Georgia has become a striking study destination on the map of Saudi students wishing to obtain an internationally recognized university education at low costs compared with the traditional Western destinations. Ever since the universities of Tbilisi opened their doors to Arab students noticeably, the Saudi demand for them has multiplied year after year, especially in the faculties of medicine, pharmacy, and engineering.
In this comprehensive guide, the Future Way team monitors everything the Saudi student approaching study at the universities of Georgia in 2026 needs to know, from the admission requirements and the real costs to the visa procedures and equating the certificate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Why is the University of Georgia a destination for the students of Saudi Arabia?
Before delving into the technical details, there are essential reasons that make Georgia a studied choice and not merely a cheap alternative, and this is what we are keen to clarify for every student who consults us at Future Way:
- Georgia is an emerging European country located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia.
- Its capital Tbilisi is a safe city open to international students.
- It joined the “Bologna Process” for European education, which means that the structure of the academic degrees in it (bachelor’s – master’s – doctorate) is consistent with the internationally recognized European standards.
The international ranking of the universities of Georgia
The universities of Georgia do not occupy advanced ranks in the general QS world rankings, but this criterion alone is not enough to evaluate the university’s suitability for the Saudi student. What matters in fact is three criteria:
- The international recognition of the certificate: the major universities of Georgia are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the medical faculties, and by the European accreditation bodies, and are listed in the global WDOMS and FAIMER directories of medical faculties.
- The local institutional accreditation: the universities operate under the supervision of the Georgian National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), which is the body whose certificates are subsequently accredited in the Saudi equivalency procedures.
- The quality of the specialized faculties: certain faculties in the universities of Georgia are distinguished by a genuine excellence (human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy), and they attract students from Europe and the United States themselves.
The most prominent Georgian universities that Saudi students join:
| University | Location | Most prominent specializations |
| Free University of Tbilisi | Tbilisi | Business administration, law, computer science |
| Ilia State University | Tbilisi | Natural sciences, engineering, arts |
| Caucasus University | Tbilisi | Business administration, engineering, media |
| Tbilisi International Medical University (TIMU) | Tbilisi | Human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy |
| Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University | Batumi | Medicine, engineering, tourism |
The recognition of Georgia’s certificates in Saudi Arabia
This is the most sensitive question for every Saudi student thinking of studying in Georgia, and its frank answer is: yes, the certificates of the universities of Georgia can be equated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but with conditions and a specific path.
The Saudi Ministry of Education does not adopt a fixed list of the names of the recognized foreign universities; rather, it adopts an equivalency mechanism based on:
- The accreditation of the university in its country.
- Its academic reputation.
- The extent of its curriculum’s consistency with the Saudi higher education standards.
Hundreds of Saudi students have succeeded in equating their certificates from the universities of Georgia during recent years, especially graduates of medicine and engineering.
The specializations available at the universities of Georgia for Saudi students
The faculties of medicine and pharmacy: the most shining star
The faculties of medicine in Georgia represent the strongest magnet attracting Saudi students for the following reasons:
- The study duration is 6 years for human medicine, including the preparatory year in most cases.
- Teaching the courses in English at the major universities.
- The annual tuition fees fall in the range of $5,000 — 8,000, which is much lower than Western Europe or any Arab country.
- The recognition of the World Health Organization and the listing of the faculties in WDOMS facilitates applying for the professional exams later.
The most prominent medicine universities in Georgia for Saudi students:
- Tbilisi International Medical University (TIMU): the most in-demand among Arabs, it offers medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy in English, and it is accredited in Europe.
- Batumi State University: located in coastal Batumi, it offers human medicine in English at competitive costs.
- Tbilisi State University (TSU): the most venerable university in Georgia (founded in 1918), and it has a firmly established medicine faculty with English programs.
(Pharmacy is available with a duration of 4-5 years, in addition to the specializations of physiotherapy and nursing).
Engineering and computer science
They witness a notable growth with the transformation of Tbilisi into an emerging tech center. The study duration for the bachelor’s is 4 years as a European standard.
- Architecture and civil engineering: Caucasus University and Free University of Tbilisi.
- Computer science and software engineering: available in English at several universities.
- Electrical and communications engineering: Ilia State University and Tbilisi Technical University.
Business administration and economics
Free University of Tbilisi and Caucasus University offer accredited programs linked to a network of European universities (allowing student exchange opportunities). Postgraduate programs (MBA) are available in English at very competitive prices.
The admission requirements for Saudi students at the universities of Georgia
Equating the high school certificate
The basic academic condition is the Saudi high school certificate. A minimum GPA is often not required, except in the medicine faculties which may require 75-80% or its equivalent.
The required academic documents:
- The Saudi high school certificate.
- The high school stage transcript.
- The attestation mechanism: the documents must be attested from (the Saudi Ministry of Education ⟸ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ⟸ the Embassy of Georgia in Riyadh).
- An official translation of the documents into English or Georgian.
An important note from the Future Way team: the recognized universities of Georgia do not accept unofficial translations. We are always keen to guide our students to the accredited translation offices to avoid the rejection of the application.
The required language certificates
Most international student programs are taught in English. The required language proficiency:
| University / Program | The language requirement |
| The medicine programs in English | IELTS 5.5 or its equivalent, or passing the university’s internal language test |
| Business administration and engineering | IELTS 5.5 — 6.0 in most cases |
| The programs in the Georgian language | A Georgian language proficiency certificate or completing the preparatory language program |
(The good news: many universities accept study by passing their own internal language test without the need for IELTS).
The required documents for admission
- The Saudi passport (valid for at least two years, preferably).
- The Saudi national ID.
- The high school certificate, attested and translated.
- The attested transcript.
- Personal photos with a white background.
- A language proficiency certificate (IELTS or the university’s internal certificate).
- A medical file including the vaccination record (required for medicine specifically).
- A motivation letter in some programs.
The tuition costs in Georgia for Saudi students 2026
The bachelor’s fees at the universities of Georgia
| Specialization | Annual fees (in dollars, approximately) |
| Human medicine (6 years) | 5,000 — 8,000 |
| Dentistry (5 years) | 5,500 — 7,500 |
| Pharmacy (4-5 years) | 4,000 — 6,000 |
| Engineering (4 years) | 3,500 — 5,500 |
| Business administration (4 years) | 3,000 — 5,000 |
| Computer science (4 years) | 3,000 — 5,000 |
(Note: the prices vary by university, and we advise verifying them via Future Way).
The postgraduate fees in Georgia
- Master’s in business administration (MBA): $3,500 — 6,000 for the full program (two years).
- Master’s in engineering and technology: $3,000 — 5,000 per year.
- Master’s in clinical medicine and the medical specializations: $4,000 — 7,000 per year.
- Doctorate: between $3,000 and 6,000 per year (with research assistantships available sometimes).
Living costs in Tbilisi for the Saudi student
Tbilisi is considered financially comfortable compared with the other European capitals and provides savings of between 50% and 70% of the costs:
| Item | Monthly cost (dollars) |
| Housing (a single apartment or a shared room) | 250 — 500 |
| Food and restaurants | 200 — 350 |
| Internal transport | 30 — 60 |
| Communications and internet | 20 — 30 |
| Entertainment and activities | 100 — 200 |
| Estimated total | 600 — 1,140 |
Life in Georgia for Saudi students
The Saudi and Arab community in Georgia
The Saudi student is not a stranger in Tbilisi; the Arab and Gulf community is growing remarkably. The student groups are spread across social networks, and periodic meetings are organized. This gathering provides an important social support network for searching for housing and adapting.
Mosques and halal food in Tbilisi
Muslims make up about 10% of the population of Georgia:
- Mosques: there are several mosques, the most important of which is “the Grand Mosque of Tbilisi” in Abanotubani.
- Halal food: halal shops and restaurants are abundantly available in the districts where Arab students are present.
- The month of Ramadan: the community shows solidarity in creating Ramadan atmospheres with the provision of iftar and suhoor meals.
A tip from the Future Way team: communicate with the Arab student groups before travel to know the residential districts close to the mosques and the halal restaurants.
The Georgian visa procedures for Saudi students
The study visa requirements in Georgia
Georgia is distinguished by a flexible visa policy. Saudis can enter it as tourists and convert the visa into a study residence.
The steps for obtaining the residence:
- Obtaining an official admission letter from the university.
- Applying for a visa via the embassy or electronically.
- Arriving in Georgia and the official registration at the university.
- Submitting a study residence application at the Public Service Agency (LEPL).
- Renewing the residence annually.
The required documents:
- A valid passport.
- The admission letter.
- Proof of financial capacity (a bank statement).
- Personal photos.
- Health insurance.
- The payment receipt.
Equating the certificates of the universities of Georgia in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The steps for equating the Georgian certificate
A path that requires planning from the first day:
The first stage: during the study (start early):
- Make sure the university is officially accredited by NCEQE.
- Keep all the academic records and transcripts.
- Make sure the curriculum is applied according to the “credit hours” system.
The second stage: after graduation (in Georgia):
- Extract the certificate and the transcript.
- Attest the documents from (the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science ⟸ the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ⟸ the Saudi Embassy in Tbilisi).
The third stage: in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
- A certified translation into Arabic.
- The attestation from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Submitting an application via the Qiyas portal or the Ministry of Education.
(The matter may take 3-9 months, with the possibility of conducting an interview for the professional specializations).
A warning from the Future Way team: a number of students have stumbled at the equivalency stage because of choosing a non-accredited university or neglecting the attestation. Always verify the university’s status before registering.
Frequently asked questions about studying at the universities of Georgia for Saudis
1. How much does studying at the universities of Georgia cost?
The annual tuition fees range between $3,000 and 8,000 depending on the university and the specialization. Medicine and dentistry are the highest in cost, and their fees fall in the range of $5,000 — 8,000 per year, while the fees of engineering and business administration start from $3,000 per year.
2. Are the universities of Georgia recognized in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, the certificates of the accredited universities of Georgia can be equated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, provided the university is licensed by the Georgian National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement NCEQE, and the attestation and official translation procedures are carried out according to the accredited path. Hundreds of Saudi students have succeeded in the equivalency.
3. What are the admission requirements for Saudi students at the universities of Georgia?
The most prominent requirements: the Saudi high school certificate, attested and translated, and an English language proficiency certificate (IELTS or the university’s internal test). Most Georgian universities do not require aptitude test results or centralized admission exams, which facilitates the application path.
4. How much does living in Georgia cost?
Tbilisi is considered among the least expensive European capitals, and the monthly living budget for the student ranges between $600 and 1,100, including housing, food, and transport, which is equivalent to half the cost in Turkey or a third of the cost in Western Europe.
5. Are there Saudi students in Georgia?
Yes, and their number is increasing year after year. Saudi students are particularly concentrated in the faculties of medicine and dentistry, and there are active Saudi and Gulf student communities in Tbilisi that facilitate adaptation for newcomers.
Is Georgia the suitable choice for you?
Georgia is an ideal destination if you are looking for a medical or engineering education at low costs with the possibility of equating the certificate in the Kingdom, and if you are flexible in adapting to a different environment. But it may not be the optimal choice if your goal is a university in the lists of the world’s best 500 or obtaining a Saudi government scholarship.
At Future Way, we help you evaluate your choices with complete objectivity based on your specialization, your budget, and your professional goals, whether it is Georgia, Turkey, Europe, or another destination.
Contact us via futurewaytr.com to obtain a free consultation and start your academic journey on the right foundations.
