Tbilisi State Medical University (Tbilisi, Georgia)

Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) is a leading medical university in Tbilisi, Georgia. Founded in 1918, TSMU has nearly a century of history and has trained over 40,000 doctors. Today it consistently ranks among Georgia’s top institutions (8th out of 55), with about 7,500 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates (roughly 25% international). TSMU’s degrees are internationally recognized – approved by bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and India’s National Medical Commission (formerly MCI). The university emphasizes high-quality education, research and transparent governance, making it a cornerstone of medical training in the Caucasus region.

Key Highlights:

  • Accredited & Recognized: TSMU is listed by WHO, NMC (India), ECFMG and other major agencies, ensuring its MD/MBBS and other degrees are valid worldwide.

  • Historic & Top-Ranked: Founded in 1918, TSMU is the largest medical university in Georgia/Eastern Europe and among the best medical schools in Georgia.

  • Diverse Community: About a quarter of students are international. Alumni hail from dozens of countries, forming a strong global network.

  • Modern Education: The university boasts up-to-date labs, simulation clinics and English-medium programs. An International Faculty of Medicine and Stomatology offers English-taught MBBS and Dentistry tracks.

Affordable: Government support keeps tuition low. For example, annual MBBS tuition is ~$8,000 (including labs and fees), much lower than many Western or private programs. Georgia also has a low cost of living – Tbilisi offers cheap housing and food.

Programs & Faculties:

TSMU provides a comprehensive range of medical and health programs. It has dedicated faculties for Medicine, Dentistry (Stomatology), Pharmacy, Public Health, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Nursing & Midwifery. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered across these fields. Key programs include:

  • Medicine (MD/MBBS): A 6-year Doctor of Medicine program (English or Georgian medium), with the final year as a clinical internship. This leads to an MD degree equivalent to an MBBS. Example: The English-medium MBBS costs ~$8,000/year and follows global medical standards.

Dentistry (Bachelor of Dental Medicine): A program in the Faculty of Stomatology (Dentistry). Students train in modern clinics and labs to become dental surgeons. The English-taught Dental Medicine program is popular (tuition about $7,000/year).

  • Pharmacy: The Faculty of Pharmacy offers a 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm), training students in pharmaceutical sciences. The English-taught program tuition is $3,500/year.
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  • Public Health and Rehabilitation: Specialized tracks such as Public Health and Physical Medicine are also offered (often with international partnerships).
  • Nursing & Midwifery: Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and Midwifery are available. These programs typically last 3–4 years, giving students practical clinical training and skills.

 

Figure: The Faculty of Stomatology (Dentistry) at TSMU offers top-tier dental education to both Georgian and international students.

TSMU emphasizes practical, clinically-oriented training. In the first years, students learn basic medical sciences; in later years they rotate through university clinics and affiliated hospitals in Tbilisi. The curriculum is Bologna-compliant, aligning with international standards. All programs (Medicine, Dental, Nursing, Pharmacy, etc.) are taught by experienced professors and include research opportunities. Graduate (Master’s and PhD) programs are available in medicine, surgery, dental sciences, nursing, pharmacy and related fields.

Admissions Process:

TSMU welcomes undergraduate, graduate and international applicants. Admission is based on academic records and an interview (no entrance exam). Requirements generally include:

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  • High school certificate (or equivalent) with strong grades in biology, chemistry and physics. (For post-grads: an accredited bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.)
  • Proof of age (must turn 17 in the admission year).
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  • Language proficiency: Applicants must hold at least a B1-level certificate in the program’s language.
  •  (English/Russian/Georgian). Many international students enroll in the English or Russian track.
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  • Passport and passport-size photos.
  • High School Diploma.
  • ⁠Interview/Language Proficiency (Original), IELTS, TOEFL, VERSANT, Cambridge.

Application Steps:

  • Prepare Documents: Gather your high school diploma, transcripts, passport and required language certificate. Get all non-English documents officially translated (for future legal purposes).
  • Submit Online Application: Send your documents and application form to TSMU’s international admissions office. Provide a valid email address for communication.
  • Zoom Interview: Participate in an online interview (via Zoom) with TSMU staff. This is a chance to discuss your background and goals.
  • Receive Offer: If accepted, you will get an official Offer Letter via email. Review and accept the offer.
  • Document Legalization: As required by Georgian law, take the notarized originals of your documents to the Georgian National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) for certification. Obtain certified Georgian translations of your diploma and other documents.
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  • Tuition Payment & Visa: Pay the program tuition as instructed and apply for a Georgian student visa. Arrange on-campus housing if desired.

Tuition Payment & Visa: Pay the program tuition as instructed and apply for a Georgian student visa. Arrange on-campus housing if desired.

Eligibility And Required Documents For Admission.

  • 50% in Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.
  • Applicant must be up to 17 years old as of December 31.
  • Medical Fitness Certificate.
  • The Student Must Have No Criminal Report.

Tuition Fees:

TSMU’s tuition fees are very affordable by Western standards. All fees below are per year (USD) for international students:

Program

Tuition (USD/year)

Medicine (MD, English medium) = 8,000

Dentistry (BDS, English medium) = 7,000

Pharmacy (BPharm, English) = 3500

US MD Program (Doctor of Medicine)6 years = $13,500

he American MD Program offers an excellent value. Tuition for international students is US$13,500 per year. (For comparison, TSMU’s standard English-taught MD program is about US$8,000/year.) Below is the fee breakdown for the US MD Program:

All fees are paid in U.S. dollars. Note: This tuition covers instruction and university services. Additional costs include visa, health insurance, housing and living expenses in Tbilisi, which are competitive compared to Western Europe or North America.

These figures come from TSMU’s official fee schedule. (Georgian-medium programs are generally lower, around $4,000/yr.) Fees cover tuition, exams, and lab use. Note that Georgian citizens pay in Lari at the local rate (for example, the American MD program is ~8,000 GEL for Georgians).

Besides tuition, living costs in Tbilisi are low compared to Western cities. For example, university dormitory housing is about $2,500 per year (including room and mess). According to TSMU’s international admission guides, the on-campus dorms are fully furnished with amenities like air conditioning. Monthly living expenses (food, transport, utilities) typically range from $200–$400, far below those in Europe or North America.

Scholarships: Georgia offers a few limited government scholarships and financial aid for international students. Interested applicants should inquire about scholarship opportunities or payment plans when applying.

Student Life and Testimonials.

TSMU’s campus is located in urban Tbilisi (33 Vazha-Pshavela Ave.), a vibrant city known for its friendly culture and affordable cost of living. The university area has student facilities, libraries, and recreation centers. International students appreciate the multicultural atmosphere – TSMU students come from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Europe, Africa and beyond. Classes are taught in small groups, and faculty members are known to be approachable and supportive. Many resources (like coursework and communication) are available in English, making the transition smooth for non-Georgian speakers.

US MD Program at Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia

Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) offers a six-year American MD Program (Doctor of Medicine degree) taught entirely in English. Launched in 2013 through a collaboration with Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta), this U.S.-style curriculum blends Georgia’s medical traditions with cutting-edge Western training. The program is fully integrated – combining basic sciences and clinical training from the start – and is specifically designed to prepare graduates for international careers. In fact, TSMU and Emory’s partnership has been instrumental in building a modern MD program: Emory has supported this US-style MD initiative since the early 2010s. Graduates receive the same degree as other TSMU physicians, but with focused preparation for U.S. licensing.

Why Study the US MD Program at TSMU?
  • Emory University Collaboration: This flagship program was developed in cooperation with Emory School of Medicine. Emory’s decades-long partnership (beginning around 2011) ensures world-class standards and even offers eligible students the opportunity for clinical rotations in Atlanta.

     

  • Fully Integrated Curriculum: Students learn clinical skills early on. The MD curriculum “is fully integrated and based on harmonious merging of basic science and clinical disciplines”, emphasizing hands-on experience and research from first Year.

     

English-Language Instruction: All courses and exams are in English. This not only makes the program accessible to international students, but also increases graduates’ competitiveness worldwide.

  • USMLE Preparation: The program is structured so students can prepare for and pass US Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE Step 1 & 2) during their studies. Those who pass USMLE Step 1 may qualify to complete parts of their clinical clerkships at Emory (Atlanta) under the partnership agreement.

International Recognition: TSMU is Georgia’s oldest and largest medical university (founded in 1918), fully accredited by the Ministry of Education and recognized by the World Health Organization. Its American MD graduates join a diverse community of alumni practicing globally.

TSMU’s international admissions are straightforward. Key steps for applying to the US MD Program are:

  1. Prepare Documents: Gather official, notarized documents (translated into Georgian or English) such as your passport, high-school diploma (and transcripts), and proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent). Applicants under 18 must also provide a birth certificate and guardian’s ID.

  2. Submit Application: Send your application and documents directly to TSMU’s International Admissions (admissions@tsmu.edu). The university reviews credentials for eligibility (high-school completion, equivalent academic preparation).

  3. Receive Acceptance: TSMU processes applications promptly. You will receive an official acceptance letter within about 5 business days once your documents are in order. (If applicable, you or your representative then get your diploma recognized by Georgia’s National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement.)

Enrollment & Visa: After acceptance, TSMU will issue an enrollment email. At this stage you arrange your Georgian student visa and register as a new student. Classes typically begin in the fall semester (August/September).