For international students, medicine is the single most popular reason to study in Georgia. The country offers six-year, English-taught medical degrees at tuition that is a fraction of what comparable programmes cost in Western Europe or North America, in cities that are safe, affordable and used to a large foreign-student community. This guide covers the universities most often chosen for medicine, what the degrees cost in broad terms, and — most importantly — how international recognition works, because that is the part students most often get wrong. For the practical support side, see our study in Georgia page.

Why students choose Georgia for medicine

The draw is a rare combination: full MD programmes taught entirely in English, tuition that stays affordable across six years, a straightforward admission route that rests on your school record rather than a high-stakes entrance exam, and a low cost of living that keeps the total spend manageable. For students priced out of Western medical schools but wanting an English-language degree, Georgia sits in a practical middle ground.

Universities to know

Several Georgian universities run well-established, English-taught medical programmes. Among the names international students most often shortlist are Tbilisi State Medical University, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University and Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University on the state side, alongside accredited private institutions such as New Vision University, Caucasus International University, Georgian American University, East European University and The University of Georgia. This is a starting shortlist, not a ranking — programme quality, clinical placements, class size and accreditation vary, so the right pick depends on your goals and where you plan to practise. Always check a university’s current accreditation and its listing status before you commit.

Recognition — read this before you enrol

This is the crucial section. Accredited Georgian medical schools are commonly listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), which is what many international bodies reference. But being listed is not the same as an automatic right to practise: whether you can sit a licensing exam or register as a doctor in a specific country — for example the FMGE/NExT route for India, the USMLE and ECFMG pathway for the United States, or PLAB for the United Kingdom — is decided by that country’s own medical council, under its own current rules on course length, internship and eligibility. Those rules change. Before you enrol anywhere, confirm in writing with the medical regulator of the country you intend to practise in that your chosen university and programme will qualify you. Our team can point you toward the recognition and document steps, but the licensing decision always rests with the destination authority.

What it costs

Tuition for English-taught medicine varies meaningfully between universities and sits in a range that is modest against Western programmes; private universities and state universities price differently, and dentistry differs from general medicine. Add a low cost of living — affordable rent, cheap transport and inexpensive food — and the six-year total stays far below the equivalent in Western Europe or North America. Because tuition is set per university and reviewed periodically, treat any figure as indicative and confirm the current fees directly with the institution before budgeting.

Admission and the student residence permit

Admission usually turns on your secondary-school results and documents, often with an English-level check rather than a national entrance exam. You submit your school-leaving certificate, transcripts, passport copy and English proof; foreign documents generally need legalisation and translation first. Once enrolled with active student status, you apply for a study-purpose residence permit, typically inside Georgia, and renew it for the length of your studies. Because the permit depends on enrolment, admission and immigration paperwork have to move together — the document stage is where delays usually appear.

How Georgiafy helps

We are not a university and we don’t guarantee places — we make the practical side run smoothly. We help you compare accredited, English-taught medical programmes honestly, prepare and present a complete application, arrange legalisation and certified translation of your diplomas and transcripts, and guide the student visa and residence permit once you are enrolled. Crucially, we also flag the recognition question early, so you check your destination country’s licensing rules before committing to a programme. The full service is on our study in Georgia page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study medicine in Georgia in English?

Yes. Several accredited Georgian universities run six-year MD programmes taught entirely in English, which is the main reason international students come. Availability and exact language requirements differ by university, so confirm for your shortlist before applying.

Will a Georgian medical degree let me practise in my country?

Accredited Georgian medical schools are commonly listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, but the right to practise is decided by your destination country’s medical council under its current rules (FMGE/NExT, USMLE/ECFMG, PLAB and so on). Confirm eligibility with that regulator in writing before you enrol.

How long is the medical programme?

General medicine (MD) is typically a six-year programme, while dentistry is usually around five years. Structures vary by university, so check the exact duration and clinical-placement arrangements for each programme you consider.

Is it cheaper than studying medicine in the West?

Generally yes. Tuition is modest by international standards and the cost of living is low, so the six-year total stays well below Western Europe or North America. Tuition is set per university and reviewed periodically, so confirm current fees with the institution.

This article is general information, not academic, immigration or licensing advice. Accreditation, tuition and the right to practise medicine are decided by universities and national medical regulators, not by us. As of 2026, verify current admission, recognition and licensing requirements with the relevant authorities before acting.