In 2026, Georgia is a popular place for international students to study, especially in medicine, IT, and international law. To get a wider range of students, the Georgian government and private universities have added more scholarships, with a focus on high-achieving students from the Global South and the EU. Unlike many Western European countries, Georgian scholarships often include special exemptions from the unified national entrance exams for the best international students.
As of April 12, 2026, there are several state- and institution-backed windows open for the Fall 2026 intake.
1. Slots at public universities that are paid for by the state
Georgia’s public universities, like Tbilisi State University (TSU) and Ilia State University, offer out big tuition breaks based on merit and agreements between regions.
- • TSU Merit Waivers for Tbilisi State University:
- Status: Applications for the 2026/2027 school year are now being reviewed for admission.
- The Chance: International students who do well on the university’s internal entrance exams can get 50%, 70%, or 100% of their tuition paid for.
- The Coverage: TSU has set aside more than GEL 1,000,000 for student projects and scientific expeditions in 2026. International scholarship holders can use this money.
- State Scholarships for Medical Programmes:
- Goals: medical and dental programs that have been accredited.
- • Benefit: A state scholarship of GEL 300 per month for one semester, which can be renewed if the student continues to do well in school. This process is often done with lower tuition rates for international students from partner countries.
2. Grants from private universities and international foundations
Private schools in Tbilisi give out more flexible, high-value scholarships that are meant to make it easier for students from outside the EU to get in.
- IBSU, or International Black Sea University Grants:
- The deadline for some 2026 Travel & Growth scholarships is May 23, 2026.
- The Opportunity: IBSU offers a number of internal merit-based grants that can pay for up to half of your tuition for the entire degree.
- 2026 Focus: We give special attention to students in Information Technology and Social Sciences who demonstrate leadership in their communities.
- BIST, the British International School of Tbilisi, received a grant from the Foundation.
- • Status: Sign up for the 2026/2027 The Founder’s Grant ended in March, but A-Level scholarship applications sometimes open in May for the last few months of the school year.
- The Opportunity: A $350,000 pool of money will provide scholarships to high-achieving international students who wish to study in Georgia. The scholarships will cover 30% to 100% of their tuition.
3. The “Georgia Signal” Plan for 2026
To get a scholarship in Georgia in 2026, your application must go through the country’s one-of-a-kind “Integration Vetting” process.
- The “Regional Impact” Story: Georgia wants to be a link between Europe and Asia. In your letter of motivation, make sure to talk about how much you care about the “Middle Corridor” or Georgia’s path to joining the EU.
- Identity Sync (NIN): Make sure that the name on your passport and transcripts matches your National Identity Number (NIN) or national ID records exactly. The National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement runs 2026 digital enrolment portals in Georgia. These portals can be used to automatically process visa invitations.
- High-Res 300dpi Documentation: All documents must be notarised and translated into Georgian. The Georgian Ministry of Education uses AI-based verification for international degrees in 2026. Scans that are blurry are often automatically flagged and thrown out.
- Medical Clearance: Like many other universities in the area, Georgian universities require a general medical fitness certificate and often proof that you are HIV-negative to get a long-term study visa. Start this process at least four weeks before you plan to arrive.
4. List of Things to Do Right Away
- TSU/Public University: Check the “Late Admission” portal if you want to apply for English-taught Master’s programmes for the Fall 2026 cycle.
- Medical Vetting: Make sure that the hospital that gives you your medical certificates is well-known and that they are translated into Georgian for the June visa window.
- [ ] IBSU Scholarship: To get the $1,500 travel and growth stipend, you need to finish your “Leadership Essay” by May 23.
Final Thoughts: A Strategic Link to Europe
Studying in Georgia in 2026 has the unique benefit of being able to get a European-standard education at a low cost in a country that is quickly becoming more modern. International students can greatly lower their costs by getting a state merit waiver or a private institutional grant. They can also get a degree that is becoming more and more well-known in the EU. Make sure your National Identity Number (NIN) is valid and that your Georgian translations are notarised to a high standard so that you can easily join the 2026/2027 academic cohort.
