If you are determined to pursue studies abroad after high school, it is essential to choose an accredited institution with a good reputation that provides high-quality education qualifying you for integration into the job market after graduation. Fortunately, Georgia has a large number of government and private universities that offer education of the same standard as international European universities, but at a much lower cost of study and living expenses compared to European universities. In the following, we will talk about the most important accredited universities in Georgia and the requirements for enrollment in order to study in Georgia. Stay with us.

The question about accredited universities in Georgia is increasing among students and parents, as the decision to study abroad at an international university is not an easy one. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure, before starting the study procedures, to choose a reliable and internationally accredited academic institution. Georgia is one of the most important countries that provides excellent opportunities for international students to study there, whether it is undergraduate or postgraduate studies such as master’s and doctoral degrees.

It should be well known that a university degree plays an important role in the quality of job opportunities for students after graduation. When you obtain an internationally accredited university degree from one of the international universities, it will give you competitive advantages that distinguish you from your peers and open up special job opportunities for you locally and internationally.

Accredited universities in Georgia

Choosing to study in Georgia is one of the best decisions for students who want to continue their education abroad, as Georgia includes a large number of accredited and internationally recognized universities. The country also provides affordable living opportunities for students to help them complete their studies without facing any financial problems. Among the accredited universities in Georgia, there are 5 academic institutions that are increasingly popular among international students and rank at the forefront of Georgia’s universities globally. Let’s talk about them in detail.

1. Tbilisi State Medical University

Tbilisi State Medical University is one of the most important accredited universities in Georgia that offers medical study programs. The university ranks fourth among Georgian universities and its campus is located at 33 Vazha-Pshavela Avenue, the capital Tbilisi, Georgia. The university was founded in 1918, making it one of the oldest medical universities not only in Georgia but in Eastern Europe as a whole. Additionally, TSMU is the only university in Georgia that houses six university clinics to provide practical training for students.

Tbilisi State Medical University has received accreditation from the Ministry of Education and Science in Georgia and has obtained international accreditation for its Language Center. It is also a member of the European Association for Language Centers (AKS). This accreditation allows TSMU’s Language Center to issue internationally recognized certificates in English, enabling students to participate in international exchange programs and engage in professional activities at the local and global levels. Therefore, Tbilisi State Medical University is one of the most important medical academic institutions that attract international students who prefer to study abroad after high school, especially in medical specialties. It is among the accredited and internationally recognized universities in Georgia.

International recognitions for Tbilisi State Medical University:

• Recognition by the National Medical Commission (NMC)
• Accreditation by the Ministry of Education and Science in Georgia
• Accreditation by the European Commission for Education
• International Directory of Medical Education
• Accreditation by the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER)
• Tbilisi State University is a member of the International Association of European Universities and the founder of the Eastern European Medical Association.

2- Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, located in the capital city of Tbilisi, Georgia, holds the first place locally among Georgian universities, making it one of the leading accredited universities in Georgia. It is the oldest university in Georgia and the Caucasus region, established on January 26, 1918. According to the US News & World Report university rankings, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University is ranked 398th worldwide, on par with the University of Warsaw. The university has five branches in various cities in Georgia, six faculties, 60 laboratories, and a scientific research center.

It also possesses a scientific library with 3,700,000 books and journals, seven museums, a publishing house, and a printing press. This makes it one of the accredited universities in Georgia that offers a wide variety of high-quality academic programs, competing with top European universities. In 2022, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University received the evaluation of the European University Association Institutional Evaluation Programme (EUA IEP) team, which is an important factor in international recognition of the university.

Accreditations of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University include:

• European University Association (EUA)
• Black Sea University Network (BSU)
• Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)

3- Ilia State University

Ilia State University holds the second place locally among Georgian universities, despite its relatively recent establishment in 2006. It is ranked as the number one university in the Caucasus region according to THE (Times Higher Education) and Scimago rankings. Ilia State University has received accreditation from the Ministry of Education and Science in Georgia and is recognized as the best research university in the South Caucasus based on its research outputs. This makes it one of the most recognized universities in Georgia that attracts international students.

Accreditations of Ilia State University include:

• Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)
• Association of Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences (AFELSH)
• Compostela Group of Universities (CGU)
• EUA Council for Doctoral Education (EUA-CDE)
• European Science Events Association (EUSEA)
• European University Association (EUA)
• European Medical Education Association (EMEE)
• International Association of Universities (IAU)

4- International Black Sea University

International Black Sea University (IBSU) in Georgia is one of the prominent accredited universities offering programs in engineering and business administration. Founded in 1995 in Tbilisi, Georgia, it was the first educational institution to provide programs in both English and Georgian languages at all three levels of education (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral). The university is known for its affordable tuition fees across all study programs offered to international students, along with convenient payment systems.

International Black Sea University holds the fifth place among accredited universities in Georgia at the local level. In 2019, it became a member of the Magna Charta Universitatum, a globally recognized association that brings together some of the top 1000 universities in the world. This positions IBSU as one of the important accredited and recognized universities in Georgia, providing higher education based on high-quality market-oriented requirements that qualify graduates to efficiently integrate into local and global job markets.

5- Georgia Tech University

Georgia Tech University (GTU) is one of the leading accredited universities in Georgia and also one of the oldest Georgian universities and the first institution of higher education in the Caucasus region. The university ranks third among local universities in Georgia and offers a diverse range of colleges and educational programs, with 14 colleges, 14 institutes, and a center for scientific research. It has a wide range of educational programs in engineering and humanities, making it a distinctive destination for students who prefer to study engineering abroad.

The English-language Biomedical Engineering program at the College of Computing and Management Systems at Georgia Tech University, one of the accredited universities in Georgia, has obtained full international accreditation for the first time in the university’s history from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Graduates of the English-language Bachelor’s program in Biomedical Engineering at GTU are awarded a globally recognized diploma based on ABET accreditation, making it a competitor to internationally recognized diplomas issued by leading universities in Europe, America, and Asia. In addition, GTU became an important member of the European University Association (EUA) in 2001, and in 2007 it obtained accreditation from the National Center for Educational Accreditation. All these accreditations make the university a preferred choice for international students of various nationalities.

Important international rankings and accreditations for universities in Georgia

The two most prominent international rankings for universities are the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings and the QS World Rankings. According to THE, Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, and the Georgian Institute are among the accredited universities in Georgia. Georgia Tech University also ranks among the top universities in the world in the latest rankings according to THE (Times Higher Education). Tbilisi State University is ranked among the top 500 universities worldwide in the QS ranking. Additionally, Georgian National University ranks 324 in the US News & World Report Global Universities ranking for 2023.

Here are some important international accreditations obtained by universities in Georgia:

1. International Accreditation for Higher Education (IACBE): This accreditation indicates the quality of academic programs and quality practices in accredited universities in Georgia, ensuring the universities’ commitment to high standards in teaching, research, and general academic practices.
2. Institutional Accreditation for Higher Education (IEAC): This is an indicator of the university’s quality based on specific institutional standards and quality practices.
3. British Accreditation Council: Accreditation by the British Accreditation Council is a strong indication of the quality of education in universities in Georgia, as universities are evaluated according to internationally recognized British standards.
4. American Accreditation (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs-ACBSP): This accreditation is an indication of the quality of business and management programs offered at universities, evaluated according to internationally recognized American accreditation standards.

Registration requirements for Georgian universities include:

• Valid passport.
• Recent passport-sized photograph.
• High school completion certificate.
• Translated academic transcripts in English.
• Letter of recommendation.
• Visa application form.
• Payment receipt of application fees.
• Recorded video interview.
• Acceptance letter issued by the university.
• Health examination form.

We hope that through this article, we have provided you with information that will help you as an international student in making a decision to pursue your university studies in Georgia. We have presented five academic institutions among the top accredited universities in Georgia that offer diverse educational programs in various disciplines, helping you choose the appropriate major based on your academic interests. It’s worth noting that the education system in Georgia is characterized by significantly lower costs compared to other European countries. The country also provides suitable and affordable living opportunities for international students to facilitate their stay. Now, you can complete the registration procedures at one of the accredited Georgian universities through our international study office website and get the best prices with application facilitation and counseling services.

Source: The 10 Best Reasons to Study in Georgia and How to Start