Estonia ’ s way in reforming higher education – from soviet - style system into the Bologna process

Since late 1980s four systems of stages of higher education and qualifications have been in force in Estonia. The higher education system has been changed or reorganized through three phases of reforms, important periods were in 1989-1991, 1995-1996 and 20012002. The latter phase of reforms was clearly facilitated and conducted by the progressive Bologna process. Similarly to other CEE countries and many from EU, the Bologna process in Estonia can not be seen as the beginning of higher education reforms. Estonian Higher Education Assessment Council was set up in 1995 while in 1996 a student workload-based accumulative credit point system was introduced in Estonian higher education. The article discusses the background of the reforms and follows the dynamics of the higher education legislation in Estonia. It also examines the outcomes of the different phases of reforms and surveys the reasons of failures if progressive changes were not implemented. Overview of current curriculum buit-up and degree system is given and expected future developments are discussed.