The New J. Skytte Institute of Political Studies connects students through active learning

Starting on 1 January 2016, the Institute of Government and Politics and the European College of the University of Tartu merged and formed the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies. The new Institute will be remarkable in its integration of advanced teaching and research methods in both Estonian and English.


The Institute of Government and Politics and the European College had already strong international dimensions, as illustrated by their three MA programmes and one PhD programme, all taught in English, as well as numerous international teaching staff members. The merger of these two strong entities will enable students to receive an even more in-depth and extensive education in the social and political sciences.

Director of the IGP, Professor Vello Pettai explained some of the changes: „For example, we have new English-language MA programmes which brought many more international students already this autumn. We organized several thematic, social and cultural events to help new students settle in and connect with our Estonian students.” Additionally, the BA programme of Government and Politics in Estonian were renewed, while incorporating more active learning methods such as flipped classroom, simulations and discussion-based lectures.
The Director of the European College, Dr. Kristiina Tõnnisson added that the merger capitalized upon the substantive innovations that the College has implemented in its MA programmes during the past year. „We have completely changed the teaching philosophy and our expectations for students and instructors. As a significant modification we have introduced more interactive problem- and project-based teaching methods, so that students are able to learn valuable and useful skills as well as receiving the theoretical foundations that will be useful in post-graduate careers.”
The establishment of the new Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies starting on 1 January 2016 was approved by the University of Tartu’s Senate meeting on May 29. Johan Skytte was a Swedish politician and public figure who was instrumental in the founding of the University of Tartu (Academia Gustaviana) in 1632.

For more information, please contact:

Kristiina Tõnnisson, Director of Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, ph: 737 6372, e-mail: kristiina.tonnisson@ut.ee.