For Indians looking to study medicine abroad, especially at an affordable price, the field of MBBS adoptions in Georgia has gained a lot of preference lately. This is attributed to a number of factors including affordable fees, availability of universities that can be assessed by Indian students through the medium of medical school directories, availability of English medium medical programs and the EU academic environment. Cost affordability should not be looked at in the lens of tuition fees in isolation, and Indian students should consider other costs that they are likely to incur such as hostel and food, transportation, insurance, visas, practice, and training.
The overall cost of studying medicine in Georgia varies according to the university, location, choice of accommodation and personal lifestyle. Compared to Batumi, Tbilisi has more universities and a larger student community, and could therefore be more attractive to Indian students. Before selecting a university Indian applicants should check the current course structure and eligibility requirements, rather than checking advertisements for old fees.
Why Choose Georgia for Affordable Medical Education?
One of the main attractions Georgia has for Indian students is the balance between international exposure and comparatively low education costs. Several Georgian medical universities have medical courses in English, thus eliminating the Indian students' need to study the core medical courses in a completely new and foreign language.
Another benefit is that Georgia has established international student populations. Students from India and other countries can study in a multicultural environment in subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Medicine and Surgery.
The use of the term “affordable” should be taken into account. A university with lower tuition may have more expensive accommodation or living costs, while another institution may charge higher tuition, but may have better accommodation. For this reason, students should evaluate the total cost of education, instead of the annual tuition fee of the university.
Affordable Medical Colleges in Georgia for Indian Students
Georgia has many universities which offer medical education to international students and the most suitable one depends on these factors: tuition, location, clinical exposure, university status, regulations, and Indian student admission requirements.
Tbilisi State Medical University
Tbilisi State Medical University is an excellent choice for students who wish to study in an accredited medical university located in an urban center like Tbilisi. The university is based in Tbilisi which also has hospitals, international student residences, and public transportation.
The university may be preferred by students who are not as conscious of cost and are willing to study in an urban center. International students should contact the university for the latest official tuition, and accommodation costs.
Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University
Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University is located in the Georgian coastal city of Batumi. Batumi has a more relaxed and less urban environment than the other larger Georgian cities and may appeal to students who are not interested in living in larger cities.
Students need to account for accommodation and other daily expenditures in Tbilisi while calculating their estimated monthly budget for admission. The details for the university's medical programs, along with their tuition costs and the conditions applicable for admission, must be verified for the desired admission period.
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia in Tbilisi is another university famous for international medical studies. The university's environment and the international student population make the university one of the first choices for medical study in Georgia.
Before making any payment for admission, students must verify the details for the medical programs offered, the tuition fee for each academic year, the clinical training provided, and the status of the university.
Georgian National University SEU
Georgian National University SEU is also one of the universities that international applicants consider for an MBBS program in English in Tbilisi. The university's location ensures easy access for the students to the student facilities of the Georgian capital.
For Indian students, it isn't sufficient for a university to be labeled as "NMC approved.” The university and program must be checked against the standards applicable to foreign medical graduates.
MBBS in Georgia Fees for Indian Students
Generally, the tuition fee is the largest component of an estimated budget. The tuition fee for different universities, depending on the university and intake, may vary considerably. Therefore, quoting a single fee for MBBS in Georgia for all universities is misleading.
The other components of the budget include accommodation costs, food and other miscellaneous expenses, transportation, insurance, visa related expenses, books, personal expenses and airfare. Students must also keep a reserve for unforeseen expenses.
Expense Category
Approximate Budget Consideration
- Tuition Fee
Amount depends on university and program
- Hostel/Accommodation
Amount depends on university and room type and city
- Food
Amount depends on hostel food and lifestyle
- Transportation
Amount is usually manageable with Student specific options
- Insurance & Documentation
Additional annual/administrative expense
- Personal Expenses
Amount depends on lifestyle
- Airfare
Amount varies depending on season and booking date
For this reason, students shall ask their university or admission offices for a clear written explanation of what is covered and what is not covered in the fee structure.
Hostel Facilities for Indian Students
Accommodation is a major part of the total study of medicine abroad. Shared and single bedrooms occupy different positions in the monthly budget.
You should see if the accommodation includes water, electricity, heating, internet. Also check if it includes grocery shopping. You should consider the commuting time and cost to and from the university and teaching hospital, which can add up over the years.
Indian students may want to have these accommodations with kitchen in their buildings to prepare their food. Many larger cities such as Tbilisi, have restaurants that carry Indian, South Asian and other Asian food and international food as well.
The prices will depend on the location and your choice of restaurant.
Living Costs in Georgia
Living costs depend on individual lifestyle choices. Costs for a student that chooses to share a flat, cook and use public means of transport can be significantly lower than a student who houses themselves in a private apartment and eats out a lot.
There is a wider selection of housing options, eating places, and entertainment in Tbilisi. However, the added choices there can lead a person to bigger spending. In Batumi, lifestyle and costs can be different depending on the location of housing and season of accommodation.
Students should provide for at least a month’s rental, food, transport, connectivity, study supplies and miscellaneous in their budget. An emergency fund should be created as well.
NMC Requirements and NEET for Indian Students
When choosing a university, Indian students must consider the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations and guidelines of the NMC (National Medical Commission). Students must also consider the importance of qualifying NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Examination). NMC (erstwhile Medical Council of India) registration as a licentiate can be completed only after qualifying NEET. For Indian citizens, qualifying NEET is a mandatory prerequisite for students of Indian origin, intending to pursue Medical Education from abroad, to retain their right to practice medicine in India after returning from abroad. Before travelling to Georgia, students must check the latest NMC/NTA (National Testing Agency) rules and regulations.
The NMC's current regulations make references to the duration, the method of instruction, clinical training, and internship requirements applicable to foreign medical graduates. For applicants admitted under the current policy, it is imperative that their complete medical education and training is in accordance with the regulations.
Thus, selecting a cheap university does not suffice. It is important for Indian students to confirm if the medical program complies with the Indian regulatory requirements.
What Students Should Check: WHO and WDOMS
Students often check for WHO approved medical colleges in Georgia. However, there is a vital point to note. One cannot consider the World Health Organization as a ‘stamp’ in the approval of foreign medical universities. Students should verify the status of the university from the official websites.
The World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) is a major international directory covering medical schools across the world. Their tips make it clear that being included in WDOMS indicates the existence of a medical school in the directory, and being included in WDOMS does not imply that any of the WFME, FAIMER, or WDOMS accredited/approved the school.
So, Indian students must verify the medical school and the program at the official WDOMS website.
For students from India, the NMC is still the primary regulatory body for Indian students to practice in India, and WDOMS can be a verification body for a medical school.
What to Look for When Considering the Most Affordable Medical College
What seems to be the cheapest route for a college admission may not always be the best in the long run. Extra costs such as rent, food, clinical exposure, and support should be considered in India along with the cost of documentation and transportation.
It is also essential to check if the package includes hostel and food, insurance, airport pickup, all related expenses, and other services. Some advertisements may combine university services with services of other organizations; therefore, it is best to ask for the fees to be broken up.
It is also important to verify the university’s official website for the latest information regarding admission and ensure that everything is up to date. It is also best to ignore statements made on the university page if the statements suggest that the university has 100% approval by the NMC, WHO, and/or guaranteed success in FMGE.
Conclusion
If Indian students are willing to invest the time to research each university, affordable medical education in Georgia is worth considering. Though tuition may be an important factor in determining the budget, the other costs involving hostels, food, transportation, insurance, documentation, and personal expenditures may drastically change the budget.
It is best to compare universities based on fees, costs, and regulations, rather than being drawn in by the university that advertises the lowest overall package.
Students considering the route of an MBBS in Georgia are encouraged to examine all of the given university information as well as the changes that may impact the NMC, NEET, and WHO regulations and the WDOMS status, as they may impact university fees as well.
