Every section below states its sources and the date we checked them. Facts we could not source are left out rather than guessed.
About the university
Caucasus International University (CIU) is a private university in Tbilisi, Georgia, founded in 1995 as the medical institute 'Clinician' and renamed CIU in 2006 when it became multi-profile. It reports 6,567 students, including 2,850 international students from 63 countries, across five faculties: Medicine, Business and Technology, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Viticulture-Winemaking. In 2024 it received third-term state authorization with a 7,400-student ceiling, of which 3,000 places are for Georgian- and English-language medical programs. Its flagship English-medium MD program runs 6 years (360 credits) at US$6,000 per year, and the Faculty of Medicine has operated since 1995.
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Why students consider it
- 01
Six-year, 360-credit English-medium MD at US$6,000/year — low-cost by international standards.
- 02
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (FAIMER ID F0002693); graduates ECFMG-eligible.
- 03
English MD program accredited since 20 September 2018 by NCEQE, a WFME-recognized agency.
- 04
2,850 international students from 63 countries, per official university figures.
- 05
Clinical Skills Center with Gaumard, Laerdal and 3B Scientific simulators; SESAM member since 2022.
- 06
In-house USMLE Step 1 prep program; tuition-waived for CIU students with GPA 3.0+.
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · search.wdoms.org ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Accreditation & listings
NCEQE institutional authorization
University states it was granted third-term authorization in 2024 (student quota 7,400); prior authorizations in 2012 and 2018.
ciu.edu.ge ↗NCEQE program accreditation (English MD)
WDOMS records the English-medium Medical Program as 'Accredited' by Georgia's NCEQE on 20 September 2018.
search.wdoms.org ↗WFME recognition of NCEQE
NCEQE holds WFME Recognition Status, listed through October 2028 on WFME's recognized-agencies page.
wfme.org ↗WDOMS listing
Listed as 'Caucasus International University Faculty of Medicine', Tbilisi; private; instruction since 1995; FAIMER School ID F0002693.
search.wdoms.org ↗ECFMG / Intealth (USA)
Students and graduates (1995–current) eligible to apply for ECFMG Certification; school currently meets Intealth's Recognized Accreditation Policy.
search.wdoms.org ↗India — university claim only
CIU states it was included in MCI's list of acknowledged foreign medical institutions in 2016; note Indian recognition is now criteria-based under FMGL 2021, not list-based.
ciu.edu.ge ↗
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · search.wdoms.org ↗ · wfme.org ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Rankings — the honest picture
- QS World University Rankings: EuropeNew entrant per university announcement (Feb 2026); QS site itself returned 403 and could not be verified directly (2026)ciu.edu.ge ↗
- THE World University RankingsNot ranked in main WUR; THE profile shows Impact Rankings 2024, Good Health and Wellbeing band 801–1000 (2024)timeshighereducation.com ↗
- EduRank (third-party aggregator)#9290 of 14,131 worldwide; #17 of 57 in Georgia; #14 of 43 in Tbilisi (2026)edurank.org ↗
- UniRank/4icu (web-presence ranking)14th in Georgia (2025)unirank.org ↗
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · timeshighereducation.com ↗ · edurank.org ↗ · unirank.org ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
No “NMC-approved list” exists — recognition is criteria-based.
criteria-based (FMGL 2021) — confirmed per university, never a guarantee. To practise in India you must also clear the FMGE (or NExT once active) and complete a 12-month CRMI internship. Listed in WDOMS (F0002693, verified 2026-06: search.wdoms.org/home/SchoolDetail/F0002693). Choose only the 6-yr (72-mo), English-medium programme with same-institution internship; avoid 5-yr/transfer tracks. No NMC 'approved list' exists (FMGL 2021) — validity is criteria-based.
NEET-qualified (for admissions on/after May 2018 the NEET result itself is deemed the Eligibility Certificate — Gazette 01.03.2018, per the NBEMS FMGE bulletin); program must meet FMGL 2021 (54-mo, English, same-institution internship).
A listing in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) is a directory entry only — by itself it is not recognition, accreditation, or endorsement by the NMC or WDOMS. It is one of the FMGL-2021 criteria, not a guarantee.
Check your FMGL-2021 eligibility →Programs offered
- MD (Medicine) in English: one-step program, 6 years / 12 semesters, 360 credits, qualification Medical Doctor (MD).
- Tuition: Medicine US$6,000/year; Dentistry US$5,000/year (per official international FAQ).
- English MD program implemented at the Faculty of Medicine since the 2012–2013 academic year.
- B1 English is a precondition; proven by certificate or the university's own language test.
- International admission: passport, school credentials, photo, English proof (IELTS/TOEFL or self-introduction video); minors need notarized parental consent.
- Other faculties: Business and Technology, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, Viticulture-Winemaking; bachelor's to PhD, residency, vocational.
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Campus & facilities
- Anatomy lab with current anatomical models, moulages and high-tech teaching equipment.
- Biochemistry and microbiology teaching laboratories.
- Clinical Skills Center with simulators from Gaumard, Laerdal and 3B Scientific.
- Clinical disciplines taught at the university's partner clinics and medical institutions (names not published).
- Library, Telemedicine Center, Multimedia Center, legal clinic; cafeteria seating about 300.
- Quality management standard awarded by TÜV NORD GROUP.
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
The campus
Hostel & accommodation
CIU's official international-student pages do not mention any university dormitory; its 'Living and Dining' guidance points students to private rentals, noting Tbilisi living is relatively cheap, Airbnb stays start around US$15/night, and recommends areas outside the city centre. Restaurant meals typically run 20–25 GEL (US$7–9). For context, Numbeo lists a one-bedroom apartment at about ₾1,197/month outside the centre and ₾1,874 in the centre. Treat housing as self-arranged private accommodation and confirm current options with CIU's international office before travel.
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · numbeo.com ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
The city, for an Indian student
Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, scores well on crowd-sourced safety: Numbeo safety index 73.98, with daytime walking safety rated 'very high' (85.35). Numbeo estimates single-person monthly costs at about ₾1,719 excluding rent. Georgia has become a major MBBS destination for Indians: Indian students made up 55% of non-resident university students in 2024–25, with over 37,000 foreign students in the country, around 91% in healthcare programs. From 2025–26 Georgia stopped new foreign admissions at state universities, but this does not affect private universities such as CIU.
Sources: numbeo.com ↗ · numbeo.com ↗ · oc-media.org ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Around Tbilisi
Scholarships & funding
- Merit scholarships awarded after the first academic year: full semester tuition or 75%, 50% or 25%.
- Criteria include academic performance, involvement in student life and cultural participation.
- 10% sibling discount on tuition.
Source: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Student support
- Dedicated international-student section with online application portal, FAQ, visa-requirements and travel pages.
- Guidance on D3 student visas and post-arrival Temporary Residence Card applications.
- Lifelong Learning and Career Development Service; student mentoring programs.
- Admissions contact: ciu@ciu.edu.ge, (+995 32) 2 022115.
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Research strengths
- Member of AMEE (International Association for Medical Education) since 2018.
- Clinical Skills Center joined SESAM (Society in Europe for Simulation Applied to Medicine) in 2022.
- Erasmus+ participation; 150 partner universities and 25 exchange programs with 240 participants.
- Telemedicine Center operates on campus.
Sources: ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Graduate outcomes
Per WDOMS, CIU students and graduates (graduation years 1995–current) are eligible to apply for ECFMG Certification for the US pathway, and the school currently meets Intealth's Recognized Accreditation Policy; WDOMS also notes degrees are acceptable to Canadian provincial regulators under the Model Standards. CIU runs an in-house USMLE Step 1 Preparation Program (100 GEL per module, waived for CIU students with GPA 3.0+). No official CIU-specific FMGE/NExT pass-rate data was found; Indian licensing recognition is criteria-based and should be assessed against current NMC regulations.
Sources: search.wdoms.org ↗ · ciu.edu.ge ↗ · checked 12 Jun 2026
Tuition is indicative unless explicitly marked verified — always confirm against the university’s official fee page. Use the cost calculator to estimate the all-in figure, and plan in the university’s billing currency. We publish student stories only with written consent — none are shown for this university yet.
Caucasus International University — frequently asked
What does MBBS at Caucasus International University cost?
Tuition is indicatively USD 6000 per year (plan in the billing currency — the rupee figure moves with the exchange rate). Add living costs and one-time expenses for the real all-in figure; our cost calculator itemises all three for this university. Indicative until verified against the university’s official fee page.
Is Caucasus International University recognised for practising in India?
There is no "NMC-approved university" list — recognition is criteria-based under FMGL 2021. Listed in WDOMS (F0002693, verified 2026-06: search.wdoms.org/home/SchoolDetail/F0002693). Choose only the 6-yr (72-mo), English-medium programme with same-institution internship; avoid 5-yr/transfer tracks. No NMC 'approved list' exists (FMGL 2021) — validity is criteria-based. After graduating you must also clear the FMGE (or NExT once active) and complete a 12-month CRMI internship in India.
How long is the MBBS programme at Caucasus International University?
72 months (6 years), taught in English. For India-return, the FMGL-2021 minimum is 54 months excluding internship — always confirm the exact structure in writing from the university.
How long is the MD program at CIU and what language is it taught in?
The English-medium MD program is a one-step 6-year program (12 semesters, 360 credits) leading to the Medical Doctor (MD) qualification; it has run since the 2012–2013 academic year.
What is the tuition fee for medicine at CIU?
Per CIU's official international-student FAQ, the Educational Program in Medicine costs US$6,000 per year; Dentistry costs US$5,000 per year.
Is CIU listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and is it ECFMG-eligible?
Yes. WDOMS lists Caucasus International University Faculty of Medicine (FAIMER ID F0002693); its English MD program is NCEQE-accredited (20 September 2018), and students/graduates are eligible to apply for ECFMG Certification.
Does CIU provide hostel accommodation?
CIU's official pages do not mention university dormitories; its living guidance points to private rentals in Tbilisi (Airbnb from about US$15/night). Confirm current housing support with the international office.
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