The real cost of studying medicine in Georgia
One of the main reasons students choose Georgia is simple: it costs a fraction of medical school in Western Europe, the UK, or a private seat back home — without cutting corners on the degree. Here's the honest, all-in number, broken down so there are no surprises.
Tuition: the fixed part
Tuition is paid directly to the university, once a year. For the two universities we work with:
| Programme | CIU | GRUNI |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (MD) · 6 years | $6,000 / year | $5,500 / year |
| Dentistry (DMD) · 5 years | $5,000 / year | $4,500 / year |
That's it for tuition — no separate exam fees or hidden semester charges baked into the headline number. Compare that to £30,000–£45,000 a year that international students often pay for medicine in the UK, and the value is obvious.
Living costs in Tbilisi: the variable part
Tbilisi is one of the most affordable capital cities in Europe. Here's a realistic monthly budget for a student living reasonably comfortably:
| Expense | Monthly (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Rent — 1-bed apartment near campus | $400+ |
| Food & groceries | $200–250 |
| Transport (metro + bus) | ~$20 |
| Phone & internet | ~$25 |
| Going out & miscellaneous | $100–150 |
| Total living | $745–845 / month |
Sharing an apartment brings rent down significantly, so many students spend closer to the lower end. A full meal at a restaurant runs about $5–10, and groceries are cheap by European standards.
What one full year actually costs
Putting tuition and living together, here's the all-in annual figure for Medicine:
| CIU — Medicine | GRUNI — Medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,000 | $5,500 |
| Living (~$800/mo × 12) | $7,800–8,400 | $7,800–8,400 |
| Total per year | $13,800–14,400 | $13,300–13,900 |
So a realistic all-in budget is roughly $13,000–14,500 per year, depending on university and lifestyle. For a full six-year medical degree including living costs, you're looking at a total in the region of $80,000–86,000 — often less than a single year at some Western medical schools.
The one-off costs to plan for
- Flights to Tbilisi (varies by home country).
- Student visa / residence permit fees.
- Document translation & notarization for your application.
- Optional language course — CIU offers a 3-month English course for about $500 if you need to reach the B1 requirement.
- Our service fee — a one-time £1,500 (UK) or $1,500 (all other countries) that covers the entire application, Ministry order, invitation letter, airport pickup and on-the-ground support.
No hidden costs from us. Our fee is split 50% when documents are submitted and 50% when your Ministry order is issued — so you only pay the second half once your place is actually confirmed. Full details on our pricing section.
Is it worth it?
For most students, yes — decisively. You get an internationally recognised medical degree, taught in English, in a safe and affordable city, for a total cost that's genuinely accessible. The trick is budgeting honestly from day one: know your yearly number, keep a small buffer, and you'll find Tbilisi very comfortable to live in as a student.
Still weighing your options between the two universities? Read CIU vs GRUNI, or if you're from India, start with our NMC recognition guide.
Want a personalised budget?
Send us your target university and home country — we'll put together an exact cost plan for your situation, free of charge.
Costs are approximate and can change with exchange rates, inflation and your personal lifestyle. Figures are a planning guide, not a quotation.