Studying at University

Who this is for

For school leavers and students considering a bachelor's, a master's or medicine in Georgia.

And for parents who want to double-check their child's choice and see them settled safely.

Our role

We are not an education agent: we take no commission from universities, so our advice is independent.

We do not promise admission and do not take tuition fees, which go directly to the institution. The cost of our consultation and organisation is agreed separately and in advance.

The higher education system

Georgia has been part of the Bologna Process since 2005, and study is measured in European ECTS credits.

This makes transferring credits and continuing study in another country easier, though not automatic.

The academic year is divided into two semesters, with exam periods.

Levels

A bachelor's degree usually covers four years and 240 credits.

A master's is two years with 120 credits, while a doctorate is research-focused.

Some fields, such as medicine, have a different structure.

The one-cycle medical programme

The one-cycle medical programme usually covers six years and 360 credits.

Dentistry and veterinary programmes have their own length.

Clinical practice is an important part of the programme, and we ask how it is organised before you enrol.

Public and private

Both public and private universities operate in Georgia.

Both need the same authorisation and programme accreditation, and quality is not measured by status.

When choosing we look at the programme, the professors and graduates' paths, not the brand.

Choosing a city

Most universities are in Tbilisi, but there are institutions in Batumi and Kutaisi too.

Tbilisi means more opportunities and higher living costs; a smaller city means calm.

Batumi offers life in a seaside, tourist city, especially in summer.

English-taught programmes

Many universities have English-taught programmes, especially in medicine, business and IT.

We check whether the whole programme really is taught in English, including the clinical part.

For dealing with patients and locals, the basics of Georgian are still needed.

Georgian-taught programmes

On a Georgian-taught programme a foreigner often has a preparatory Georgian language year.

That year develops the language to the level needed to follow lectures.

We write about learning the language in detail on the language courses page.

Popular fields

Among international students the most popular are medicine, dentistry, business and international relations.

IT, agriculture and tourism are growing fields too.

We match the field to your career plan, not to popularity.

Authorisation and accreditation

An institution needs authorisation, and the programme you enrol on needs accreditation.

Both are granted by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement.

Authorisation of the institution alone does not tell you that your specific programme is accredited.

Checking the register

We check the list of authorised institutions and accredited programmes in the official source.

We confirm the language too, since the same programme may be accredited in Georgian but not in English.

We send you the register extract so you can check it yourself.

Recognition in your country

Recognition of a Georgian diploma is decided by the competent authority in your country, not by the university or an agent.

We suggest writing to that authority before you enrol, or studying its rules.

Some countries have a list of specific institutions or extra conditions.

A medical diploma

Recognition is especially strict in medicine, and often includes a licensing exam.

Some countries check the programme's length, the volume of clinical practice and the language of instruction.

We check these requirements before you enrol, because fixing things afterwards is hard.

Recognition of previous education

To enrol in Georgia, recognition of a foreign school or university document is often needed.

This procedure takes time, so we start it early.

We confirm the exact admission rules for international applicants with the institution and official sources.

Language requirements

For an English-taught programme you need proof of English or the institution's own test.

Some institutions also hold an interview, often online.

Requirements differ from programme to programme, and we confirm them in advance.

Documents

Usually a passport, school certificate or diploma, transcript and photos are needed.

Some programmes ask for a motivation letter, a reference or a medical certificate.

We get the exact list from the institution in writing and send it to you as a table.

Translation and legalisation

Foreign-language documents often need a notarised translation.

A document sometimes has to be certified with an apostille or consular legalisation, depending on the country of origin.

You do this step in your own country before leaving, and a delay wrecks the whole plan.

Application deadlines

Admission often runs until late summer for the September semester.

Some programmes also admit students for the spring semester.

Because of visas and documents we suggest starting the process months ahead.

Agents and commission

Many education agents take commission from universities, often per enrolled student.

This is not illegal in itself, but it reduces the independence of the advice.

We do not work on that model, and we suggest asking any agent who pays them.

Signs of a scam

It is suspicious when someone promises guaranteed admission before seeing your documents.

It is also suspicious when tuition is requested to a personal account or in cash.

An official admission letter and contract are always issued in the institution's name, with its details.

Paying tuition

You pay tuition directly to the institution's bank account, against an official invoice.

Always keep the receipt and the contract, as you may also need them for a visa.

We never take or pass on tuition fees.

The contract with the institution

The contract states the fee, the payment schedule, and the terms for refunds and leaving the programme.

Pay attention to what happens if a visa is refused or study cannot begin.

We read the contract with you before you sign and, where needed, show it to a lawyer.

A study visa

A citizen of a visa-required country usually needs a study immigration visa.

The visa needs proof of enrolment and other requirements that vary by citizenship.

We check visa rules against official sources and explain them in detail in the immigration section.

Residence permit

Long-term study often requires a study residence permit.

You apply after enrolling, within the deadlines, and it may need renewing every year.

Our partner lawyer helps with residence matters.

Health insurance

We always recommend health insurance for your stay in Georgia, and for some procedures it is compulsory.

Some institutions offer students group insurance.

We write about insurance in a separate section.

Student housing

Some universities have their own housing, but places are limited.

We check the housing conditions, room size and rules before you enrol.

Many students choose student housing in the first year and then move to a flat.

A private flat

A flat is often shared by two or three students.

We put the lease, deposit and utility bills in writing.

We write about finding a flat in the relocation section.

Arrival and the first week

An airport pickup, a ride to your housing and a first look at the city make settling in easier.

In the first week we help with registration, a phone number and essentials.

We send parents a short update during these days, if the student agrees.

Bank and phone

A local bank account is convenient for rent and everyday spending.

Requirements for opening an account differ from bank to bank.

We sort out a SIM card on arrival so the student stays connected.

Working while studying

Whether you can work while studying depends on your citizenship and the rules in force.

Labour migration rules have been changing in recent years, so we check them officially each time.

The study load, especially in medicine, leaves little time for work.

Academic culture

Attending lectures is often compulsory, and absences affect your grade.

Midterm and final exams make up the semester score.

Institutions take academic integrity seriously, including the ban on plagiarism.

Student life

Universities have student clubs, sport and cultural events.

International student communities often gather by country.

Getting to know the country on weekend trips is the most enjoyable part of studying.

Budget planning

Besides tuition, the yearly budget includes housing, food, transport, insurance and trips home.

People often forget document translations, residence fees and textbooks.

We tailor the budget table to your city and lifestyle, so there are no surprises mid-semester.

Scholarships and discounts

Some institutions offer high-achieving students a tuition discount.

State and international scholarships also exist, though competition is high.

We ask the institution for discount terms in writing, and we do not negotiate on your behalf.

Climate and daily life

In Tbilisi summer is hot and winter moderately cold, while Batumi is rainy and humid.

Heating and air conditioning in a flat matter for both budget and comfort.

Before you arrive we send you a list of clothes and essentials.

Faith and food

Tbilisi has churches, a mosque and a synagogue, and students of different faiths find their community.

Halal and vegetarian food are easy to find in the big cities.

You can talk to the institution in advance about exams falling on religious holidays.

Safety

Georgia is generally considered a safe country, though ordinary caution is needed everywhere.

At night we suggest using a taxi app and carrying copies of your documents.

We give you the emergency numbers and your embassy's contact on the first day.

Health and support

A new country, language and exams can sometimes cause stress.

Some institutions have a student support service, and access to a psychologist may be possible.

We write about psychological support in the health section.

For parents

Parents often want to see the city, the institution and the housing for themselves.

We plan a separate visit for them, with a campus and city tour.

We share information about an adult student with parents only with the student's consent.

Campus visit

Seeing the campus, labs, library and housing before enrolling is very useful.

If travelling is not possible, we arrange a video tour.

Talking to students during a visit gives the most honest picture.

Transferring from another university

When transferring from a university abroad, recognition of credits is a separate procedure.

Not all credits count automatically, and you may need to retake some subjects.

We ask the institution for the transfer conditions in writing.

Exchange programmes

Many Georgian universities take part in European and other exchange programmes.

A semester in Georgia is possible under your university's exchange agreement.

In that case our role is arrival, housing and settling in.

Master's and research

A master's requires recognition of your bachelor's diploma and sometimes an entrance exam or interview.

For a doctorate, choosing a supervisor and research topic starts before enrolment.

We judge a research programme's quality by publications and international projects.

The diploma supplement

A graduate often receives a diploma supplement together with the diploma.

The supplement describes the programme, subjects, credits and grades, which makes recognition easier.

We confirm in advance with the institution that an English version of the supplement is available.

After graduation

To use a diploma in another country, it often needs an apostille and a translation.

Getting an apostille is simplest while you are still in Georgia.

We plan the documents before you leave, so you do not have to do it from afar.

Staying in the country

Some graduates stay in Georgia to work or run a business.

For that the study residence must be changed to another basis.

We explain these steps in the immigration and business sections.

Suspending or leaving

Study is sometimes suspended or ended because of life circumstances.

In such cases the terms of the contract and the residence permit matter.

Informing the institution and the relevant agency within the deadlines spares you problems.

Common mistakes

Checking a programme's accreditation only on an agent's word.

Not understanding diploma recognition rules in your own country before paying.

Paying tuition to a personal account or without an official invoice.

Planning timeline

Ideally you start choosing a year before study begins.

Document recognition and a visa take several months.

A last-minute decision most often means a poor choice and extra cost.

What we need from you

The field, level, language and city you would like.

Your education documents and citizenship.

Your career plan: where you intend to use the diploma.

Cost

The institution sets the tuition fee, and you pay it directly to them.

We take no commission from universities and add nothing to their price.

Our fee for consultation and settling-in help is separate and agreed in advance.