For general required documents, see the application procedure and check English requirements; not all countries with an English educational background are exempt from language tests.
Applicants also need to submit:
- A situated motivation video (submitted as a link)
- A portfolio – skill set (submitted as a separate file)
- CV (submitted as a separate file)
- Self-funding plan (submitted as a separate file)
- Approved applicants will have an interview with the admission committee
All the links must be submitted separately, not embedded within other documents. All the links must be accessible to everyone without registration. In order to qualify, candidates have to submit all the required documents.
Please apply as soon as possible so that the admission specialists can give you feedback before the application deadline and give you a chance to update your application, if necessary. If you submit your application during the last week of the application period, you will not receive feedback, and we have the right to reject the application without any feedback or extra time.
I) Motivation video
The motivation video (max 1 min 30 s) should provide a clear overview of the applicant’s intention to study in the AISS joint master’s programme. Speeding up the video will also amount to rejection. The motivation video positions the applicant’s interests within the current research topics and the future workforce. The video is an opportunity to connect the applicant’s skill set and academic and/or professional background with the preferred topic. Applicants are encouraged to situate themselves within current academic and/or industry developments and to envision possible projects and outcomes for their potential Master’s thesis.
The video must be uploaded to the application using the Dreamapply online application system. We do not accept videos in the format of TikTok, Instagram, X, or other social media platforms. The video can be no longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds. Please note that if it exceeds the length limit, it will be rejected without the possibility of correction.
II) Portfolio – skillset
Applicants are expected to submit a portfolio with selected works demonstrating their previous experience and skill set on a professional level. The portfolio can include videos, images, sketches, 3D visualisations, graphic or interactive presentations, applications, GitHub links (excluding extra material), research, or citizen activity projects. The expected format of the portfolio is as follows:
- Up to 5 individual works with a brief description.
- The individual pieces of work should represent and identify the candidate’s best skills.
- Each work’s description should include a summary and relevant background information, to be understandable without accessing extra materials (such as books, podcasts, etc)
- In all cases, the applicant should clearly explain the skill set required for the project and their contribution.
The portfolio must be submitted as a separate file. If you add links to the portfolio, do not amend the webpages after submitting the file. The committee cannot read books, listen to podcasts, or access extensive materials. The application will be rejected if the webpage referred to in a portfolio is updated after the application period.
III) CV
Applicants are expected to submit their CVs. The Europass CV is often used, but it is not an obligatory format and can be in any other format. The CV should be a maximum of two pages long. If you add extra material not required for the application, you can be rejected (such as certificates of training, recommendation letters and so forth).
IV) Self-funding plan
Submit a separate self-funding plan. Please explain how you envision funding the tuition fees, living expenses, and travel expenses if you do not receive the scholarship. Please note that your application will be rejected if the self-funding plan is missing.
V) Interview
The interview with the admission board is conducted in English. Each candidate is assigned a 15-minute time slot (10 minutes for the applicant’s speech and 5 minutes for discussion with the admission board). The order of the interviews is arranged through email. If you are not on time for the interview, rescheduling it is impossible. The structure of the interview is as follows:
- A personal introduction of the applicant, focusing on their previous academic and/or professional experience related to their eventual studies in the AISS programme.
- An explanation of the applicant’s motivation to study in the AISS programme introduces the topics the applicant is interested in exploring in depth during their studies.
- An overview of the skill set that the applicant expects to acquire during their eventual studies in the AISS programme and the relevance of this desired skill set for the applicant’s future career plans.
- The applicant’s vision of the potential master’s thesis topic
- Answers to the follow-up questions from the members of the admissions committee.
Please note that not all candidates who passed the document round will be invited to the interview.
Applicants are evaluated based on:
1) Technical soundness of documents
1a) All the documents must be technically sound and according to the rules. For instance, the motivation video is within the time limit; no extra files are sent; the portfolio has a summary of the projects and is not just a collection of articles or links, and the items are explained clearly and understandably without a need to go through extra links and files.
2) The documents need to adhere to the content that has been asked for.
2a) The applicant’s intention to study, interests and current research topics, and connection to the program should be present for this motivational video.
2b) The content in the portfolio should be on actual projects that have been executed. There must be a clear summary and connection to the program, explaining the skill set needed to select and execute these.
2c) Originality is evaluated.
2d) The CV is relevant and presents the work, education, projects, and social activities (e.g. social projects).
3) Interview criteria
3a) The applicant is punctual, follows the interview structure, guidelines, and answers the questions.
3b) The applicant is convincing, authentic, and does not read from the screen or provide predefined/written answers.
3c) The applicant is able to express themselves.
Please send any additional questions regarding the admissions procedure or requirements to kristi.oikimus@tlu.ee.
Please also note that those who have already benefited from an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJM) scholarship are not eligible to apply for an additional scholarship. Only the ten best will receive the scholarship. The Philippines’ nationality scholarship quota is complete; no more scholarships for the Philippines.
The admission exam consists of assessment documents (50% of the final score) and the interview (50% of the final score).
Entrance exam part name: Documents
Minimum positive result: 35
Maximum positive result: 50
Entrance exam part name: Interview
Minimum positive result: 35
Maximum positive result: 50
Please note: We are not providing personalised feedback to applicants.
AISS admissions are open from 02.12.2025 to 02.02.2026.