Universities in Georgia: Higher Education for International Students
Georgian higher education follows the Bologna three-cycle system and is overseen by the NCEQE, which authorises institutions and accredits programmes. Many universities teach degrees in English — especially medicine, dentistry, business and IT — but international recognition depends on a university holding authorisation and your programme being accredited.
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026 · Last checked: 12 November 2026
Georgia has become a popular study destination thanks to affordable tuition, a wide range of English-taught degrees, and a higher-education system aligned with European standards. This page explains how the system is structured and, most importantly, how to make sure a university and programme are properly recognised before you enrol.
How Georgian higher education is structured
Higher education is governed by the Law of Georgia on Higher Education and follows the Bologna three-cycle model: bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, measured in ECTS credits. Institutions fall into three legal types — the university (offers all three cycles and conducts research), the teaching university (up to master’s level), and the college (bachelor-level or short-cycle higher education). Both public (state) and private institutions operate within this framework.
Authorisation and accreditation — why they matter
Quality assurance in higher education is overseen by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), an independent public body established in 2010. Two separate mechanisms are particularly important for prospective students:
- Institutional authorisation is required for a higher education institution to operate lawfully and to issue state-recognised qualifications.
- Programme accreditation evaluates individual study programmes and is mandatory in certain cases prescribed by law, including regulated professions such as medicine.
Before paying tuition fees, verify both that the institution is authorised and, where applicable, that your chosen programme is accredited. This is one of the most important checks for international students, as studying at an unauthorised institution—or, where accreditation is legally required, on an unaccredited programme—may affect the recognition of your qualification in Georgia and potentially in other countries.
Studying in English
Most programmes are taught in Georgian, but many universities run full English-medium degrees aimed at international students. The strongest English-taught offerings are in medicine and dentistry, followed by business, IT and engineering. Georgia is a particularly common choice for international medical students, so English-language MD programmes are well established at several universities.
Major universities for international students
The list below includes well-known Georgian universities that admit international students and offer programmes taught in English. It is not exhaustive, and inclusion does not constitute an endorsement. Before applying, always verify that the institution holds current NCEQE authorisation and that your chosen programme is accredited, where applicable.
Links are provided to each university’s official website. A note of (English MD) identifies institutions offering an English-taught Medical Doctor (MD) programme. If you intend to study medicine, you should also verify that the programme is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and confirm that it satisfies the licensing or recognition requirements of the country where you intend to practise. See our guide on studying medicine guide.
Public (state) universities:
- Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) — Georgia’s oldest and largest university, Tbilisi. (English MD)
- Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) — the leading public medical university. (English MD)
- Georgian Technical University (GTU) — the main technical university, Tbilisi.
- Ilia State University — research-focused, Tbilisi.
- Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University — public university in Batumi. (English MD)
- Akaki Tsereteli State University — public university in Kutaisi. (English MD)
- Kutaisi International University (KIU) — newer public research university, Kutaisi.
Private universities:
- Free University of Tbilisi — selective private university, business, IT and more.
- University of Georgia (UG) — large private university, Tbilisi. (English MD)
- Caucasus University — private university, business and professional programmes.
- Georgian American University (GAU) — private university. (English MD)
- New Vision University — private university, medicine and health sciences. (English MD)
- European University — private university. (English MD)
Dedicated medical universities (English-taught MD/MBBS), popular with international medical students:
- David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU) — private medical university, Tbilisi.
- Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) — private medical academy, Tbilisi.
- Caucasus International University (CIU) — private university with medical and dentistry programmes, Tbilisi.
- Teaching University Geomedi — private medical university, Tbilisi.
- BAU International University Batumi — private international university, Batumi.
Recognition of diplomas — in and out of Georgia
The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) is the competent authority for the recognition of foreign educational qualifications in Georgia. If you are relying on a qualification obtained abroad to enrol at a Georgian institution, you may first need to complete the recognition procedure.
If you later intend to use your Georgian qualification in another country, additional legalisation, apostille, or recognition procedures may be required, depending on the requirements of the destination country. Recognition abroad is determined by the relevant foreign authorities or professional licensing bodies, not by the Georgian authorities.
Entry and stay for students
Entry and stay for students
Foreign nationals intending to undertake long-term study in Georgia will generally require an Immigration (D3) Visa, which is issued for study or research at an authorised educational institution. Study is also a recognised legal ground for obtaining a Study Residence Permit.
The applicable visa and residence permit requirements are explained in the guide to Georgian visas and the guide to residence permits.
A note on changing rules
Admission rules and education policy in Georgia are being reviewed, and conditions for international applicants can change between intakes. Always confirm the current authorisation status of the institution, the accreditation of your programme, and the admission requirements directly with the university and the NCEQE before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Are Georgian university degrees internationally recognised?
A diploma from an authorised Georgian institution is recognised by the state. For recognition abroad, confirm that the university holds NCEQE authorisation and that your specific programme is accredited; final recognition still depends on the rules of the destination country or professional body.
Can I study in English in Georgia?
Yes. Many universities offer full degree programmes in English, particularly in medicine, dentistry, business and IT. Most other programmes are taught in Georgian.
How do I know a university is legitimate?
Check that the institution holds NCEQE authorisation (required to operate and to issue a state-recognised diploma) and that your chosen programme is accredited — this matters most for regulated fields such as medicine.
What types of higher education institution exist?
Georgian law recognises three types: the university (all three study cycles plus research), the teaching university (up to master's level), and the college (bachelor-level / short-cycle higher education).
Who regulates universities in Georgia?
The Ministry of Education and Science sets policy, while external quality assurance — institutional authorisation and programme accreditation — is carried out by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE).