Georgia Stops Foreign Admissions in State Universities From 2026: What It Means for MBBS Aspirants

Georgia will stop admitting foreign students to state universities from the next academic year, marking a big shift in the global education arena, as it has become one of the top choices for students who wish to pursue education abroad. 

Announcing the news, Education, Science and Youth Minister Givi Mikanadze clarified that this step has been taken as part of a broader higher-education reform. This will aim to strengthen public universities and fully funding domestic students. He also explained that in some exceptional cases, the admission might be granted.

According to recent trends, Georgia has emerged as a new MBBS hub for Indian students amid the Russia–Ukraine war, with most international enrollments concentrated in private medical universities.

What Changed and Who is Affected?

International students will not be able to enroll in public universities of Georgia from the next academic session. This restriction covers the new applicants however, they still can go for private universities in Georgia. Many of which offer MBBS in Georgia programs taught in English.

For medical aspirants, the policy shift means that MBBS admission in Georgia will now be limited to private medical universities that accept international students.

Why Georgia is Changing its Admission Policy?

As the experts decode it and the minister has himself said that this policy will reinforce the enhancement of state universities and their uniformity with the global labour market.

In the words of Mikanadze, “From the next academic year, the admission of foreign students to state universities, except for exceptional cases, will be impossible,”.

The Georgian government has planned to make public funding more concentrated for state universities. The outcome is expected to ensure the fulfillment of state-defined academic and workforce priorities.

State University Education to Become Fully Free From 2026

The second big announcement in this reform is that from 2026, students enrolled in these state universities will be fully funded. This means that higher education in the state universities of Georgia will be free of charge, and the existing students of these universities will also continue to receive funding under the current system.

Funding Withdrawn from Private University Admissions

A start move in the policy has been the grant termination of first-year students in private universities. Nonetheless, current private university students will continue to get financial support as before. The prior information was circulated to private universities that eventually the funding will be redirected to public universities.

Are There Any Exceptions for Foreign Students

Yes. In a few specific cases only. These are:

• Bilateral government agreements
• International exchange programmes
• Special partnerships between Georgian and foreign universities

If none of these cases are applied, foreign students will have to choose private universities.

A detailed list of medical universities in Georgia is available for aspirants.

Plenty of Options Remain for International Students

The minister emphasized that Georgia is still open to international education, despite the restrictions. It is worth noting that in Georgia, out of 64 accredited higher education institutions, 45 are private. These universities will accept foreign students in various courses.

“Foreign students who wish to study in Georgia will be able to freely choose among private universities,” Mikanadze added.

Bigger Picture: Education Reform in Georgia

Being an emerging destination for global education, Georgia is consistently trying to refurbish its education system, especially higher education. The fresh reform is surely a big part of it.

But critics argue that private universities can go weak with the abandonment of funds. This can further reduce competition and diversity in Georgian higher education.

Currently, the education ministry in Russia is working on the legislative amendments to enforce these changes.

Top Private Medical Universities in Georgia

The following table depicts the top private Georgian medical universities with their tuition fees:

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques:  Are Georgian private medical degrees NMC-approved for FMGE?

Ans: Yes, top privates (e.g., Georgian American University, SEU) hold NMC, WHO, and WFME approval, allowing FMGE/NExT after 6-year MD + internship.

Ques: What are FMGE pass rates?

Ans: Georgia has a total of 35.65% FMGE pass rate. top privates like:

• Georgian American University (80.33%)
• SEU (60.39%)
• BAU International (63.29%)

Contribute the most.

Ques: What are the eligibility criteria to get into private universities in Georgia?

Ans: If you want to take admission in a medical courses then you need:

• NEET qualified (50% PCB in 12th)
• age 17+
• no IELTS
• English-medium programs accept direct applications for the September 2026 intake

Ques: What are annual fees of Georgia private medical universities?

Ans: Georgia is cheaper then many abroad options. The fee ranges around:

• ₾12,000–26,800 (₹4-9 lakhs) tuition
• total 6-year ~₹25–45 lakhs including hostel/food.

Ques: Is Georgia safe for Indian students?

Ans: Yes. And here are the perks to get into the private universities of Georgia:

• visa approval 90%+
• English-speaking
• large Indian community
• low living costs (~₹2 lakhs/year)