If you are searching Google for “studying medicine in Georgia for Saudis,” you are most likely facing a pivotal decision: do you take the chance and choose Georgia with its low costs and easier admission, or head to a more famous European destination that costs more?
The answer is not the same for everyone. In this article, the Future Way Academy team reviews the top 5 medical universities in Georgia for Saudis with full details: the real costs, admission requirements, the quality of clinical training, and Saudi recognition — so you can make your decision with complete clarity. For a broader comparison with other countries, see our article on studying medicine in Europe for Saudi students.
| 6 years Duration of the MD degree | $7,000 – 12,000 Annual tuition | $400 – 600 Monthly living costs | Recognized Saudi recognition |
Why do Saudi students choose to study medicine in Georgia?
The economic equation that cannot be ignored
The total cost of studying medicine in Georgia over 6 years — tuition and living — ranges between $75,000 and $115,000, a figure that is sometimes equal to a third of what the same study costs in the UK or Western Europe. For anyone who wants an international medical degree at a controlled cost, Georgia offers a logical answer.
A quick comparison — medicine in Georgia versus other destinations
| Criterion | Georgia | Lithuania | Poland | Czech Republic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total tuition — 6 years ($) | 42,000 – 72,000 | €72,000 – 84,000 | €60,000 – 84,000 | €78,000 – 96,000 |
| Total living — 6 years ($) | 28,800 – 43,200 | €43,200 – 64,800 | €43,200 – 64,800 | €50,400 – 72,000 |
| EU membership | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Saudi recognition | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Admission competition | Low – medium | Medium | Medium | High |
| Teaching in English | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| An objective assessment from the Future Way team Georgia is clearly cheaper. But the degree is not from an EU country, and this may affect residency or work options in Europe in the future. For anyone who wants medicine at the lowest cost with full Saudi recognition, Georgia is a strong choice. For anyone who wants a degree with official European weight, Lithuania or the Czech Republic is more suitable. |
Teaching in English from day one
The major Georgian medical universities offer fully English human-medicine and dentistry programs. There is no need to learn Georgian before enrolling; some universities offer an optional Georgian-language course to ease the clinical training in public hospitals.
World Health Organization (WHO) recognition
Accredited Georgian medical universities are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) of the World Health Organization, an essential condition for anyone wishing to sit international medical licensing exams (USMLE, PLAB, SMLE) after graduation.
The top 5 medical universities in Georgia for Saudi students
Below is a detailed card for each university, ordered by the most sought-after among Saudi students:
| ① First Ilia State University | |||
| Founded 2006 | International students Students from 40+ countries | Annual tuition $8,000 – 10,000/year | Duration 6 years |
| Clinical training From the third year in public hospitals in Tbilisi — real patient cases in English | Saudi recognition Recognized — listed in WHED and WDOMS | ||
| Fully English programs — an international environment — relationships with European universities The most prominent among Saudi students in Georgia based on our field experience | |||
| ② Second University of Georgia | |||
| Founded 1995 | International students 10,000+ students in total | Annual tuition $8,500 – 12,000/year | Duration 6 years |
| Clinical training Private university hospitals + cooperation with public hospitals — clinical start from the third year | Saudi recognition Recognized — listed in WHED and WDOMS | ||
| The largest private university in Georgia — modern infrastructure — advanced simulation labs The name is sometimes confused with the American university — confirm the full university name when applying | |||
| ③ Third Tbilisi State University | |||
| Founded 1918 | International students 15,000+ students (the oldest Georgian university) | Annual tuition $5,000 – 9,000/year | Duration 6 years |
| Clinical training Major public teaching hospitals — a diverse clinical environment — training on multiple cases | Saudi recognition Recognized — listed in WHED and WDOMS | ||
| The oldest university in Georgia — a historic academic standing — lower tuition than competitors English medical programs are available — checking the updated details is advised | |||
| ④ Fourth Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy | |||
| Founded Specialized | International students Small numbers — an intensive academic environment | Annual tuition $7,000 – 10,000/year | Duration 6 years |
| Clinical training Intensive clinical training in partner hospitals — the exclusive medical focus is a real advantage | Saudi recognition Recognized — listed in WDOMS | ||
| Dedicated to medicine exclusively — a better faculty-to-student ratio — an intensive learning environment The small numbers are an advantage for the student seeking greater personal academic attention | |||
| ⑤ Fifth International Black Sea University — IBSU | |||
| Founded 1995 | International students Students from 60+ countries | Annual tuition $6,000 – 9,000/year | Duration 6 years |
| Clinical training Partnerships with teaching hospitals — exchange programs with Turkish and international universities | Saudi recognition Recognized — listed in WHED | ||
| Broad international academic partnerships — a diverse cultural environment — competitive tuition Best suited to those who value the international academic network and student exchange | |||
| How do you choose between them? Ilia and the University of Georgia: the highest reputation and most sought-after by Saudi students. Tbilisi State: for those seeking a lower cost with academic prestige. Shotadze: for those who prefer a small, intensive environment. IBSU: for those who value international links. All are recognized — the difference lies in the university experience and resources. |
A detailed comparison — specializations and costs at Georgian medical faculties
Human-medicine tuition — a comparison between universities
| University | Annual tuition ($) | Total 6 years ($) | Total 6 years (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilia State University | 8,000 – 10,000 | 48,000 – 60,000 | 180,000 – 225,000 |
| University of Georgia (UG) | 8,500 – 12,000 | 51,000 – 72,000 | 191,250 – 270,000 |
| Tbilisi State University | 5,000 – 9,000 | 30,000 – 54,000 | 112,500 – 202,500 |
| Shotadze Academy | 7,000 – 10,000 | 42,000 – 60,000 | 157,500 – 225,000 |
| International Black Sea University (IBSU) | 6,000 – 9,000 | 36,000 – 54,000 | 135,000 – 202,500 |
Dentistry and pharmacy — available specializations and costs
| Specialization | Available universities | Annual tuition ($) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human medicine (MD) | Ilia, Georgia, Tbilisi, Shotadze, IBSU | 5,000 – 12,000 | 6 years |
| Dentistry (DMD) | Ilia, Georgia, Shotadze | 6,000 – 10,000 | 5 years |
| Pharmacy (MPharm) | Georgia, Tbilisi State | 4,500 – 7,000 | 5 years |
| Medical sciences | University of Georgia, IBSU | 4,000 – 6,000 | 4 years |
| Nursing / public health | Tbilisi State | 3,500 – 5,500 | 4 years |
Estimated total cost of a full human-medicine degree — 6 years
| Item | Amount ($) | Amount (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Total tuition (6 years) | 42,000 – 72,000 | 157,500 – 270,000 |
| Total living × 72 months | 28,800 – 43,200 | 108,000 – 162,000 |
| Visas, residence, and insurance | 1,500 – 2,500 | 5,625 – 9,375 |
| Travel tickets (estimated) | 3,000 – 5,000 | 11,250 – 18,750 |
| Books and study supplies | 2,400 – 4,200 | 9,000 – 15,750 |
| Full estimated total | 77,700 – 126,900 | 291,375 – 476,250 |
| A quick comparison for context The total for 6 years of medicine in Georgia ranges between SAR 292,000 and 476,000. The same period in Lithuania or the Czech Republic costs SAR 490,000–650,000 — a difference equal to an apartment or a car, no trivial decision. On the other hand, a degree from an EU country opens residency and work doors in Europe that the Georgian degree does not. |
Admission requirements at Georgian medical faculties for Saudi students
Academic requirements
| Requirement | Ilia University | University of Georgia | Tbilisi State | Shotadze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum GPA | 75% – 85% | 75% – 80% | 70% – 80% | 75% – 85% |
| Biology | Essential — high grade | Essential | Essential | Essential |
| Chemistry | Essential — high grade | Essential | Essential | Essential |
| Internal test | Some specializations | No | Sometimes | Yes — sciences |
| Admission interview | No | No | No | Sometimes |
| Georgia’s admission advantage Grade requirements at Georgian universities are less strict compared with Lithuania or the Czech Republic. This allows a student with a genuine passion for medicine but an average GPA to find their way. What matters is excelling specifically in biology and chemistry. |
English language requirements
- IELTS: 5.5 – 6.0 (some universities accept 5.0)
- TOEFL iBT: 72+
- Prior study in English — accepted with an official certificate
- Internal language test — run by some universities directly for applicants
Required documents
- High school certificate — translated and diplomatically certified
- Detailed transcript of grades in English
- Valid passport
- English certificate or internal test
- Motivation letter in English
- Personal photos on a white background
- Application fee: $50 – 100 (non-refundable)
Saudi recognition of the Georgian medical degree and the equivalency steps
The major Georgian medical universities mentioned in this article are listed in the international WHED database and in the WHO’s WDOMS. The Saudi Ministry of Education recognizes their degrees in accordance with the usual procedures.
For full step-by-step equivalency details, please see our article: equivalency of European certificates in Saudi Arabia.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| WHED listing | The five universities mentioned are listed |
| WDOMS listing (WHO) | Yes — a condition for medical licensing exams |
| Successful equivalency precedent | Yes — for numerous Saudi graduates |
| Most-recognized specializations | Human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy |
| Estimated equivalency time | 3 – 6 months (with complete documents) |
| Is Georgia in the EU? | No — but the universities meet international standards |
The Saudi scholarship for studying in Georgia — is it available?
For full details on the scholarship conditions and procedures, please visit our page on the Saudi external scholarship. As for what concerns Georgia specifically:
- Georgia is not in the EU, but it is accepted for the scholarship when the university is approved
- Medicine and health specializations are among the priorities of most scholarship programs
- Ilia and the University of Georgia have a precedent of acceptance in some scholarship programs
- Get written approval from the sponsoring body before paying any fees or making a booking
- The approved list changes — periodic verification is essential
Experiences of Saudi students at Georgian medical faculties
| 🗣️ A Saudi student — fourth year — Ilia State University “I chose Ilia after a long search. The positives are clear: available professors, an international environment, and real clinical training from the third year. The biggest challenge was the first year — the curriculum is intensive and fast — but the Saudi community in Tbilisi helped me adapt a lot.” |
| 🗣️ A Saudi student — second year — University of Georgia (UG) “My family persuaded me about Georgia after I had been hesitant. Now, after two years of study, I say: it was the right decision. The cost is far lower than Turkey, which I had been considering, and the academic level is respectable. The atmosphere in Tbilisi is safe and I feel at ease there.” |
| A note from the Future Way team We accompany Saudi students at the Georgian universities mentioned and follow their journeys. The positive experiences share three elements: a controlled cost, ease of adapting with an Arab community present, and the quality of clinical training. The most notable challenge is the intensity of the curriculum in the early years. |
Frequently asked questions about studying medicine in Georgia for Saudis
Is studying medicine in Georgia recognized in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Major medical universities in Georgia such as Ilia, the University of Georgia, Tbilisi State, and Shotadze are listed in the WHED database and WDOMS, and their degrees are subject to the official equivalency procedures at the Saudi Ministry of Education. Verifying the specific specialization before enrolling is advised.
How many years is medical study in Georgia?
Human medicine in Georgia lasts a full six years, including the early theoretical years and clinical training in hospitals. Dentistry is five years, and pharmacy is also five years.
What is the best medical university in Georgia for Saudi students?
Based on our field experience, Ilia State University is the most sought-after by Saudi students given the quality of its English programs and its academic reputation. The University of Georgia (UG) comes second with broader resources and more modern infrastructure. The choice ultimately depends on the specialization and the budget.
How much does studying medicine in Georgia cost per year in Saudi riyals?
Tuition ranges between $7,000 and $12,000 per year, equivalent to SAR 26,000 – 45,000. Adding living costs ($400–600 per month, i.e. SAR 1,500 – 2,250), the estimated annual total ranges between SAR 34,800 and 59,000 — lower than most European destinations.
What is the minimum GPA required for admission to a medical faculty in Georgia?
The minimum GPA ranges between 70% and 85% depending on the university, with particular emphasis on biology and chemistry. Georgia is generally less strict in its admission requirements compared with Lithuania or the Czech Republic, which opens an opportunity for a wider range of students.
| Ready to study medicine in Georgia? Future Way is by your side We assess your profile, choose the right university with you, and accompany you from application until arrival in Tbilisi. Our field experience with the five Georgian universities saves you time and costly mistakes. |
