Graduate Medical Education Program “Medicine” (English-taught)

ILIA STATE UNIVERSITY

The “Medicine” program adheres to international standards (WFME) and is registered in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). The program ensures the preparation of highly qualified, internationally competitive physicians under the guidance of leading scientists and practitioners.

Language of instruction: English

Number of credits to be accumulated: 360 ECTS

Qualification to be awarded: Graduate Medical Doctor


About the Program

The single-cycle educational program “Medicine” is created based on Georgia’s field-specific characteristics of medical higher education and international standards. The program places special emphasis on developing practical skills, clinical experience, and research abilities, preparing graduates for successful careers in healthcare.

Why Should You Choose the Medical Education Program?

International Recognition and Opportunities The program is registered in WDOMS (FAIMER SCHOOL ID: F0006315), which allows students/graduates to participate in ECFMG medical licensing examinations in the US/Canada.

Modern Educational Resources – Students will have access to electronic databases and virtual programs, as well as digital management of educational and examination processes, and electronic portfolio systems.

Highly Qualified Academic Staff – Internationally recognized faculty involved in the program actively create new knowledge in biomedical fields through scientific activities.

International Exchange Programs: – Students have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs at universities in Halle-Wittenberg (Germany), Seoul (South Korea), Uppsala (Sweden), and Afyon Kocatepe (Turkey).

Diverse Student Life – The program offers students opportunities to join sports, scientific, and educational clubs. The annual Culture Fest is particularly noteworthy, as students showcase their cultural heritage.


Program Directors:

  • Doctor of Medicine, Associate Professor Ivane Abiatari ivane.abiatari@iliauni.edu.ge
  • Doctor of Medicine, Professor Olvin M. Westwood olvin.westwood@iliauni.edu.ge

Employment Opportunities

Program graduates can advance to doctoral programs, complete residency training, and become licensed to practice medicine independently.

They can be employed as:

  • Junior physicians
  • In pedagogical and research positions
  • In pharmaceutical companies
  • In forensic medical examination centers
  • In management positions of medical and healthcare institutions

Basic Requirements Individuals with complete general or equivalent education who have state-certified relevant documents (diploma) have the right to study in the single-cycle Medicine program.

Candidates wishing to enroll in the program must have passed the Unified National Examinations as required by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of Georgia. Detailed information about examinations is available at www.naec.ge


Required Examinations

Mandatory subjects:

  • Foreign language (English)
  • Biology
  • Georgian

 

Mandatory-elective subjects (one of the following):

  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Physics

 

Enrollment Without Unified National Examinations Study in the program without taking Unified National Examinations is permitted for the following individuals based on Minister’s Order 224N:

  1. Foreign citizens and stateless persons who received a complete general or equivalent education in a foreign country;
  2. Georgian citizens who received complete general or equivalent education in a foreign country and studied the last 2 years of complete general education abroad;
  3. Foreign citizens (except students participating in joint higher education programs and exchange education programs) who have received credits/qualifications at recognized higher education institutions in foreign countries;
  4. Georgian citizens (except students participating in joint higher education programs and exchange education programs) who live/lived, study/studied for a period determined by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia, and have received credits/qualifications at recognized higher education institutions in foreign countries.

 

Additional Requirements for Enrollment Without Unified National Examinations Individuals enrolled without Unified National Examinations must, to obtain the right to study in the Graduate Medical Education English-taught program:

  • Pass university testing in chemistry and  biology*
  • Demonstrate English language** proficiency at a minimum B2 level
  • Pass a general interview

 

Notes *Individuals enrolled without Unified National Examinations who hold bachelor’s or master’s degree diplomas in biological or related sciences (from recognized foreign higher education institutions) are exempt from university testing.

 

Individuals exempt from English language examination:

  • Those for whom English is their native language
  • Those who completed English-taught secondary school/university in countries where English is the official language

 

English Language Proficiency Verification – For other applicants, fixed English language requirements are established. For a successful application, candidates must have English qualifications corresponding to the CEFR level B2. To verify English language qualifications, the following must be submitted:

  1. a) Official international English language certificate:

 

TOEFL

  • paper-based PBT: 513
  • internet-based iBT: 65
  • computer-based CBT: 183

 

IELTS

  • Academic (Band 5.5)

 

Cambridge ESOL

  • Certificate of Advanced English CAE: 160/Level B2 (also grades A/B/C)
  • First Certificate in English FCE: 160/Grade C (also grades A/B)
  • Business English Certificate (Higher) BEC: 45/Level B2 (also grades A/B/C)
  • Business English Certificate (Vantage) BEC: 60/Grade C (also grades A/B)
  • Business Language Testing Service BULATS: 60 overall

 

Other certificates

  • PTE (General level 3)
  • PTE Academic (59-75 points)
  • TELC (The European Language Certificates) telc English B2: Pass
  • Michigan (Cambridge, Michigan) ECPE: Low Pass
  • Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English ECCE: Pass
  • MELAB: B2
  1. b) Document verifying English language knowledge issued by a university, secondary school, or college, indicating that instruction was conducted in English.

 

Additional opportunity: If a candidate for student status cannot provide English language verification or cannot meet any of the above criteria, the university offers an institutional English language level assessment test.

Brief Description of Program Structure

  • Qualification to be awarded – Graduate Medical Doctor
  • Language of instruction – English
  • Program duration – 12 semesters (6 years)
  • Number of credits to be accumulated – 360 ECTS
  1. Basic Medical Education (Years I-III)
  • Life sciences (55 ECTS credits)
  • Disciplines studying body systems (78 ECTS credits)
  • Clinical skills development in a simulated environment (14 ECTS credits)
  • Academic and linguistic competency development (21 ECTS credits)
  1. Clinical Phase (Years III-VI)
  • Advanced clinical competencies (133 ECTS credits)
  • Scientific research skills development (25 ECTS credits)
  • Workplace-based clinical practice (40 ECTS credits)

Educational Resources

  • English-language educational materials
  • Contemporary medical literature
  • Simulation learning center
  • Biochemistry, microbiology, and histology laboratories

 

*For detailed information, please refer to the complete program document and course catalog.

Partners and Resources

  • Partner Clinics
    • Tbilisi Heart and Vascular Clinic (Ilia State University University Clinic)
    • Geo Hospitals
    • S. Khechinashvili University Clinic
    • D. Gagua Clinic
    • Pineo Medical Ecosystem
    • Center for Infectious Pathology, AIDS and Clinical Immunology
    • David Metreveli Medical Center
    • Gamma Mental Health Center
    • Academician Pridon Todua Medical Center – Clinical Medicine Scientific Research Institute
    • Evidence-Based Medicine Center
    • Hepa Clinic
  • Educational and Research Environments
    • Clinical Skills Center
    • Medical mannequins and simulators
    • CyberPatient – simulated patient educational program
    • Educational laboratories
    • Research institute laboratories
    • Medicine and Public Health Research Institute Laboratory
    • Chemical Biology Research Institute Laboratory
    • Tengiz Oniani Sleep-Wake Cycle Research Laboratory
    • Ecology Research Institute Laboratory
  • Educational Spaces – Well-equipped auditoriums and computer examination classrooms
  • University Library Access to scientific databases and electronic educational resources
    • McGraw Hill – Access Medicine – electronic medical books library
    • McGraw Hill – Case Files Collection – clinical cases library
    • AMBOSS – a medical educational platform