Just a few years ago, Andris Lõiv was not even sure whether he would return to university. Life had taken him in a different direction, and higher education felt like an unfinished chapter. Then, while browsing degree programmes at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, he discovered a new and somewhat mysterious field of study: Circular Bioeconomy.
“I have always been interested in environmental issues,” says Andris, a first-year student at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. “We can all see how the climate is changing. Winters are still long, but they are no longer truly cold, and summers are different from what they used to be. I felt that I wanted to understand these changes better.”
Although the name of the programme may sound complex at first, Circular Bioeconomy focuses on highly practical and future-oriented questions: how to use resources more efficiently, reduce waste, and create new value from biological resources.
Connecting Environment, Technology and Real Life
Before starting his studies, Andris admits that he did not fully understand what circular bioeconomy actually meant.
“What interested me most was how bioresources fit into the bigger picture,” he explains. “Now I would describe it as a sustainability-focused programme. It is about finding smarter ways to use existing resources and keeping them in circulation for as long as possible.”
Learning goes far beyond classroom lectures. Students visit companies, conduct experiments in laboratories, and see firsthand how sustainable solutions are implemented in practice.
One of Andris’s most memorable experiences was a visit to the Väätsa landfill site.
“There we saw so-called biodegradable bags mixed in with biowaste, but they were not breaking down nearly as well as people tend to believe,” he recalls. “They only decompose under ideal conditions, and in real life those conditions often do not exist. After seeing that, I stopped using biodegradable bags myself.”
Andris says that when he tells people what he studies, they often struggle to understand what the field is really about.
“Whenever I say I study Circular Bioeconomy, the first thing that comes to people’s minds is waste management,” he laughs. “But in reality, it is much bigger than just waste.”
“This Is Definitely a Field of the Future”
The more companies Andris has visited and the more experience he has gained in the sector, the clearer it has become that circular bioeconomy is not a niche topic. It already influences many aspects of everyday life and business.
He has also completed practical training at A. Le Coq, one of Estonia’s leading beverage producers, where he was impressed by how consciously companies approach resource use today.
“All of Estonia’s most successful companies are engaged in some form of circular economy,” he says. “The more efficiently you can use your resources, the smarter and more competitive you become.”
At the moment, Andris is still considering whether to specialise more in forestry or agriculture. He is particularly fascinated by solutions that maximise the value extracted from materials and biological resources.
“This is definitely a field of the future,” he says with confidence.
A Supportive and Welcoming University Community
Beyond the programme itself, Andris highly values the atmosphere and sense of community at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
“The vibe here is relaxed and welcoming,” he says. “The lecturers are approachable, and there is no feeling that any question is a silly question.”
For him, university life is about much more than lectures and exams. Student life includes shared activities, hiking trips in Estonia’s bog landscapes, barbecue evenings, and building genuine friendships.
“University is a place where you can find some really great friends,” he says.
His family has also been very supportive of his studies. The person most excited about his decision to return to university was his grandmother.
“She immediately told me that she wants to see me graduate in three years,” he says with a smile.
For anyone still deciding what to study, Andris has a simple piece of advice:
“If a programme speaks to you even a little bit, give it a try. If you never try, you will never know.”
Applications to the Estonian University of Life Sciences are open from 1 June until 2 July at 3:00 PM. More information about degree programmes and admissions is available here: https://www.emu.ee/sisseastuminelink opens in new page.
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