Every year, thousands of UK students who did not get a place through UCAS go on to qualify as doctors. For many of them, the decision to study medicine in Georgia for UK students turned out to be the most practical route available, lower fees, GMC-recognised degrees, and no UCAT.
This is what you need to know before you apply.
The basics
Georgian medical universities offer six-year MD programmes taught entirely in English. no UCAT, no BMAT, and no entrance exam. Admission is based on your A-level grades and an interview.
Tuition fees run between £4,000 and £7,000 a year. Living costs in Tbilisi sit around £400 to £600 a month. A six-year Georgian medical degree costs significantly less than a UK one, even after tuition, accommodation, and daily living.
The degrees are recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC). Graduates can return to the UK, sit the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA), and practise in the NHS. There are UK doctors working in the NHS right now who trained in Georgia.
Will my degree be recognised in the UK?
This is the right question to ask first, and it has a clear answer.
To be eligible for GMC registration, your university must be listed in the WDOMS and accredited by the WFME. All three of our Georgian partner universities meet both requirements. Gateway Medics only works with Georgian universities that meet both standards. If a university is not on that list, we do not work with them and we would tell you not to apply there either.
After graduating, the path to UK practice is:
- Pass the MLA (Medical Licensing Assessment)
- Apply for GMC registration
- Enter foundation training or specialty training
That is the same process every international medical graduate follows. It takes preparation, but it is a clear and well-used route.
The universities Gateway Medics works with in Georgia
All three of our Georgian partner universities are GMC-recognised and WFME-accredited.
Alte University sits within the Evex Group, the largest private healthcare network in Georgia. Students get clinical training in Evex hospitals from early in the degree – modern, busy, well-equipped facilities. Six-year MD, no entrance exam, interview-based entry.
Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) has been running its English-taught MD since 2012. The programme follows the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which makes academic equivalence easier to demonstrate later. Entry is by grades and interview.
Caucasus International University (CIU) is one of the more affordable options in Georgia and is recognised by the GMC, WHO, and ECFMG. Clinical rotations begin in year three. Good fit for students who need to keep total costs manageable without compromising on accreditation.
View Caucasus International University
What does it actually cost?
| Per year | 6-year total | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | £4,000 – £7,000 | £24,000 – £42,000 |
| Accommodation | £2,400 – £4,800 | £14,400 – £28,800 |
| Food and daily living | £2,400 – £3,600 | £14,400 – £21,600 |
| Realistic total | £8,800 – £15,400 | £52,800 – £92,400 |
A UK medical student pays £9,250 in tuition alone each year, before accommodation and living costs in a UK city add another £10,000 to £15,000 on top of that.
UK Student Finance does not currently cover tuition at Georgian universities. Most families fund it through savings. Because total costs are lower, many find it more manageable than it looks at first – but budget for all six years upfront, not just year one.
For a full breakdown of costs by university, read our Georgia medical school fees guide.
Entry requirements
- A-levels including Biology and Chemistry – a pass in three A-levels is generally sufficient, universities don’t typically look beyond that
- English proficiency – no test needed if English is your first language or medium of education
- An interview – Gateway Medics prepares you for this at no cost
- Standard documents: passport, transcripts, personal statement
Unlike UK medical schools, there is no UCAT, no BMAT, and no entrance exam.
For a full breakdown of what each university requires, read our Georgia entry requirements guide.
Practical questions
No. All teaching, textbooks, and exams are in English. You will pick up enough Georgian during clinical years to speak with patients, but your studies are in English throughout.
Georgia ranks consistently among the safer European countries. Tbilisi has a large, established international student community. We can connect you with UK students already studying there before you make any decision.
Each semester runs around four months. Most students fly home once per semester. Flights from Tbilisi to the UK take five to seven hours.
UK students need a D-category student visa for stays over 90 days. You usually enter Georgia visa-free first, then apply in-country. Gateway Medics guides you through this once you have an offer.
Yes. After GMC registration, you enter the same postgraduate training system as UK graduates – foundation programme, core training, specialty training.
How to apply
Our support is completely free. No agency fees. Gateway Medics is paid by the universities, not by students.
- Fill in our application form – takes around 10 minutes
- An advisor reviews your profile and recommends the right university
- We prepare and submit your application
- We provide interview preparation
- Once you have an offer, we help with enrollment and visa guidance
Gateway Medics has helped students get into medical, dental, and veterinary programmes across Europe since 2016. Application support is 100% free. See all our partner universities or get in touch to speak with the team.
