Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
ივანე ჯავახიშვილის სახელობის თბილისის სახელმწიფო უნივერსიტეტი
Georgia's oldest university, founded in 1918, with annual tuition of GEL 2,250 for Georgian-language bachelor programmes.
- Students
- 22,000
- Tuition
- GEL 2,250
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1918
- QS World Ranking
- 1001-1200
- 2027 edition
About TSU
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University opened on 26 January 1918 (commemorated on 8 February) as the first national university in the Caucasus, and was renamed after its founder, the historian Ivane Javakhishvili, in 1989. It sits on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi and describes itself as one of the largest higher education institutions in Georgia, with about 22,000 students across seven faculties.
The faculties are Exact and Natural Sciences, Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, Psychology and Educational Sciences, Economics and Business, Medicine, and Law. TSU runs bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, one-step programmes such as Medicine, and short vocational and certificate courses. Most teaching is in Georgian. Its international pages list a small set of English-language programmes, including the ISET economics programme, Computer Science and Chemistry at bachelor's level, and Public Administration and European Studies at master's level, plus a few Russian-language programmes.
For a Georgian citizen, entry normally runs through the Unified National Examinations, and the exam score decides whether you get a full, 70% or 50% tuition waiver. Foreign citizens apply directly to TSU instead, and their documents go through Georgia's national education-quality centre for recognition before they sign a contract. That makes TSU a practical fit for students who want a low-cost degree in Tbilisi, especially in Georgian-taught fields, and less of a fit for anyone expecting a wide menu of English-taught undergraduate degrees.
Why students choose TSU
Tuition for Georgian bachelor programmes is GEL 2,250 a year (GEL 1,125 per semester), and Unified National Examination scores can earn 100%, 70% or 50% waivers.
Georgian Philology, History, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Economics are among the state-funded undergraduate programmes listed by TSU.
English-language options include the ISET economics bachelor's (USD 3,000 a year), Computer Science (USD 4,000 a year) and master's programmes in Public Administration and European Studies.
The university says it has cooperation memoranda with about 200 foreign universities in up to 50 countries and runs Erasmus+ exchange mobility.
Admissions
2026-27 academic year (latest information published for international students)
Selectivity
TSU does not publish an acceptance rate. Georgian citizens are admitted through the Unified National Examinations; foreign citizens apply directly to TSU and are admitted through document review, plus an exam or interview where the faculty requires one.
Typical entry requirements
| Foreign secondary school certificate (bachelor's and one-step programmes) | Copy of the complete general education certificate or equivalent, plus a copy of a citizenship document; documents in a foreign language must be translated into Georgian and notarised |
|---|---|
| Foreign bachelor's degree (master's programmes) | Copy of the diploma from a foreign higher education institution, plus a copy of a citizenship document |
| English language | An English level certificate is required for English-language programmes. TSU publishes a list of accepted certificates: B1 corresponds to IELTS 4.0-5.0 or TOEFL iBT 47-86, and B2 to IELTS 5.0-6.5 or TOEFL iBT 87-109. The minimum level for each programme is not stated on the pages fetched, so confirm it with the faculty. |
Deadlines
The international-student pages checked on 30 September 2026 do not state 2027 application dates. Confirm dates with TSU's academic affairs office or the Chancellery. The 2024-25 academic calendar (the latest published) shows bachelor's classes starting in late September and the spring semester starting in early March.
How to apply
Foreign applicants submit an application and documents to the TSU Chancellery (Building I, Room 114). TSU sends them to the faculty, which may set an exam or interview; TSU then issues a letter of consent. With that letter you request recognition of your certificate at Georgia's National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement, which passes the file to the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth. Once the ministry issues its decree, you sign a contract with TSU and are enrolled.
What admissions looks for
- Completed general secondary education abroad, or credits from a recognised foreign institution, with documents that pass Georgian recognition.
- For English-language programmes, an English certificate at the level the programme requires.
- For Georgian citizens, Unified National Examination results, which also set the tuition waiver.
Tips for applying to TSU
- 1 Start the recognition step early: TSU issues a letter of consent first, and the ministry decree must arrive before you can sign the contract.
- 2 Have foreign-language documents translated into Georgian and notarised.
- 3 Check TSU's tuition annex before choosing a programme: the ISET bachelor's is USD 3,000 a year, Computer Science USD 4,000 and Chemistry GEL 10,000, while standard programmes are GEL 2,250.
- 4 Ask the faculty whether an exam or interview applies to your programme; TSU says the faculty decides this.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in GEL
Georgian citizens can earn a 100%, 70% (GEL 1,575) or 50% (GEL 1,125) tuition waiver from their Unified National Examination score. Some programmes are state-funded, and a state scholarship of GEL 300 a month for one semester is available. The university lists additional named scholarships. The pages checked do not describe scholarships for foreign students.
- GEL 300 per month for one semester (2,058 students in autumn 2023-24)
- State scholarship
- 100%, 70% or 50% by entrance exam score
- Tuition waivers (Georgian citizens)
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (autumn and spring); in 2024-25 bachelor's classes ran from late September to late December and from early March to mid June
Economics (ISET, English)
Taught in English by the International School of Economics; USD 3,000 a year at bachelor's level.
Computer Science (English)
Offered in English in the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at USD 4,000 a year; TSU also lists joint programmes with San Diego State University in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
Medicine (one-step)
The Faculty of Medicine publishes admission details for international students for its Medicine and Dentistry programmes; Medicine was accredited in 2011 and international admission was announced then. The language of instruction is not stated on the pages checked.
Public Administration (Master's, English)
Law Faculty master's programme at GEL 5,850 a year, also popular with foreign students.
European Studies (Master's, English)
Law Faculty master's programme at GEL 3,000 a year.
Research
- TSU says it carries out about 200 local and international grant projects a year.
- It reports sixteen research institutes and up to 85 learning labs, including a FabLab, a SMART Lab and a Bloomberg Lab.
- It has taken part in EU programmes including Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+, Tempus, Horizon 2020 and ERC.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Law
Student life
TSU is a large city university, so student life is organised around faculties and the surrounding Tbilisi neighbourhoods rather than a closed campus. The university lists student self-governance, an ombudsman, a culture and sport section, student projects, an employment service and exchange programmes. It runs two dormitories, Lisi and Bagebi, for enrolled students, with registration online at UNI.TSU.GE. Students of bachelor's, master's, doctoral, medical and Georgian-language preparation programmes can also get student ID and travel cards for public transport.
- Student self-governance and a student ombudsman are listed among the university's services.
- Georgian language preparation programmes are available for foreign students.
- Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange places with about 100 European universities.
- Lisi and Bagebi dormitories for enrolled students.
Housing. TSU offers dormitory places at Lisi and Bagebi; enrolled students register online at UNI.TSU.GE, and the university says it announces in advance when registration opens.
Location
TSU's main Building I is at 1 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi, Georgia's capital. The city is the country's political and cultural centre, and students of the main degree programmes can use public transport with a student travel card issued by the Bank of Georgia. Foreign students should check visa rules with the relevant Georgian consular service, as TSU's FAQ advises.
Nearest airport: Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Notable alumni
- BO Bulat OkudjavaPoet, writer and singer-songwriter; graduated from Tbilisi State University in 1950
- ZZ Zurab ZhvaniaGeorgian Prime Minister (2004-2005); graduated from the Faculty of Biology in 1985
- NB Nino BurjanadzeFormer Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia; graduated from the Faculty of Law in 1986
- GD Gia DvaliTheoretical physicist; undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Physics (diploma 1985)
- SP Stepan PachikovCo-founder of Evernote; attended Tbilisi State University among other universities (Wikipedia does not say he graduated there)
- VS Viktor SaneyevOlympic triple jump champion; graduated from Tbilisi State University and the Georgian State University of Subtropical Agriculture
- AM Aka MorchiladzeNovelist; graduated from the Department of History in 1988 and later taught there
Frequently asked questions
How much does Tbilisi State University cost?
Georgian-language bachelor programmes cost GEL 2,250 a year (GEL 1,125 per semester) on TSU's fee pages. English-language programmes are priced separately in a June 2026 annex, for example ISET Economics USD 3,000 a year, Computer Science USD 4,000 and Chemistry GEL 10,000.
Can international students apply to TSU without the Unified National Exams?
Yes. Foreign citizens and Georgians educated abroad enrol without the unified exam through direct application, faculty review, recognition of their certificate and a ministry decree.
Does TSU teach in English?
Some programmes are: the ISET economics bachelor's, Computer Science, Chemistry, and master's programmes in Public Administration and European Studies, according to TSU's June 2026 annex. The Faculty of Medicine publishes admission details for international students, but the language of instruction is not stated on the pages checked. Most other programmes are taught in Georgian.
What English level does TSU require?
An English certificate is required for English-language programmes. TSU's list maps B2 to IELTS 5.0-6.5 or TOEFL iBT 87-109, but check the required level for your programme with the faculty.
How is Tbilisi State University ranked?
QS World University Rankings 2027 places it in the 1001-1200 band, THE World University Rankings 2026 in the 1501+ band, and U.S. News Best Global Universities 2026-2027 ranks it 1,669th (tied). It is not in the ARWU 2026 top 1000.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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