INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
University
Institute
School leaving and higher education credentials:
Zogadi Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestati
Dackebiti Prophesiuli Ganatlebis Diplomi
Sashualo Prophesiuli Sastsavleblis Diplomi
Bakalavris Diplomi
Diplomirebuli Specialistis Diplomi
Magistris Diplomi
Doctoris Diplomi
STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 14
Structure of school system:
Elementary
Type of school providing this education: Elementary School
Length of program in years: 6
Age level from: 6 to: 12
Basic
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 13 to: 15
Certificate/diploma awarded: Arasruli Sashulo Ganaltebis Motsmoba
Secondary
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 16 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestasi
Special Education
Type of school providing this education: Special Secondary School
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 15 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Sashualo Profesiuli Sastsavleblis Diplomi
Higher education:
There are twenty-four state higher education institutions and their fourteen branches in Georgia. In addition, 81 private higher education institutions have passed the accreditation process. Studies in some 300 different specialities are offered in higher education institutions. They include fields which are highly specialized, such as the study of Kartvelian languages (related to Georgian) and Caucasian languages, as well as traditional Science and Technology subjects. Technical and specialized institutes offer studies in Metallurgy, Cableway and Railway Transport, Chemical and Food Technology, and Wine Making, Silkworm Breeding, the growing of tea and citrus fruits. Courses in Fine Arts (Theatre, Cinematography, Painting, and Sculpture) are provided by specialized higher education institutions.
Main laws/decrees governing higher education:
Decree: Decree on Main Directions of Higher Education Development Year: 2002
Concerns: Reforming Georgian higher education
Decree: Law on Education Year: 1997
Concerns: Administrative structure of higher education
Decree: Law on Higher Education Year: 2004
Decree: Law on Principles of Licensing and Issuing Permission for Entrepreneurial Activity Year: 2002
Concerns: Issuing licences for education institutions
Decree: On the Status of State Higher Education Institutions in Georgia Year: 1991
Concerns: Higher Education Institutions
Decree: Plan of Urgent Measures to be carried out in the Field of Education Year: 1993
Academic year:
Classes from: Sep to: Jun
Long vacation from: Jul to: Sep
Languages of instruction: Georgian, Russian
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level: Sashualo Profesiuli Sastsavleblis Diplomi:
Post-secondary two-year professional education that is not considered as higher education. The diploma gives access to higher education.
University level studies:
University level first stage: Bakalavris Akademiuri Kharishki; Diplomirebuli Specialisti:
The duration of the first stage is usually four years. Students are awarded a Bakalavris Khariskhi (Bachelor's degree). Students with excellent marks are awarded a Diplomi Tsarchinebit (Diploma with Honour).The duration of these studies is five years. Students are awarded Diplomirebuli Specialistis Akademiuri Xarisxi (Certified Specialist Academic Degree). Students with excellent marks are awarded a Diplomi Tsarchinebit (Diploma with Honours).
University level second stage: Magistris Akademiuri Khariskhi:
The second stage leads to the award of a Magistris Khariskhi (Master's degree) after two years' study. Students with excellent marks are awarded a Diplomi Tsarchinebit (Diploma with Honour).
University level third stage: Doctoris Akademiriu Xarisxi:
Students who were awarded a Magistri Khariskhi may continue their studies at the third stage. Doctorandura comprises three years' study and ends with the presentation and defence of a thesis that leads to a PhD.
Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Primary education teachers are trained in special faculties of teacher training institutions. Duration of studies is four years and the qualification awarded is a Datskebiti Skolis Mastsavlebeli (primary school teacher).
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary education teachers are trained at universities or teacher training institutes. Duration of studies is five years and leads to a qualification of Sashualo Skolis Mastsavlebeli (teacher of secondary school).
NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
Ministry of Education and Science
Head: Alexander Lomaia, Minister
Administrative officer: Alexander Didebulidze, Deputy-Minister
International relations: Irakli Machabeli, Minister Advisor
52,
Uznadze Street
0102 Tbilisi
Georgia
Tel: +995(32) 958-886 +995(32) 953-213
Fax: +995(32) 957-010 +995(32) 955-799
WWW: http://www.mes.gov.ge
Role of governing body: Provides the unified educational politics in the country.
ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Zogadi Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestati
Minimum score/requirement: 3-satisfactory
For entry to: All institutions
Name of secondary school credential required: Sashualo Prophesiuli Sastsavleblis Diplomi
Minimum score/requirement: 3-satisfactory
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Dackebiti Prophesiuli Ganatlebis Diplomi
Name of secondary school credential required: Sashualo Prophesiuli Sastsavleblis Diplomi
For entry to: All institutions
Name of secondary school credential required: Zogadi Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestati
For entry to: All institutions
Entrance exams required: Unified National Exam (Ertiani Erovnuli Gamocdebi)
Foreign students admission
Definition of foreign student: Foreign students are those who are not citizens of Georgia.
Quotas: 10%
Admission requirements: Foreign students are admitted to higher education institutions on the basis of an interview.
Entry regulations: Visas
Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Georgian, Russian or English.
Recognition of studies & qualifications:
Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
Department of Academic Recognition and Mobility, Ministry of Education and Science
Head: Natela Paichadze
Administrative officer: Nana Chorgolashvili, Specialist
52,
Uznadze Street
0102 Tbilisi
Georgia
Tel: +995(32) 969-841
Fax: +995(32) 969-841
EMail: mobility_division@yahoo.com
Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession
Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies
Name of agreement: Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the Euroepan Region
Year of signature: 1999
STUDENT LIFE
Health/social provisions
Social security for home students: No
Social security for foreign students: No
Special student travel fares:
By road: No
By rail: Yes
By air: Yes
Available to foreign students: Yes
Student expenses and financial aid
Student costs:
Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 100 (US Dollar)
Maximum: 2000 (US Dollar)
Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 750 (US Dollar)
Maximum: 2500 (US Dollar)
Type of financial aid available:
Scholarships/grants/fellowships:
Higher vocational/technical studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes
First Degree studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes
Advanced/doctoral studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes
Loans:
Higher vocational/technical studies:
Home: No
Foreign: No
First degree studies:
Home: No
Foreign: No
Advanced/doctoral studies:
Home: No
Foreign: No
Bodies providing information on student financial aid:
Department of Planning and Financing, Ministry of Education
52, Uznadze Street
102 Tbilisi
Georgia
Tel: +995(32) 958886
Fax: +995(32) 957010
WWW: http://www.mes.gov.ge
Deals with: Grants and Loans
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES
Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes
Name of exchange programme: ERASMUS
Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS
GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Highest on scale: 5
Pass/fail level: 3/2
Lowest on scale: 1
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Highest on scale: 5
Pass/fail level: 3/2
Lowest on scale: 1
Other main grading systems
At some institutions a scale 0-10 or 1-100 is used for examinations.
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Data for academic year: 2005-2006
Source: IAU from Division of Academic Recognition and Mobility, Ministry of Education and Science, Georgia, 2006