MBBS in Georgia vs Russia

MBBS in Georgia vs Russia – Which Country is Better?

Choosing the right country for pursuing an MBBS abroad is a crucial decision for Indian students. Both Georgia and Russia are popular destinations for medical education, offering quality education at affordable costs compared to many Western countries and Indian private colleges. However, there are significant differences in their educational systems, living conditions, and other factors.

Global Medical Foundation has sent hundreds of students to study MBBS in Georgia and MBBS in Russia. Shobhit Jayaswal of Global Medical Foundation has visited Russia and Georgia.

Here’s an extensive analysis by Global Medical Foundation to help Indian students make an informed choice. Alternatively, you can check the video below to understand which is the better MBBS abroad destination between Georgia and Russia.

Video by Shobhit Jayaswal on MBBS in Georgia vs Russia:

Overview of MBBS in Georgia and Russia

MBBS in Georgia

The only thing that should stop you from securing admission to Georgia is its high overall budget. Georgia is a preferred destination among Indian students for MBBS due to its affordable fee structure, English-medium courses, and simplified admission process. The country follows the European Education System and offers a degree aligned with the Bologna Process, making it recognized across Europe and in countries like the USA and the UK.

MBBS in Russia

Russia has been a hub for medical education for decades. Every year, more than 3,000 Indin students go to study in 50+ Russian medical universities. The seats of almost every university get filled up quickly in Russia.  Russian universities offer degrees in English. The biggest attraction point for Indian students and parents is Russia’s low budget, government universities as well as the excellent ties between India and Russia.

MBBS in Georgia Vs Russia

Let us compare MBBS in Georgia vs Russia on more than 15 points:

FMGE Passing Ratio

As you can see, the students who graduated from Georgia have performed much better than their counterparts from Russia. Therefore, Georgia is the clear winner vs Russia as its graduates have been more successful in FMGE.

Please note that as of January 2025 (when this page was last updated), the latest FMGE results available were till 2023.

Admission Without NEET

Many Indian students wish to study abroad without NEET, either because they did not take the exam or failed to secure qualifying marks. Some students, holding Indian passports but settled abroad, may not have appeared for NEET. These students often aim to study in countries like Russia or Georgia and plan to settle abroad after graduation. Such students are ineligible to appear for the NExT exam after graduation.

When it comes to getting admission without NEET, it is not possible to do so in Georgia. For more information on this, you may check this video:

If you are not NEET-qualified, you can still gain admission to certain medical universities in Russia.

Intakes

The major or main intake in countries like Russia and Georgia is the September/October intake. However, we have seen that the admission counselling process in India sometimes goes on till November. Many Indian students thus get late in applying. For such students, it is a blessing that Georgia has two intakes. Russian medical universities on the other hand have one intake only. Out of the 50+ universities in Russia, hardly 2-4 universities have a February-March intake.

Georgian medical universities, on the other hand, allow students to apply for the February-March intake.

Duration

• Russia MBBS course duration is 6 years. However, FMGL Regulations state that Indian students must undergo an internship of 1-year while studying abroad. It also states that the internship must be separate from the course. This is certainly not the case in Russia. Global Medical Foundation believes that NMC can ask students to undergo an internship of 1 year in addition to the 6-year course.
• Georgia MBBS course duration is also 6 years. The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia states the following:

In line with national legislation and related regulations on higher medical education and Medical Sector Benchmarks, which is mandatory to be fulfilled in order to get accreditation, the duration of undergraduate MD programs in Georgia (equal to MBBS qualification in India and UK) is 6 years (360 ECTS) including internship during the 6^th, graduating year.

You should read the full notification by The Ministry of Education of Georgia here: MBBS in Georgia Duration.

Safety and Living Standards

Georgia

• Georgia is considered one of the safest countries for international students.
• Crime rates are low, and the overall living standard is high.
• Batumi and Tbilisi are major tourist hubs.
• Shobhit Jayaswal of Global Medical Foundation has visited Georgia and has interacted with the students there. Georiga is a very safe country for girls as well.
• There is stability in Georgia. The locals are welcoming.

Russia

• Russia is generally safe for students, though some areas might require extra caution.
• Living standards vary significantly across cities, with Moscow and St. Petersburg being costlier than smaller towns.
• Shobhit Jayaswal of Global Medical Foundation has visited various medical universities in Russia and has interacted with the students there. Russia is a very safe country for girls as well.
• The locals are welcoming. However, Russia is currently at war with Ukraine and students must avoid universities situated near the Ukraine-Russia border.

Type of Universities

Georgia

In Georgia, you will find more private universities. There are a few government medical universities as well like Tbilisi State Medical University. However, it is also the most expensive university in Georgia. Indian students can choose to study in the private medical universities in Georgia though not every university might be good. Therefore, Indian students/parents are advised to contact Global Medical Foundation and apply for admission through them. This will ensure that they get admission to one of the best medical universities in Georgia. There are many good universities in Georgia like: Georgian National University SEU, Caucasus University, East West University Georgia, Alte University.

Russia

Almost all the universities in Russia are government medical universities. However, very few universities can be classified as Category A universities. This is because many universities are not suitable for Indian students. Here are some of the problems faced by Indian students if they select the wrong university:

• lack of proper infrastructure as many universities have recently started medical program
• some universities lack experienced faculty or in many cases, the English of the teachers is poor
• many universities are located in cities where the climate is very harsh, going below -20 to 30° C
• most universities do not have an Indian mess facility

To not face such problems, Indian students must do proper research. They are advised to contact the Global Medical Foundation for the best advice on MBBS abroad.

Medium of Instruction/Local Language

Georgia is a better option than Russia when it comes to the use of the English language.

Georgia

• English is widely spoken in universities and urban areas.
• Indian students face minimal language barriers during studies and internships.
• It is very easy to understand the English spoken by locals/teachers.

Russia

• While English-medium programs are available, proficiency in Russian is often required for clinical practice as patients predominantly speak Russian.
• The English spoken by the teachers in Russia is a bit more difficult to understand due to their accents.
• Locals do not speak English. Even if they know, most locals will hesitate to interact in English.
• You have to clear the licensing exam in Russia in the Russian language. Therefore, Indian students have to master the language.

Population

A high population generally means more patients for clinical/internships. Georgia has a population of 37-38 lakh people whereas Russia has a population of 14-15 crore. While the difference seems huge, a close inspection is required.

Indian students and parents must note that Russia is a huge country and its population is spread over a large area. On the other hand, Georgia is a small country and around 12-13 lakh or a third of its population lives in Tbilisi where most of the Indian students go. You will find that hardly 5-6 cities in Russia have a population of over 12 lakh. Therefore, both Georgia and Russia are almost equal in this regard.

Many Indian students are going to cities in Russia where the population is less than 5 lakh. Choosing a university in Tbilisi, Georgia is a better option.

Climate

A similar climate means it becomes easier for Indian students to adjust. Here is a comparison of the average monthly temperature in Tbilisi and Moscow:

Georgia

• Georgia experiences a moderate climate, with mild winters and warm summers, making it comfortable for Indian students.
• The weather of Georgia is better for Indian students and is similar to the weather in many places in India.
• Similar weather means similar disease pattern.

Russia

• Russia has extreme climatic conditions, with harsh winters that can be challenging for Indian students, especially those from tropical regions.
• As you can see from the table above, the weather in Russian cities is very cold. The winters are harsh.
• As the weather is drastically different, the disease pattern is different from that in India.

Tuition Fees/Budget

One of the most significant factors in choosing a country for MBBS abroad is the overall budget. Russia offers more affordable options, attracting a larger number of students. In contrast, Georgia is comparatively more expensive but is known for providing higher-quality education for Indian students.

Georgia

• Tuition fees range between USD 4,000 to 8,000 per year, depending on the university. On average, the tuition fee of the medical universities in Georgia is between ₹4.30 lakh to ₹4,75,000 per year.
• Living expenses are high, averaging USD 200-350 per month for accommodation, food, and other necessities. You will spend around ₹20,000 to ₹25,ooo per month on average on living expenses.
• Overall cost: Approximately INR 40-50 lakhs for the entire program not including personal expenses.

Russia

• Tuition fees are relatively lower, ranging from ₹3-5 lakh per year.
• Living costs are affordable as the hostels provided by the universities are very cheap. On average, the hostel costs approx. ₹25,000-75,000 per year in Russia.
• Overall cost: Around INR 20-30 lakhs, making it more economical than Georgia in most cases. This does not include personal expenses.
• Also, there are universities where the tuition fee and hostel fee is around ₹15 lakh in Russia. However, such universities are few and the number of seats is limited.

Accommodation/Hostel Facility

Russia

• In Russia, the universities provide hostels at a subsidised rate.
• Indian students generally pay between ₹25-75 thousand per year for hostel facilities.
• In some universities, the cost of a hostel is below ₹20,000 yearly.
• Most hostels are overcrowded have have common washrooms on every floor.
• Maintaining hygiene is a major challenge.
• Indian mess facility is not available in most of the hostels. Indian students have to cook food for themselves. This can be done in the kitchens provided on every floor.

Georgia

• The universities do not provide hotels. It is the responsibility of your agent to provide a hostel facility. Global Medical Foundation takes care of this and provides all its students with hostel facilities.
• These hostels are hotels/buildings taken on lease. Indian students stay in apartment-style hostels. Most are shared between 4 students.
• Indian mess facility is provided to all our students in the hostel.
• The monthly cost of accommodation and food is approx. ₹25,000 per month in these hostels.
• Students rarely complain about the hostels provided to them, as they generally receive good value for their money.
• After 1 year, Indian students can choose to stay outside hostels. Students can then lower the cost of rent/bills/food to around ₹17,000-20,000 too.

Indian Mess Facility

Russia

The majority of the universities in Russia do not have an Indian mess facility. This means that Indian students will have to cook food for themselves. The hostels provide a shared kitchen facility on every floor. Global Medical Foundation recommends universities where the Indian mess facility is available.

Georgia

An Indian mess facility is provided to every student who takes admission through Global Medical Foundation. We take care of the accommodation and Indian mess facility of all the students who apply for admission through us.

Admission Process/Processing Time

Russia

• The universities start conducting entrance exams in May/June.
• Admission is on a first-come-first-served basis.
• The admission and visa process is easy and students can get admission to some universities even if they apply in October. However, by August-September, admission in most universities gets closed.
• The admission process is online and students from all over India can apply through Global Medical Foundation.

Georgia

• You have to clear an online interview for admission. This test is conducted by the university and it is to check your English proficiency.
• Indian students must apply at least 3 months in advance. The admission and visa processing time is about 3 months.
• The amount of documentation is a lot more. However, all the documentation process is handled by Global Medical Foundation.
• The student will have to personally go to a VFS office for document submission for your visa. These centres are located only in a few cities.
• The admission process is online and students from all over India can apply through Global Medical Foundation.

Travel time/Flight cost

Russia

• Reaching Moscow from Delhi costs around ₹25,0000-30,000.
• Most flights have at least 1 stop. There are no direct flights.
• Travel time between Delhi and Moscow is 12-15 hours.
• Most universities are located hundreds of km away from Moscow. The students might spend 1 day just to reach the university,

Georgia

• Reaching Tbilisi from Delhi costs around ₹10,000-15,000.
• Direct flight is available and it takes around 5.5 hours.
• Most universities are located in Tbilisi. The students can reach their hostels within an hour of exiting the airport.

Part-time jobs

Russia

No opportunity for part-time jobs.

Georgia

• Many students are doing part-time jobs.
• Indian students are earning between ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh monthly.
• This helps students pay for their living expenses like rent/food/bills.

Conclusion

After comparing MBBS in Georgia vs Russia on various parameters, we can conclude that MBBS in Georgia is a better option than MBBS in Russia. However, most students will not have the budget to study MBBS in Georgia. In that case, they can choose to study in countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan or Russia.