Georgia | Est. 2001Georgia | NMC India, WHO, WDOMS (since 2007), ECFMG-eligible; Georgian Ministry licensed. | 100% English. No IELTS/TOEFL required; English assessed via Skype interview. medium
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It does not always have to cost a great deal to pursue an MBBS, and Georgian American University is a testament to this. Founded in 2001 by Dr Giorgi Sharvashidze and American educator Dr Michael Cowgill, GAU was built around a single, powerful idea: to blend American liberal arts teaching methods with European academic rigour, right in the heart of the Caucasus.
Since then, the university has grown steadily. Today, over 2,500 students from more than 40 countries study here, and 450+ of them are Indian, which tells you something important about how it is perceived back home. As word spread among South Asian student communities, GAU developed a reputation as one of the most student-friendly medical schools abroad. Furthermore, it is the kind of place that actually delivers on that promise.
The university sits in Tbilisi, a city that surprises most first-timers. It is walkable, relatively safe, culturally rich, and surprisingly affordable compared to European capitals. The main campus houses modern lecture halls, anatomy labs, a simulation centre, and separate hostel blocks for male and female students. Indian mess facilities are available on campus, a small detail that actually matters a lot when you are living far from home.
What makes GAU stand out, though, is not just the price tag. The curriculum is built around the Bologna Process, which means it meets European educational standards. At the same time, the faculty's American-influenced teaching style pushes students to think critically rather than memorise. This dual approach has translated into results: the FMGE pass rate at GAU has consistently hovered around 36%, well above the national average for foreign medical graduates.
Clinically, GAU does not cut corners. From Year 3 onwards, students rotate through 18+ affiliated hospitals across Tbilisi, including Tbilisi Central Republican Hospital, Ghudushauri National Medical Centre, and Iashvili Children's Hospital. By the time you reach Year 6, you are managing patients independently under specialist supervision, not just observing from a distance.
If you have cleared NEET, have 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and are looking for a globally recognised MBBS at a cost that does not spiral out of control, GAU deserves a serious look. The cost for six years will be about USD 55,850, which is much less than the cost charged by most private medical colleges in India.
No hidden charges, no donation. The full picture of costs at Georgian American University (GAU), Tbilisi, Georgia.
Tuition Fee
Tuition USD 6,000/year.
USD 6,000/ Per Year
Hostel Fee
Shared hostel USD 1,200/year (INR 1.07 lakhs); includes Wi-Fi, 24/7 security.
USD 1,200/ Per Year
Food & Meals
USD 2500 to 3500
Per Year
Insurance
USD 100 to 150
Per Year
Donation
No Donation
No Hidden Fees
Total Estimated Cost
USD 54,000 to 55,850
All Inclusive Total - 6 Year
25–35%
Average FMGE first-attempt pass rates for students from many overseas medical universities. Students from structured programs consistently score higher.
Students returning to India need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam. Georgian American University (GAU), Tbilisi, Georgia integrates exam-oriented coaching into the regular curriculum so students are prepared from day one.
A structured program that takes you from foundational sciences to clinical mastery.
• Medical Latin, History of Medicine, Cell Biology, and clinical ethics basics were taught.
• These include Anatomy, Histology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, with hands-on experience using cadaver dissection.
• Pharmacology, Pathological Anatomy, and methodology were included
Study in detail Physiology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology with laboratory sessions.
• Paediatrics propedeutics and surgical simulator labs were included.
• Advanced Pathology, Pathophysiology, Immunology – start of hospital experience.
• Also include Neurology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, and infectious diseases.
• Rotations on Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynaecology.
• Students are responsible for managing patient cases under the guidance of specialists.
• Advanced rotations on Surgery, traumatology, emergency medicine, cardiology, and oncology.
• Iashvili Children's Hospital and Tbilisi Maternity Hospital No.1 speciality internship sites.
• Full-time compulsory rotations: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Trauma.
Furnished hostel rooms with Wi-Fi, laundry, 24/7 security, and Indian mess on or near campus.
Indian restaurants and mess facilities serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian home-style food daily.
Strong Indian community with cultural events, festival celebrations, and peer support groups.
Students get hands-on clinical training in government and private hospitals affiliated with the university.
Practical information for students planning to study at Georgian American University (GAU), Tbilisi, Georgia.
Prepare for all seasons. Thermal wear for winters, light clothing for summers. University provides heating in hostels.
Student visa processed with university invitation letter. Direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities.
Health insurance included in fees. Medical facility on campus plus city hospitals easily accessible.
Local SIM cards available. WhatsApp and video calls keep you connected with family back home.
Average monthly expenses of $150–$250 covering food, transport, and personal needs.
University library, online databases, and study groups. Seniors mentor juniors through academic challenges.
Our team guides you through every step — from application to arriving on campus.
Shortlist universities based on admission status, fees, city, and FMGE track record, not marketing alone.
Verify recognition independently on the NMC's own approved list and WDOMS before applying anywhere.
Submit the application directly to the university or through a verified representative, along with academic transcripts and a NEET scorecard.
Receive a provisional or conditional offer letter confirming a seat, pending document verification.
Complete document verification, including attestation of mark sheets and certificates where required.
Pay the first tuition instalment directly into the university's official account, never in cash or to a personal account.
Receive the formal invitation letter, which is the document required for the student visa application.
Apply for the student visa, allowing at least 30 days for processing.
Travel to Georgia and complete local formalities, including residence permit registration where applicable.
Complete final enrolment and orientation at the university, including hostel check-in and academic registration for the semester.
Admission Helpline — Contact our counsellors for step-by-step assistance.
“The faculty here is incredibly supportive. The clinical training during hospital rotations has given me real confidence in patient care.”
“Affordable fees without compromising on quality. The campus facilities and hostel life made my transition abroad very smooth.”
“English medium instruction and WHO-recognized curriculum were the deciding factors for me. No regrets so far — excellent experience overall.”
“The university helped with everything from visa to accommodation. Hospital exposure from year three has been invaluable for my FMGE prep.”
“Just cleared my licensing exam on the first attempt. The structured coaching and mock exams during final year were a game-changer.”
“Safe campus, good food options, and a strong Indian student community. The teaching methodology is very practical and hands-on.”
Yes. GAU was established in the year 2001 as a business school. However, it expanded into medicine and gained NMC accreditation in 2014. So, the medical faculty is newer than the founding year suggests. Most FAQs skip this entirely.
Both figures appear in published sources. The 80.33% claim applies only to fresh graduates. However, the 36% estimate includes all students who appeared. So always ask which cohort the percentage applies to before trusting any number.
It means GAU's degree aligns with European higher education standards. Furthermore, this opens exchange programs across the USA, Canada, and Europe. So, graduates gain broader licensing mobility than most competing Georgia-based medical universities offer.
Primary affiliation is Tbilisi Central Republican Hospital with 420 beds. Additionally, rotations are available at Ghudushauri National Medical Centre (520 beds), New Hospitals LLC, and Iashvili Children's Hospital. No competitor FAQ names these specifically.
Tuition is USD 6,000 per year. The hostel adds USD 3,000 annually. Plus, a one-time premium training fee of 1.25 lakh INR for Indian students. So, the total realistic spend runs USD 54,000 to 55,850 over six years.
Yes. No IELTS or TOEFL is required. However, a Skype interview assesses English proficiency for all applicants. So Indian students save language test fees and preparation time compared to many European medical universities.
GAU graduates have been eligible for FMGE/NExT in India, USMLE in the USA, PLAB in the UK, and NZREX in New Zealand. Furthermore, the Bologna Process covers European countries. So, the degree carries genuine multi-country mobility.
Yes. There are two grants at GAU: the TOP grant and Sopho's Grant for eligible candidates with merit. However, eligibility depends on the scores. Therefore, shortlist both grants only after understanding the eligibility criteria through the GAU admission process.
Yes and no, FAQ explains this. All students, staff, and lecturers are required to sign a code of ethics upon entering GAU. So, students are legally bound by conduct codes right from day one, not just academic requirements.
Our expert counsellors will guide you through the complete admission process — from documents to airport pickup.
