Georgia’s Minister of Education, Science and Youth, Givi Mikanadze, announced that starting next academic year, foreign students will no longer be able to enroll in state universities — except in narrowly defined “exceptional cases.” International applicants wishing to study in Georgia will instead have access only to private higher education institutions.
The minister also confirmed a major shift in university financing: beginning in 2026, every student enrolled in a state university will have their studies fully funded by the government.
“Starting from 2026, all students enrolled in state universities will have their studies fully funded by the state — meaning higher education at state institutions will be free of charge,” Mikanadze said, noting that all students already enrolled in either state or private universities will continue to receive funding under the current model.
Funding model shifts entirely toward state universities
Mikanadze reiterated that the ongoing higher-education reform has always prioritized strengthening public universities.
“Since the announcement of the national reform, we have consistently emphasized that the main focus would be on state universities. They must fulfill state orders based on market research and needs. Accordingly, public funding will be concentrated there,” he said.
He added that private institutions were informed “from the very beginning” that the new funding architecture would be directed exclusively toward state universities.
From the next academic year, first-year students enrolling in private universities will no longer be eligible for state grants. However, the restriction does not apply to those already studying at private institutions — including second-, third-, and fourth-year students, as well as master’s students — who will continue to receive the same financial support as before.
Foreign student admissions to be restricted
The minister confirmed that legislative amendments are being prepared to impose new restrictions on foreign students seeking entry to state universities.
“From the next academic year, the admission of foreign students to state universities — except for exceptional cases — will be impossible,” Mikanadze said.
Exceptions would include bilateral agreements, exchange programmes, and special institutional partnerships that state universities maintain with foreign institutions.
Despite the restriction, Mikanadze stressed that foreign applicants will still have extensive options: of Georgia’s 64 accredited higher-education institutions, 45 are private.
“Foreign students who wish to study in Georgia will be able to freely choose among private universities and enroll in their desired programme,” he stated.
Broader reform context
The changes come as part of a sweeping restructuring of Georgia’s higher-education system, which the government says aims to bolster state institutions and align educational output with national labor-market needs. Critics, however, warn the reform risks undermining private universities and reducing the diversity and competitiveness of the higher-education sector.
The Ministry of Education disseminated Mikanadze’s full remarks following his interview.
