Study Abroad
Study Guide to Masters and Bachelors Degree Courses




Georgia



Structure of Educational System
Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition  of Foreign Credentials 
Student Life 
International Cooperation and Exchanges   

Pre-higher Education System

Duration of compulsory education
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 14

Structure of school system

Type/level of education: Elementary
Type of school: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Length of program (years): 4
Age level: from 6 to 10

Type/level of education: Secondary
Type of school: SECONDARY SCHOOL
Length of program (years): 7
Age level: from 10 to 17
Certificate awarded: SASHUALO SKOLIS ATESTATI

Description of secondary school system
Secondary school education lasts seven years. The document certifying completion of secondary school is a sashualo skolis atestati. Technical and vocational upper secondary education leads, after two to four years, to the Prophesiul-teknikuri sastscavlebis diplomi. Special secondary education leads to the Sashualo specialuri sastscavlebis diplomi. All three diplomas give access to higher education. Candidates, however, must pass a competitive entrance examination (misagebi gamotstebi).

Higher Education System

Structure of system
There are twenty-two public higher education institutions in Georgia - eight universities and fourteen technical and specialized institutes. In addition, 209 private colleges have been established recently. Studies in some 300 different specialities are offered in higher education institutions. They include fields which are highly specific such as the study of Kartvelian languages (related to Georgian) and Caucasian languages, as well as traditional science and technology subjects. Technical and specialized institutes offer studies in metallurgy, cableway and railway transport, chemical and food technology, and wine making, silkworm breeding, tea and citrus growing. Courses in Fine Arts (theater, cinematography, painting, sculpture) are provided by specialized higher education institutions.

Main types of higher education institutions in country

Type of institution: UNIVERSITY

Type of institution: COLLEGE

Type of institution: INSTITUTE

Main laws/decrees governing higher education

Name of law/decree: On the Status of State Higher Education Institutions in Georgia
Date: 17 January, 1991
Institution type: Higher Education Institutions

Name of law/decree: Plan of Urgent Measures to be carried out in the Field of Education
Date: 31 December, 1993

Administrative structure of higher education

Name of body: Ministry of Education

Address:
Street: 52, Uznadze Str.
City: Tbilissi
Postal code: 380002
Telephone: 995-32-958886
Fax: 995-32-770073

Academic year
Classes start: September
Classes end: June

Languages of instruction
Abkhazian, Azerbaijani, Armenian, Georgian, Russian

Stages and Organization of Higher Education Studies

University level studies

Stage 1

Description: The duration of the first stage is usually four years. Students are awarded an Umaglesi Ganatlebis Diplomi (diploma of higher education). Students with excellent marks are awarded a Diplomi Tsarchinebit.

Stage 2

Description: Students who have obtained a Diplomi Tsarchinebit may continue to study in aspirantura. Aspirantura involves at least three years' study and ends with the presentation and defence of a thesis leading to the academic degree of Metsnierebata Kandidati.

Stage 3

Description: The highest academic degree in the country is the Metsnierebata Doktori conferred after presentation and defence of a thesis containing valuable ideas and results in any field of science. Students may prepare for the degrees of metsnierabata kandidati or doktori in some specialized institutions only.

Grading system

Usual grading system in (upper) secondary school
Highest on scale: 5
Pass/fail level: 1/2
Lowest on scale: 1

Main grading system generally used by higher education institutions

Highest on scale: 5
Pass/fail level: 1/2
Lowest on scale: 1

Admissions to Higher Education

Admissions to university level

Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s) required for entry

Name of sec. school credential: SASHUALO SKOLIS ATESTATI
Total number of years of primary and secondary school study: 11

Name of sec. school credential:
PROPHESIUL-TEKNIKURI SASTSCAVLEBLIS DIPLOMI DANARTIT

Name of sec. school credential:
SASHUALO SPECIALURY SASTSCAVLEBLIS DIPLOMI DARNATIT

National admission entrance examination requirements

Name of test/exam: Competitive entrance examination.
For: Access to higher education.

Recognition of studies and qualifications

Recognition of studies completed and credentials awarded in foreign countries

Bodies primarily addressing questions relating to the recognition of foreign credentials and studies in higher education

Name of body: Georgian National Information Centre for Academic Recognition and Mobility
Address:
Street: 6 Chitadze Str.
City: Tbilisi
Postal code: 380018
Telephone: 995-32-989429
Telex: 212906 INFO SU
Fax: 995-32-997249

Student expenses and financial aid

Tuition and fees for national students Tuition and fees for foreign students
Minimum: US Dollar 10 Minimum: US Dollar 500
Maximum: US Dollar 200 Maximum: US Dollar 1500


Date: 1995/1996
Source: International Association of Universities (IAU)