When many people hear “Georgia,” they may first think of the U.S. state, but Georgia is also a country in the Caucasus region. According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, the country’s population was about 3.94 million as of January 1, 2026. Georgia was part of the Soviet Union until it restored its independence in 1991.
Georgia has made significant reforms in higher education, and the country’s universities now follow the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). International student recruitment is also supported through official higher education resources such as Education in Georgia, which provides information about programs, application procedures, visas, and living costs.
Georgian citizens with biometric passports obtained visa-free short-stay travel to the Schengen Area in 2017. However, visa-free rules for some Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passport holders were temporarily suspended in 2026, so students should always check the latest entry rules for their nationality before traveling. Georgian universities also participate in international mobility opportunities, including Erasmus+ exchanges.
Universities in Georgia offer bachelor’s degrees that usually require at least 180 or 240 ECTS credits, master’s degrees that usually require at least 60 or 120 ECTS credits, and doctoral degrees that last at least three years. Longer regulated programs include Medicine, which requires 360 ECTS credits, and Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, and integrated teacher-training programs, which require 300 ECTS credits.
If you are interested in studying in a European country, Georgia is worth considering. You can experience its history and culture while pursuing a relatively affordable degree. In this article, we’ll look at some affordable universities in Georgia and include useful background information for international students.
Affordable Schools in Georgia for International Students
1. Georgian Technical University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from 5,500 GEL per year for international students in Russian-language programs and 12,500 GEL per year for international students in English-language programs; 2,250 GEL per year for students admitted through the Unified National Examinations
The first affordable university in Georgia is Georgian Technical University. GTU is a public university in Tbilisi and is one of the country’s main institutions for technical and engineering education.
GTU currently has 13 faculties, including Construction; Energy; Mining and Geology; Chemical Technology and Metallurgy; Transportation Systems and Mechanical Engineering; Architecture, Urban Planning, and Design; Law and International Relations; Informatics and Control Systems; the International School of Design; Agricultural Science and Biosystem Engineering; Business Technologies; Engineering Economics, Media Technologies, and Social Sciences; and Mountain Sustainable Development. The university offers programs in Georgian, Russian, and English, and bachelor’s programs usually last four years.
For international students, GTU’s tuition depends on the language and category of admission. International students currently pay 5,500 GEL per year for Russian-language programs and 12,500 GEL per year for English-language programs, while students admitted through the Unified National Examinations pay 2,250 GEL per year for bachelor’s and master’s programs.
2. Tbilisi State Academy of Arts
The Tbilisi State Academy of Arts is a good option for students who want to dedicate their studies to the arts. The academy is organized into five faculties: Fine Arts, Architecture, Design, Media Art, and Restoration, Art History, and Theory.
Students can study fields such as drawing, sculpture, painting, architecture, environmental design, interior design, graphic design, digital media, photography, restoration, and art history. The academy also offers preparatory courses for applicants.
Admission requirements may vary by faculty and program, especially for studio-based and artistic fields. Applicants should check the academy’s admissions page for the latest information about entrance procedures, exams, portfolios, and program-specific requirements.
Tuition fees are currently 2,250 GEL per year for bachelor’s and master’s programs.
3. Shota Rustaveli Theater and Georgia State Film University (TAFU)
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: 2,250 GEL per year for master’s programs and 1,000 GEL per year for doctoral programs; undergraduate fees should be checked on the current university fee page
Next on our list of affordable universities in Georgia is Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University, also known as TAFU. It specializes in performing, visual, film, television, media, and art-management fields. The university traces its history to the drama studio founded in 1922 and the institute established in 1923.
TAFU has three faculties: Drama; Film and TV; and Art Sciences, Media, and Management. The university is located in Tbilisi and operates two academic campuses. Its facilities include a training theater, a library, an educational film studio, research facilities, and TAFU TV.
The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in fields such as acting, directing, film and television, media, art history and theory, art management, and other performing arts specializations.
Current published fees show 2,250 GEL per year for master’s programs and 1,000 GEL per year for doctoral programs. Students should check TAFU’s current fee page for undergraduate tuition and payment schedules before applying.
4. Tbilisi State Medical University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from USD 3,000 per year for international students, depending on the program
Tbilisi State Medical University traces its history to the medical faculty of Tbilisi State University, and Tbilisi State Medical Institute was founded in 1930 on the basis of that faculty. Today, TSMU remains one of Georgia’s main medical universities.
TSMU offers medical and health-related programs in areas such as Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Public Health. Programs are available in Georgian, English, and Russian, depending on the degree.
International tuition varies significantly by program. Current annual fees include USD 3,000 for the English-taught Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program, USD 3,500 for Pharmacy, USD 4,000 for Russian-taught Medicine and Dentistry programs, USD 7,000 for English-taught Dentistry, USD 8,000 for English-taught Medicine, and USD 13,500 for the American MD program.
Although TSMU’s medical programs are more expensive than many non-medical programs in Georgia, they can still be affordable compared with medical programs in many other countries. Students should confirm the fee for their exact program and language of instruction before applying.
5. Caucasus University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from 2,990 GEL per year for undergraduate programs and from 2,250 GEL per year for master’s programs
Caucasus University is a private university in Tbilisi. Its history began in 1998 with the establishment of the Caucasus School of Business. The university now has 11 schools: Business, Law, Media, Technology, Architecture and Design, Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences, Tourism, Medicine, Economics, and Education.
Caucasus University offers programs in a wide range of fields, including business, law, media, technology, architecture, governance, humanities, tourism, medicine, economics, and education. It also offers international and double-degree options with partner universities abroad, depending on the program.
Tuition at Caucasus University varies by subject. Undergraduate tuition currently starts at 2,990 GEL per year for the integrated primary teacher-education program, while many other bachelor’s programs cost 4,990 GEL to 8,990 GEL per year. Master’s tuition starts at 2,250 GEL per year for European Integration and Employment Relations and goes up to 8,950 GEL per year for Business Administration. The university also offers grants, including free tuition for applicants who rank in the top 501 in Georgia and choose Caucasus University as their first priority.
6. Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA)
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from 4,500 GEL per year for verified undergraduate programs; fees vary by program
Established in 1994, the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) began as a Western-oriented project with a master’s program in Public Administration. It was created through cooperation involving the United States Information Agency, the Government of Georgia, and the United States National Academy of Public Administration.
GIPA currently lists programs in fields such as law, international relations, audio-visual arts, digital media and communication, visual communication, business administration, digital marketing, political science, psychology, public administration, journalism and media management, environmental protection management, and applied psychology. It also offers doctoral programs in Public Administration and Political Science.
Fees vary by program. For example, the bachelor’s program in Law currently costs 4,500 GEL per year, with payments divided into installments.
7. International Black Sea University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from USD 4,500 per year for international students; USD 4,900 per year for English-taught Computer Science and Medical programs
We end our list of affordable universities in Georgia with the International Black Sea University. Founded in 1995, IBSU is a private university in Tbilisi that offers programs in Georgian and English.
IBSU currently has five schools: Business; Law and State Governance; Education, Humanities and Social Sciences; Computer Science and Architecture; and Medicine. Undergraduate programs include fields such as management, marketing, finance, accounting and audit, tourism, economics, American studies, English philology, international relations, journalism, public relations, psychology, computer science, architecture, graphic design, law, public administration, and medicine.
Students should note that the GEL tuition table on IBSU’s website applies only to citizens of Georgia. International students currently pay USD 4,500 per year, except for the English-taught Computer Science and Medical programs, which cost USD 4,900 per year.
FAQS About Studying in Georgia
How Much is the Tuition Fee in Georgia (country) for International Students?
Tuition in Georgia varies widely by university, program, citizenship category, and language of instruction.
Some public and private universities list lower GEL fees for Georgian citizens or for students admitted through the Unified National Examinations. International students may pay higher fees, and some universities charge international students in USD.
In this article, verified examples range from 2,250 GEL per year for some master’s or domestic-admission categories to USD 13,500 per year for Tbilisi State Medical University’s American MD program. Always check the current tuition page for your exact program before applying.
How is the Admission Process at Universities in Georgia?
Domestic students usually have to pass the Unified National Examinations to be admitted to Georgian universities. International applicants may follow a different process depending on their citizenship, previous education, and chosen program.
After choosing a program, international applicants should contact the university’s international office and follow the official Education in Georgia and NCEQE guidance for recognition, enrollment, and visa-related steps.
Required documents vary by university and program, but they commonly include academic documents, proof of language proficiency when required, a valid passport, and documents needed for visa or residence procedures. Students who need a long-term study visa should check the D3 visa requirements and timelines before traveling.
What is the Language of Instruction at Georgian Universities?
Georgia’s official language is Georgian, and many university programs are taught in Georgian.
However, Georgia also has many programs taught in English, especially for international students, and some universities offer programs in Russian. The available language options depend on the university and degree program.
Before applying, students should confirm the language of instruction and any required language test or interview directly with the university.
How much are the living costs in Georgia?
Georgia’s official currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). Living costs vary by city, housing type, lifestyle, and exchange rates.
Students should budget for accommodation, utilities, food, transportation, health insurance, study materials, and personal expenses. Rent and food prices have changed significantly since older cost-of-living estimates, so students should avoid relying on outdated figures.
For current guidance, students can review the living-cost information on the official Education in Georgia website and compare it with current rental listings and exchange rates.
If you’d like to learn more about higher education in Georgia and your study opportunities there, check the official Education in Georgia website.
We hope that this article on affordable universities in Georgia was helpful. To learn more information on studying abroad, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students.
