Question 1

Is Akaki Tsereteli State University a public or private university?

Accepted Answer

It is a public Georgian state university, founded in 1930 and based in Kutaisi. Being state-run generally means lower tuition than Georgia's private universities, but stricter attendance and administrative rules.

Question 2

What language is the MD program taught in?

Accepted Answer

ATSU's Faculty of Medicine has offered an English-medium six-year MD program since 2012, alongside a separate Georgian-medium track. Day-to-day life in Kutaisi is conducted in Georgian, so most English-medium students pick up conversational Georgian informally over the six years.

Question 3

Can Indian students get direct admission after Class 12?

Accepted Answer

Yes — ATSU's MD program admits students directly after higher secondary school without a separate entrance exam for most applicants, though Indian students must still meet India's NEET-qualification requirement to later register with the NMC. Applicants should confirm current NEET and eligibility rules with the National Medical Commission before applying.

Question 4

What does the MD program cost in total?

Accepted Answer

Third-party consultancy estimates place annual tuition in the roughly $4,000-4,500 range, which would put six-year tuition at approximately $24,000-27,000 before living costs; ATSU does not publish an official English-language fee page, so applicants should request current written fee confirmation directly from the university before committing.

Question 5

How do I apply to ATSU's MD program?

Accepted Answer

Applications for international students go through ATSU's dedicated international-students portal (international.atsu.edu.ge) rather than Georgia's general national admissions portal used for domestic students. Required documents typically include a Class 12 certificate, passport, and passport-style photos, but the exact document checklist should be confirmed with the international office.

Question 6

Is an English-language test required?

Accepted Answer

Since the program is taught in English and most Indian applicants already study in English-medium schools, a separate IELTS/TOEFL score is generally not a strict requirement, but this should be confirmed directly with the international office at the time of application, as policies can change year to year.

Question 7

When does clinical training start, and is there an entrance interview?

Accepted Answer

The program follows the standard Georgian structure of preclinical science years followed by clinical rotations in the Imereti region's hospital network, with a supervised internship in the final year. ATSU's public materials do not detail a mandatory entrance interview for the MD program; applicants should verify current admission mechanics with the Faculty of Medicine directly.

Question 8

Is there any stipend or paid work available to students?

Accepted Answer

No stipend or earn-while-you-study program is documented on ATSU's official materials. Students should not budget assuming any such income.

Question 9

When is the intake, and how far in advance should I apply?

Accepted Answer

Georgian universities typically run a single main annual intake aligned with the academic year starting in September/October; exact application deadlines should be confirmed with ATSU's international office, since these can shift year to year.

Question 10

Does ATSU require any special pre-approval certificate for Indian students?

Accepted Answer

Beyond standard NEET qualification and passport/visa documentation, no additional India-specific pre-approval certificate is documented for ATSU. Applicants should still confirm current NMC eligibility requirements before enrolling, since these rules are updated periodically.

Question 11

Is the MD degree recognized for practicing in India?

Accepted Answer

ATSU's Faculty of Medicine is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and its MD program was most recently re-accredited by Georgia's National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) on 6 July 2021. WDOMS listing is a prerequisite for Indian graduates to sit the NExT/FMGE licensing exam, but graduates must still independently clear that exam — WDOMS listing alone does not guarantee registration in India.

Question 12

What accommodation options are available near ATSU?

Accepted Answer

ATSU does not run a reserved dormitory for foreign MD students, so most international students rent private apartments near campus. Kutaisi's rents are noticeably lower than Tbilisi's or Batumi's, which is one of the main reasons budget-conscious families consider it.

Question 13

How does ATSU compare to Georgia's Tbilisi-based private universities?

Accepted Answer

ATSU is meaningfully cheaper and quieter than Tbilisi's private medical universities, but it also has a smaller clinical-partner network, fewer dedicated Indian-student services, and stricter state-university attendance rules. It suits budget-focused students comfortable with a smaller city and a more traditional academic environment over the amenities of a capital-city campus.

MBBS at Akaki Tsereteli State University

Academic structure

MBBS at Akaki Tsereteli State University

Academic structure