Impactful Entrepreneurship

Overview

This is a unique programme in the whole world where learning is based on the modern and innovative business simulator principle. This programme is for you if you are interested in entrepreneurship, dream about becoming an entrepreneur or wish to implement a business idea which will make the world a better place. During your studies, you will experience all the development stages of a company and will be equipped with knowledge of responsible entrepreneurship, contemporary digital solutions, and team leadership.

Profile of the graduate

Once you graduate from this program, you are ready to be an entrepreneur. However, you will also be able to act as a leader of business projects or as a specialist in positions which require entrepreneurial skills. Most likely you will keep developing and managing the company which you started during your studies. You will have relevant knowledge and practical skills in all the areas needed for the successful running of a business – product development, marketing, management of people and processes, financing, and business law.  

 

EBS cares a lot about the success of its students, alumni, and their employers. We strive to make sure that our graduates do well, and we are genuinely happy about their success.

 

According to research:

Among EBS alumni

  • 15% create their own business;
  • 44% work in international companies;
  • 21% work in local companies;
  • 20% work abroad.

Of EBS alumni

  • 11% are entrepreneurs;

  • 35% are top- or middle managers;

  • 45% are top- or mid-level specialists.

Compared to Estonian average salaries, gross salaries for EBS alumni are:

  • above Estonian average for 85% of EBS alumni;

  • more than twice the average salary for 43% of EBS alumni.

  • Salaries for EBS alumni in business and management are higher than those for other Estonian universities’ graduates.  

Why choose this programme? 

  • It offers a unique opportunity for a university degree while developing a business idea;

  • You will walk through all the development stages of a company and will be able to immediately implement your knowledge and experience as a team member. During the studies you will solve real-life challenges which start-ups and companies of impact face on a daily basis;

  • You will obtain the best possible knowledge and practical skills in key areas of entrepreneurship – product development, responsible entrepreneurship, team leadership, marketing, financing, digital solutions, and international business;

  • You will meet a number of top talent and will be guided by experts, managers, and entrepreneurs in their field;

  • Your personal development will be an integral part of the studies – you will introspectively analyse what you have experienced in one-on-one meetings with your mentor;

  • You will learn in small groups of students and your personal study consultant will be there to advise you. Thus, we will always be on top of your goals and support you every step of the way;

  • At EBS we focus, as much as possible, on learning from each other via group discussions, teamwork, practical studies, and „lessons from life“. This will ensure that upon graduation you will break through, will be entrepreneurial and successful in your area of business;

  • Your fellow students will be positive and ambitious initiators with cool ideas. This inspiring and motivating company of people and valuable network will remain with you for years to come;

  • You can take advantage of the mobility window which enables an international learning experience in a foreign top-tier university.

Programme overview

During three years you will experience the entrepreneurship process from the creation of the business idea until the selling of the business. You will be provided with knowledge and skills relevant for each development stage of a company in every lecture and seminar.

 

Development stages of a company: discovery of business opportunities and starting a company, company development and optimization of processes, expanding and internationalising the company, sale of and/or closing down the company.

 

This program will concentrate on seven specific areas (thematic streams): Entrepreneurship & Marketing, Finance & Economics, Law & Ethics, Sustainability & Green, Leadership & Team, Organisation & Network, and Individual & Transferrable (personal development of an entrepreneur).
 

Your studies will be supported by entrepreneurs, mentors, and experts.

 

Study year overview  
I First study year  
 

Semester 1: Seeding and starting up

 

In the first semester your entreprenurial journey starts with working in different teams to discover opportunities for impactful entrepreneurship and sustainable business creation.  We focus on the wider business context by exploring trends and global challenges that nowadays entrepreneurs need to keep in mind. 

 

You will learn how to work in creative teams. You also learn a lot about yourself and how to become a successful entrepreneur or entrepreneurial leader.

30 ECTS
 

Semester 2: Developing and calibrating

 

Your entrepreneurial journey continues with validating a business idea. We dive into the world of business modelling and finding potential first customers. At the same time, you will form a stable team and start preparing your initial organisational structure that supports your business idea.  

 

As a team, you will learn how to overcome failure by pivoting your business idea. On the personal level you continue to explore your entrepreneurial side and learn how to take your actions to the next level.

 

33 ECTS
II Second study year  

 

Semester 3: Expanding and Growing

 

The third semester of your entrepreneurial journey focuses on continuous and sustainable business model innovation. Also, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of different strategies for growing, expanding and internationalisation of your business. 

 

As a team, you will start to prepare your business for rapid scaling. As an individual, you will start recognising your different roles and responsibilities as a founder, leader and manager. 

30 ECTS
 

Semester 4: Maturing and Exiting

 

Your entrepreneurial journey reaches the phase where your business is mature and stable. You will explore different exciting strategies from bankruptcy to Initial Public Offering (IPO). Obviously, your exits need to be communicated internally and externally, so you will prepare for that by creating a PA and PR plan. 

 

As a team, you will learn how to negotiate and deal with challenging situations. As an individual, you will learn how to let go of your “baby” and all the emotions that are related to these situations.

33 ECTS
III Third study year  
 

Semester 5:  Focusing and Connecting

 

The fifth semester enables you to add value to your personal entrepreneurial journey by selecting those specialisation topics that interest you the most. You do this either by going abroad or taking elective courses at EBS. We focus on expanding your networks. 

 

As a pair, you will start preparing for your final thesis. As an individual, you will connect all the learning from your personal entrepreneurial journey. 

30 ECTS
 

Semester 6: Launching and Graduating

 

The sixth semester starts with you creating the launching campaign for your business which you implement immediately after the graduation. We will wrap up your studies by building a leadership toolbox for entrepreneurs.

 

As a pair you will write your thesis while being supported by supervisors and seminars. As an individual, you will obtain mentoring and coaching skills that will help you in your future career. 

24 ECTS

Studies at EBS

Study format

Seminars take place at EBS campus from Tuesday to Thursday between 10.00 to 16.00 according to the timetable. According to the choice of elective courses, they can take place also on Mondays or Fridays between 8.30 to 17.15 according to the timetable.  

 

Daytime study format includes more contact hours in the classroom, which helps to acquire knowledge more easily. At EBS we focus on peer-to-peer learning, so your studies will include group works and presentations, interactive seminars and classroom discussions.

Mobility Window

During your second study year, you will have the possibility to study in one of EBS partner universities for either one semester or one year. Of all universities in Estonia, EBS has the strongest network of partner universities – it includes some of the best business schools in Europe (EMLyon Business School, Università Bocconi, BI Norwegian Business School, Kedge Business School, Copenhagen Business School, Solbridge International School of Business and many more). 

The Mobility Window is the semester intended for studying abroad. Studying abroad provides you with a unique experience and enables you to test yourself in a new academic and cultural environment, practice your language skills, make new friends, find possible future business partners, and gain a competitive advantage in the labour market.

 

Studying abroad during Mobility Window means that you can choose the business-related courses to your own liking and the credits will be transferred. You also have the possibility to complement your knowledge in areas that no university in Estonia covers.

 

The Mobility Window is the semester intended for studying abroad. Studying abroad provides you with a unique experience and enables you to test yourself in a new academic and cultural environment, practice your language skills, make new friends, find possible future business partners, and gain a competitive advantage in the labour market.

 

Studying abroad during Mobility Window means that you can choose the business-related courses to your own liking and the credits will be transferred. You also have the possibility to complement your knowledge in areas that no university in Estonia covers.

When you study at an EBS partner university, you will only pay the EBS tuition fee. Additionally, if you choose mobility in one of the EU countries, EBS will pay to you the Erasmus+ scholarship. 

 

Positive feedback of EBS students confirms that a semester abroad significantly broadens your worldview and provides you with new contacts as well as invaluable international university experience.

 

Exchange semester stories of our students can be found here:

 

Just go! podcast

Internship and Mentoring

Internship is an integral part of your studies. It will expose you to an organisation’s daily functioning and you will be able to implement your knowledge and skills in the place of internship. At EBS, internship is undertaken in two stages. 

Internship I

  • During the Internship I you will become familiar with the organisation’s managerial- and decision-making processes;
  • A mentor (EBS master student) will support you in choosing the internship place. Through mentoring, you will explore different opportunities for shaping your career path and discuss your future goals. As an experienced manager, your mentor will be your role model and give you advice on how to take the first steps towards your dream career.

Internship II

  • Internship II provides you with the possibility to test your knowledge and skills even further – you will need to solve a managerial problem which has occurred in your place of internship;
  • You will conduct a study and, based on it, you can suggest an organisational change;
  • Internship II will support your preparation to write the bachelor thesis.  

EBS internship programme has positive feedback from both students and places of internship. The purpose of internship is to implement the knowledge acquired during your studies in real-life working situations and to support the students during their career planning.

EBS internship programme has received in 2023 the quality label of "Recognised Practice System 2023-2027".

 

The quality label is awarded by the Education and Youth Agency as part of the project "Recognition of the Internship Process in Vocational and Higher Education." The aim of the label is to recognize vocational and higher education institutions for creating and implementing high-quality internship systems and to motivate schools in planning and implementing development activities related to internships.

 

Marge Täks, Head of the Department of Management, Senior Lecturer, PhD:  

"Internship helps the students to better understand their strengths and find their passion. The students will also find out what they do not like or what does not suit them. This, in its turn, helps them make better future career choices. As a result of the internship, the brightest of our students have also found their first jobs.

Our students' internship stories

 

Key dates
1

ADMISSION OPENING

The start of the admission round for the study year 2024/2025.

 

1

APPLICATION DEADLINE - INTERNATIONAL

The application deadline for non-EU applicants in DreamApply for the study year 2024/2025.

The application deadline for EU, USA, Canada, Japan, Turkey, Ukraine and Kazakhstan in DreamApply is June 1.

3

APPLICATION DEADLINE - ESTONIA & FINLAND

The application deadline in SAIS and DreamApply. Admission interviews take place at EBS Tallinn campus.

Admission information

Suitable candidate

  • Holds a higher secondary education degree or an equivalent qualification;
  • Holds sufficient proficiency in English (B2);
  • Demonstrates their motivation, ambition and argumentation skills in a catchy application;
  • Completes the admission interview at EBS.

Admission

More information about admission requirements and a detailed explanation of the admission process to EBS:

 

 

Admission requirements

Information about admission requirements for international applicants can be found here.

Information about the admission requirements for local applicants can be found here.

Frequently asked questions Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the admission process for international students.
Country-specific requirements

The specific requirements for international qualifications can be found here.

Requirements for International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate or GED qualifications. 

How to apply?

Step-by-step guide for international students here

 

If you are excited about our program and wish to learn from and contribute to the EBS community then you are ready to apply. 

The application enables you to introduce yourself to the admission committee and give the first impression of yourself. 

International applicants:

Apply in DreamApply

 

 

   Estonian applicants:

Apply in SAIS

Online consultations

If you would like to receive more information about the admission process before applying, then sign-up for a personal online consultation. The online-consultations take place twice a month.

We encourage you to register if:

  • You have questions about EBS application process that prevents you from applying;
  • You doubt whether your previous education and/or work experience is compatible with your chosen study programme
  • You are choosing between several study programmes and want more information or support to make the right choice
  • You want more information about the organisation of studies or the financing of studies.

Register for the consultation

Financing your studies

Tuition fee

The tuition fee for the study year 2024/2025:

  • Autumn semester fee 3200 euros and spring semester fee 3400 euros;

Local students:

  • The tuition fee is paid by semester (every half year). You can pay the semester tuition fee in one, two or four instalments. 
  • A processing fee of 35 euros applies when paying in two or four instalments;
  • The first instalment of the tuition fee has to be paid by August 25.

If you are not studying full-time, the tuition fee will be calculated based on the price of credit points (125 euros per credit point). 

 

EU residents:

  • The tuition fee is paid by semester (every half year). 
  • The tuition fee has to be paid latest by August 1;
  • You will receive an invoice with a personal deadline.

Non-EU residents:

  • The tuition fee is for the first study year is paid in one instalment (6600 euros);
  • The tuition fee has to be paid before your visa appointment with the Embassy;
  • You will receive an invoice with a personal deadline.

Study Investment

If you are a resident or a holder of a long-term residence permit in the Republic of Estonia you can pay in several instalments by using the Study Investment. 

 

In cooperation with banks, EBS offers you a study investment solutions, so you can better plan the future and cash flows. Study investment is a financial service. You sign an agreement with LHV or Inbank. The bank pays your tuition fee to EBS and you will make monthly payments to the bank.

 

An instalments contract can be signed at the EBS Office of Academic Affairs quickly and conveniently without visiting the bank.

Students from Finland are eligible for financial aid from Kela, including the study grant, housing supplement and loan guarantees.

Scholarships

EBS awards the scholarships to Bachelor, Master´s and Doctoral first-year students, whose previous academic achievements, study motivation, social engagement and ambition are considered particularly worth recognition.  EBS awards scholarships to the applicants, who enrich the learning experience of their fellow students.  All the applicants, who have received the positive admission decision (conditional acceptance/acceptance) are considered for outstanding applicants scholarship.

 

Criteria for the scholarship:

  • the scholarship is awarded based on the submitted admission application (in SAIS/DreamApply) and the results of the admission interview. The evaluation criteria: motivation, ambition, argumentation;
  • the scholarship is awarded for one academic year and is a partial or full refund of the tuition fee;
  • the scholarship offers are announced on July 25.

Student Experience at EBS

To make your years at the university memorable and joyful, EBS Student Council organises many wonderful events for students. In the Student Council, you can have a say in topics related to university life and organise various entertainment events for EBSikas yourself. Great events and activities range from academic seminars to parties or community events like Haba Gala. Music lovers can sing in the EBS Chamber Choir

For athletic students, sports day, golf competitions, winter swimming, etc. are organised by EBS Sports Club. Several regular sports trainings also take place on a weekly basis and the school is represented in sports competitions outside Estonia as well.

 

Our events are a meeting place for students, employees, partners and alumni.