University of Tartu

University of Tartu

Tartu Ülikool
Latin: Universitas Tartuensis
Former names	Academia Gustaviana, University of Dorpat/Yuryev, Tartu State University
Type	Public
Established	1632 (closed 1710–1802)
Rector	Toomas Asser
Academic staff	1,847[1]
Administrative staff	1,520[1]
Students	14,263[1]
Undergraduates	8,787[1]
Postgraduates	4,342[1]
Doctoral students	1,134[1]
Location	Tartu , Estonia 58°22′52″N 26°43′13″E / 58.38111°N 26.72028°E / 58.38111; 26.72028
Campus	Urban (University town)
Colours	White   Blue
Nickname	UT, unitartu
Affiliations	CBUR, EUA, Coimbra Group, Utrecht Network, Atomium Culture Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
Mascot	Tiksu
Website	ut.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.^[2] It also consists of the largest and oldest university in the country.^[3] 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).^[4][5]

Nearly 14,300 students study at the university, of whom over 1,800 are foreigners.^[6] Most of the curriculum is instructed in Estonian. However there still are 30 English-taught programmes: 3 first level programmes and 27 master's level programmes, including the Erasmus Mundus programme Excellence in Analytical Chemistry.^[7]

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".^[8] The university is a member of the Coimbra Group and the Utrecht Network.^[9]

The maskot of the university is called Tiksu and behind it unravels a rather interesting story. [9] is said that Tiksu, being pictured as a blue bird, hatched at the moment of surnrise and was given a thirst for learning new things. This way, it is the symbol of knowledge and intelligence. Later on, Tiksu is said to have met an ornithologist who also gave lectures at a university. Thus, one day the little bird followed his new friend to the place where he worked and managed to get inside a classroom. There he listened to lectures and learnt new information about birds. After some time, he became a part of the university family. Of course, the story consists of an imaginary tale, as Tiksu can speak and communicate with humans, but easily gets the message of the university across: the interest of their students for knowledge and life.