Study Medicine in Georgia

Medical Studies in Georgia for International Students: Top Universities, Cost, Entry Requirements, and Scholarships

Georgia is one of the most popular places to study medicine. According to the National Statistics Office, in 2021-2022 a total of 17,139 international candidates were studying in Georgia. Out of these, 87% of students opted for medicine and healthcare programs. This shows the popularity of medical studies (MD) in Georgia.

A medical degree from a state-approved Georgian university is recognized across the European Union and many other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and India. International students perceive Georgian cities and university campuses to be among the safest in the world.

To be eligible to study MD in Georgia in 2022, a student must be at least 17 years old. He or she should possess a higher secondary school diploma or an equivalent degree from a recognized university or board. A 70% aggregate attained for biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics makes entry to top medical universities in Georgia easier. NEET is recommended but not mandatory for Indian students wanting to pursue MD in Georgia.

Here are some quick facts related to studying medicine in Georgia:

Why study Medicine in Georgia?

• Medical universities in Georgia are recognized by WHO and UNESCO.
• Infrastructure is excellent, and the faculty is highly qualified.
• Georgia is considered a safe country for international students.
• Georgia has attained 100 percent literacy and is often regarded as one of the best places in the world to study medicine.
• The European Union recognizes a medical degree earned in a state-approved Georgian university.
• Tuition fees are generally lower than in most countries.

How to study Medicine in Georgia: Admission requirements

If you want to study in Georgia, the following are some of the documents needed to apply for a medicine program at Georgian universities:

• High school transcript
• NEET scores for some universities (for Indian students only)
• Entrance exam
• Personal statement
• Letter of recommendation
• English proficiency test score

Eligibility criteria:

To be eligible to study medicine in Georgia you will also need:

• A good school/undergraduate grade in physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Proof of an English proficiency test.
• NEET score required at some universities (for Indian students only).

Application deadlines: 

The following are the different deadlines for Georgian universities:

• Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University- March.
• Tbilisi State Medical University-  October- November.
• European University Tbilisi- 20th February, 1st April, 1st September and 1st November.

Where to apply: You can either apply through the university websites or you can apply via Gyanberry for timely admissions and assured placements.

Top universities for MD in Georgia

European University, Tbilisi, Georgia

European University, Tbilisi, is a state-approved higher education institution with educational university status that provides higher education programs in conformity with the legislation and offers a state-recognized certificate of qualification. The university offers 12 educational programs spanning two degrees of higher education (bachelor’s, master’s, one-level, and one-year teacher training) within the scope of the faculties mentioned above. Some interesting facts about the university are:

• Has over 300 academic and administrative professionals, with a 49 percent acceptance rate.
• It ranked 22 among the Top Universities in Georgia as per uniRank 2022.
• The institution has a small student body of 1,500
• A medical doctor’s annual tuition fee for MD is approximately 5,000 USD*.
• It has become a popular destination for overseas students seeking medical degrees due to low tuition fees.
• The university has dorms, which can accommodate over 1,000 international students. The rooms are completely equipped and include a kitchen and bathroom. There is also a reading hall, a sports complex, and a Wi-Fi facility.

Admission requirements:

The Unified National Examinations are required for admission to the European University. To apply, you must first have the following:

• High School and Higher Secondary Level Marksheets
• Birth Certificate
• Passport Copy
• NEET Certificate (only for Indian students)
• Invitation Letter
• English language certificate (80%)

Application deadlines:

Throughout the year, European University Tbilisi offers four intakes:

• The deadline for March intake applications is February 20th.
• For the May intake, the deadline for applications is April 1st.
• For the October intake the application deadline is September 1st.
• For the December intake the deadline for applications is November 1st.

Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU), Georgia

Tbilisi State Medical University Georgia is one of Georgia’s most prestigious universities.  It was founded in 1997 and was one of the first universities to be approved by the Association of European Universities’ Institutional Evaluation Program. Graduates of Tbilisi State Medical University continue their careers in renowned clinics around Georgia, Europe, and the world. 

• TSMU is Georgia’s seventh-best higher-education institution according to uniRank 2022.
• The University has over 7,500 undergraduate and 3,000 postgraduate students, with about 25% coming from other countries.
• Tbilisi State Medical University is one of Georgia’s best public universities, with medical students from all over the world applying.
• TSMU does not provide on-campus housing for students, however, the city offers a variety of convenient and economical living options.
• 8,000 USD* (approximate) is the tuition price for the MD course at this university.
• Tbilisi State Medical University begins accepting students for the MD program in September or February.

Admission requirements:

To be accepted into TSMU, you must meet certain criteria. 

Eligibility:

• The applicant must be under the age of 25.
• The applicant must have completed a recognized 10+2 program.
• For Indian students interested in studying medicine at Tbilisi State Medical University, the NEET test is required.
• As confirmation of English competence, IELTS or TOEFL are required.

Required documents:

• Acceptance confirmation from the university and tuition fee payment receipt
• Photos in passport size
• Application for a visa 
• Information on lodging
• Health coverage (obligatory for international students to obtain local medical insurance before the commencement of each academic year)
• Proof of adequate funding
• Documents for travel

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University  (also known as Tbilisi State University or TSU) is a public research university in Tbilisi, Georgia, that was founded on February 8, 1918. TSU is the oldest university in Georgia and the Caucasus region, excluding academies and theological seminaries, which have been in Georgia for millennia. The university has seven faculties and 200 approved undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral academic programs. The college of medicine and its program is the most popular among overseas students. Some facts about the university are

• TSU is placed 601-650 in the QS University Rankings 2023.
  It is also the top-ranked (position 1) university in Georgia as per uniRank 2022.
• The MD program lasts about 6 years and costs 8,000 USD* in tuition fees.
• A dormitory is made up of two four-story buildings. There are two-room hotel-style flats in the residential complex. The 396-seat student dormitory is made up of two four-story residential towers.
• TSU offers high-quality education at a low cost and has many years of experience educating and developing students on a practical and professional level.
• Between 2015 and 2019, TSU was a proud partner in 256 projects with 106 higher education institutions in 26 EACEA program nations.

Admission requirements:

TSU is one of the most prestigious universities in Georgia and hence certain procedures must be followed before applying for admission. You must submit the necessary documents like:

• Application form.
• Secondary school diploma translated into Georgian and attested by a notary.
• The NEET certificate, which is necessary for citizens of the Republic of India, is proof that biology, chemistry, and English language courses were passed in school.
• Copy of passport.

Eligibility:

• A student interested in studying medicine should have scored a minimum of 50% in biology, chemistry, physics, and English in high school. 
• Passing the NEET exam with qualifying marks is required for Indian students.

The cost of studying MD in Georgia

Georgia offers some of the most modern medical schools in Europe with low tuition. That is one of the main reasons why many international medical students pick Georgia as a study-abroad destination. Here is the list of fees and living costs at several Georgian universities:

Fees for Georgia Medicine (MD):

Cost of living at different universities:

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

European University, Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU), Georgia

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

For more specialized information on the cost of living for medicine students in Georgia, you may refer to the cost of studying Medicine in Georgia by Gyanberry.

Career prospects after Medicine in Georgia

After completing medical school in Georgia, students should consider the following job options:

• Become a doctor or get a job in almost any European country. Such countries may include Austria, Czech Republic, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, France, Greece, Germany, etc.
• Study for a postgraduate degree.

Georgian medical schools place a greater emphasis on students’ practical skills rather than their theoretical knowledge. As a result, MBBS/MD graduates from Georgian colleges enjoy prominent positions around the world. Georgian universities also adhere to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. As a result, a student can work in any country they want.

Post-graduation in Georgia 

To add value to their professions, students can pursue post-graduation at the majority of Georgian universities. The aspirant must, however, finish 5 or 6 years of undergraduate medical studies. Students are placed in hospitals and health institutions by medical faculties to improve their knowledge and abilities.

While pursuing post-graduation, students must have a basic understanding of the Georgian language, which will be essential to engage with patients and understanding their difficulties.

Scholarships offered for medical students in Georgia

In Georgia, there are various scholarships available to both international and domestic students. Some of the most popular scholarships are

European Union Scholarships

The European Union funds this scholarship, which covers all of the expenditures of the selected students. Thirty-five of the brightest students are supported by the award. They are chosen from among the six countries to pursue a globally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in European Studies.

State Scholarships:

State Scholarships for Students is a TMSU initiative that allows successful students to acquire a state scholarship for medical or dental school. It is a monthly payment of 49 USD for one semester. The institution may also provide money to successful undergraduate and graduate students. These are awarded to faculties according to the number of students they enroll each year, and exceptional students are acknowledged using internal faculty standards.