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