The biggest hardship aspiring doctors face is not being able to pass NEET, but being able to afford medical school. Government medical colleges have limited availability and fees for private medical schools can exceed ₹1.2 crore. With this in mind, Indian students searching for affordable MBBS programs are looking at Georgia.
Medical schools in Georgia have low MBBS fees when compared to other countries. Additionally, education in Georgia is known to have great infrastructure, free programs for international students, and offers MBBS entirely in English. Affordability also includes several other fees: housing, food, travel, health insurance, visa, and other living expenses.
This guide breaks down the costs of pursuing an MBBS degree in Georgia for Indian students.
Why Georgia is a Top Choice for Indian Students Pursuing an MBBS
Affordable education and high quality medical programs do not coexist in most countries, but they do in Georgia.
Georgia is a great choice for MBBS programs because:
- MBBS fees are comparatively low
- Instruction is in English
- Medical schools have modern facilities
- Schools are internationally recognized
- Safe for international students
- Quick application and admission process
- No capitation or donation requirements
- Low living costs compared to other European nations
Georgia is a great option for those that qualify NEET but cannot secure admission to an Indian government medical school.
MBBS in Georgia offers more savings than India’s private medical colleges.
Total Cost Estimate
|
Expense |
Estimated Cost |
|
Tuition Cost |
₹22–40 Lakhs |
|
Hostel & Accommodation |
₹5–12 Lakhs |
|
Food & Living Expenses |
₹8–15 Lakhs |
|
Travel & Other Expenses |
₹2–5 Lakhs |
|
Summation |
₹38–60 Lakhs |
It is noted that the total cost depends on the:
- Choice of University & City
- Choice of hostel
- Personal lifestyle
- Current forex rates
Cost of living in Georgia is generally less than in India’s private medical colleges.
Cost of Education
Tuition fees constitute the bulk of the budget.
Government and private medical colleges will have different fee structures based on the amenities and the reputation of the college.
Average Tuition Fees
- Government colleges: USD 4,500–6,000
- Private colleges: USD 6,000–8,000
- Which is about ₹3.8 lakh to ₹7 lakh
For a 6 year program, tuition fees will be in the range of ₹22 lakh to ₹40 lakh.
Hostel & Accommodation Fees
Accommodation is the second largest expenditure.
Students can choose university hostels, apartments or private flats.
University hostels typically have:
- Wi-Fi
- Security
- Laundry
- Heating
- Furnished rooms
Average hostel fees range from ₹80,000 to ₹2 Lakhs per year.
Students who share apartments generally spend ₹12,000 to ₹25,000 per month on rent.
A student living alone will pay much more.
Estimated accommodation costs for the 6 year program is ₹5 lakhs to ₹12 Lakhs.
Monthly Living Expenses
Georgia is quite an inexpensive country in Europe for students.
There are different monthly expenses one has to account for such as:
- Food
- Transport
- Groceries
- Internet
- Personal Shopping
- Entertainment
There are expenses you have to account for such as:
|
Expense |
Monthly Cost |
|
Food |
₹10,000–15,000 |
|
Transportation |
₹2,000–3,000 |
|
Utilities |
₹2,000–4,000 |
|
Miscellaneous |
₹5,000–10,000 |
Total monthly expenses usually remain between:
₹20,000–35,000
Annual living expenses:
₹2.5 lakh–₹4 lakh
Food
Food expenses depend on what you eat.
There are a few options for students:
- University cafeteria
- Self-cooking
- Indian restaurants
- Local restaurants
Usually Indian students prefer to cook meals due to the low expense.
Air Travel Costs
These are the general travels students have to make:
- Travel to Georgia the first time
- Summer break
- Travel back for winter break (optional)
- Last trip to travel back home after graduation
Travel cost is on average:
₹30,000–60,000
Depending on how often a student travels, the average expenses for travel is:
₹2–3 lakh
Booking flights in advance usually is a good way to save money.
Visa Costs
Getting a visa for Georgia is an easy and cheap process for Indian students.
The process usually includes expenses such as:
- Visa
- Documents
- Translations
- Verifications
- Residence permit
The average cost is:
₹20,000–50,000
Medical Insurance
Required health insurance for international students costs every year:
₹15,000–40,000
Health Insurance is a safety measure for students during their travels to protect them from large and unexpected health expenses.
One Time Admission Charges
Some things that students have to account for that are one time expenses are:
- University admission fee
- Document notarization
- Notarization fee
- Invitation letter
- Airport pickup
- Registration
These fees typically cost:
₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh
Some universities include these charges within admission packages, while others bill them separately.
Hidden Costs Students Often Ignore
There are many costs that students have to account for besides the tuition expenses.
These expenses may consist of the following items:
- Winter Clothing
- Purchase of a Laptop
- Books
- Medical Check-up
- SIM Card
- Setting up a Bank Account
- Visa Renewal
- Local Travel
- Emergency Expenses
The recommended amount for an emergency fund is ₹1 to 2 lakhs.
Cost Comparison: Georgia and India
|
Private MBBS India |
MBBS in Georgia |
|
Total Cost ₹70 lakhs to ₹1.2 crores+ |
₹38–60 lakhs |
|
Donation Often Required |
Not Required |
|
English Medium |
Yes |
|
International Exposure |
High |
|
Hostel |
Usually Affordable |
For many families, Georgia provides a considerable savings opportunity with an added benefit of international exposure.
Can Students Work While Studying?
Yes, with Georgia’s Work and Study policy, students can work, however, the work is regulated by the law of the local jurisdiction and is subject to the academic commitments of the student.
Students can work and earn money by:
- Taking up a part-time job
- Freelancing
- Online Tutoring
- Translation
- Content Writing
Due to the heavy academic load of MBBS, students should keep in mind that work done should not impede their studies.
Scholarships
There are not many scholarships available for MBBS students. However, some universities provide:
- Merit Scholarships
- Scholarships for Good Academic Performance
- Tuition Fee Waivers
- International Student Grants
Students should inquire about scholarships from the specific university prior to enrolling in order to ensure that they are available.
Ways to Optimize Costs
There are many ways to optimize the total costs for students, including:
- Selecting a cost-effective university with quality education
- Using the university hostels for the first year and then sharing apartments for the remaining years
- Preparing food at home and bringing it rather than buying food from restaurants
- Booking flights and travel in advance
- Buying used/second-hand books for studying instead of new books
- Using student transport systems to get around rather than commercial transport systems
- Developing and adhering to a monthly budget
Small savings can accumulate and drastically reduce total costs for a six year period.
Is the Return on Investment Worth It?
Affordability should not be the only factor for the decision.
Students should also consider:
- University acknowledgment
- Clinical training
- English-mediated instruction
- Eligibility concerning Indian regulations
- Preparations for licensing exams
- Internships
Graduates aiming to work in India will need to satisfy the requirements of the National Medical Commission (NMC), including eligibility and licensing exams, if they wish to work in India after graduation.
Attending a university with a good reputation and acknowledged standards will likely provide a better return on investment in comparison to choosing the university with the lowest fees.
Who is Georgia MBBS Applicable to?
Georgia is applicable to students who:
- Qualified in the NEET
- Are unable to secure a government MBBS seat in India
- Want to avoid exorbitant fees in private MBBS colleges
- Desire overseas exposure
- Are okay with the idea of settling in a foreign country
- Are willing to spend between ₹40–60 lakh over six years
For the majority of middle-class families in India, the investment is much more reasonable than the fees of private medical colleges in India.
Conclusion
Is MBBS in Georgia really affordable for Indians?
The answer is yes for many future doctors, as the investment of ₹38 lakh to ₹60 lakh, while significant, is substantially lower than fees in many private medical colleges in India.
When considering the English-medium education, the availability of internationally accredited universities with modern clinical training, and reasonable living costs, Georgia is a good option for students who want to study medicine abroad.
Before you decide, ensure you compare universities thoroughly and check that the university is accredited and registered with the appropriate authorities. Understand the entire fee structure (including any hidden fees), and instead of just the yearly tuition, plan your finances for the entire six years. Financially, this will make your MBBS journey in Georgia easier. Students should also verify that the university is listed in the WDOMS and follows international standards recognized by the WHO.
