Ilia State University, Tbilisi: Spring 2027 Applications Are Open (Programs and Tuition for International Students)

Ilia State University spring 2027 admission Ilia State University (ISU) in Tbilisi has opened applications for the spring semester of the 2026–2027 academic year. The announcement reached the university’s partner registration offices, including us at Albatoul Group. This intake is different from earlier ones. Georgia’s higher education system is being restructured, and that has narrowed what international applicants can apply for. The university now lists just six programs open to international students: four bachelor’s and two master’s programs.

This guide covers what you need before applying: the programs available right now with their duration and annual tuition, how Georgia’s recent decisions affect your options, the admission requirements and steps, the deadline, and housing in Tbilisi. Figures come from the university’s official page for international degree-seeking applicants, last modified in October 2026. Where we could not confirm something from an official source, we say so.

Quick Summary Ilia State University spring 2027 admission .

Why Is the Program List Shorter? Georgia’s Recent Decisions

In December 2025, Georgia’s Minister of Education, Science and Youth, Givi Mikanadze, announced that state universities would stop admitting foreign students from the 2026–2027 academic year, except in narrowly defined “exceptional cases.” International applicants would instead choose among private universities. The announcement was part of a wider restructuring of higher education, which also made study at state universities fully state-funded for Georgian citizens.

Ilia State University is a public institution, so the shift shows up in its offering. The university states on its official page that, due to the recent educational reform, some programs previously offered in Georgian and English have been discontinued for international applicants and cannot be applied to in the upcoming intake. What remains open is the list in the table below.

Two points are worth keeping in mind:

• Georgia has not closed to Arab students. Accredited private universities continue to accept international students normally. If your intended major is not on Ilia’s list, we can recommend a suitable alternative based on your field and budget.
• Current students are not affected. The restrictions apply to new admissions only.

Implementation has varied from one university to another and keeps changing as new instructions are issued. For that reason, we confirm the current list directly with the university before you pay anything.

Programs Open to International Students for Spring 2027, With Tuition

Tuition below is per academic year (two semesters) in US dollars, taken from the fee table on the university’s official page:

A note on total cost. Fees are charged per academic year, so four years comes to roughly USD 20,000 for Computer Engineering, USD 18,000 for Computer Science, USD 16,000 for Civil and for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and USD 6,400 for a full master’s. The university does not explain how the extra semester in the bachelor’s duration is billed, so ask about it before signing the agreement.

About Each Program

Computer Engineering. The university’s flagship international program. “Computer Engineering (International)” holds ABET accreditation, and the university describes it as the first English-language program in Georgia to receive it. It covers computer architecture, programming, digital systems and software development. The university marks it as ABET accredited in its spring program list.

Computer Science. A 240-credit program covering algorithms, programming, systems, data analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning, with the option of a minor alongside the major.

Civil Engineering. Suited to students heading into construction, infrastructure and engineering project work. It is one of the lowest-cost bachelor’s options on the list.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Covers circuits, electronic systems and power systems, at the same tuition as Civil Engineering.

Master’s programs. Applied Genetics and Atmospheric and Near Space Sciences sit within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Medicine. They suit applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related field who want a research-oriented path. An entrance exam may be required depending on the program.

ABET Accreditation: What Is New?

The university’s message to partners included news about ABET and its engineering programs, which is one of ISU’s strongest selling points for students who want an internationally recognized engineering degree. Here is what is documented:

• The Computer Engineering (International) program already holds ABET accreditation.
• ABET evaluation teams from the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Computing Accreditation Commission conducted an on-site visit on October 4–6, reviewing engineering and computer science programs at the School of Technology and meeting leadership, faculty, advisory board members and students.
• The university’s message says the four engineering programs open for admission received positive feedback after that visit.

“Positive feedback after a visit” is not the same as a final accreditation decision. Until ABET formally announces its decision on the other programs, we do not present any program other than Computer Engineering as accredited. We will update this article once the university confirms the outcome.

Admission Requirements

Documents. General requirements may vary by program. They include a high school certificate for bachelor’s applicants or a bachelor’s diploma for master’s applicants, transcripts, a passport and a photo.

English language. Applicants must show CEFR level B2 for English-taught programs. One of the following is enough: an official international English certificate at the minimum score required, or a letter from a school, college or university confirming that English was the language of instruction. Applicants who have neither can request an online institutional English test (aligned with B2) through the application form. Applicants from countries where English is the primary language are exempt.

Entrance exams. These are held online via Zoom in English, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Chemistry, depending on the program. Invited applicants receive detailed instructions by email, and the university publishes exam guidelines for international candidates.

Admission without national exams. The university has issued a specific rule for admitting foreign citizens to English-taught programs without the Unified National Examinations or General Graduate Examinations. This is the route that lets Arab students enter through the international track.

Ilia State University spring 2027 admission The Nine Steps to Register

1. Submit the online documents .
2. Application review: feedback within seven business days.
3. Exam or interview, if required.
4. Preliminary approval: review the terms and pay the application fee.
5. Document processing: up to two weeks for translation, certification and submission.
6. Enrollment and tuition payment within five days.
7. Invitation letter and supporting documents.
8. Visa process (D3), if required.
9. Plan your arrival: attend the pre-departure orientation, arrange travel and inform admissions.

Deadlines: How Much Time Is Left?

The university runs two intakes: July 30 for the Fall semester and December 15 for the Spring semester. Adding up the steps above (a seven-business-day review, a possible exam, up to two weeks of document processing, then the visa), starting late can cost you the semester. We recommend sending your initial documents within the next two weeks. Rushing in November is far easier than rushing in mid-December.

Housing at Ilia State University and in Tbilisi

Housing is one of the first things parents ask about, so here is the picture as it stands:

• University dormitories: the official admissions pages do not confirm a dormitory building dedicated to ISU students, and several third-party sources state that the university does not run its own student housing while its International Students office helps students find accommodation. We only treat housing facts as settled when they come from the university, so we confirm this with the office for you before you commit.
• Private rentals: most students rent shared apartments close to the university in districts such as Saburtalo, Vera and Vake. According to published market data (not affiliated with the university, and it moves constantly), a room in a shared two-bedroom ranges from about USD 345 in Saburtalo to about USD 497 in Vake per month, and studios from about USD 393 to USD 483. Utilities are estimated at USD 25–50 in summer and USD 50–110 in winter. Other sources quote shared rooms from around USD 150 in further-out areas, so the range is wide depending on location and quality.
• Our advice: book short-term accommodation for the first two weeks, choose permanent housing after you have visited the campus, and never pay a deposit for a listing you have not seen.

Is This University Right for You?

Ilia suits students who want an engineering or computing degree in English at a well-known public university with strong research standing in the South Caucasus, at tuition starting from USD 4,000 per year. Its main strengths for Arab students are the ABET-accredited Computer Engineering program, a diverse student body (the university cites more than 700 international students from dozens of countries), and a cost of living in Tbilisi lower than many European destinations.

It may not suit you if you want medicine, pharmacy or business administration, which are not on the current international intake list for spring. In that case we recommend accredited private alternatives. You can also read our articles on Georgian university rankings for 2026 and on the recognition of Georgian universities across Arab countries.

Why Register Through Albatoul Group?

Albatoul Group is an authorized registration office for Georgian universities. We have placed more than 1,200 students across more than 15 countries. We handle:

• Reviewing your qualifications and recommending the right major before you pay anything.
• Preparing documents and organizing your file to the university’s requirements.
• Following up with admissions until the invitation letter is issued.
• Supporting you with visa, residence permit, reception and housing after arrival.

Message us on WhatsApp now: https://wa.me/995597713045

Frequently Asked Questions

Is admission to Ilia State University open now? Yes. The university has opened applications for Spring 2027, with a December 15 deadline.

Which programs are open to international students? Four bachelor’s programs (Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering) and two master’s programs (Applied Genetics, Atmospheric and Near Space Sciences).

How much is tuition? USD 4,000 to 5,000 per year for bachelor’s programs depending on the major, and USD 3,200 per year for master’s programs,.

Can I study medicine at Ilia? Not through the current spring international intake list. We recommend reviewing accredited private universities.

Do I need an IELTS certificate? Not necessarily. A letter confirming English as the language of previous study, or passing the university’s online B2 test, is enough.

Are scholarships available? We do not offer scholarships for international students in Georgia, because we found no documented program open to them at this university.

Can I work while studying? This is governed by Georgia’s updated labor migration law (Government Resolution No. 70). See our dedicated article on working while studying.

Is the university recognized in Arab countries? See our article on recognition of Georgian universities across Arab countries. We confirm the status of your chosen program before you register.