Akaki Tsereteli State University (ATSU) Georgia 2026: The Complete Profile for International Students
Akaki Tsereteli State University (ATSU) Georgia
Akaki Tsereteli State University, commonly known as ATSU, is one of Georgia’s most established public universities located outside the capital, Tbilisi. It’s based in the city of Kutaisi, the capital of the Imereti region. This guide gives you a full profile of the university, drawing primarily from its official sources (atsu.edu.ge and its dedicated international students site, international.atsu.edu.ge), so you get an accurate picture of the programs, fees, and international recognition before making your decision.
A Brief History
The university was founded in 1930 (some of the university’s own official materials cite 1933 as the formal founding year), making it one of Georgia’s oldest educational institutions. It is named in honor of the celebrated Georgian poet and national liberation movement figure, Akaki Tsereteli.
The university went through two major expansion phases:
- 2006: Merger with the Kutaisi Polytechnic Institute, strengthening its engineering and technical disciplines.
- 2010: Merger with Sokhumi Subtropical Teaching University.
Following these mergers, ATSU became one of Georgia’s largest universities in terms of academic diversity, and currently serves over 10,000 students.
University Structure: Nine Faculties
According to the university’s official website, ATSU consists of nine faculties:
- Humanitarian Faculty
- Faculty of Business, Law and Social Science
- Faculty of Pedagogic
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Exact and Natural Science
- Faculty of Technical Engineering
- Faculty of Technological Engineering
- Faculty of Maritime Transport
- Agrarian Faculty
Available Academic Programs
According to official data published on the university’s international website, ATSU offers:
- 42 Bachelor’s programs
- 4 one-cycle programs — including Medicine
- 46 Master’s programs
- 9 Doctoral programs
This makes it one of the most academically diverse universities in Georgia in terms of the sheer number of programs offered.
Programs Available in English for International Students
According to the official website, the programs taught fully in English are:
- Medicine — a One-Step High Medical Education Programme
- MA in Leadership and Management in Higher Education
In addition, the university offers a range of subjects taught in other foreign languages (besides English), including: Computer Science, Mathematics, Geography, Economics, Business Studies and Management Science, Public Administration, Law, International Relations along with American, European, and Oriental Studies, Philological Science (Classical Philology and Linguistics), and Education/Teacher Training.
Important note: Most of the university’s programs are taught in Georgian. The Medicine program is the primary option available fully in English for international students coming from outside Georgia, without needing to learn Georgian first.
Tuition Fees for International Students
Based on data from several specialized international admissions consultancies (with the caveat that you should always confirm the final, updated figure directly before enrolling):
- Medical Doctor (MD) program: Annual tuition ranges roughly between $4,000 and $4,500 USD, placing ATSU among the more affordable medical program options in Georgia compared to other universities.
- MA in Leadership and Management in Higher Education: approximately $2,500 USD per year.
Cost of Living in Kutaisi
One of the biggest advantages of studying at ATSU is that Kutaisi is significantly cheaper to live in than Tbilisi. Monthly living costs (housing + food + transportation) range roughly between $160 and $250 USD per month, depending on lifestyle — noticeably lower than the average cost of living in the capital.
Dormitory housing: The university offers dormitory accommodation, and some programs (particularly the first two years of Medicine) may require dormitory residence as part of program requirements in certain cases — we recommend confirming this detail directly with Al-Batool Group based on the university’s current policy.
International Recognition and Accreditation
According to the official website, ATSU is formally accredited by the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), the government body responsible for accrediting universities in Georgia.
In addition, according to multiple specialized international admissions sources, the Medicine program at ATSU is recognized and accredited by:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)
- National Medical Commission of India (NMC)
- Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
- Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER)
⚠️ Important note: As with any university, general international recognition doesn’t replace confirming recognition by your specific country’s professional licensing body or ministry of education. The Al-Batool Group team can clarify your country’s specific status before you commit to enrolling.
International Partnerships
One of ATSU’s strongest features is its extensive network of academic partnerships with international universities, including, according to the official website:
- University of Missouri — USA
- University of South Wales — UK
- University of Bamberg — Germany
- University of Göttingen — Germany
- University of Bremen — Germany
- University of Versailles — France
- University of Ankara — Turkey
- Ariel University — Israel
- University of Latvia — Latvia
- Daugavpils University — Latvia
- And dozens of other partner universities
These partnerships open doors for ATSU students to participate in exchange programs, including the European Erasmus+ program, which strengthens the chances of pursuing further studies in Europe after graduation.
Local and Global Ranking
According to the QS Europe University Rankings – Western Asia, ATSU has placed in the approximate #61–79 range within this regional ranking in recent years. According to EduRank, the university ranks approximately 5th nationally in Georgia, with a total research output of around 973 published papers.
It’s worth noting that this ranking primarily measures the university’s overall research presence, not necessarily the quality of a specific program like Medicine — which is more accurately assessed through the direct professional accreditations (WHO, NMC, WFME) mentioned above.
Campus Life and Post-Arrival Services
According to the official website of the university’s Foreign Affairs and Development Office, new international students receive a 5-working-day orientation program upon arrival, covering:
- Day 1: Student welcome, accommodation setup, and a visit to the dormitory
- Day 2: Opening a bank account and purchasing a local SIM card
- Day 3: Visiting university campuses and registering at the library
- Day 4: Meeting with faculty administration and relevant lecturers
- Day 5: A guided city tour
This program makes it significantly easier for new students to settle in during their first two weeks in Kutaisi.
Why Choose Kutaisi Specifically?
Kutaisi, Georgia’s third-largest city, offers a quieter, lower-cost alternative to the busier capital, Tbilisi, while remaining close to Kutaisi International Airport — making direct travel to and from your home country much easier without needing to pass through Tbilisi.
Why Enroll at ATSU Through Al-Batool Group?
Al-Batool Group is an authorized enrollment office working directly with Akaki Tsereteli State University, providing:
- Complete follow-up on your file from application through the official invitation letter
- Accurate, up-to-date tuition fee figures (since they change year to year)
- Document translation and notarization to the standards required by the university and Georgian Ministry of Education
- Support with student visa (D3) procedures after admission is confirmed
- Ongoing support after arrival in Kutaisi with residency and housing arrangements
Frequently Asked Questions About Akaki Tsereteli State University
Where exactly is Akaki Tsereteli State University located? The university is located in Kutaisi, the capital of the Imereti region in western Georgia — the country’s third-largest city after Tbilisi and Batumi.
Which program is available fully in English for non-Georgian speakers? According to the university’s official website, the two programs available fully in English are the Medicine program (a one-cycle program) and the MA in Leadership and Management in Higher Education.
How much does it cost to study Medicine at ATSU per year? Annual tuition for the Medicine program ranges roughly between $4,000 and $4,500 USD according to several specialized international admissions sources, though you should confirm the current official figure through Al-Batool Group before enrolling.
Is ATSU internationally accredited? Yes. The university is accredited by Georgia’s National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), and the Medicine program specifically is recognized by the World Health Organization, the World Federation for Medical Education, and the U.S. ECFMG.
Is living in Kutaisi cheaper than in Tbilisi? Yes, noticeably so. Monthly living costs in Kutaisi are considerably lower than in the capital, making ATSU an attractive option for students looking for lower living expenses alongside an internationally accredited education.
Ready to start your journey at Akaki Tsereteli State University? The Albatoul Group team, as an authorized enrollment office partnered with the university, is ready to answer all your questions about programs, fees, admission, and visa procedures — step by step.