3. Basics of studies

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3.1 Studies are based on a curriculum which specifies the study objectives, learning outcomes, structure of studies, list of subjects and modules with the volume of studies in credits, study options and conditions, requirements for enrolment and graduation, the main language of instruction and other languages of instruction necessary for achievement of the learning outcomes and the nominal study period.

3.2 The Programme Statute establishes the requirements for the structure, content and quality of curricula and the rules for the opening, administration and closure of curricula. The development of curricula and the submission of proposals for their amendment are coordinated by the respective Study Level Council, the composition of which is approved by the EBS Rector on the proposal of the Head of the Study Level. Curricula and its amendments are approved by the Management Board of SA Estonian Business School on the proposal of the EBS Senate. The Vice-Rector for Studies has the right to make alterations to the curriculum for the period of one year. Curricula are entered into the SIS and the Estonian Education Information System EHIS. Curricula must correspond to the Estonian Higher Education Standard.

3.3 The course outline is an information document providing a brief description of a course or module and is stored in the SIS. The course outline includes the official title of the course, the subject code, the volume, objectives, a brief overview of the content and the main topics covered, learning outcomes, and a list of prerequisite courses. The course outline is prepared by the respective academic unit and approved by the head of that unit. The course outline serves as the basis for entering the course into the SIS.

3.4 The syllabus is prepared on the basis of the course outline. A syllabus is a description of a course that includes the official course title, subject code and volume of the subject and the prerequisite courses (i.e. courses that must be completed before taking the course), learning outcomes, the course schedule and a list of topics to be covered, the schedule and description of independent study, assessment methods and criteria, and their alignment with the learning outcomes, and a list of the principal course literature. The syllabus is prepared by the lecturer teaching the course and approved by the head of the respective academic unit or by a leading lecturer appointed by the head of the unit. Syllabi are stored in the SIS. Syllabi for autumn semester courses are confirmed by 15 June and the syllabi for spring semester courses by 15 December. The syllabus shall be uploaded to the Canvas learning management system no later than two weeks before the start of the semester.

3.5 Courses are divided into compulsory, elective and optional courses. A compulsory course is a course that must be successfully completed in order to graduate from EBS. An elective course is a course selected from a specified group of courses and in the volume prescribed by the curriculum. An optional course is a course that a student or external student may freely select from any curriculum offered by EBS or another recognised higher education institution and is not among the compulsory or elective courses prescribed by the student’s or external student’s curriculum. In order to choose an optional course, the student must have passed its prerequisite courses. Students or external students may choose elective and optional courses according to the volume and requirements established in the relevant curriculum.

3.6 The volume of a subject is expressed in terms of the European Credit Point System (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System ECTS). The unit of study volume is a credit (ECTS). One ECTS credit corresponds to 26 hours spent studying – 1560 astronomical hours and 60 credits per year.

3.7 The timeframe of organisation of studies is established by the academic calendar, which determines the start and end dates of the academic year and important study-related deadlines. The Vice-Rector for Studies approves the academic calendar for the coming academic year by the end of March.

3.8 Studies are divided into two semesters (the autumn and spring semesters), each of which generally lasts 16–19 study weeks. Each semester concludes with a main examination session lasting up to three weeks, followed by a resit examination session lasting up to two weeks.

3.9 There are no studies during the Christmas and summer breaks.

3.10 Internship generally takes place between two academic years.

3.11 In order to guarantee the quality of studies, students are regularly asked to give feedback by filling in questionnaires. The university has the right to restrict access to study-related information for students who have not completed the mandatory part of the feedback survey.