Overview
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) is Georgia's oldest and largest university, founded in 1918. Medicine was one of its first faculties. That faculty became a separate institute in 1930 (today's Tbilisi State Medical University), and TSU restarted medical admissions in 1994.
TSU's Faculty of Medicine runs an English-language Medicine programme leading to a Medical Doctor (MD) degree. It lasts six years and carries 362 ECTS credits. The programme page lists the fee as USD 8,000 a year, and it asks Indian applicants for a NEET certificate and B2-level English.
TSU is a state university. Georgia's government said in December 2025 that state universities would stop admitting new foreign students, and reports in September 2026 said none were admitted for 2026–27. TSU's pages do not state its position for 2026–27 or 2027–28. Ask the faculty in writing before you apply, and do not pay any agent until you have an answer.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1918; Georgia's oldest university. The current Faculty of Medicine has admitted students since 1994 |
| Type | Public (state) university |
| City | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Degree awarded | Medical Doctor (MD), one-cycle programme |
| Duration | 6 years (12 semesters), 362 ECTS |
| Medium | English (Medicine, English programme) |
| Intake | Autumn. New foreign admissions to state universities were halted for 2026–27 |
| NEET-UG | Listed by TSU as a required document for Indian applicants |
| WDOMS listing | We could not confirm a separate WDOMS entry or school ID; check search.wdoms.org |
| Tuition per year | USD 8,000 (USD 4,000 a semester), TSU programme page |
| Accommodation per year | About USD 2,000+ (our estimate for a shared private flat) |
| Ranking | QS World University Rankings 2027: 1001–1200; THE World University Rankings 2027: 2001+ |
Address: Faculty of Medicine, Academic Building I, 1 Ilia Tchavtchavadze Avenue, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia
Highlights
- Georgia's oldest university, founded in 1918, and ranked in both the QS and THE world rankings
- Six-year English Medicine programme of 362 ECTS, with a published fee of USD 8,000 a year
- Smaller medical intake than the big medical universities: 96 TSU graduates sat the FMGE in 2024
- FMGE 2024 pass rate of about 47% for TSU medical graduates, above the Georgia average of about 36%
- State university: new foreign admissions were halted for 2026–27, so check the current position
Courses offered
- Medicine (English programme), Medical Doctor (MD), 6 years
- Dentistry (English-language admission option)
- Georgian-language Medicine and Dentistry programmes
- Other faculties: Exact and Natural Sciences, Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics and Business, Psychology and Education
- Master's and PhD programmes, including in biomedical and health sciences
For Indian students the main programme is the Medicine (English programme), Medical Doctor (MD), taught in English over 6 years.
Facilities
Faculty of Medicine
The faculty is based in Academic Building I on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue and is organised into departments for basic and clinical subjects. It lists departments, clinical bases, units and a library on its website.
Clinical bases
Clinical teaching happens at partner hospitals in Tbilisi. For example, TSU says the Research Institute of Surgery has been the clinical base of its Department of Surgery since 1996. Ask the faculty for the current list of clinical bases for each year.
Libraries
The Faculty of Medicine has its own library section, and TSU runs an electronic learning portal for course materials.
Dormitories
TSU lists two student dormitories, Bagebi and Lisi, which students book online through the university portal. The page does not say whether international students can apply or what rooms cost.
Research institutes
TSU runs research institutes, mainly in the natural sciences, which can offer research experience to interested students.
Why choose Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University?
- Georgia's best-known university, ranked in both QS and THE world rankings
- Six-year English MD with a published fee and a clear B2 English requirement
- Smaller cohorts of international medical students than at the large medical universities
- TSU medical graduates passed the FMGE at about 47% in 2024, well above the Georgia average
- Central Tbilisi location with good transport, shops and Indian food
Eligibility criteria
- NEET-UG qualified; TSU lists a NEET certificate as a required document for Indian citizens
- Completed Class 12 with Biology, Chemistry and English; at least 50% in PCB under NMC rules (40% for SC, ST and OBC; 45% for general PwBD)
- English at B2 level (for example IELTS or TOEFL), checked in a video interview
- At least 17 years old by 31 December of the admission year
- Admission depends on Georgia's rules for that year: new foreign entry to state universities was halted for 2026–27
Admission process
- Ask TSU's Faculty of Medicine in writing whether it is admitting new foreign students for your intake.
- Apply through TSU's online portal (uni-can.tsu.ge) and email your documents to the chancellery and the Faculty of Medicine.
- Attend the video interview, which checks your English.
- If approved, receive TSU's letter of consent and apply to Georgia's National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) for recognition of your school certificate.
- Wait for the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth order allowing you to enrol without national exams.
- Sign the study contract with TSU and pay the fee only to the university's official account.
- Apply for the D3 study visa, travel, enrol, and apply for a residence permit before the visa period ends.
Fee structure
| Tuition (USD) | Hostel (USD) | Approx. in rupees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each year (Years 1–6)Tuition is USD 4,000 a semester, from TSU's programme page. Accommodation is our estimate for a shared private flat. | US$8,000 | US$2,000 | ≈ ₹9.2 lakh |
| Estimated total (6 years) | US$60,000 | ≈ ₹55.2 lakh | |
TSU's English Medicine programme page lists the fee as USD 8,000 a year (USD 4,000 a semester). It does not say which intake this applies to, or whether the fee is fixed for all six years. TSU does not publish dormitory prices for international students, so we show an estimate for shared private housing. Visas, residence permits, insurance, books and food are extra. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want the official fee letter?Our counsellor will share the current fee schedule for Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and a budget in rupees.
Recognition and accreditation
- National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), GeorgiaTSU says its Medicine programme was accredited in 2011, the year it first admitted international students. The NCEQE is recognised by the WFME until November 2028. Check the current accreditation status of the English programme with the NCEQE.
- World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS)We could not confirm a separate WDOMS entry or school ID for TSU's Faculty of Medicine. Ask TSU for its WDOMS ID and check it on search.wdoms.org before you apply.
- National Medical Commission (NMC), IndiaThe NMC does not approve foreign universities. Each graduate must meet the FMGL Regulations, 2021. In its reply to a grievance dated 24 September 2026, the NMC said Georgian 'junior doctor' status meets its licence rule (Regulation 4(b)) only if it legally allows practice at the required level. No NMC notice we found names TSU.
- Government of GeorgiaIn December 2025 the education minister said state universities would stop admitting foreign students except in cases set by law. Reports in September 2026 said no foreign students were admitted to state universities for 2026–27.
NMC eligibility depends on you, not only the university
Teaching hospitals
- Research Institute of Surgery (clinical base of TSU's Department of Surgery since 1996)
- Other partner hospitals in Tbilisi listed on the faculty's 'Clinical bases' page; ask for the current list
Hostel and campus life
TSU has no single campus. Its buildings are spread across Tbilisi, with the historic Building I on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue in the Vake area. The university lists two dormitories, but it does not say whether international students can use them, so most Indian students rent shared flats. Vake and nearby Saburtalo have cafes, parks, supermarkets and Indian restaurants. TSU has student clubs and events across its faculties. From the clinical years, patients mainly speak Georgian, so it helps to take the language classes seriously.
Cost of living in Tbilisi
| Per month | In USD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Shared flat or roomNumbeo lists a one-bedroom flat outside the centre at about USD 450 (October 2026); Vake is pricier | US$180–400per month | ≈ ₹16,560 – ₹36,800 |
| Food and groceriesLower if you cook | US$120–220per month | ≈ ₹11,040 – ₹20,240 |
| Utilities (your share)Numbeo: about USD 88 for a whole 85 m² flat | US$20–60per month | ≈ ₹1,840 – ₹5,520 |
| Monthly transport passNumbeo: about USD 15 | US$15–16per month | ≈ ₹1,380 – ₹1,472 |
| Mobile and internet | US$10–25per month | ≈ ₹920 – ₹2,300 |
| Books, personal and otherOur estimate | US$40–90per month | ≈ ₹3,680 – ₹8,280 |
| Rough monthly total | US$385–811 | ≈ ₹35,420 – ₹74,612 |
About Tbilisi
Tbilisi is Georgia's capital, with about 1.4 million people. It lies along the Mtkvari river, with an old town, sulphur baths, hilltop parks and a cable car. Summers are hot and winters are cold. A metro, buses and app taxis make it easy to get around. There are daily direct flights from Delhi, and India has a resident embassy in Tbilisi. Political protests have been frequent on Rustaveli Avenue; students should keep away from them to protect their residence status.
Ranking
TSU is ranked 1001–1200 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and is in the 2001+ band of the THE World University Rankings 2027. These are whole-university rankings, not medicine rankings.
Scholarships
TSU's Medicine programme page does not list fee scholarships for international MD students. TSU does run scholarship schemes, but most are for Georgian students who enter through the national exams. Ask the faculty in writing about any fee reduction, and be wary of agent offers.
Documents required
- Valid passport (copy)
- Application form submitted through TSU's online portal
- Class 12 school certificate, translated into Georgian and notarised
- Proof of Biology, Chemistry and English studied at school
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- NEET-UG scorecard (TSU asks Indian applicants for it)
- B2 English certificate, such as IELTS or TOEFL
- Apostille on school documents
- TSU letter of consent and NCEQE recognition decision
- Ministry of Education, Science and Youth enrolment order
- Signed study contract and fee receipt
- Proof of funds, accommodation proof and travel and health insurance for the visa
Ready to apply?Our counsellor will check your documents and NEET score and guide you through the admission letter and visa.
Other medical universities in Georgia
| University | City | Tuition / year |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi State Medical University | Tbilisi | US$8,000 |
| David Tvildiani Medical University | Tbilisi | US$8,000 |
| Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University | Batumi | US$5,000 |
| New Vision University | Tbilisi | US$7,000 |
| East European University | Tbilisi | US$6,000 |
FAQs
Is TSU admitting Indian students for 2026–27?
Georgia said in December 2025 that state universities would stop admitting new foreign students, and reports in September 2026 said none were admitted for 2026–27. TSU's pages do not state its current position, so ask the Faculty of Medicine in writing before applying.
What does the English MD at TSU cost?
TSU lists USD 8,000 a year, paid as USD 4,000 a semester. Rent, food, visas and insurance are extra, so budget roughly USD 5,000–8,000 a year more for living costs.
Is TSU the same as Tbilisi State Medical University?
No. They share a history: TSMU grew out of TSU's medical faculty in 1930. Today they are separate state universities with separate admissions and fees.
How did TSU graduates do in the FMGE?
Careers360, citing NBEMS data, reports that 45 of 96 TSU medical graduates passed the FMGE in 2024, about 47%. That is a small group, so the figure can change a lot from year to year.
Is a TSU degree valid in India?
The NMC does not approve foreign universities. You must meet every condition of the FMGL Regulations, 2021, including the licence rule in Georgia, then pass the FMGE and complete a 12-month internship in India. In 2026 the NMC said Georgian 'junior doctor' status counts only if it legally allows practice at the required level.
Can I stay in a TSU dormitory?
TSU lists two dormitories, Bagebi and Lisi, booked through its student portal. It does not say whether international students are eligible or what they cost, so ask before you arrive and plan for a private flat.
Sources
- TSU — Medicine (English programme), Faculty of Medicine (opens in a new tab)
- TSU — Faculty of Medicine (opens in a new tab)
- TSU — International students (opens in a new tab)
- TSU — Department of Clinical Surgery (opens in a new tab)
- TSU — Dormitory (opens in a new tab)
- QS Top Universities — Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education — Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (opens in a new tab)
- OC Media, 4 Dec 2025 — Georgia to stop accepting foreign students in state universities (opens in a new tab)
- APA, 11 Sep 2026 — Georgia to allow foreign students to enter universities without exams (opens in a new tab)
- Medical Dialogues, 1 Oct 2026 — Junior doctor status alone may not satisfy FMGL (opens in a new tab)
- Careers360, citing NBEMS data — FMGE passing percentage of Georgia 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- Numbeo — Cost of living in Tbilisi (October 2026) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.tsu.ge (opens in a new tab)
Fees and rules change