- Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy
Overview, Fees, Life in institution & the place, Syllabus, Course Details & Student Experiences
About Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy
Academic Overview: Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) is one of the oldest and most prestigious private medical institutions in Georgia. It offers a one-step educational program in Medicine (MD), equivalent to the MBBS in India. The curriculum is meticulously designed to meet the standards of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and is fully taught in English. TMA is renowned for its student-oriented approach and small class sizes, which facilitate personalized mentorship.
Key Information:
Established: 1992.
University Type: Private.
Medium of Instruction: 100% English.
Recognitions: Fully recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), and accredited by WHO, ECFMG (USA), and FAIMER.
History & Background: The Academy was founded in 1992 by Dr. Petre Shotadze, a prominent Georgian physician and pediatric surgeon. Following his passing in 1999, the institution was renamed in his honor to carry forward his legacy of medical excellence and ethical healthcare. Over the decades, TMA has evolved into a dynamically developing institution that balances traditional medical values with modern innovation.
Current Statistics & Numbers:
Total Graduates: Over 2,500+ doctors practicing globally.
Student Body: Approximately 700–1,000 students, ensuring a high teacher-to-student ratio.
National Rank: Consistently ranked among the Top 10 private medical colleges in Georgia.
Faculty: Over 150+ highly qualified academic staff, many of whom are active practitioners in Tbilisi’s leading clinics.
Campus Gallery
Hostel Gallery
Hospital Gallery
Fee Structure of Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy
| 1st Year package | Amount (USD) | 2nd to 6th year (annual) | Amount (USD) |
| Tution Fees | 5,500 | Tution Fees | 5,500 |
| Hostel and Mess | 3,000 | Hostel and Mess | 3,000 |
| Medical, Visa, govt | 550 | Medical, Visa, govt | 550 |
| Administrative Fees (OTC) | 1,500 | ||
| Total | 10,550 | Total | 9,050 |
| Six year total | 55,800 |
Life in Tbilisi: An Indian MBBS Student’s Perspective
Culture:
Language: While Georgian is the official tongue, the university environment and younger generation are English-proficient. Basic Georgian is taught to help students interact with patients.
Religion & Hospitality: Georgia is a deeply Orthodox Christian nation known for its legendary hospitality. Indian students often remark on how safe and “at home” they feel due to the locals’ respectful nature.
Arts & Entertainment: Tbilisi offers a blend of European and Asian aesthetics, featuring Opera houses, theaters, and vibrant “Old Tbilisi” streets.
Food:
Indian Options: Numerous Indian restaurants (e.g., Spice Garden) and dedicated Indian Mess facilities serve authentic vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
Local & International: Street foods like Khachapuri and Puri (fresh bread) are affordable student staples. International chains like McDonald’s and KFC are abundant.
Lifestyle and Other Relevant Information:
Climate: Four distinct seasons. Mild summers and cold winters with occasional snow.
Transportation: Highly efficient. Students get a “Student Card” for discounted travel on the Tbilisi Metro and city buses (approx. 25 GEL/month for unlimited rides).
Cost of Living: Budget-friendly. Monthly expenses range from $300 to $500 (approx. ₹25,000–₹42,000) for food, utilities, and leisure.
Safety: Consistently ranked in the Top 10 Safest Countries in the world.
Why Study MBBS at Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy?
High Teacher-Student Ratio: TMA is praised for its small groups (typically 10-12 students), ensuring that every student receives individual attention during clinical rotations.
Affordability: Tuition is around $6,000–$7,000 per year, making it more cost-effective than Indian private medical colleges.
Clinical Integration: Students begin clinical exposure as early as the third year, training in the university’s own clinical center and affiliated hospitals.
No Entrance Exam: Admission is direct based on NEET qualification; no IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory.
Course Duration at Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy
The MD program at TMA follows the European credit system:
Total Duration: 6 Years.
Structure: 5 years of academic and paraclinical study + 1 year of mandatory clinical clerkship/internship in diverse hospital departments.
Life in Georgia from the students' perspective
Safety: One of the most cited reasons for choosing Georgia. Female students, in particular, feel safe traveling and studying late.
Indian Community: A strong community of over 15,000+ Indian students in Georgia means festivals like Diwali and Holi are celebrated with great spirit.
Nature & Tourism: Students enjoy weekend trips to the Caucasus Mountains (Gudauri) for skiing or the Black Sea (Batumi) in summers.
Career Opportunities: Graduates are eligible to take the NExT (India), USMLE (USA), and PLAB (UK) exams. The local impression of Indian students is very positive, as they are seen as hardworking and focused.
Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Georgia
Indian students applying for MBBS admissions in Georgia must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
- Minimum 50% score in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Class 12 and passing marks in English.
- Attained the age of 17 as of 31st December in the admission year.
- Cleared NEET exam (in order to practice medicine in India) (50th percentile for general/EWS category and 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC category)
Benefits of MBBS in Georgia
NMC 2021 Compliant: The program follows the 54 months of study + 12 months of internship rule required by the National Medical Commission.
European Standards: Degrees are recognized across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Simplified Visa: Georgia has a very student-friendly visa policy for Indians.
Verifiable Quality: High passing percentages for FMGE (Indian licensing exam) historically reported by Georgian graduates.
MBBS Syllabus in Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy
| Phase | Year | Key Subjects |
| Phase I: Basic Sciences | 1st – 2nd Year | Human Anatomy, Histology, Biochemistry, Cytology, Embryology, Physiology, Medical Chemistry. |
| Phase II: Para-clinical | 3rd Year | Pathology, General Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Physical Diagnosis. |
| Phase III: Clinical Years | 4th – 6th Year | Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, OBGYN, Neurology, Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Cardiology. |
FAQ
MBBS abroad is a better options then private medical in India, especially in terms of cost, private medical in India costs a fortune more then that of many countries abroad.
Comparing FMG exam with NEET, we can safely say it is not at all a tough exam. Although there are no specific matrix to judge how tough an exam is, but considering the passing ratio of FMG exam which is roughly 20-25% to that of the percentage of candidates who get selected for government medical college through NEET which is roughly 0.02%, FMG exam is definitely a tough exam in the field of medical studies.