9 best universities in Tbilisi 2025

Languages While Georgian is the official language here and Russian does not hold a formal status, all universities offer courses in both Russian and English. Additionally, some institutions provide programs in French and German.

Affordable Tuition On average, a year of undergraduate study in Georgia costs a student between $1,500 to $2,000. When compared to popular European destinations for educational tourism, this is quite affordable. For reference: a year of study in Slovakia would cost from $4,000, and in the Czech Republic or Hungary, it's no less than $3,700.

Low Entry Requirements To gain admission to a university, one only needs to provide a copy of their high school diploma or certificate and successfully pass an interview.

Visa-free Entry Citizens from Russia and other CIS countries can stay in Georgia visa-free for up to a year. Securing a student visa for longer durations is also straightforward.

Somewhat Limited Prestige of Degrees (for now) Most universities in the country are relatively new and have yet to establish a strong reputation. The Tbilisi State University is the only institution consistently ranked in international lists.

Language Barriers While many Georgians speak Russian, making it easier for Russian-speaking students to study in the country, there are challenges for admissions. Only about 20% of Georgian university websites are available in Russian or English, and the ones that are rarely update their content.

All Universities Are Fee-Charging Every university in the country charges tuition fees for both local and international students. However, if you take the Unified National Exams (UNE), you might be eligible for a grant covering 50% to 100% of your tuition, awarded on a competitive basis.

How to Apply to Universities in Tbilisi? To apply to Georgian universities, completing 11 years of education is sufficient, even though the schooling in Georgia is 12 years long. Local students must take the UNE for university admissions, which includes three mandatory subjects (Georgian, literature, and a foreign language) and one optional subject.

Applications can be submitted online or in person. After provisional acceptance, a registration fee of approximately $100 is typically required.

For 8 out of 10 universities, only a diploma or certificate is necessary. However, in rare cases, they might ask for:

• A motivation letter and CV
• Recommendations
• Proof of language proficiency (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for other languages)

Doctoral applicants need to agree on their research topic and plan with their prospective supervisor before applying.

A significant advantage for expatriates is the exemption from entrance exams for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It's usually enough to pass an interview in the language of the chosen program.

According to statistics for the academic year 2022-2023, Georgian universities (both public and private) had 19,700 students, an increase of over 2,000 from the previous year. Most of these students, over 13,000, were studying in Tbilisi. Among them, Russians were the most numerous at approximately 3,000, followed by Azerbaijanis and Indians with 2,400 and 1,700 students, respectively. Nearly half (47%) of these foreign students were undergraduates, 39% were pursuing master's degrees, and the rest were enrolled in residency programs, veterinary medicine diplomas, or doctoral courses.

Types of Higher Education Institutions in Georgia The law defines three types of higher education institutions:

1. Universities (უნივერსიტეტი)

   • These can be public or private and offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

2. Teaching Universities (სასწავლო უნივერსიტეტი)

   • Primarily designed to train educators, they also offer a broad range of programs in law, medicine, economics, natural sciences, and engineering. The only difference is that these institutions don't offer doctoral studies; only master's and doctorate degrees are available.

3. Colleges (კოლეჯი)

   • Of the several Georgian colleges, two – Tbilisi Free Academy and the New Institute of Higher Education – provide bachelor's programs in addition to professional education certificates.

1. Tbilisi State University Founded in 1919 during a period of independence, Tbilisi State University is the country's largest, with over 23,000 students, of which at least 1,500 are international students. In 2022, it ranked between 571-580 in the QS World University Rankings and 118th among universities in emerging European and Central Asian countries.

The university boasts an impressive network of partnerships: over 500 universities in 62 countries. It participates in the Mevlana and Erasmus+ academic mobility programs. Programs related to Caucasus and Transcaucasia studies, philology and literature, journalism, PR, and mass communication are available in Russian.

2. Ilia State University A relatively young institution, Ilia State University was established in 2006. It's the second most popular university in Georgia, with 17,000 students spread across seven faculties. The university offers 56 bachelor's programs, and over 60 master's and doctoral programs. In 2022, it was listed in the THE World University Rankings in the 1201+ position.

Students can pursue studies in journalism, dentistry, or "Business Organization and Management" in Russian.

3. Georgian Technical University Tracing its origins to the Polytechnic Faculty of Tbilisi State University, it became independent in 1990. It ranks between 251-300 among universities in emerging countries in the QS EECA 2022 ranking.

A significant advantage of this university is its focus on the international education market. The university participates in dozens of international programs, including collaborations with several US universities for STEM education development. Furthermore, GTU holds a record for the number of available programs and specializations, with over 250 in total, including several in Russian and English, two in German, and one in French. Russian-taught programs include architecture, engineering, MBA, journalism and PR, computer science, physics, networking, mining, oil and gas, and municipal and engineering system design.