Georgia has been one of the most popular MBBS-abroad destinations for Indian students over the past decade, largely because of English-medium programs and moderate fees. But a major policy shift for the 2026–27 academic year changes which universities are actually open to new international students — read this before shortlisting any specific institution.
Important: The 2026–27 Policy Change
Georgia's government has announced that, starting the 2026–27 academic year, state (public) universities will stop admitting new international students, as part of a "citizen-first" higher-education policy that redirects public university funding toward Georgian citizens. This directly affects Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) — long the most commonly recommended university for Indian MBBS applicants — which is a state institution.
Private medical universities in Georgia are not affected by this policy and continue to admit international students. If you are researching Georgia for MBBS, confirm whether the specific university you're considering is public or private, and confirm its current admission status directly with the university before applying — this is exactly the kind of fast-moving policy detail that goes stale in generic articles.
Universities Currently Open to International Students (Private)
| University | Notes |
|---|---|
| David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU) | Georgia's first private medical institution (est. 1989); commonly cited as NMC/WHO-recognized |
| New Vision University | Private, Tbilisi-based; NEET required for admission per current NMC standards |
| Caucasus International University | Private, offers MBBS to international students |
Verify each university's current NMC/WDOMS listing directly at nmc.org.in before applying — recognition status and admission policy can change, and this list is not exhaustive. Do not rely solely on a university's own marketing materials for recognition claims.
Program Structure
| Detail | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 years (including internship) |
| Language of instruction | English (international track); Georgian-medium tracks also exist but aren't relevant for most Indian applicants |
| Degree awarded | MD (equivalent to MBBS for NMC purposes when the program meets FMGL Regulations requirements) |
| Clinical training | Integrated into later years of the program, typically supplemented by hospital placements |
Approximate Fees
| Cost Item | Approximate Range |
|---|---|
| Annual tuition (private universities) | $5,500–$8,000 |
| Total tuition over 6 years | Roughly $33,000–$48,000 |
| Monthly living costs | $350–$700 |
| Hostel + mess (annual, where applicable) | Roughly $3,000–$4,000 |
These are approximate, aggregated figures — actual fees vary by university and change periodically. Confirm exact current figures directly with the university's admissions office, not from third-party consultant sites, before budgeting.
Admission Requirements
| Requirement | Typical Standard |
|---|---|
| Academic | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| NEET-UG | Valid, qualifying score for your category (50th percentile General / 40th percentile SC-ST-OBC, subject to confirmation each cycle) |
| NMC Eligibility Certificate | Required before enrollment |
| Age | Generally 17+ |
NMC Recognition — What to Actually Check
A university being "recognized" is not a one-time label — it depends on your specific admission complying with the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, including obtaining the NMC Eligibility Certificate before enrolling. Check the university's current listing in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and confirm with NMC directly rather than trusting a university brochure or consultant claim alone.
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