Georgia: A Hidden Gem

This quaint European nation, while known for its vibrancy and architectural genius, is also home to many renowned educational institutions and academic establishments. Possessing traits that attract students from across the world stems from the ability of a nation to cater to the interests of every single student, whether they are studying geography, culture, or medicine. Georgia has it all! Ranked #1 nationally, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) is one of the oldest and finest university in all of Georgia, what makes it unique isn’t just it’s ranking, but the variety and diversity of programmes, courses and academic qualities it has to offer in comparison to the many European universities; Offering an extremely distinct doctoral degree (PhD) in Cultural Personology, Psychological Anthropology, and Migration Studies as well as a Master’s Degree Program in Media Psychology and Communications, this Georgian University alone possesses some of the most extraordinary and inclusive courses in the world, testifying to its growing opportunities, acclaimed academic accreditations and global significance. Both courses are offered in English as well, and so are most of the programmes at TSU. Similarly, Caucasus University provides courses in Diplomacy and International Relations and even in Cyber Security. This proves how well integrated and welcoming Georgia is within the educational system and how it accounts for a diverse student demographic.

Affordable Education:

The million-dollar question that never seems to fade from discourse: ‘How much?’ Travelling abroad is always a financially concerning endeavour; having to pay for tuition costs, accommodation, transportation, and other provisions may always seem a risk not worth taking, yet in Georgia’s case, it’s quite the opposite. Firstly, Georgia Universities have considerably lower tuition fees than the majority of international institutions: taking TSU as an example, the cost- per-semester is only 1,125 Georgian Lari (GEL), which is roughly 115,500 Pakistani Rupees, the fees can be paid in instalments and this goes for all educational programmes at the university. The average cost for public transport is only 0.50 GEL only 0.20 GEL with a student card available. The overall cost of tuition and transport is much less than even some Pakistani universities, whose financial aid options are weary, and semester fees are more than the cumulative cost of studying and commuting to a University in Europe. Other than that, the average estimated cost for accommodation is $80-$150 for dormitories, while apartments are usually somewhere between $100 – 300$, which is comparatively much more affordable than the array of North American universities where the average monthly cost varies from almost $500 – $2,000!. Thus, a very supported conclusion can be drawn from Georgia’s financial leniency: Apply Now!

Scholarships:

Georgia has some of the most inclusive and all-around scholarships offered by many of their top universities:

1. Bank of Georgia Scholarship

If availed, Georgian Technical University (GTU) waives the complete cost of tuition for the entirety of the program. This is awarded to four scholars with commendable, unique, and well-rounded academic portfolios.

2. Tbilisi State University: University Funding

The Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) provides students with financial assistance, fee concessions, and allowances for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Single Level Medical degrees. They also allocate a certain amount of money for different exchange programs, scientific conferences and mooting tournaments.

3. Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University

Ambitious and high-achieving students of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University who have found success during scientific research are rewarded with the Shota Rustaveli Scholarship for 500 GEL, based on a competition, starting from their second year of study.

Seize the opportunity

Destinations that tick all the boxes are rare. So, you shouldn’t wait around till the universities of Georgia are overflowing with applicants. The best thing to do is to seize the moment and work towards your application. Right now is the best time to apply and study in Georgia.