My BBA journey at the University of Tartu

Mariia Teslenko, alumna of Business Administration from Ukraine

I chose BBA programme because I was interested in economics and finance, as well as marketing and management. My interest began a long time ago, in school times, where I really enjoyed studying mathematics and wanted to deepen my knowledge in related fields. At the same time, I was a very creative person, and I was also equally fascinated by marketing. I also had that one dream of starting my own business in the future.

The BBA programme felt like a perfect fit for me, a comprehensive curriculum which covers all the major fields related to business administration. It gives you a perfect opportunity to explore what excites you most and then either specialise further at the master’s level or pursue a career in a field you are truly passionate about.

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I now have the possibility to pursue career opportunities in variety of fields, ranging from marketing to financial analytics, as I have gained strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience in both areas. Also, since we were able to select the topic of our bachelor’s thesis ourselves, I chose to focus on the real estate market in my home country. This research not only deepened my expertise but also gave me an additional opportunity to build a career in this field in the future.

This programme is a great opportunity for motivated entrepreneurs who want to start their own business, as this programme includes many courses related to entrepreneurship and offers plenty of opportunities to develop a startup, even with access to financial support in some cases. As I mentioned earlier, I was one of those people who dreamed of starting a business one day, and I still carry that idea with me today, but now with much more knowledge and experience. I am confident that, with the foundation I have built, I will be able to turn this aspiration into reality in the future.

That’s why three years ago I chose BBA programme for my bachelor’s studies and I remain absolutely happy with my decision.

My study experience at the University of Tartu was even better than I could have imagined. I liked many courses that indeed gave me valuable insights and a strong foundation in different areas of business administration. We had a lot of practical tasks, which allowed us not only to learn theoretical concepts but also to apply our knowledge and skills in practice, gaining hands-on experience for our future. Many assignments also involved teamwork, which is an essential skill in the business world. Strong collaboration is often the key to success.

The courses that I found most valuable for me were:

• Marketing (including digital marketing, which is fundamental in today’s marketing)
• Financial Management
• Macro- and Microeconomics
• Statistical and Econometric Methods.

You can see that these disciplines are quite diverse, but they are all essential for building a comprehensive understanding of the business world.

I liked the quality of teaching, as lectures were engaging and many of them were interactive. It made it much easier to understand and remember the material. The lecturers at the University of Tartu are true professionals who constantly demonstrate a respectful and supportive attitude towards the students.

Finally, I cannot fail to mention Delta Centre, as it is a perfect environment for studies, which makes your studying process even more comfortable and enjoyable.

My university journey was unforgettable, not only because of studies and valuable knowledge gained, but also thanks to the active and joyful life outside of the university. Tartu has many places which students can visit during their studies, and travelling around Estonia is a great experience as well. The country is full of picturesque places and incredible nature. Also, you can easily find a hobby in Tartu, as there are many gyms, sports activities organised for students. For example, I joined a local dance team, which turned out to be an unforgettable experience and left me with very warm memories.

Finally, there are many student organisations in Tartu, such as ESN (Erasmus Student Network), which regularly organise different events for students. My favourite was definitely the karaoke party, and I recommend joining at least once! It is a wonderful way to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, and it is a unique experience for international students - one where you can easily make new friends and feel part of a vibrant community!

I participated in many different events and projects, and I am truly grateful for these opportunities from the university. First of all, I was a Student Representative of the BBA programme, therefore I had a chance to collect the feedback from fellow students and work together with the Programme Director on improving our curriculum. Moreover, I volunteered at several events organised by the marketing team, which turned out to be both a valuable and highly enjoyable experience. For example, I volunteered on the Delta Trends Day to help organise the event and ensure that everything ran smoothly. I interviewed the guests for the Delta Management School’s social media platforms, which was an absolutely fantastic opportunity that gave me both professional and creative skills.

In addition, I was proud to represent the University of Tartu at one of the biggest student fairs in the Baltics - Skola Expo 2025. Together, we introduced international programmes to motivated prospective students and shared my personal experiences of studying in Estonia. I also joined other university activities, such as guest lectures, filming sessions and similar projects, which made my student years even more special and diverse.

Another important part of my extracurricular life was dancing in a local team. This gave me a lot of new ideas, inspiration and skills in a field I am passionate about outside of my studies. Our dance team also participated in competitions, which made this experience especially rewarding.

Finally, during my third year, I worked as a teaching assistant on the “Introduction to Studies” course, where I supported new students in learning the basics of university rules, practices and assignments. This role helped me develop leadership, communication, and mentoring skills, while also allowing me to contribute to the success of younger students.

I would recommend the BBA programme for people who are interested in any of the specific fields that this curriculum covers. It is also an excellent choice for prospective entrepreneurs and startup-minded individuals who want to build a solid foundation in business administration, connect with motivated peers who might even become a part of their future team, and enjoy an unforgettable university journey.