Study in Georgia
Georgia is located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Georgia is a good study option for students who are interested in a rich cultural experience and the adventure of exploring an interesting nation that continues to balance its relations between Russia and the EU. If you're looking to study at a university in Georgia, you will find various higher education options with a focus on modernisation and internationalisation.
Education System
In Georgia, there are over 60 higher educational institutions recognised by the state, with numbers of private accredited universities higher than public ones. Institutions are divided in: universities and teaching universities that include bachelors, masters and PhD programmes; and colleges that integrate only bachelors and higher professional education programmes.
Study Options
Georgia is a unique study abroad destination, perfect especially for students who want to avoid massive crowds of the more popular international study locations. The education system in Georgia is continually developing and attracts more foreign students to enrol in universities every year. Candidates can choose from a great variety of study options such as: business administration, travel and tourism, marketing and PR, computer science, or social science.
Specialised medicine universities offer unique opportunities to foreign students. Graduates from these institutions can easily apply for any position in health care system centres. Interested applicants can choose the language of instruction, between Russian and English and they must pass a special exam that covers four major subjects: biology, mathematics, physics and chemistry.
Scholarship opportunities for studying in Georgia include:
- government scholarships
- private funds
- college scholarship
Application Requirements
Generally, higher educational institutions have an easy application system that allows candidates to register for an application form online.
In most universities, foreign students are admitted on the basis of an interview, and only a few universities require IELTS in order to follow a degree programme taught in English. Usually, only an official document from your school attesting your understanding level of English speaking as acceptable is sufficient.
Universities request these documents for application:
- Online Application form
The learning agreement (Register Form) –a list that includes the chosen courses
Photocopy of the identification pages of your passport
One passport size photo
A transcript of records which shows your leaning achievements from your home school/university
For more information, visit the National Assessment and Examination Centre of Georgia: www.naec.ge.
Languages of instruction
The official Georgian language is a Kartvelian language, which is used in most of the Georgian universities or high institutions as a primary language of instruction. There are some universities that offer English and Russian courses, designed specifically for international students. In most institutions students can join preparatory courses in order to learn the Georgian language before pursuing the first year courses.
Medicine faculties in Georgia require students to have good knowledge of either Russian or English.
English language preparation for studying in Georgia
Develop your academic English language skills in order to meet the English language requirements at Georgian universities offering degree studies for international students. Choose an English language school anywhere in the world and pick your preferred English exam preparation course from diverse language course options.
Living in Georgia
- The tuition fee at a Georgian university is around 1000 EUR per semester.
- International students are not required to pay the tuition and accommodation fee for one year in advance - they can pay for a minimum of 4 months.
- There is no admission deadline procedure for applying at Georgian universities.
- The average private accommodation/housing prices per month cost about 150-500 EUR.
- Food expenses per month can lead to about 100 EUR.
- An average student can spend 55 EUR for utilities per month.
- Taxis in Georgia are the most convenient method of travel, as they are very cheap, with a range from 1 to 3 EUR per fare.
- Overall students spend 300-450 EUR/month on living costs.
- Georgians consider beer is used to toast with the enemy, so keep in mind not to toast with beer.
- People from Georgia actually don’t call their country Georgia, but Sakartvelo.
- Visit Bagrati Cathedral, in the city of Kutaisi, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sights, and discover the mix of modern and medieval Georgian architecture.
- Do not miss out the Great Caucasus, highest mountains in Europe that stretch from the Black to the Caspian Sea.
About Georgia
Georgiais situated in the Caucasus region, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The country occupies approximately 27,000 square miles and has a population of about 5 million people. Georgia is surrounded by the Black Sea to the west, the Armenian and Turkish lands to the South, and Azerbaijan to the east.
Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries AD, the Georgian Kingdom reached its peak, and the country expanded its cultural and political influence. Throughout history, Georgia was the object of rivalry between Persia, Turkey and Russia, eventually being occupied by Russia in the 19th century. After gaining the independence in 1991, Georgia suffered a period of unrest, as Russia and the U.S. exercised their influence in the region.
The official language is Georgian, with Russian continuing to be understood and spoken in most of the country.
Tbilisi, the capital, is the most important political and cultural centre of the country, and is located on the ancient crossroads of one of the great silk routing between Europe and Asia.
Georgia is a presidential republic, with the president being the head of the executive branch.
The Georgian terrain is largely mountainous, and more than a third is covered by forest or brushwood. The landscape is diverse, ranging from the Black Sea shores to the ice and snow of the crest line of the Caucasus. The territory is rich in natural resources, preserving huge deposits of manganese, silver-lead, barite, coal, and oil deposits were also discovered.
Universities, colleges and schools in Georgia
Tbilisi
- Ilia State University (1 Short course)
How to Apply to a Master's in Georgia
If you've decided to study a Master's degree at a university in Georgia, you will have to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the university requirements. Provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.
What documents do I need to provide to apply in Georgia?
To apply to a university in Georgia you will likely be asked to provide some of the following documents:
- birth certificate;
- recent photos;
- your passport or national identity card;
- one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
- copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor's degree;
- academic transcripts;
- letter of intent;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Some form of proof that you can support your stay in the country during your studies.
Depending on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master's, you might also be asked to provide scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Check if your programme requires any of these, or others.
The list of documents depends on the specific requirements of universities in Georgia so you might be asked to include additional documents. It’s also likely you’ll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.
Prove your English skills
Because you’ll study an international degree in English, you'll have to present a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You’ll have to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores shouldn’t be older than 1-2 years. If you don’t meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by taking an English preparation course.
Application deadlines for Georgia
The deadlines for applying to a Master's in Georgia are usually during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Keep in mind that some universities don’t have application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.
To avoid delays or missed deadlines send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.