Medicine in Tbilisi: European University – Costs & Recognition

Tbilisi at a Glance

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and home to approximately 1.2 million people. The city combines Caucasian cultural heritage, a vibrant culinary scene, and a growing international academic community. For medical students, Tbilisi is attractive due to its low cost of living, good flight connections to Europe, and a well-established infrastructure for international students.

European University and Its Faculty of Medicine

European University Tbilisi was founded in 2012 and has rapidly developed into one of the most well-known private higher education institutions in Georgia. The focus from the outset has been on international study programmes; the name says it all. The Faculty of Medicine offers a six-year MD programme in English, oriented towards European training standards. Teaching staff consists of experienced Georgian and international lecturers.

The university is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) of the WFME and state-accredited by the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science. Clinical training sections begin from the third year of study in teaching and partner hospitals in Tbilisi. The international character of the institution is reflected in the student mix: the majority of medical students come from abroad, with a strong presence from the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia.

What Programmes Are Offered and in What Language?

The Faculty of Medicine at European University primarily offers the six-year MD programme in English. All courses and clinical training blocks are conducted in English. The programme is designed entirely for international students; prior knowledge of Georgian is not required for the programme itself.

The MD title from European University is an independent academic degree. It differs from the German state examination; for medical practice in Germany, additional recognition steps are required after graduation, which are described in detail later in this article.

How Do You Get a Place – and Is Tbilisi the Right One for You?

We deliberately do not publish entry requirements, document lists or dates for this university. They differ from one intake to the next, and a list that was accurate last year quietly misleads this year. What matters far more is the question a list can never answer: whether this location fits you at all.

So send us your profile – your school-leaving certificate, any studies you have already completed, and the countries you would consider. We look at it individually and tell you at which university, in which country, we can place you, and where a start is genuinely plannable rather than a gamble. If you are already studying somewhere, we check the highest possible point of entry for you.

Medschool Experts works with one of the largest networks of official partner universities for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and veterinary medicine – European University Tbilisi is one option among many. Request a consultation now and we will go through your case with you, free of charge and without obligation.

What Does the Programme Cost?

Tuition fees at European University Tbilisi are currently around 6,500 EUR per academic year, placing them slightly below comparable Georgian private universities. Additionally, living costs of approximately 550 EUR per month should be budgeted. The table below shows the total cost calculation over six years of study.

One-off costs for enrolment, travel, and setting up in the city are not included. The total amount may vary depending on personal lifestyle. Information on payment plans or scholarships can be requested through Medschool Experts.

How Is the Programme Structured?

The MD programme at European University is divided into a three-year pre-clinical phase (Basic Sciences) and a three-year clinical phase, which is completed in teaching and partner hospitals in Tbilisi. The structure follows international standards of medical education; clinical thinking and patient-oriented learning are integrated from early on.

The programme concludes with a comprehensive final examination; upon successful completion, the degree Doctor of Medicine (MD) is awarded. Clinical rotations in the fifth and sixth year take place in hospitals in Tbilisi, providing patient-focused training under supervision.

Where Can You Work with This Degree?

The MD degree from European University Tbilisi opens career paths in various countries, depending on the respective national licensing procedures. The WFME listing in the WDOMS is an important foundation that is recognised as a prerequisite for recognition in many countries.

Those who wish to work as a doctor in Germany after graduation undergo an equivalence review under § 3 BÄO. If the review does not establish full equivalence, a knowledge examination follows – only after passing this is the Approbation granted. We recommend a thorough consultation for German applicants before they choose Georgia.

Dentistry, Pharmacy, Psychology, Veterinary Medicine: The Legal Situation

Dentistry: European University Tbilisi does not offer an independent dentistry programme. For dental degrees from Georgia, the same third-country regulations apply in Germany as for human medicine: no automatic EU recognition, individual review by the relevant state dental chamber.

Pharmacy: Pharmacy degrees from Georgian universities are subject to a recognition review under the Pharmacy Act in Germany. Automatic recognition under the EU Directive 2005/36/EC is not possible; applicants must separately demonstrate the equivalence of their degree.

Psychology: A psychology degree from Georgia does not automatically lead to Approbation as a psychotherapist in Germany. Admission and recognition are governed by the Psychotherapy Act (PsychThG); the equivalence of the university degree must be confirmed by the relevant state authority.

Veterinary medicine: Veterinary degrees from Georgia are reviewed in Germany by the state veterinary chambers. As a third-country degree, no automatic recognition applies; an equivalence review is required in every case.

Career Paths After Graduation

With an MD degree from European University Tbilisi, various career paths are available depending on the target country. In countries that accept the WFME listing as a basis for recognition, direct entry into the profession after national licensing is possible. In the USA and Canada, ECFMG certification after passing the USMLE enables access to residency programmes.

Those aiming for specialist training should research the respective specialist training rules of their target country early on. Further information on international career planning can be found in our article: Career paths with an EU medical degree worldwide.

Mid-Programme Transfer and Changing to Germany

A transfer during studies to Germany or an EU country is generally possible, but without any guarantee of credit transfer for prior study achievements. German universities decide individually on the recognition of Georgian academic credits; a guaranteed entry into a higher semester is not possible.

The reverse direction is the one we are asked about most often: students who have started elsewhere and want to continue abroad. There we check the highest possible point of entry across our partner universities – frequently an entry in one of the final study years. What is realistic in your case depends entirely on what you have already completed, so it is worth having us look at it.

Life in Tbilisi: City, Getting Around, and Costs

Tbilisi combines Caucasian cultural heritage with a vibrant, increasingly international urban culture. The historic old town, numerous museums, and a diverse culinary scene provide high quality of life at low cost. The climate is temperate continental with warm summers and mild winters; snow in the city centre is rare.

Public transport – metro, bus, and marshrutka – is affordable and covers all relevant parts of the city. International supermarkets, English-speaking medical practices, and a well-established international student community make everyday life comfortable for foreign students.

Who This Location Suits

European University Tbilisi is particularly well-suited for international students from non-EU countries – especially from Iran, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, and other countries – who want to practise in their home country or outside the EU. The affordable tuition fees, NC-free admission, and fully English-language programme make the location a competitive choice for international medical studies.

German applicants should carefully plan the necessary recognition steps for later Approbation in Germany. The equivalence review and knowledge examination are required by law; this path is possible, but requires time and preparation. We recommend a personal consultation before the decision is made. Request a consultation now.