After finishing school in Georgia, applicants have several options for continuing their education. The choice depends on the goals, level of training and future profession.

• 🎓 University (bachelor's degree)
  Classic higher education, designed for 4 years. The programs cover all the main areas: medicine, engineering, law, IT, tourism, economics, art. A bachelor's degree is issued upon successful completion of training and is recognized in most countries.
• 📘Master's degree (after bachelor's degree)
  Additional higher education that lasts 1.5–2 years. Suitable for those who want to deepen their knowledge or change direction. Master's programs are available in Georgian and English. Many universities accept foreign students for Master's programs without entrance exams — based on the results of an interview and portfolio analysis.
• 🛠 Professional education (colleges)

Colleges provide practical training in specific specialties: from cooking and beauty to auto electrics, design and hotel service. The training lasts 2-3 years, upon completion a diploma is issued. Many colleges cooperate with employers, and graduates quickly find work.

• 🏛 Private and public institutions
  There are both public and private universities and colleges in Georgia. Private educational institutions often offer flexible schedules, English-language programs, and more comfortable learning conditions. Public ones are usually more affordable and provide the opportunity to enroll on a budget with high exam results.

The admission campaign to Georgian universities and colleges starts at the beginning of summer and takes place in several stages. The terms depend on the type of educational institution and the status of the applicant (citizen of Georgia or foreigner).

📌 For citizens of Georgia:

• Registration for the Unified National Exam - usually takes place in April-May;
• Exams are scheduled to take place in July;
• Submission of documents to universities - after receiving the results, in August-September;
• Enrollment and signing of a contract - before the start of the academic year, usually before the end of September.

🌍For foreign applicants:

• Submitting an application — directly through the university website or by email, starting in the spring;
• Interview or portfolio submission — individually, often in June–August;
• Receiving an invitation and applying for a student visa — starting in July;
• Start of studies — starting in October, depending on the university.

🔎 Some private universities and colleges accept students throughout the year, especially for programs taught in English - in this case, you can start studying even from the second semester (January-February 2026).

🎯 We recommend that you check the dates in advance on the official websites of specific educational institutions - they may differ.

The system of entrance examinations in Georgia depends on who submits the documents - a citizen of the country or a foreigner, as well as on the chosen study program.

• Georgian citizens enter universities and colleges through the Unified National Exam (UNE). This is a state test that includes optional subjects and the mandatory Georgian language. UNE results are taken into account when enrolling in state-funded and fee-paying places at state universities.
• Foreign applicants most often enter without the UNE - directly to the chosen educational institution. In this case, the admissions committee can organize:

1. Online or face-to-face interview;
2. Portfolio analysis (especially for creative specialties);
3. Internal exams (if provided by the university).

The admission procedure has been simplified, and the main task is to confirm that the applicant is capable of studying in the chosen program.

• English-language programs require knowledge of English at level B2–C1. Some universities may request international certificates:

1. TOEFL or IELTS – confirmation of language level;
2. SAT — sometimes required for admission to a bachelor's degree in the American system.
   

If there are no certificates, it is often suggested to take an internal test or enroll in a preparatory course..

🎯 We recommend that you check the requirements on the official website of the university in advance - conditions may differ depending on the program and language of instruction.

The set of documents depends on the citizenship of the applicant and the requirements of a specific educational institution. Below is a list of the main papers that are most often requested in universities and colleges of Georgia.

📄Mandatory documents for all applicants:

• Secondary education certificate or college/university diploma - original and copy;
  
• Translation into Georgian or English by an official translator;
  
• Notarization of translated documents (in most cases mandatory);
  
• Passport or identity card;
  
• Photograph (3x4) - paper or digital;
  
• Medical certificate - often in a form established by the university itself.

🌍Additionally for international students:

• Apostille or legalization of diploma/certificate (if required for your country);
  
• Certificate of financial solvency - confirmation of the ability to pay for tuition;
  
• Invitation from the university (after passing the interview);
  
• Visa or document giving the right to stay in Georgia (issued after enrollment).
  

🎯 Some universities also ask for a motivation letter, CV or portfolio - especially when applying to creative and English-language programs. Check the exact list on the educational institution's website so as not to miss anything.

Choosing an educational institution is one of the most important steps before admission. There are more than 60 universities and colleges in Georgia, and it is important to find the one that suits you. Here is what you should pay attention to.

✅ Аккредитация
Before submitting documents, be sure to check whether the educational institution is accredited. Only accredited universities and colleges issue diplomas recognized by the state and outside Georgia. The list of accredited institutions is published on the website of the National Center for Education Quality.

⭐ Reputation and reviews
See what students say about the university: teachers, atmosphere, support, infrastructure. Universities with good reviews often offer a modern approach to education, internships and international programs.

💸 Tuition fees
Paid education in Georgia costs on average from 2,000 to 5,000 dollars per year, depending on the specialty and language of instruction. Some state universities offer budget places for Georgian citizens. Foreigners study on a fee-paying basis, but in some cases they can count on scholarships or discounts.

📍 Location
There are universities not only in Tbilisi, but also in Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Telavi. If a quiet environment or proximity to the sea is important to you, this is also a reason to think about it. Housing and life in the regions are usually cheaper than in the capital.

🎯 The ideal university is not always the most expensive or famous. The main thing is that the program matches your goals, the diploma has value, and the education brings real benefits.