet occupation following the war, the university was named Tallinna Polütehniline Instituut (Tallinn Polytechnic Institute, TPI). It was called so until Estonia regained its independence. Despite general mental depression, the university’s level continued to rise steadily. From the 1970s, the spread of thoughts and ideas became more and more liberal. The student body grew and the qualification of the teaching staff increased. TPI made significant advances in research, thus gaining the status of the leading USSR technical university.

Campus in Mustamäe

An important turning point was the beginning of the construction of the campus in Mustamäe in the early 1960s. The Singing Revolution brought about a breath of fresh air. The university participated actively in the ongoing social processes, making a significant contribution to the restoration of state independence. In 1989, the name of Tallinn University of Technology was re-introduced.

Tallinn University of Technology becomes an international university of technology

Over the next few decades, curricula have expanded significantly, the student and teacher base has become increasingly international, and operating conditions have improved. Today, the Tallinn University of Technology is one of the most recognised and largest universities in Estonia with more than 2,000 employees, including 1,200 teachers and research staff. Before World War II, there were less than 500 students there, but today, this number has increased nearly 30 times. The university already has almost 70,000 alumni who have all contributed to the development of Estonia.

TalTech – leading the way to a sustainable digital future

On its 100th birthday in 2018, Tallinn University of Technology, the leader of Estonian science, technology, and innovation, officially introduced the short name TalTech alongside its full name. The essence of the university, however, remains the same – a technical university which serves the Estonian state and people through top-level international teaching and research to renew the Estonian economy and to provide ideas for raising the standard of living throughout the world.