Is Tbilisi State Medical University a Good Choice for Medical Studies?
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Is Tbilisi State Medical University a quality medical institute, or just an easy one to get admission to? Students worldwide wonder whether studying MBBS abroad and returning to India is worth the uncertainty, costs and effort it takes. This article aims at reality check of medical courses at TSMU today. From comparing Private medical colleges in India and Tbilisi State Medical College, to on-ground costs of studying in Georgia, to a true take on TSMU for NMC anxieties for Indians, safety concerns, etc. The article concludes the question of whether MBBS from TSMU actually lead to practice in India, the USA, or Europe or not?
Did you know? More than 16,000 Indian students study in Georgia without worrying about high NEET cutoffs and the hefty fee demands of private medical colleges in India. Indian students often quarrel around the question of whether top Georgian Universities like Tbilisi State Medical University are actually worth it or not. What most descriptions of such universities skip is: Is TSMU actually a good university, or is it just the easiest one to get into?
Huge gaps in explanations between NMC recognition rules, the real FMGE pass numbers, and what a Georgian MBBS actually costs; what is often lost on Indian students is clarity. This article aims to bring that clarity of commitments before making any: the rankings, the real fee structure, the NEET cutoff (or lack of one), post-study work in Georgia, validity of MBBS from TSMU in India, global opportunities after MBBS, etc.
- What Is Tbilisi State Medical University Known For?
- Cost of Studying at Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia
- Tbilisi State Medical College Fees for Indian Students
- Tbilisi State Medical College Vs Private Medical Colleges in India
- TSMU Eligibility Requirements
- Career Prospects After Graduating from Tbilisi State Medical University
What Is Tbilisi State Medical University Known For?
Tbilisi State Medical University has a legacy of 100+ years as a public medical university. Known for its safe environment, pleasant climate and picturesque locations. Tbilisi State Medical University is in the capital city of Georgia. It is known for its
- TSMU Rankings-Tbilisi State Medical University is ranked among the top medical colleges in Georgia. As per the Tbilisi State Medical University Ranking, it ranks #4 according to Edurank and UNIRANKS
- Global Recognition- Approved guidelines by NMC, WHO and awarded accreditation by the Ministry of Education, Georgia, Georgia's National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), and ECFMG. Follows a USMLE-focused curriculum to prepare for the licensing exam in the USA, India and other European Countries.
- Academic Program- Famous for MBBS and other courses like Bachelor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The English-taught courses are the most popular.
- English-taught MBBS course- About 52% of the Georgian population is English-speaking. This makes the TSMU MBBS course easy to understand and adapt to for Indian students.
- NEET Cutoffs- The NEET requirement for TSMU admissions is 50 percentile for eligibility of General category Indian students. A score of around 130 to 213 marks.
- No English Language Proficiency- For Indian students from schools where English is the medium of instruction, there is no need for IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
- Indian Population- There are 800+ Indian students currently enrolled at TSMU. With the availability of an Indian mess.
Cost of Studying at Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia
The cost of studying MBBS at Tbilisi State Medical University is less than most private medical colleges in India. The eligibility criteria are also easy to moderate. Average Indian students with low NEET scores and a budget constraint for private medical colleges can better study in Georgia. The estimated cost of living in Tbilisi, Georgia reflects that.
- Affordability- The cost of studying MBBS in Tbilisi, Georgia is around 65,000 per month, which is similar to the Indian cost of living around 45,000 per month.
- Lower Expense than India for Students- For Indian students who opt for TSMU hostel accommodation and Indian mess, the living cost will be lower than in India, around INR 10,000- 30,000 per month.
- Scholarships at TSMU- Students can also apply for merit-based scholarships, external grants and government scholarships like the Shalom Med Education Scholarship, Education Future International Scholarship, etc., with funding from INR 9,300 per month to a one-time INR 10 lakh grant.
- Student Lifestyle- These are the estimated budget values that are subject to change according to individual student lifestyle. You can check Shiksha's TSMU Gallery to get an Indian about student lifestyle.
The cost of living in Georgia for Indians will be-
| Criteria |
Approximate Cost in Tbilisi, Georgia (INR) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation |
INR 20,000- INR 40,000 |
| Internet + Mobile |
INR 3,100 |
| Food and Groceries |
INR 15,000- INR 25,000 |
| Transport |
INR 1,500-3,000 |
| Monthly expenses |
INR ₹64,178.7 |
Source- Numbeo.com
Tbilisi State Medical College Fees for Indian Students
The cost of studying medicine at the Tbilisi State Medical College will be-
| Criteria |
Fee for Indian students in INR |
|---|---|
| Tution Fee |
6.80 lakhs per year |
| Hostel Fee+ Mess Fee |
3.31 lakhs per year |
| Total Cost at TSMU |
Around 10 lakhs per year |
The fees for every course offered at TSMU depend on the course you choose. The fees for English-taught courses at Tbilisi State Medical University are-
| Course |
Fee |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
| INR 27.2 lakhs |
4 years |
|
| INR 27.2 lakhs |
4 years |
|
| MD Program/ MBBS Equivalent |
INR 40.8 lakhs |
6 years |
| Dental Medicine Program |
INR 34 lakhs |
5 year |
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Tbilisi State Medical College Vs Private Medical Colleges in India
Comparing the overall life at TSMU Fee Campus and Private Medical Colleges in India:
| Criteria |
Tbilisi State Medical College |
Private Medical Colleges in India |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee |
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| Cost of living |
|
|
| Eligibility Level |
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| Admission Process |
|
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| NEET Score Requirement |
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| Safety |
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TSMU Eligibility Requirements
The TSMU admission requirements for Indian students are-
| Eligibility Requirements |
Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Marks |
|
| Competitive Exams |
NEET qualification |
| Subject: English in class 12th, Medium of Instruction Certificate from High school |
|
| Age Limit |
17 years by December of the admission year |
Career Prospects After Graduating from Tbilisi State Medical University
Tbilisi State Medical University offers clinical clerkship opportunities to medical students at places like SMU First University Clinic, G. Zhvania Pediatric Academic Clinic, Ingorokva High Medical Technology University Clinic, Ken Walker University Clinic for Medical Rehabilitation, and Dental Clinic. Other than this, the university offers exchange and clinical rotation programs at other European partner universities like Emory University School of Medicine.
USMLE, Practising Outside India and Practising in India
The Tbilisi State Medical University medical program is taught in European Style currlicullum with application of all the NMC guidelines. This means that a graduate from TSMU can be eligible for a license to practice medicine in Europe, India and the USA.
- USMLE Eligibility- For Indian students who are looking for licensing in the USA after MBBS in Georgia, the preparation for the USMLE exam will be easier, and it will not require any extra effort. As per a current student at the Tbilisi State Medical University named Arsha Anil Kumar, “ the curriculum is geared toward helping students prepare for the USMLE.”
- NMC Approved- The university follows all the guidelines of the National Medical Commission of India for graduates who can easily apply.
- FMGE Pass Percentage- An FMGE pass percentage of around 25-30 students per 100 exam applicants is moderate to low. But as per the other Universities in India and Georgia, the FMGE pass percentage is quite high.
- Global Exposure- Indian students who are looking for MBBS at TSMU, they can get easier access to clinical opportunities in India and other European clinical institutes due to TSMU's strong global network.
You can check the verified and reliable Tbilisi State Medical University students' reviews for better clarity about student life, admissions, medical exposure and other aspects.
So, Tbilisi State Medical University can be the right choice for Indian students with average marks who wish to study medicine abroad, with lower living costs, global career prospects, and better career navigation. Students can also face challenges such as changes in weather for Indians, social adjustment, minor linguistic challenges, and occasional drops in air quality. But it can be worth it for a globally recognised (WHO, European recognition) and employable graduate training (clinical rotations in partner Universities and clinics).
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the Tbilisi State Medical University campus is Indian freindly. You can find an Indian mess on the university campus and other Indian restaurants nearby. Located in the Tbilisi district of Georgia, it takes around 6.5 hours from India to reach Georgia with a direct flight to Tbilisi. Tbilisi is one of the oldest cities in Georgia with a vibrant nightlife. The best part of Tbilisi for Indian students can be the easy availability of groceries, Indian food, utilities, etc.
The major pros and cons of studying at the TSMU campus are as follows-
| Pros of TSMU | Cons of TSMU |
|---|---|
| Lower tution fee than most of the private Indian medical colleges. | Permanent settlement in Tbilisi, Georgia, can be difficult to adjust to for Indian students. |
| NMC-approved | Extreme cold winters |
| Easy to meet eligibility criteria | Low clinical exposure at TSMU near Tbilisi, but larger connections in other European areas. |
| Higher FMGE pass% than other private medical colleges | Iran war has affected living costs and tourism drops, but it is safe to live in. |
| Friendly environment on campus and picturesque landscapes with a large English-speaking population | Locals here speak Russian or Georgian. |
| Easy to visit for Indians with lower flight durations. | Air quality is low during peak pollution times of the year |
Yes, Tbilisi State Medical University is among the top medical colleges of Georgia known for its English-taught medical programs. The best part about the TSMU admissions is its easy to meet the eligibility criteria.
The TSMU Georgia MBBS is valid in India due to adherence to the NMC guidelines. The major NMC guidelines include:
An English-taught MBBS course in any foreign university
The duration should be 54 months or above for a full-time course
Mandatary 12 month clinical internship to be completed by enrolled students
17 years of age
NEET qualification
No, the TSMU eligibility criteria for Indian students include NEET qualification for TSMU admissions. The best part about the qualification requirement for NEET is that the cutoffs are low, with about a 50 percentile requirement of around 130-215 marks.
TSMU admissions require a much lower cutoff and have lower fees than those of private medical colleges in India. Admissions are worth it for average Indian students who are looking for lower cutoffs, global exposure and affordability compared to private medical colleges in India.
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Anubha Mittal is a Study Abroad Content Writer and Content Strategist with experience in creating research-driven higher education content for Indian students. She currently works as a Content Writer at Shiksha.com
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