What is vocational education (colleges) in Georgia?
Colleges, programme levels and admission rules.
Short answer
Vocational education in Georgia trains people for a specific profession in colleges and runs on programmes at levels 3, 4 and 5 of the national qualifications framework. Under the law, a college is an organisation authorised to deliver such programmes. Admission requires completed basic or complete general education, depending on the programme.
Why
- The system is set by the Law of Georgia on Vocational Education No. 3442 of 20 September 2018.
- Basic programmes lead to level 3, secondary to level 4 and higher vocational programmes to level 5.
- A college can be public or private (Art. 23 of the law).
Details
Under Art. 7 of the law, a basic programme accepts applicants with at least basic general education, a secondary programme accepts basic or complete general education, and a higher vocational programme requires complete general education. Foreign citizens must show proficiency in the language of instruction. Basic, secondary and higher programmes end with a diploma and supplement, while training and retraining courses end with a certificate (Art. 16).
Short-cycle programmes correspond to level 5 and end with a diploma (Art. 16). For admission to universities and colleges see How to get into a university or college in Georgia, and for the school stage see How many grades are in Georgian schools.
Tip
Before applying, pick a programme and check with the college which language it is taught in and what prior education it requires.
What may differ
Admission terms, teaching languages and fees are set by colleges and the ministry. The law changes, and the version checked includes amendments up to June 2026.
Common misconception
You can only start college in Georgia after finishing full school.
What actually happens
Under Art. 7 of the law, a basic vocational programme also accepts applicants with completed basic general education. Complete general education is required for higher vocational programmes.
People also ask
- What is a college in Georgia?
Sources
This answer is for reference only and is not professional advice. Admission rules change, so check the ministry and college websites.
Education and science in GeorgiaRelated questions
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Where can you learn Georgian for free in Georgia?
Free Georgian lessons are offered by the Training Center of Justice as a 20-lesson online course and by the Zhvania School as a state programme in regional centres.
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How do you get a residence permit for study in Georgia?
The Public Service Development Agency issues the study residence permit to an adult studying a higher or vocational programme at an authorised Georgian university or college.
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How do you get a foreign diploma recognised in Georgia?
The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement recognises foreign education: you apply with a notarised Georgian translation and pay a fee from 40 GEL.
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What is a state study grant in Georgia?
A state grant pays university tuition in Georgia in full or in part based on the Unified National Exams and remains in place for students enrolled before 17 December 2025.