On Higher Education

Law of Georgia

On Higher Education

Article 1. Scope of the Law🔗

This Law regulates the process of carrying out the educational and scientific-research activities of higher educational institutions in Georgia, the principles and rules for the management and financing of higher education, establishes the rules for the founding, operation, reorganisation and liquidation of a higher educational institution, as well as the principles of authorisation and accreditation.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 2. Definition of terms🔗

The terms used in this Law have the following meaning:

a) applicant – a person with complete general education who has a document confirming complete general education issued in Georgia or a document equivalent thereto and who intends to continue studies at a higher education institution;

b) autonomy – the freedom of a higher education institution and its basic educational unit to independently determine and carry out academic, financial-economic and administrative activities;

b¹) authorization – the procedure for obtaining the status of a higher education institution, the purpose of which is to ensure compliance with the standards necessary for carrying out the relevant activities in order to issue a document confirming education recognized by the state;

c) academic freedom – the right of academic personnel, scientific personnel and students to independently carry out teaching, scientific research and study;

c¹) attestation – determination of the compliance of the professional skills, academic activity and scientific activity of a professor or chief researcher with the requirements set for the position held;

d) mobility – the free movement of students and academic personnel to participate in study, teaching and research processes both in Georgia and abroad, accompanied by recognition of education, credits or qualification received during the study period;

e) Academic Council – the highest representative body of a legal entity of public law − a higher education institution;

e¹) academic higher education − a higher education course comprising bachelor's, master's, integrated master's in veterinary and doctoral educational programmes;

e²) (deleted – 20 September 2018, No. 3438);

f) academic degree – a qualification awarded to a person upon completion of the corresponding level of academic higher education by a higher education institution or an Orthodox theological higher education institution;

f¹) joint academic degree – a qualification jointly awarded to a person by higher education institutions recognized in accordance with the legislation of Georgia and/or a foreign country as a result of the implementation of a joint higher education programme, upon the person's completion of the corresponding level of academic higher education;

f²) associate degree − a qualification awarded to a person as a result of achieving the learning outcomes provided for by a short-cycle educational programme and accumulating the corresponding number of credits;

g) academic title – a title (honorary doctor, emeritus) awarded to a scientist or public figure for exceptional merit in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;

h) accreditation – the procedure of determining the compliance of an educational programme of a higher educational institution with accreditation standards, the purpose of which is the establishment of systematic self-evaluation for raising the quality of education and the promotion of the development of quality assurance mechanisms, and with which the implementation of the educational programmes provided for by this Law is linked;

i) assistant professor – a person holding an academic position at a higher educational institution who, in accordance with his/her competence, participates in the teaching and scientific-research process;

i¹) assistant − a person holding an academic position at a higher educational institution who, within the teaching process ongoing in the basic educational unit, carries out seminar and research work under the supervision of a professor, associate professor or assistant professor;

j) associate professor – an academic position of a higher educational institution. An associate professor participates in the teaching process and supervises the teaching and scientific-research work of students;

k) head of administration (chancellor) – the head of the administration of a higher educational institution in the field of management of financial, material and administrative resources;

l) bachelor – the holder of the academic degree that is awarded to a person as a result of mastering the number of credits provided for by the bachelor's educational programme;

l¹) bachelor's educational programme − an educational programme of the first stage of academic higher education, the learning outcomes of which correspond to the generalised learning outcomes defined for level 6 of the national qualifications framework;

m) bachelor's studies − the first stage of academic higher education;

m¹) independent scientific-research unit – an independent structural unit (scientific-research institute, centre, laboratory and others) of a legal entity of public law − a university or of the basic educational unit of a university, which carries out scientific-research activity and which has governing bodies. An independent scientific-research unit has the right to participate in the teaching process. An independent scientific-research unit shall meet the criteria defined by the charter of the higher educational institution and shall be created in the manner established by this charter. The scope of autonomy, the rules of management and activity of an independent scientific-research unit are determined by the legislation of Georgia and by the statute of the independent scientific-research unit;

m²) a Legal Entity of Public Law existing at a Legal Entity of Public Law – a university – a scientific-research institution – an institution founded by the Government of Georgia at a Legal Entity of Public Law – a university, with the consent of that university. A Legal Entity of Public Law existing at a Legal Entity of Public Law – a university – a scientific-research institution shall carry out scientific-research activity and shall be entitled, on the basis of a contract concluded with a higher educational institution, to participate in the educational process;

n) diploma – a document confirming the qualification awarded by a higher educational institution, as well as a document confirming the qualification jointly awarded by higher educational institutions recognised in accordance with the legislation of Georgia and/or a foreign country;

n¹) a certified medical doctor/dentist – the holder of the academic degree awarded to a person as a result of completing a medical academic higher educational programme and accumulating the established credits. The programme provides for the training of a medical doctor/dentist for professional activity of a practical nature;

n²) (removed - 04.02.2026, No. 1354);

n³) Master of Veterinary Medicine − the holder of the academic degree awarded to a person as a result of completing an integrated master's educational programme in veterinary medicine and accumulating the established credits;

o) (removed);

o¹) (removed);

o²) distance learning – a learning process or part thereof organised at a higher educational institution of Georgia at any level of higher education for obtaining higher education, conducted in a distance/electronic form or using other means of communication, based on information and communication technologies, which does not provide for the simultaneous presence of the student and the personnel of the higher educational institution at a defined place. In order to carry out distance learning, proper planning of the curriculum and the use of appropriate approaches and methods for organising and conducting the learning process are necessary;

p) diploma supplement – a document issued by a higher educational institution together with the diploma to confirm the content of the education received by the student and the qualification awarded to him/her by the higher educational institution, as well as a document issued to confirm the content of the education received by the student as a result of completing a joint higher educational programme and the qualification jointly awarded to him/her by higher educational institutions recognised in accordance with the legislation of Georgia and/or a foreign country;

q) dissertation – a scientific work defended by a doctoral student in order to obtain the academic degree of Doctor;

r) doctoral student – a person studying in doctoral studies;

s) doctoral studies – the third level of academic higher education;

s¹) Doctoral educational programme – an educational programme of the third level of academic higher education, which is a combination of a learning component and a scientific-research component and the learning outcomes of which correspond to the generalized learning outcomes defined for level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework;

t) Doctor – holder of the academic degree awarded to a person as a result of completing the components provided for by the doctoral educational programme and defending a dissertation;

t¹) E-learning – a learning process or part thereof, based on modern, licensed information and communication technologies, organized by a higher educational institution for students located in the territory of Georgia / for persons enrolled in a teacher training educational programme, a special teacher training educational programme, a veterinarian training educational programme, or a Georgian language training educational programme, in order to obtain a qualification in an accredited higher educational programme in Georgia, which does not require the simultaneous presence of the student and the personnel of the higher educational institution at a specified place. For the implementation of e-learning, it is necessary to plan the curriculum and to use appropriate approaches and methods for organizing and conducting the learning process;

u) Unified National Examination – a procedure that determines the applicant's readiness to master a higher educational programme;

u¹) (deleted - 20 September 2018, No. 3438);

u²) Unified Master's Examination Network – a set of higher educational institutions participating in master's examinations, in which candidates for master's studies are enrolled in accordance with the procedure established by this Law, based on the results of the common master's examination and the examination/examinations determined by the higher educational institution;

v) Individual educational programme – a programme drawn up in accordance with the student's interests and level of academic preparation;

w) (deleted);

w¹) College – a higher educational institution that implements only a bachelor's educational programme;

w²) (deleted - 20 September 2018, No. 3438);

x) Coefficient (coefficients) – a unit (units) determined by the higher educational institution at the beginning of the academic year, according to which the results of the Unified National Examinations are ranked for admission to a specific educational programme at a specific higher educational institution;

y) Credit – a unit that expresses the study load required for the student and which can be obtained after achieving the learning outcomes;

z) (deleted);

aa) (deleted);

bb) Master – holder of the academic degree awarded to a person as a result of completing the number of credits provided for by the master's educational programme;

bb¹) Master's student – a student studying in a master's programme;

bb²) Master's educational programme − an educational programme of the second cycle of academic higher education, the learning outcomes of which correspond to the generalised learning outcomes defined for level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework;

cc) Master's studies – the second cycle of academic higher education;

cc¹) Master's candidate – a person holding a bachelor's, certified physician/dentist's or master's academic degree of a higher educational institution, or a person equated therewith, who intends to continue studies in master's studies. In the case of a regulated educational programme, in order to continue studies in master's studies, a master's candidate shall have the relevant bachelor's, certified physician/dentist's or equivalent academic degree;

cc²) Teacher training educational programme − a higher educational programme developed within the framework of a bachelor's educational programme falling within the main field of study of a subject/subject group provided for by the national curriculum, or independently of a bachelor's educational programme, on the basis of the relevant standard, the learning outcomes of which correspond to the generalised learning outcomes defined for level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework;

cc³) Teacher training certificate – a document issued as a result of completion of the teacher training educational programme;

cc⁴) (removed - 04.02.2026, No. 1354);

cc⁵) scientist – a person holding a scientific position in an independent scientific-research unit, who carries out scientific-research activity and who has the right to participate in the teaching process and to supervise the scientific-research work of students;

cc⁶) postdoctoral fellow – a person holding a doctoral or equivalent academic degree, who, for the purpose of implementing a specific scientific-research project, is employed on the basis of a fixed-term employment contract in a main educational unit or an independent scientific-research unit, in accordance with the procedure determined by the academic council;

cc⁷) Veterinary training educational programme − an educational programme developed independently of the integrated master's educational programme in veterinary medicine, on the basis of the relevant standard, the learning outcomes of which correspond to the generalised learning outcomes defined for level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework;

cc⁸) Veterinary certificate − a document issued as a result of completion of the veterinary training educational programme;

cc⁹) Integrated master's educational programme in veterinary medicine – a higher educational programme developed on the basis of the relevant standard, which covers the learning outcomes of the bachelor's and master's cycles and ensures the achievement of the generalised learning outcomes defined for level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework;

cc¹⁰) special teacher training educational programme – a higher educational programme independent of the bachelor's educational programme, developed on the basis of the relevant standard, the learning outcomes of which correspond to the generalized learning outcomes defined for level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework;

cc¹¹) special teacher training certificate – a document issued as a result of completion of the special teacher training educational programme;

cc¹²) basic professional skills examination – an examination developed by the National Assessment and Examinations Centre, the successful passing of which is one of the prerequisites for enrolment in the special teacher training educational programme;

dd) module – an independent consecutive block of instruction that combines related subjects. The module defines the interrelations and sequence of subjects. Several modules constitute a curriculum;

ee) professional association – an independent non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity established in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, based on membership, consisting of representatives of one or several adjacent professions and whose purpose is to promote the development of the profession, protect the common interests of members, and ensure compliance with professional ethics;

ee¹) leading professor – a person holding an academic position at a higher educational institution who conducts the educational process and leads scientific-research activity;

ff) professor – a person holding an academic position at a higher educational institution who conducts the educational process and leads the scientific-research work of students;

gg) (deleted - 10 December 2025, No. 1198);

gg¹) ranking by coefficients – a list established as a result of recalculation of the score/scores obtained by an applicant as a result of the Unified National Examinations, approved by the National Assessment and Examinations Centre in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, according to pre-established coefficients. As a result of this recalculation, applicants are distributed to the educational programme of a specific higher educational institution;

gg²) regulated profession – an activity for the pursuit of which, in addition to the existence of the relevant qualification, the passing of a state certification examination is a prerequisite, or for the pursuit of which, in order to be awarded the required qualification, it is necessary to pass the relevant examination provided for by the legislation of Georgia;

gg³) regulated educational programme – a programme for which the state establishes special accreditation requirements and/or through which the state ensures the training of master's and doctoral students by means of special research programmes;

gg⁴) Rector − the head of a higher education institution founded by the State, in a Legal Entity of Public Law − in a higher education institution − also the chairperson of the academic council, and in a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity − in a higher education institution − also the chairperson of one of the collegial bodies;

gg⁵) educational programme (curriculum) – a set of study courses/modules necessary for obtaining a higher education qualification, which sets out the objectives of the programme, learning outcomes, study courses/modules with the relevant credits, the student assessment system and the specific features of organising the study process, including the possibility of using e-learning (if any);

gg⁶) recognition of education obtained abroad – recognition (certificate) by a competent body of a qualification obtained abroad or of education obtained within the framework of a higher educational programme during the period of study abroad;

gg⁷) dissertation council – a body conferring the academic degree of Doctor. In a Legal Entity of Public Law, a dissertation council may exist in a basic educational unit or in a university or in accordance with the procedure established by Chapter IV³ of this Law;

gg⁸) (removed);

gg⁹) artistic-creative or sports educational programme – an educational programme the objective of which is the training of specialists (including an artist, musician, actor, sports specialist and others) in one or several specialties of art or sport and the conferral on them of a qualification in the relevant specialty;

gg¹⁰) (removed – 10 December 2025, No. 1198);

gg¹¹) artistic-creative higher education – higher education the objective of which is the training of specialists in one or several fields of art;

gg¹²) sports higher education – higher education the objective of which is the training of performing specialists in one or several types of sport;

gg¹³) (removed);

gg¹⁴) Student − a person who is enrolled and studies at a higher educational institution in accordance with the procedure determined by this Law and the charter of the higher educational institution, in order to complete the educational programme of bachelor's studies, master's studies, integrated master's studies of veterinary medicine, certified physician/dentist, doctoral studies, as well as a person who is enrolled in a higher educational institution recognised in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country and, within the framework of a joint higher educational programme, performs part of the study component and/or the research component at a higher educational institution of Georgia and/or an independent scientific-research unit/in a scientific-research institution in a Legal Entity of Public Law existing at a Legal Entity of Public Law − university/in a scientific-research institution in a Legal Entity of Public Law − a scientific-research institution, and a person holding Georgian citizenship or a neutral identity card and/or a neutral travel document, who is enrolled in a higher educational institution of a foreign country recognised in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country;

gg¹⁵) higher education – education following complete general education, which ensures the achievement of learning outcomes corresponding to levels 6−8 of the National Qualifications Framework and is confirmed by the relevant document certifying the qualification;

gg¹⁶) higher educational institution – an educational or educational scientific-research institution implementing a higher educational programme, whose main function is the implementation of higher educational activity and scientific research or of higher educational activity, as well as the conduct of creative work. A higher educational institution consists of main educational and auxiliary structural units and confers the relevant qualifications;

gg¹⁷) branch of a higher educational institution – a part of a higher educational institution which has a certain independence, is territorially separated from the management bodies of this institution and implements the same higher educational programme (programmes) as the relevant higher educational institution;

gg¹⁸) university – a higher educational institution which implements the integrated master's educational programme of veterinary medicine, the medical/dental education programme, the educational programmes of bachelor's and master's studies, the educational programmes of master's and/or doctoral studies and scientific research, or the higher educational programmes of all three stages of academic higher education and scientific research;

gg¹⁹) Basic educational unit – the basic teaching-research and administrative unit of a higher educational institution, which ensures the training of students in one or several specialties and the conferral of the relevant qualification on them. In accordance with the charter of the higher educational institution, the basic educational unit may exist in the form of a faculty, school, institute, an international school/international master's and doctoral school created in accordance with Chapter IV³ of this Law, or another basic educational unit provided for by the charter of the higher educational institution;

gg²⁰) Council of the basic educational unit – the representative body of the basic educational unit of a legal entity of public law – a higher educational institution (except for an international school/international master's and doctoral school);

gg²¹) Representative Council (Senate) – the representative body of a legal entity of public law – a higher educational institution;

gg²²) Quality assurance – internal and external evaluation procedures, the implementation of which contributes to the improvement of the quality of education in a higher educational institution;

gg²³) Study course program (syllabus) – a document that provides information on the objectives of the study course/module, learning outcomes, credits, content, teaching and learning methods, assessment criteria, and the possibility of using e-learning (if any);

gg²⁴) General master's examination – a procedure established in accordance with the educational program direction and/or educational programs, in the manner prescribed by the legislation of Georgia, which determines a person's readiness to pursue a master's educational program;

gg²⁵) Coefficient of the general master's examination – a unit determined by a higher educational institution, in the manner prescribed by the legislation of Georgia, for a separate part of the general master's examination test;

gg²⁶) Minimum competency threshold of the general master's examination – the minimum amount of points established by the legislation of Georgia for a separate part of the general master's examination test, which must be accumulated by a candidate for master's studies in order to successfully pass the testing and to obtain the right to participate in the examination/examinations to be conducted by the higher educational institution;

gg²⁷) (deleted – March 22, 2013, No. 388);

gg²⁸) (deleted – December 10, 2025, No. 1198);

gg²⁹) Master's examination – a procedure defined for obtaining the right to continue studies in a master's educational program, which includes the general master's examination corresponding to the educational program direction, conducted by the National Center for Assessment and Examinations, and the examination/examinations conducted by the higher educational institution;

gg³⁰) Sum of coefficients of the master's examination – the sum of coefficients of the general master's examination test and/or the examination/examinations determined by the higher educational institution;

gg³¹) Ranking by coefficients of master's examinations – a list of master's degree candidates approved by the relevant higher education institution, ranked according to the coefficients predetermined by the relevant higher education institution, on the basis of the results of master's examinations, in the manner established by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia (hereinafter – the Ministry), who have acquired the right to enrol in the relevant educational programme direction of the master's studies of a specific higher education institution;

gg³²) (removed - 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

gg³³) (removed - 27.06,2024, No. 4298);

gg³⁴) (removed - 20.09.2018, No. 3438);

gg³⁵) Educational programme of training in the Georgian language – a special educational programme through which citizens of Georgia and the persons provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia "On the Rules for Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, Issuance of Identity (Residence) Cards and Passports of a Citizen of Georgia", enrolled in a higher education institution on the basis of the results of the Unified National Examinations, acquire skills and knowledge in the Georgian language (writing, reading, listening, speaking) at the level necessary to continue studies in a bachelor's, integrated master's of veterinary medicine, certified physician/dentist educational programme. The right to undergo the said educational programme is also held by persons who, without passing the Unified National Examinations, are enrolled in a higher education institution in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia;

gg³⁶) (removed - 20.09.2018, No. 3438);

gg³⁷) Regents' Council – a collegial body created by the Government of Georgia, which exercises the supervisory powers provided for by this Law in relation to the activity of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution;

gg³⁸) Higher education institution development fund – a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity created by a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution, to which part of the property and finances of the higher education institution is transferred for management;

gg³⁹) Military higher education institution – a higher education institution in respect of which State control is exercised by, or the functions provided for by this Law are performed by, the Ministry of Defence of Georgia;

gg⁴⁰) Maritime higher education – higher education which ensures the development of appropriate competence in maritime sciences and is confirmed by a document corresponding to the qualification;

gg⁴¹) Orthodox theological higher education – a course of higher education based on Orthodox teaching and culture, which includes theological educational programmes of bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies;

gg⁴²) Orthodox theological higher educational institution − a teaching or teaching research institution implementing an Orthodox theological higher educational programme, whose main function is the implementation of Orthodox theological higher educational activity and scientific research or Orthodox theological higher educational activity, as well as the conduct of creative work;

gg⁴³). (removed - 21.07.2018, No. 3271);

gg⁴⁴) exchange educational programme − an educational programme implemented on the basis of a contract on student exchange concluded between a higher educational institution of Georgia and a higher educational institution recognised in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country, and aimed at the accumulation by a student participating in the exchange educational programme of a defined number of credits at the partner higher educational institution;

gg⁴⁵) student participating in an exchange educational programme − a student of a higher educational institution of Georgia or of a higher educational institution recognised in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country, who, within the framework of the exchange educational programme, accumulates a defined number of credits at the partner higher educational institution;

gg⁴⁶) maritime higher educational institution − a teaching or teaching research institution implementing a higher educational programme, whose main function is the implementation of maritime higher educational activity and maritime scientific research;

gg⁴⁷) Kutaisi International University − a higher educational research institution founded by the Law of Georgia "On the Establishment of the Legal Entity of Public Law − Kutaisi International University";

gg⁴⁸) joint higher educational programme – an educational programme implemented on the basis of an agreement on the implementation of a joint higher educational programme between a higher educational institution/institutions of Georgia and/or a higher educational institution recognised in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country, as well as between a higher educational institution of Georgia and an independent scientific research unit / a legal entity of public law – a scientific research institution existing at a university / a legal entity of public law – a scientific research institution, and upon completion of which, in accordance with the procedure established by the charter of the higher educational institution and on the basis of the agreement on the implementation of the joint higher educational programme, a document/documents certifying higher education is/are issued;

gg⁴⁹) post-school education preparation programme − a programme implemented by the Ministry or by a Legal Entity of Public Law/Legal Entities of Public Law within its system, including an educational institution, determined by the Ministry, to which citizens of Georgia and the persons provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia “On the Rules for Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, Issuance of Identity (Residence) Cards and Passports of Citizens of Georgia” have the right to enrol, who studied during the last 2 years and received a document certifying complete general education or basic general education in general educational institutions existing in the occupied territories provided for by the Law of Georgia “On Occupied Territories” and whose complete general education or basic general education was recognized in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry;

gg⁵⁰) short-cycle educational programme − an educational programme corresponding to the generalized learning outcomes defined for level 5 of the National Qualifications Framework, the basis for the creation of which is the framework document of a professional educational programme and which is linked to a bachelor's educational programme or to that educational programme corresponding to the generalized learning outcomes defined for level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework, which also passes through the generalized learning outcomes defined for level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework;

gg⁵¹) international school − in accordance with Chapter IV³ of this Law, a basic educational unit created with the consent of the Ministry, which is managed by the manager of the international school;

gg⁵²) international master's-doctoral school − in accordance with Chapter IV³ of this Law, a basic educational unit created with the consent of the Ministry, which is managed by the manager of the international master's-doctoral school;

gg⁵³) manager of an international school/manager of an international master's-doctoral school − a Legal Entity of Public Law or a Legal Entity of Private Law founded in a foreign country, which, before the creation of the international school/international master's-doctoral school, had at least 8 years of experience in the field of education in Georgia or in a foreign country (carrying out scientific-research activity and/or other educational activity or financing or supervising educational programmes) and which manages the international school/international master's-doctoral school on the basis of the charter of the international school/international master's-doctoral school and a contract concluded with a higher educational institution founded by the state;

gg⁵⁴) State language special course − a special course of the Georgian language included in the bachelor's, integrated master's of veterinary medicine, certified physician/dentist state-language educational programme (curriculum) of a higher educational institution, and in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia − also a special course of the Abkhaz language;

gg⁵⁵) Commander − head of a military higher educational institution;

gg⁵⁶) Police higher educational institution − a higher educational institution that implements a bachelor's programme in public safety and police affairs and in respect of which state control is ensured by, or the functions provided for by this Law are performed by, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia;

gg⁵⁷) State security higher educational institution – a higher educational institution that implements a master's programme in state security and in respect of which state control is ensured by, or the functions provided for by this Law are performed by, the State Security Service of Georgia;

gg⁵⁸) master's programme of the Legal Entity of Public Law operating in the field of governance of the State Security Service of Georgia − the State Security Academy (hereinafter − the State Security Academy) – a programme the aim of which is the training of highly qualified specialists with a master's academic degree in the field of security and which is implemented by the State Security Academy;

gg⁵⁹) special professional educational programme of state security – an educational programme defined by the Law of Georgia "On Special Professional Education", the aim of which is the acquisition of basic special professional knowledge and the development of skills for the State Security Service of Georgia and/or, in cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia, in another agency/organization (regardless of its legal form), through training, retraining and qualification improvement, and which is implemented by the State Security Academy.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 - LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 22 February 2011 No. 4209 – website, 10.03.2011

Law of Georgia of 11 March 2011 No. 4431 – website, 22.03.2011

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia of 10 April 2012 No. 6014 – website, 20.04.2012

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29 December 2012.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 8 April 2013.

Law of Georgia of 5 April 2013 No. 518 – website, 24 April 2013.

Law of Georgia of 6 August 2013 No. 917 - website, 20 August 2013.

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20 September 2013.

Law of Georgia of 20 November 2013 No. 1627 - website, 3 December 2013.

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 6 November 2014.

Law of Georgia of 14 November 2014 No. 2791 – website, 26 November 2014.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 - website, 8 December 2015.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10 December 2015.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 - website, 5 January 2017.

Law of Georgia of 1 June 2017 No. 953 - website, 20 June 2017.

Law of Georgia of 30 June 2017 No. 1185 - website, 10 July 2017.

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2017 No. 1367 - website, 27 November 2017.

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21 June 2018.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11 July 2018.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3041 – website, 11 July 2018.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3271 – website, 31 July 2018.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 5 October 2018.

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5276 – website, 4 November 2019.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6287 – website, 15 June 2020.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18 March 2021.

Law of Georgia of 1 December 2021 No. 1035 – website, 6 December 2021.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1430 – website, 24 March 2022.

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19 April 2022.

Law of Georgia of 10 May 2022 No. 1548 – website, 24 May 2022.

Law of Georgia of 1 December 2022 No. 2251 – website, 14 December 2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2023 No. 3826 – website, 15 December 2023.

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 4 July 2024.

Law of Georgia of 10 June 2025 No. 606 – website, 12 June 2025.

Law of Georgia of 9 December 2025 No. 1140 - website, 12 December 2025.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16 December 2025.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17 December 2025.

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 5 February 2026.

Article 3. Goals of Higher Education🔗

1. The main goals of higher education in Georgia are:

a) promotion of the establishment of the values of Georgian and world culture, orientation towards the ideals of democracy and humanism, which are necessary for the existence and development of civil society;

b) satisfaction of the needs for receiving higher education corresponding to the interests and capabilities of the individual, for raising qualifications and retraining;

c) realisation of personal potential, development of creative skills, training of persons with competencies corresponding to modern requirements, ensuring the competitiveness of persons with higher education in the domestic and foreign labour markets, offering high-quality higher education corresponding to the demands of students and the wider public to interested persons;

d) training and retraining of new scientific personnel to ensure the development of the state and the viability of the higher education system itself, creation, provision and development of conditions for scientific research;

e) encouragement of the mobility of students and academic personnel of higher educational institutions.

2. To achieve the goals provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, the State shall ensure:

a) accessibility and openness of higher education, including for a convicted person, within the framework established by the legislation of Georgia; academic freedom of study, teaching and scientific research, including for a convicted person, within the framework established by the legislation of Georgia;

b) the opportunity to receive higher education throughout life;

c) integration of higher education and science;

d) development of quality assurance systems, which implies the functioning of the authorisation system, the accreditation system and mechanisms of quality management (assurance) in higher educational institutions;

e) full participation in the single European educational and research area of study, teaching and scientific research, as well as in other international systems of cooperation;

f) autonomy of a higher educational institution;

g) participation of academic personnel, scientific personnel and students of a higher educational institution in the process of decision-making and control over its implementation;

h) prohibition of any discrimination in the field of higher education, including on the grounds of academic, religious or ethnic belonging and/or opinion, sex, social origin and other grounds;

i) publicity and transparency of the management of a higher educational institution and of competitions in that institution;

j) creation of other conditions that will contribute to the achievement of the goals provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article.

3. To achieve the goals provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, a higher educational institution:

a) trains a person for such professional activity as requires the application of scientific knowledge and scientific methods;

b) takes care of the professional development of its personnel;

c) facilitates the improvement of the social conditions of students;

d) takes care to create, for students with disabilities, the learning conditions defined by the Law of Georgia on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

e) facilitates the development of sport within its scope;

f) cooperates with other higher educational and scientific-research institutions of Georgia;

g) facilitates international cooperation and the mutual exchange of students and professors with relevant educational institutions abroad;

h) through study, teaching and professional development serves the development of science in an environment of freedom, democracy and social justice;

i) facilitates the dissemination of modern knowledge and technologies;

j) ensures the accessibility and openness of higher education, academic freedom, the opportunity to receive higher education throughout life, the participation of academic personnel, scientific personnel and students in the process of decision-making and control over its implementation, the publicity and transparency of the governance of the higher educational institution and of competitions held in that institution, the prohibition of any discrimination in the field of higher education, including on the grounds of academic, ethnic, social or religious affiliation and/or opinion, sex and other characteristics;

k) ensures the creation of other conditions that facilitate the implementation of the goals provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article.

4. Restriction of academic freedom shall be permissible only in the following cases:

a) for the freedom of scientific research – in organisational matters and in determining priorities;

b) for the freedom of teaching – in resolving organisational matters of the teaching process, in matters of approving the lecture schedule and the programmes of study courses;

c) for the freedom of study – in organising the teaching process and ensuring high-quality teaching;

d) in the case where the conduct of scientific research and the publication of the results of that research are restricted by an employment contract or they contain state secrets.

5. Structural units of political and religious organisations may not be created in a higher educational institution.

6. The State shall ensure the receipt of higher education in an institution of deprivation of liberty in accordance with the procedure established by the Penitentiary Code.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 1 June 2017 No. 953 – website, 20.06.2017

Law of Georgia of 14 July 2020 No. 6846 – website, 28.07.2020

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2023 No. 3997 – website, 26.12.2023

Article 3¹. Compliance with the requirements established by the Law of Georgia "On Family Values and Protection of Minors"🔗

It shall be inadmissible to include in an educational programme of a higher educational institution and/or to disseminate, by an employee of a higher educational institution, within the scope of the activities of this institution and/or on the territory of the same institution, such information, or to facilitate the dissemination of such information, which is aimed at the popularisation of the attribution of a person to neither biological sex and/or attribution to a sex different from his/her biological sex, of a relationship expressed on the ground of sexual orientation between representatives of the same biological sex, or of incest. For the purposes of this Article, the term "popularisation" shall be interpreted in accordance with the Law of Georgia "On Family Values and Protection of Minors".

Law of Georgia of 17 September 2024 No. 4447 – website, 03.10.2024.

Article 4. Language of higher education🔗

The language of instruction in a higher educational institution is Georgian, and in Abkhazia – also Abkhazian (instruction in another language, except for individual study courses, is permitted if this is provided for by an international treaty of Georgia or agreed with the Ministry).

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 4¹. Special course of the state language🔗

For a student admitted to a Georgian-language educational programme of a bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary medicine, or certified physician/dentist programme of a higher educational institution, completion of a special course of the state language is mandatory.

Law of Georgia of 10 June 2025 No. 606 – website, 12.06.2025.

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 05.02.2026.

Article 5. Powers of the Parliament of Georgia in the field of higher education🔗

The Parliament of Georgia:

a) determines the main directions of higher education policy and management and adopts the relevant legislative acts;

b) periodically hears the report of the Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia (hereinafter – the Minister) on the implementation of state policy in the field of higher education, financial activity and the implementation of state programmes.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2023 No. 3826 – website, 15.12.2023.

Article 6. Powers of the Government of Georgia in the field of higher education🔗

1. The Government of Georgia:

a) implements state policy in the field of higher education;

b) (removed – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

b¹) (removed – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

b²) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

b³) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

c) (removed – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

c¹) (removed – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

c²) (removed – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

c³) (removed – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

c⁴) determines the amount and conditions of funding of higher education for foreign nationals on the basis of an international agreement of Georgia or on the principle of reciprocity or under a special state programme;

c⁵) (removed – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

c⁶) upon the submission of the Ministry, approves the rule for applying a student discount by means of a student's identity (residence) card;

d) upon the submission of the Ministry, founds a legal entity of public law or a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher educational institution, determines for it the list of educational programmes (curricula) which that entity is entitled to implement, and approves its temporary statute;

d¹) upon the submission of the Ministry, approves the criteria and rule for founding a scientific-research institution of a legal entity of public law with a legal entity of public law – a university;

d²) upon the submission of the Ministry, annually approves the number of students to be admitted to a higher educational institution founded by the state through the Unified National Examinations/Master's Examinations and without passing the Unified National Examinations/Master's Examinations, according to the higher educational institution and the educational programmes (curricula);

d³) upon the submission of the Ministry, establishes the rule and conditions for funding a higher educational institution founded by the Government of Georgia;

e) creates the Board of Regents and approves its statute;

f) upon the submission of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia, founds a legal entity of public law or a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law for the purpose of obtaining the status of a military higher educational institution and approves its temporary statute;

g) upon the submission of the legal entity of public law − the Maritime Transport Agency, founds a legal entity of public law for the purpose of obtaining the status of a maritime higher educational institution, determines for it the list of educational programmes (curricula) which that entity is entitled to implement, and approves its temporary statute;

h) (removed – 21.07.2018, No. 3271);

i) upon the submission of the Ministry, approves the "Rule for conditional enrolment of an athlete participating in high-achievement sports competitions in a higher educational institution of Georgia";

j) upon the submission of the Ministry, approves the rule and conditions for approving the concept of carrying out higher educational activity;

k) On the recommendation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the Legal Entity of Public Law operating in the field of governance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia – the Public Safety and Police Academy (hereinafter – the Police Academy) is granted the authority to apply to the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement – in order to obtain the status of a higher police educational institution;

l) On the recommendation of the State Security Service of Georgia, the State Security Academy is granted the authority to apply to the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement – in order to obtain the status of a higher state security educational institution.

2. (Removed).

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2006 No. 3987 – LHG I, No. 48, 22.12.2006, Art. 354

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 4 December 2007 No. 5533 – LHG I, No. 43, 12.12.2007, Art. 392

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 – LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 – LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 20 April 2010 No. 2941 – LHG I, No. 23, 04.05.2010, Art. 123

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2010 No. 4040 – LHG I, No. 75, 27.12.2010, Art. 464

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 5 April 2013 No. 518 – website, 24.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 20 November 2013 No. 1627 – website, 03.12.2013

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 06.11.2014

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3041 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3271 – website, 31.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 1 December 2022 No. 2251 – website, 14.12.2022

Law of Georgia of 19 October 2023 No. 3575 – website, 06.11.2023

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025

Article 7. Powers of the Ministry in the Field of Higher Education🔗

1. In the field of higher education, on the basis of the legislation of Georgia — the Constitution of Georgia, the Constitutional Agreement, international treaties and agreements, this Law, other laws and subordinate acts, the Ministry:

a) conducts a unified policy in the field of higher education;

b) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

c) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

c¹) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

c²) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

c³) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

d) (removed);

d¹) in agreement with the Prime Minister of Georgia, appoints and dismisses the Director of the National Centre for Assessment and Examinations;

e) (removed);

f) on the proposal of the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Centre for the Development of Education Quality (hereinafter – the National Centre for the Development of Education Quality), approves the Regulation on the Authorisation of Educational Institutions and the Regulation on the Accreditation of Educational Programmes of Higher Educational Institutions (hereinafter – the Accreditation Regulation);

f¹) on the proposal of the National Centre for the Development of Education Quality, approves the rules and fee for the accreditation of the educational programme for training in the Georgian language;

g) develops and approves the Regulation of the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Centre for Assessment and Examinations;

h) in accordance with the Organic Law of Georgia on Normative Acts, approves the charter of a higher educational institution founded by the State, on the proposal of the representative council or collegial body of the higher educational institution, and issues an opinion on the draft charters of military, police, maritime, arts and creative, and sports higher educational institutions founded by the State, on the proposal of the respective ministry;

h¹) (removed – 06.09.2013, No. 1081);

h²) issues an opinion on the draft charter of the State Security Academy, on the proposal of the State Security Service of Georgia;

i) on the proposal of the National Centre for Assessment and Examinations, approves the Regulation on the Conduct of the Unified National Examinations and the Regulation on the Conduct of Master's Examinations;

i¹) approves measures to promote the pursuit of higher education in Georgia by citizens of foreign countries;

j) cooperates with international organisations, other countries and their educational institutions in the field of the verification and assurance of the quality of higher education;

k) (removed);

l) is responsible for the implementation of the normative acts in force in the field of higher education;

l¹) approves the rules for holding the first elections of the governing bodies of a Legal Entity of Public Law – a higher educational institution (except for Kutaisi International University);

m) approves the forms of the state document certifying higher education and its annex;

m¹) approves the rules for admission of a person to the teacher training educational programme/special teacher training educational programme and the rules for issuing the teacher training certificate/special teacher training certificate;

m²) (deleted – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

m³) upon the submission of the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement and in agreement with the National Centre for Teacher Professional Development, approves the rules and fee for accreditation of the teacher training educational programme/special teacher training educational programme;

m⁴) approves the rules for issuing a veterinarian's certificate;

m⁵) upon the submission of the National Assessment and Examinations Centre and in agreement with the National Centre for Teacher Professional Development, approves the rules, conditions and fee for conducting the basic professional skills examination;

m⁶) upon the submission of the National Centre for Teacher Professional Development, approves by an individual administrative-legal act of the Minister the list of minimum competencies, the possession of which must be confirmed as a result of passing the basic professional skills examination;

n) approves the fees for authorisation of higher educational institutions (except Kutaisi International University) and for accreditation of their educational programmes;

n¹) approves the rules, conditions and fee for conducting the English language certification examination. The Ministry is entitled to establish, in relation to the English language certification examination, time limits and rules for filing and considering an administrative complaint that differ from those provided for by the General Administrative Code of Georgia;

o) (deleted – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

o¹) determines the rules for calculating higher educational programmes in credits;

o²) upon the submission of the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement, determines the rules and fee for transfer from a higher educational institution to another higher educational institution, the rules for transfer from one educational programme to another educational programme within a higher educational institution, and the rules and fee for confirming the authenticity of an educational document issued in Georgia and for recognition of education received abroad;

o³) approves the rules and conditions for the creation and administration of the higher education management information system;

o⁴) (deleted – 20.09.2018, No. 3438);

o⁵) approves the list of international examinations in which, in the event of exceeding the relevant threshold, a person is entitled to participate, in the examination/examinations determined by the higher educational institution, in an educational programme direction of a higher educational institution included in the unified master's examination network, including a priority educational programme direction;

o⁶) (deleted – 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

o⁷) approves the rules and conditions for funding doctoral educational programmes;

o⁸) approves the rules for conditional enrollment in a higher educational institution of Georgia of a member of the Georgian national team participating in an international educational olympiad;

o⁹) is authorized, in connection with the examinations provided for by the Minister's normative acts, to establish time limits and procedure for filing and considering an administrative complaint different from that provided for by the General Administrative Code of Georgia;

o¹⁰) is authorized to establish fees for services rendered by legal entities of public law included in the system of the Ministry / fees for activities carried out (except for tuition fees in a higher educational institution);

o¹¹) together with the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, determines the rules and conditions for a convicted person to receive education in bachelor's and master's educational programs;

o¹²) ensures program funding of higher educational institutions of arts and creative fields and sports;

o¹³) participates in the development of conditions for authorization and accreditation of higher educational institutions of arts and creative fields and sports;

o¹⁴) (removed - 10 December 2025, No. 1198);

o¹⁵) approves the rules and conditions for suspension and termination of a student's status for a student;

o¹⁶) approves the rules and conditions for enrollment in a higher educational institution of Georgia without passing the Unified National Examinations of citizens of Georgia and persons provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia "On the Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, the Issuance of Identity (Residence) Certificates and Passports of Citizens of Georgia" who studied during the last 2 years and received a document certifying complete general education in a general educational institution located in the occupied territory provided for by the Law of Georgia "On Occupied Territories" and whose complete general education was recognized in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry, as well as persons with special educational needs provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia "On the Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, the Issuance of Identity (Residence) Certificates and Passports of Citizens of Georgia" who, due to the absence of relevant infrastructure and educational programs in the occupied territory, did not have the opportunity to receive complete general education and received a document certifying complete general education in a school operating in Georgia (except for the occupied territory);

o¹⁷) approves the rules for enrolment, without passing the common master's examinations, in a higher educational institution of Georgia of citizens of Georgia and of persons provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia “On the Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, the Rules for Issuing Identity (Residence) Certificates and Passports of Citizens of Georgia”, who have been awarded the academic degrees corresponding to the bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary, certified physician/dentist educational programmes;

o¹⁸) during an epidemic/pandemic, adopts decisions on the suspension, resumption and remote conduct of the educational process in higher educational institutions of Georgia;

o¹⁹) gives consent to the establishment of an international school/international master's-doctoral school in accordance with Chapter IV³ of this Law;

o²⁰) approves the rules for completing the special course of the state language;

p) performs other functions provided for by the legislation of Georgia and the regulations of the Ministry.

2. (removed - 13.04.2022, No. 1500).

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 - LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 20 April 2010 No. 2941 - LHG I, No. 23, 04.05.2010, Art. 123

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2010 No. 4040 - LHG I, No. 75, 27.12.2010, Art. 464

Law of Georgia of 22 February 2011 No. 4209 – website, 10.03.2011

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2011 No. 5347 - website, 06.12.2011

Law of Georgia of 20 December 2011 No. 5512 - website, 28.12.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia of 10 April 2012 No. 6014 – website, 20.04.2012

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2012 No. 6450 – website, 25.06.2012

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 6 August 2013 No. 917 - website, 20.08.2013

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 06.11.2014

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 - website, 08.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 1 June 2017 No. 953 - website, 20.06.2017

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2017 No. 1367 - website, 27.11.2017

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 29 June 2018 No. 2754 – website, 19.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3271 – website, 31.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3444 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 3 October 2019 No. 5091 – website, 04.10.2019.

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5276 – website, 04.11.2019.

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5279 – website, 04.11.2019.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6287 – website, 15.06.2020.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 14 April 2021 No. 458 – website, 16.04.2021.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1430 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1466 – website, 06.04.2022.

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022.

Law of Georgia of 1 December 2022 No. 2251 – website, 14.12.2022.

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024.

Law of Georgia of 10 June 2025 No. 606 – website, 12.06.2025.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025.

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 05.02.2026.

Article 8. (Removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1632 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018.

Article 8¹. Competence of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia for a military higher educational institution🔗

1. For a military higher educational institution, the Ministry of Defence of Georgia, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law:

a) in agreement with the Ministry, submits to the Government of Georgia proposals on the establishment of the relevant legal entity for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher educational institution;

b) taking into account the conclusion of the Ministry, approves the charter of the higher educational institution;

c) is responsible for the implementation of the normative acts of Georgia in the field of military education;

d) ensures programme funding of the military higher educational institution and/or purchases services from it;

e) participates in the development of the conditions for authorisation and accreditation of the military higher educational institution.

2. The military higher educational institution is entitled to:

a) implement military professional educational programmes;

b) ensure the implementation of relevant training measures for the purpose of professional development of the personnel of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.

3. A contract concluded with a student of the military higher educational institution may restrict the rights of the student provided for by this Law.

4. In the event of a conflict between this Law and the legal acts regulating relations with a military servicemember or a person holding a special rank, the legal acts regulating relations with a military servicemember or a person holding a special rank shall apply accordingly.

5. The charter of the military higher educational institution may determine a structure and functions of structural units, governing bodies different from those established by this Law for a higher educational institution founded by the State, as well as the rules and conditions for staffing the highest representative body and for holding the position of the head.

6. The norms defined by the legislation of Georgia for a rector shall apply to the head, unless otherwise provided by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 21 September 2023 No. 3525 – website, 12.10.2023.

Law of Georgia of 9 December 2025 No. 1140 – website, 12.12.2025.

Article 8². Competences of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and of the Legal Entity of Public Law − Maritime Transport Agency in the field of maritime higher education🔗

1. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, taking into account the conclusion of the Ministry, in accordance with the Organic Law of Georgia "On Normative Acts", approves the charter of the Legal Entity of Public Law − Maritime Higher Educational Institution.

2. The Legal Entity of Public Law − Maritime Transport Agency, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law:

a) submits to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and, in agreement with the Ministry, to the Government of Georgia proposals on the establishment of the Legal Entity of Public Law − Maritime Higher Educational Institution for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher educational institution, and the list of educational programmes (curricula) to be implemented by it;

b) in accordance with the Law of Georgia "On Legal Entities of Public Law", exercises state control over the Maritime Higher Educational Institution;

c) is responsible for the implementation of the normative acts of Georgia in the field of maritime higher education;

d) is entitled to carry out programme funding of maritime higher educational institutions;

e) participates in the development of the conditions for authorisation and accreditation of maritime higher educational institutions;

f) exercises other powers provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025.

Article 8³. (Removed by the Law of Georgia of 20 November 2013 No. 1627 - website, 03.12.2013. Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018. Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3271 – website, 31.07.2018.🔗

Article 8⁴. Competence of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia in the field of arts-creative higher education🔗

For arts-creative higher educational institutions founded by the State, the Ministry of Culture of Georgia, within the scope of its competence, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law:

a) in agreement with the Ministry, submits to the Government of Georgia proposals on the founding of a legal entity of public law or a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher educational institution, and the list of educational programmes (curricula) to be implemented by it;

b) taking into account the conclusion of the Ministry, approves the charter of the higher educational institution. The charter of a legal entity of public law − higher educational institution shall be approved in accordance with the Organic Law of Georgia "on Normative Acts";

c) in accordance with the Law of Georgia "on Legal Entity of Public Law", exercises state control over a legal entity of public law − higher educational institution;

d) is responsible for the implementation of normative acts of Georgia;

e) ensures programme funding of arts-creative higher educational institutions;

f) participates in the development of the conditions for authorisation and accreditation of arts-creative higher educational institutions.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2023 No. 3826 – website, 15.12.2023.

Law of Georgia of 12 December 2024 No. 84 - website, 28.12.2024.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025.

Article 8⁵. Competence of the Ministry of Sports of Georgia in the field of higher sports education🔗

For higher sports educational institutions founded by the State, the Ministry of Sports of Georgia, within the scope of its competence, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law:

a) in agreement with the Ministry, submits to the Government of Georgia proposals on the establishment of a legal entity of public law or a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher educational institution, and the list of educational programmes (curricula) to be implemented by it;

b) taking into account the conclusion of the Ministry, approves the charter of the higher educational institution. The charter of a legal entity of public law − a higher educational institution shall be approved in accordance with the Organic Law of Georgia on Normative Acts;

c) in accordance with the Law of Georgia on Legal Entities of Public Law, exercises state control over a legal entity of public law − a higher educational institution;

d) is responsible for the implementation of normative acts of Georgia;

e) ensures programme funding of higher sports educational institutions;

f) participates in the development of the conditions for authorisation and accreditation of higher sports educational institutions.

Law of Georgia of 12 December 2024 No. 84 – website, 28.12.2024.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025.

Article 8⁶. Competence of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for the police higher educational institution🔗

1. For the police higher educational institution, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia:

a) taking into account the conclusion of the Ministry, approves the statute of the police higher educational institution, which may determine, for the legal entity of public law — higher educational institution, a structure, the functions of structural units and governing bodies different from those established by this Law, as well as establish different rules for staffing the supreme representative body and for holding the position of rector;

b) is responsible for the implementation of normative acts of Georgia in the field of police education;

c) ensures programme funding of the police higher educational institution and/or purchases services from it;

d) participates in the elaboration of the conditions for authorization and accreditation of the police higher educational institution.

2. The rights of a student provided for by this Law may be restricted by a contract concluded with a student of the police higher educational institution, as well as by legal acts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

3. In the event of a conflict between this Law and the legal acts regulating relations with a servant of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the legal acts regulating relations with a servant of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia shall apply.

4. The rules for the enrolment (admission) and study of a student in the bachelor's programme of Public Safety and Police Affairs of the Police Academy, his/her completion of practice, his/her mobility, the suspension and termination of student status for him/her, as well as issues related to the implementation of police higher academic educational programmes shall be determined by order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025.

Article 8⁷. Competence of the State Security Service of Georgia in respect of the higher educational institution of state security🔗

1. For the State Security Academy, the State Security Service of Georgia, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law:

a) taking into account the opinion of the Ministry, approves the statute of the State Security Academy in accordance with the Organic Law of Georgia on Normative Acts;

b) is responsible for the compliance by the State Security Academy with the normative acts of Georgia;

c) ensures programme funding of the State Security Academy and/or purchases services from it;

d) participates in the development of the conditions for authorisation and accreditation of the State Security Academy.

2. The State Security Academy is entitled to implement the state security master's programme and the special professional educational programmes and other educational programmes provided for by its statute.

3. By a contract concluded with a student of the State Security Academy, as well as by legal acts of the Head of the State Security Service of Georgia, the rights and obligations of a student provided for by this Law may be restricted and/or regulated differently.

4. In the event of a conflict between this Law and the legal acts regulating relations with a servant of the State Security Service of Georgia or a person holding a special rank, the legal acts regulating relations with a servant of the State Security Service of Georgia or a person holding a special rank shall apply, as the case may be.

5. The statute of the State Security Academy may determine a structure, the functions of structural units and the governing bodies different from the structure of a higher educational institution founded by the State as provided for by this Law, and may also establish different rules for the staffing of the supreme representative body and for holding the office of rector.

6. Based on the needs of the State Security Service of Georgia, the functions, duties and rules of activity of the State Security Academy may be determined differently from this Law by the relevant special legislation of the State Security Service of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025

Article 9. Types of higher education institution🔗

1. The types of higher education institution are:

a) university;

b) (removed - 27.06.2024, No. 4298);

c) college;

d) other higher education institution established by law.

1¹. A university, for carrying out scientific-research activities within the framework of master's and doctoral studies, shall have an appropriate base, and in the absence of such a base, shall have a contract concluded with a scientific-research institution on the implementation of a joint higher education programme.

2. A higher education institution is established in the form of a legal entity of public or private law.

3. An Orthodox theological higher education institution may exist in the form of a structural unit of the Patriarchate of Georgia or a separate legal entity of private law.

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29.12.2012

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 - website, 08.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Article 10. Separation of competences in a higher education institution🔗

1. In accordance with this Law, a higher education institution:

a) within the framework of the educational programmes (curricula) to be implemented as determined by the Government of Georgia, approves the main directions of teaching, research and creative activities;

b) develops the statute, approves the internal regulations of the institution, the grounds and rules of ethics and disciplinary responsibility;

c) approves the uniform rules for the employment of academic and support staff;

d) approves the coefficients submitted by the main educational units for individual subjects of the Unified National Examinations;

d¹) in the cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia, upon the submission of the main educational unit, decides on the award or non-award of a coefficient for the common master's examination. In the case of awarding a coefficient for the common master's examination, the higher education institution approves coefficients for individual parts of the common master's examination test and for the examination/examinations determined by it, while in the case of non-award of a coefficient, for the purpose of enrolment in a master's programme, where the master's candidate has passed the minimum competence threshold in the common master's examination in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia, applies the coefficients awarded for the examination/examinations determined by it;

e) elects the governing bodies and officials of the institution;

f) in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia, manages its finances and property;

g) is obliged, upon the submission of the main educational unit, to determine an examination for master's candidates in the relevant specialty, and is also entitled to determine an examination in another subject/subjects;

h) in the cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia, upon the submission of the main educational unit, approves the rules for conducting the examination/examinations determined by the higher education institution for master's candidates in accordance with the rules established by order of the Minister;

h¹) establishes a minimum competence threshold in an examination included in the list of international examinations approved by the Ministry, the passing of which entitles a person to participate in the examination/examinations determined by the higher education institution;

i) for the purpose of implementing a master's educational programme, with the consent of the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement, determines the compliance of the list of specialty/specialties submitted by the main educational unit with the master's educational programme directions of higher education institutions approved by the Government of Georgia;

j) draws up, in accordance with the educational programme directions, and submits to the National Centre for Assessment and Examinations the list of those master's degree candidates who, as a result of the examination/examinations determined by the higher educational institution, have acquired the right to continue their studies in the master's programme of the respective higher educational institution;

k) within the framework of the system of professional orientation, counselling and career planning in formal education, ensures the implementation of the measures provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

1¹. An independent scientific-research unit shall have the right to:

a) carry out fundamental and applied scientific-research activity;

b) carry out consultative and expert activity in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;

c) organise scientific conferences and other scientific events in accordance with the procedure established by the charter of the higher educational institution;

d) cooperate with scientific-research institutions of Georgia and abroad in accordance with the procedure established by the statute of the basic educational unit/the charter of the higher educational institution;

e) participate in international scientific events in accordance with the procedure established by the statute of the basic educational unit/the charter of the higher educational institution;

f) participate, in accordance with the procedure determined by the higher educational institution, in the preparation and implementation of higher educational programmes, as well as in the completion by students of bachelor's and master's papers and dissertations;

g) involve students, in accordance with the procedure determined by the higher educational institution, in scientific grant projects, local and international scientific conferences and scientific-research events;

h) carry out other activities provided for by the legislation of Georgia and the statute of the independent scientific-research unit.

2. The basic educational unit of a higher educational institution, in accordance with this Law:

a) within the framework of the educational programmes (curricula) to be implemented as determined by the Government of Georgia, develops the main directions of teaching, scientific-research and creative activities, as well as draws up the respective programmes and plans;

b) develops the procedure for the recruitment of academic personnel, as well as the procedure for the recruitment of scientific personnel (where such personnel exist);

c) at the beginning of the academic year, determines the coefficients for the Unified National Examination;

d) is entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by order of the Minister, to take a decision on the assignment or non-assignment of a coefficient for the General Master's Examination; where a coefficient is assigned, determines the coefficients for individual parts of the General Master's Examination test, as well as assigns coefficients for the examination/examinations determined by it;";

e) conducts the examination/examinations for master's degree candidates;

f) elects the governing bodies and officials;

g) creates a mechanism for ensuring the quality of teaching and research;

h) in accordance with the procedure established by Georgian legislation and the charter, resolves issues related to the possession of the finances attracted by it and the property in its possession, and to the use of this property;

i) develops the procedure for conducting the examination/examinations determined by the higher educational institution for master's degree candidates, in accordance with the procedure established by order of the Minister;

j) for the purpose of implementing a master's educational programme, determines the list of specialty/specialties within the framework of educational programme directions;

k) within the framework of the system of professional orientation, counselling and career planning in formal education, ensures the implementation of the measures provided for by Georgian legislation.

2¹. A legal entity of private law − a higher educational institution (except a higher educational institution founded by the State) itself determines the division of the competences provided for by this Law between the higher educational institution and the basic educational unit. The admissibility of the division of competences does not extend to the conferral of a qualification, which falls directly within the competence of the basic educational unit. The division of competences is not necessary if there is only one basic educational unit in the higher educational institution.

2². In an Orthodox theological higher educational institution, the competences provided for by this Article and the procedure for their division shall be determined by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

2³. Kutaisi International University itself determines the division of the competences provided for by this Law between the higher educational institution and the basic educational unit.

3. A higher educational institution included in the unified master's examination network shall be obliged to comply with the requirement defined by paragraph 1 of Article 52¹ of this Law.

4. The powers between a higher educational institution founded by the State and an international school/international master's-doctoral school shall be divided by the charter of the international school/international master's-doctoral school and by a contract concluded between the higher educational institution founded by the State and the head of the international school/head of the international master's-doctoral school.

5. The Academic Council, in accordance with the procedure established by Chapter IV³ of this Law, upon the submission of the head of the international school/head of the international master's-doctoral school, approves for the international school/international master's-doctoral school:

a) at the beginning of the academic year − the coefficients for the unified national examinations, as well as the number of students to be admitted to the international school;

b) the coefficients of the master's examination of the international master's-doctoral school for the master's examinations, as well as the number of students to be admitted to the international master's-doctoral school;

c) the minimum competency threshold in the examination provided for by the list of international examinations approved by the Ministry;

d) the strategic development plan of the international school/international master's-doctoral school, educational and scientific-research programmes;

e) the statute of the dissertation council of the international school/international master's-doctoral school.

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2010 No. 4040 - LHG I, No. 75, 27.12.2010, Art. 464

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29.12.2012

Law of Georgia of 6 August 2013 No. 917 - website, 20.08.2013

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 - website, 08.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3444 – website, 09.10.2018

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5276 – website, 04.11.2019

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 10¹. Legal capacity of a legal entity of public law − higher educational institution🔗

A legal entity of public law − higher educational institution is entitled to carry out:

a) educational and scientific-research activity within the framework of the educational programmes (curricula) to be implemented as determined by the Government of Georgia;

a¹) consulting and expert activity in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;

b) publishing activity;

c) sale of products created in the course of educational and scientific-research activity;

d) production and sale of products (inventions and utility models) created in the course of scientific-research and laboratory activity;

e) entrepreneurial activity of an auxiliary nature, in the cases provided for by its charter (statute);

f) other activity provided for by the relevant law, a resolution of the Government of Georgia and/or its charter (statute), unless otherwise determined by the relevant law.

Law of Georgia of 7 March 2014 No. 2100 – website, 14.03.2014

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 11. Higher educational institution established by the State🔗

1. The State, in accordance with the rules and conditions for approval of the concept for carrying out higher educational activity approved by the Government of Georgia, on the basis of the concept for carrying out higher educational activity approved by the Government of Georgia, for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher educational institution, shall establish a Legal Entity of Public Law or a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law.

1¹. The decision on approval of the concept for carrying out higher educational activity shall lose force if the legal entity provided for by paragraph 1 of this article does not submit an authorisation application within 2 years from the approval by the Government of Georgia of the concept for carrying out higher educational activity.

1². The legal entity provided for by paragraph 1 of this article shall not have the right to submit an authorisation application without the approval by the Government of Georgia of the concept for carrying out higher educational activity.

2. State control over a Legal Entity of Public Law − a higher educational institution (except Kutaisi International University, as well as military, police, state security, maritime, arts-creative and sports higher educational institutions) shall be exercised by the Ministry in accordance with the Law of Georgia "On Legal Entities of Public Law" and the rules established by this Law, while state control over Legal Entities of Public Law − military, police, state security, maritime, arts-creative and sports higher educational institutions shall be exercised by the respective bodies.

3. By an act of the Government of Georgia on the establishment of a Legal Entity of Public Law or a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher educational institution, the name and purpose of this institution, the list of educational programmes (curricula) that it has the right to implement, and the measures related to the transfer of property to the institution shall be determined, and the acting head thereof shall also be appointed. The temporary charter of the said institution shall determine the powers to be exercised by the acting head of the institution in connection with the institution's authorisation/accreditation and the carrying out of higher educational activity, until the election of the institution's governing bodies.

4. A higher educational institution, including a Legal Entity of Public Law, shall not be entitled to carry out general educational activity without the creation of another, independent legal entity.

5. A higher education institution of arts-creative/sports founded by the State, for the purpose of promoting the development of arts-creative/sports education in the country, shall be entitled, accordingly, in agreement with the Ministry of Culture of Georgia or the Ministry of Sports of Georgia and the Ministry, in accordance with the procedure determined by this Law and its charter, within the scope of auxiliary activity, to carry out the teaching of out-of-school arts-creative/sports educational programs for pupils of general educational institutions.

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2006 No. 3987 - LHG I, No. 48, 22.12.2006, Art. 354

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 18 December 2009 No. 2379 - LHG I, No. 48, 29.12.2009, Art. 364

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 - website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia of 20 November 2013 No. 1627 - website, 03.12.2013

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 - website, 08.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1632 - website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 - website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3271 - website, 31.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5276 - website, 04.11.2019

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 - website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2023 No. 3826 - website, 15.12.2023

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 - website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 12 December 2024 No. 84 - website, 28.12.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 - website, 16.12.2025

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 - website, 17.12.2025

Article 11¹. Legal Entity of Public Law – scientific-research institution existing at a Legal Entity of Public Law – university🔗

1. The Government of Georgia may, with the consent of the university, establish a Legal Entity of Public Law – scientific-research institution at a Legal Entity of Public Law – university.

2. Issues related to the structure and management of the Legal Entity of Public Law – scientific-research institution existing at a Legal Entity of Public Law – university shall be regulated by the Law of Georgia "On Science, Technology and Their Development".

3. The Legal Entity of Public Law – scientific-research institution existing at a Legal Entity of Public Law – university shall be entitled, on the basis of a contract concluded with a higher educational institution, to:

a) participate in the preparation and implementation of joint higher educational programmes, as well as in the completion by students of bachelor's and master's theses and dissertations;

b) involve students in scientific grant projects, local and international scientific conferences and scientific-research activities.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10 December 2015.

Article 12. Higher education institution – legal entity of private law🔗

1. In accordance with the rules and conditions for approving the concept of carrying out higher educational activity approved by the Government of Georgia, on the basis of the concept of carrying out higher educational activity approved by the Government of Georgia, for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher education institution, a legal entity of private law provided for by the Law of Georgia "On Entrepreneurs" and the Civil Code of Georgia may be founded.

1¹. In accordance with the rules and conditions for approving the concept of carrying out higher educational activity approved by the Government of Georgia, on the basis of the concept of carrying out higher educational activity approved by the Government of Georgia, a legal entity of private law shall be entitled to carry out higher educational activity in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia, without creating another independent legal entity.

1². The decision on approval of the concept of carrying out higher educational activity shall lose force if the legal entity provided for by paragraph 1 of this article does not submit an authorization application within 2 years from the approval by the Government of Georgia of the concept of carrying out higher educational activity.

1³. The legal entity provided for by paragraph 1 of this article shall not be entitled to submit an authorization application without the approval by the Government of Georgia of the concept of carrying out higher educational activity.

2. A municipality shall be prohibited from founding, holding a share (stock) in, or being a member of a legal entity of private law for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher education institution.

2¹. The State shall be prohibited from founding, holding a share (stock) in, or being a member of an entrepreneurial legal entity of private law for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher education institution.

3. The norms provided for by Chapters IV, V (except Articles 32–35) and XIV of this Law shall not apply, given their content, to higher education institutions existing in the form of a legal entity of private law, except for institutions founded by the State.

4. (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2006 No. 3987 - LHG I, No. 48, 22.12.2006, Art. 354

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 15 July 2020 No. 6906 – website, 28.07.2020

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Article 12¹. Acquisition of the status of a higher education institution🔗

Acquisition of the status of a higher education institution and the carrying out of the respective educational activity shall be possible only where authorisation is passed in accordance with the procedure established by the Regulation on Authorisation of Educational Institutions.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 13. Reorganization and liquidation of a higher education institution🔗

1. The reorganization or liquidation of a higher education institution shall be carried out in accordance with this Law and, accordingly, the procedure provided for by the Laws of Georgia on Entrepreneurs and on Legal Entities of Public Law and the Civil Code of Georgia.

2. The reorganization and liquidation of a higher education institution founded by the State, as well as of a legal entity founded by the State for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher education institution, shall be carried out, in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, by the Government of Georgia, upon the submission of the body on whose initiative that institution/entity was founded.

2¹. In the case of the reorganization of higher education institutions founded by the State, the Government of Georgia shall be entitled to adopt a resolution determining the objectives of the reorganization, the form and timeframes of its implementation, temporary mechanisms for managing the reorganization process, as well as the special procedure for the exercise of the powers of the management bodies of the higher education institutions founded by the State participating in the reorganization. By the same resolution, during the reorganization period, the procedure for the exercise of the powers of their individual management bodies, as determined by law and/or the charters of the higher education institutions founded by the State, may be suspended or changed for a specified period, if this is necessary to achieve the objectives of the reorganization.

2². In the case provided for by paragraph 2¹ of this Article, the Minister shall be entitled to appoint an acting rector, an acting deputy rector/acting deputy rectors, an acting head of administration, an acting head of the quality assurance service, and to establish a temporary collegial management body − a temporary management council, which shall be granted the right to exercise the powers of the academic council and/or the representative council to the extent and for the period determined by a resolution of the Government of Georgia.

2³. The right provided for by paragraph 2² of this Article is temporary and purpose-specific, extends only to matters directly related to the reorganization process, and terminates immediately upon completion of the reorganization or after the formation of the management bodies of the higher education institution/institutions participating in the reorganization.

3. The requirements established by the legislation of Georgia shall not apply to the reorganization and liquidation of an Orthodox theological higher education institution. The reorganization and liquidation of this institution shall be carried out by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. After liquidation, the property of the said institution shall be transferred to the Patriarchate of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia No. 187 of 28 December 2012 – website, 29.12.2012

Law of Georgia No. 1354 of 4 February 2026 – website, 05.02.2026

Article 14. Structure of a higher educational institution🔗

1. The structure of a higher educational institution shall be determined by the institution's charter, which shall provide for the existence of a basic educational unit.

2. A Legal Entity of Public Law − a higher educational institution shall consist of basic educational units, the library (libraries) of the higher educational institution and auxiliary structural units: the Rector's office, the office of the head of administration, the chancellery and the secretariats of the governing bodies.

3. Other structural units of a higher educational institution, as well as the rules of activity of structural units, shall be determined by the institution's charter and the regulations of the relevant structural unit.

4. (Removed – 15.11.2023, No. 3661).

Law of Georgia No. 2795 of 17 March 2006 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia No. 1611 of 10 August 2009 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia No. 3661 of 15 November 2023 – website, 30.11.2023

Article 15. Management of a Higher Education Institution🔗

1. The management bodies of a higher education institution shall be determined and the competences among them shall be distributed by the institution's charter.

2. The management bodies (governing entities) of a Legal Entity of Public Law – a higher education institution are: the Academic Council, the Representative Council, the Rector, the Head of Administration and the Quality Assurance Service.

2¹. In a higher education institution founded by the State:

a) The official salary of the Rector shall be determined within the range of the product of the maximum official salary of a Professor by a coefficient of not less than 1.15 and not more than 1.35;

b) The official salary of the Head of Administration shall be determined within the range of the product of the maximum official salary of a Professor by a coefficient of not less than 1.10 and not more than 1.30;

c) The official salaries of the Head of the Quality Assurance Service of the higher education institution and the Head of the Quality Assurance Service of the basic educational unit shall be determined within the range of the product of the maximum official salary of an Associate Professor by a coefficient of not less than 1.10 and not more than 1.30;

d) The official salary of the Dean of the basic educational unit shall be determined within the range of the product of the maximum official salary corresponding to the academic position held by a coefficient of not less than 1.10 and not more than 1.30.

3. The management bodies (governing entities) of the basic educational unit of a Legal Entity of Public Law – a higher education institution are: the Council of the basic educational unit, the Dean of the basic educational unit, the Quality Assurance Service of the basic educational unit.

4. A higher education institution shall have developed a quality assurance mechanism.

5. In a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution, there shall be at least one collegial body, which shall be staffed by representatives of the academic personnel and students of the basic educational unit on the basis of elections.

6. The head of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution shall be elected.

7. The highest administrative manager of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution in the fields of financial, material and administrative resources is the Head of Administration.

8. For the purpose of managing the property of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution, a Development Fund of the higher education institution may be established.

9. A non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State − a higher education institution and the Higher Education Institution Development Fund are entitled to carry out the procurement of literature (placed on a printed, electronic or audiovisual medium) by means of simplified procurement. Procurement of another object by way of simplified procurement may be carried out with the consent of the Council of Regents.

[9. (deleted – 09.02.2023, No. 2554). (shall enter into force from 1 January 2027)]

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013.

Law of Georgia of 9 February 2023 No. 2554 – website, 27.02.2023.

Law of Georgia of September 2024 No. 4402 – website, 23.09.2024.

Article 16. Principles of management of a higher education institution🔗

1. A higher education institution shall ensure:

a) publicity and accessibility of the decisions, reports of the management bodies and legal acts of the higher education institution for all interested persons. The norms of freedom of information established by the General Administrative Code of Georgia shall apply to a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State. This institution must have developed transparent decision-making procedures;

b) academic freedom of academic personnel, scientific personnel and students;

c) participation of academic personnel, scientific personnel and students in decision-making;

d) equal treatment regardless of a person's ethnic origin, sex, social origin, political or religious views and other;

e) fairness and transparency of elections in the higher education institution, publicity of competitions.

2. The charter of a higher education institution and the regulations of structural units may not establish norms restricting these principles.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Article 17. Rule for electing the Representative Council🔗

1. The representative body of a Legal Entity of Public Law − higher education institution is the Representative Council, which is elected from the main educational units of the higher education institution on the basis of representation, by students and academic personnel separately, in proportion to their number in the main educational units. The minimum number of members of the Representative Council may not be less than twice the number of members of the Academic Council, which is determined by the charter of the institution.

2. The election of the Representative Council is held within the higher education institution on the basis of universal, direct, equal elections by secret ballot, in the manner determined by the charter of this institution.

3. The term of authority of the Representative Council coincides with the established duration of the main stage of study and is indicated in the charter.

4. Students constitute one third of the full composition of the Representative Council. An assistant participates in the elections as a student. To determine the number of students, rounding is carried out in favour of the students.

5. The composition of the Representative Council includes, in the manner determined by the charter of the higher education institution, a representative of the library (libraries) of the higher education institution. In the manner and proportion determined by the charter, the composition of the Representative Council may include persons to whom this higher education institution has awarded a qualification, as well as representatives of independent scientific-research units and of the public.

6. For a professor and a student, the ground for termination of the status of a member of the Representative Council is the termination of his/her respective academic and/or employment relationship with this higher education institution.

7. In the event of early termination of the authority of a member of the Representative Council, for the remaining term of authority of the Representative Council, its member becomes the candidate who, in the respective elections, received the largest number of votes after the member whose authority was terminated. In the absence of such a person, elections are held to elect the respective representative for the same term.

8. Representatives of administrative and support personnel, as well as members of the Academic Council, may not be elected to the composition of the Representative Council.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Article 18. Competence of the Representative Council🔗

1. The Representative Council, in accordance with this Law:

a) develops the charter of the higher education institution with the participation of the Academic Council and submits it to the Ministry for approval;

b) develops and approves the internal regulations of the institution, the code of ethics of the higher education institution and the norms of disciplinary responsibility;

c) approves the rules for drawing up the budget of the higher education institution and the regulations of its structural units (except for the regulations of the independent scientific-research unit of the main educational unit);

d) elects the Speaker of the Representative Council;

e) approves the candidacy of the head of the administration upon the nomination of the Academic Council;

f) approves the budget of the higher education institution upon the nomination of the head of the administration;

g) approves the structure of the administration of the higher education institution on the basis of the nomination of the head of the administration;

h) approves the annual report of the head of the administration;

i) upon a reasoned proposal of the Academic Council or on its own initiative, is entitled to terminate early the powers of the head of the administration;

j) approves the rules for the employment of support staff, the amount and conditions of remuneration upon the nomination of the head of the administration;

k) upon the nomination of the Academic Council approves:

k.a) the uniform rules for the employment of academic personnel, the amount and conditions of remuneration;

k.b) the rule/rules for the employment of scientific personnel of the independent scientific-research unit/units of the university, the amount and conditions of remuneration;

k.c) additional conditions for holding a scientific position at the independent scientific-research unit of the university;

l) approves the head of the quality assurance service of the higher education institution upon the nomination of the Academic Council;

m) exercises other powers conferred by the legislation of Georgia.

2. A meeting of the Representative Council shall be convened on the initiative of the Speaker or by not less than 1/3 of the members of the Representative Council. The procedure for preparing and conducting a meeting of the Representative Council shall be determined by the charter of the higher education institution.

3. The Representative Council shall adopt a decision on the approval of the budget, the election of the head of the administration and the approval of the annual report of the head of the administration by a majority of the list composition of the Representative Council.

4. (Removed).

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 19. Speaker of the Representative Council🔗

1. The Speaker organizes and chairs the holding of sessions of the Representative Council; the Speaker is elected by the Representative Council from among its members for a term not exceeding the term of authority of the Representative Council. The term of the Speaker's election shall be specified in the charter of the higher educational institution.

2. The grounds for early termination of the powers of the Speaker of the Representative Council are:

a) personal request;

b) entry into legal force of a conviction rendered by a court against him;

c) death;

d) recognition by a court as having limited legal capacity or recognition as a recipient of support, unless otherwise determined by a court decision;

e) (removed);

f) dismissal from an academic position of this higher educational institution;

g) other case provided for by the charter of the higher educational institution.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 20 March 2015 No. 3374 - website, 31.03.2015

Article 20. Election of the Academic Council🔗

1. The Academic Council is the highest representative body of a Legal Entity of Public Law − a higher educational institution, whose members are elected by all members of the academic personnel of the basic educational units, all members of the scientific personnel of the independent scientific-research units, and by representatives of the student self-government who are members of the council of the basic educational unit, on the basis of direct, free and equal elections, by secret ballot.

2. In the Academic Council, each basic educational unit has an equal number of representatives. Their number is determined by the charter of the higher educational institution.

2¹. In the composition of the Academic Council, every independent scientific-research unit (except for an independent scientific-research unit of a basic educational unit) must have at least one representative.

3. A leading professor, professor or associate professor shall be elected as a member of the Academic Council. A person may be elected as a member of the Academic Council only twice consecutively.

4. The term of election of a member of the Academic Council coincides with the duration of the basic educational level, which shall be indicated in the charter.

5. (Deleted - 01.06.2017, No. 933).

6. If a member of the Academic Council holds an academic or administrative position in another higher educational institution, his or her membership in the Academic Council shall be terminated.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 - LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 - website, 05.01.2017

Law of Georgia of 1 June 2017 No. 933 - website, 21.06.2017

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 05.02.2026

Article 21. Powers of the Academic Council🔗

1. The Academic Council, in accordance with this Law:

a) develops and approves the strategic development plan of the higher education institution;

b) upon the submission of the main educational unit and/or the independent scientific-research unit, approves educational and scientific-research programmes;

b¹) upon the submission of the scientific council of the university's independent scientific-research unit, approves the director of the university's independent scientific-research unit;

b²) upon the submission of the university's independent scientific-research unit, reviews and submits to the Representative Council for approval the statute of the university's independent scientific-research unit and the additional conditions for holding a scientific position at the university's independent scientific-research unit;

b³) reviews and submits to the Representative Council for approval the procedure for the admission to service of the scientific personnel of the university's independent scientific-research unit;

b⁴) upon the submission of the quality assurance service of the higher education institution, reviews and approves the procedure for internal evaluation of the scientific-research activity of the university's independent scientific-research unit;

b⁵) upon the submission of the main educational unit, reviews and approves the procedure for the participation of the respective independent scientific-research unit in the preparation of students' bachelor's and master's theses and dissertations, as well as the involvement of students in scientific grant projects, local and international scientific conferences and scientific-research events;

c) promotes integration into the European Higher Education Area, cooperation between higher education institutions in curricula and programmes, mobility and integrated teaching, and the creation of scientific research programmes;

d) on the basis of free and equal elections, by secret ballot, by a majority of the listed composition, elects the chairperson of the Academic Council – the Rector;

e) by a majority of the listed composition of the Representative Council, submits the candidacy selected on the basis of a competition for the head of the administration;

f) by a majority of the listed composition of the Representative Council, submits a reasoned proposal for the early termination of the powers of the head of the administration;

g) submits to the Representative Council a new candidacy for the head of the administration within one month from the termination of the powers of the head of the administration;

h) participates in the consideration by the Representative Council of the charter of the higher education institution, the statutes of the structural units, the budget and the annual report of the head of the administration;

i) upon the submission of the councils of the main educational units, at the beginning of the academic year, approves the coefficients for the Unified National Examinations;

i¹) In cases provided by Georgian legislation, upon the recommendation of the councils of basic educational units, approves, in the manner established by order of the Minister, coefficients for master's examinations;

i²) establishes the minimum competency threshold in the examination provided for by the list of international examinations approved by the Ministry, upon the recommendation of the councils of basic educational units;

j) establishes the rule for recognition of credits obtained at another educational institution;

k) upon the recommendation of the council of the basic educational unit and/or the independent scientific-research unit, approves the statute of the dissertation council;

l) submits to the representative council for approval the candidacy of the head of the quality assurance service of the higher educational institution;

m) establishes the uniform rule for admission of academic personnel to service, the amount and conditions of remuneration of labour, and submits them to the representative council for approval;

m¹) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

n) submits the annual report to the representative council;

o) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

p) elects the head/heads of the library/libraries of the higher educational institution;

q) upon the recommendation of the quality assurance service, approves the rule for evaluation of teaching and scientific-research work;

r) exercises other powers conferred on it by this Law and the legislation of Georgia.

1¹. The academic council is entitled, on the grounds of a violation of Georgian legislation by the rector, improper performance of the duties assigned to the rector and/or the carrying out of activity incompatible with the rector, upon the demand of not less than 1/3 of the members of the academic council, to consider the issue of early termination of the rector's powers. The decision on early termination of the rector's powers shall be adopted by secret ballot, by a majority of the total membership. The rector shall not participate in the ballots provided for by this paragraph. Appealing the decisions adopted on these issues shall not result in suspension of the effect of the disputed act.

1². (removed – 06.09.2013, No. 1081);

1³. A meeting of the academic council shall be convened on the initiative of the rector or by not less than 1/3 of the members of the academic council.

1⁴. The rector's membership in the academic council shall be terminated in the event of termination of powers.

2. (removed).

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2009 No. 1341 - LHG I, No. 16, 07.07.2009, Art. 77

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 16 July 2010 No. 3444 - LHG I, No. 42, 22.07.2010, Art. 266

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2010 No. 4040 - LHG I, No. 75, 27.12.2010, Art. 464

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 6 July 2011.

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20 September 2013.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10 December 2015.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11 July 2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18 March 2021.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16 December 2025.

Article 22. Head (Rector) of a Higher Education Institution🔗

1. The rector of a higher education institution founded by the State is a person holding the highest academic position, in a Legal Entity of Public Law − higher education institution − also the chairperson of the academic council, and in a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity − higher education institution − also the chairperson of one of the collegial bodies, who represents the higher education institution within and outside the country in academic and scientific fields, for which he/she is authorized to conclude transactions and agreements in the name of the higher education institution. If the conclusion of a transaction and agreement is related to financial and economic matters, they shall also be signed by the head of the administration.

2. Before approval of the results of the first election of the head of a higher education institution founded by the State, the Government of Georgia shall appoint the acting head.

3. It shall be inadmissible for the head of a higher education institution founded by the State to be elected for more than two consecutive terms, which shall not exceed 2 terms of the duration of the basic educational level.

4. A person who has a doctoral or equivalent academic degree and who meets the conditions established by the charter of the higher education institution may be designated as a candidate for rector of a higher education institution founded by the State (except for military, police, state security, maritime, arts-creative and sports higher education institutions founded by the State).

5. A person who held the position of head of administration may hold the position of head of the same higher education institution only after one term of authority of the head of administration has expired from the termination of his/her authority as head of administration.

6. The head of a Legal Entity of Public Law − higher education institution − shall be elected by the academic council in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, by secret ballot, by a majority of the list composition, for a term determined by the charter of the higher education institution, but not more than the term of authority of the council.

7. The academic council shall publish an announcement on the commencement of registration of candidates for the position of head of a Legal Entity of Public Law − higher education institution − not less than 1 month before the commencement of registration of candidates, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia and its own charter, observing the principles of transparency, equality and fair competition.

8. When selecting a candidacy before the election of the head of a higher education institution, the academic council shall evaluate the action plan submitted by each candidate.

9. In accordance with the legislation of Georgia, in the event of early termination of the rector's powers, as well as in the event of failure to elect a rector, the Academic Council shall, within 14 days, by secret ballot, by a majority of its listed composition, elect an acting rector for a term of not more than 6 months. The same person may be elected as acting rector only once.

10. The head (rector) of a higher education institution founded by the State shall be entitled to appoint an acting director of an independent scientific-research unit of the university.

11. The head (rector) of a higher education institution founded by the State shall be entitled, upon the recommendation of the Scientific Council of that scientific-research institution, to appoint the director of a scientific-research institution – a legal entity of public law existing under a legal entity of public law – the university – and subordinate to the State control of the said higher education institution.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 3 November 2009 No. 1916 - LHG I, No. 35, 19.11.2009, Art. 226

Law of Georgia of 16 July 2010 No. 3444 - LHG I, No. 42, 22.07.2010, Art. 266

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Law of Georgia of 20 November 2013 No. 1627 - website, 03.12.2013

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 4 May 2018 No. 2320 – website, 21.05.2018

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3271 – website, 31.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025

Article 22¹. Council of Regents🔗

1. For the purpose of supervising the activity carried out by a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State — a higher education institution, a Council of Regents shall be established.

2. The Council of Regents shall be established, its statute approved and the number of its members determined by the Government of Georgia.

3. The activity of the members of the Council of Regents shall be unpaid, however the Government of Georgia is entitled to take into account remuneration for their work in the state budget of the corresponding year.

4. The rights and obligations, responsibility, early termination of powers of a member of the Council of Regents and the rules of activity of the Council of Regents shall be determined by the statute of the Council of Regents.

5. The Council of Regents:

a) submits to the collegial body defined by the charter of the higher education institution the candidacy of the head of administration for approval. In the event that the candidacy of the head of administration is not approved by the collegial body twice in succession, the head of administration shall be appointed by the Council of Regents. The procedure for selecting the candidacy of the head of administration shall be established by the Council of Regents;

b) approves the budget of the higher education institution upon the submission of the head of administration; at the same time, in the event of a change of more than 15 per cent of the line-item breakdown of the approved budget, the consent of the Council of Regents shall be required. Other changes shall be made by the collegial body of the higher education institution upon the submission of the head of administration;

c) approves the annual report of the head of administration;

d) upon the submission of the collegial body of the higher education institution, gives consent to the candidacy of the director of the development fund of the higher education institution, who shall be appointed by the collegial body of the higher education institution;

e) exercises other powers provided for by the legislation of Georgia and the charter of the higher education institution, which shall not entail restriction of the academic freedom of the higher education institution.

6. The requirements established by the Law of Georgia "On Combating Corruption" shall apply to a member of the Council of Regents.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 27 October 2015 No. 4381 - website, 11.11.2015.

Law of Georgia of 21 December 2016 No. 155 - website, 28.12.2016.

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2022 No. 2219 – website, 15.12.2022.

Article 23. Head of Administration🔗

1. The head of the administration of a higher education institution founded by the State represents the higher education institution in financial and economic relations. The same person may be appointed as head of the administration only twice in succession, which shall not exceed 2 terms of the duration of the basic educational level.

2. A person who held the position of head of a higher education institution at the same higher education institution may hold the position of head of the administration only after the expiry of one term of authority of the head of the higher education institution from the termination of his/her authority as head of the higher education institution.

3. The head of the administration of a legal entity of public law − a higher education institution shall be approved by the representative council upon the submission of the academic council, by secret ballot, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law. The candidacy of one and the same person may be submitted by the academic council to the representative council only twice. In the event of a repeated refusal by the representative council, the academic council shall submit a new candidacy for the head of the administration.

4. The requirements established by the Law of Georgia "On Combating Corruption" shall apply to the head of the administration.

5. In the cases provided for by the charter of the higher education institution, election to the position of head of the administration may become grounds for early termination of the authority of a person holding an academic position.

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Law of Georgia of 27 October 2015 No. 4381 - website, 11.11.2015

Law of Georgia of 21 December 2016 No. 155 - website, 28.12.2016

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2022 No. 2219 – website, 15.12.2022

Article 24. Powers of the Head of Administration🔗

1. The Head of Administration:

a) manages the administration of the higher education institution;

b) is entitled, on behalf of the higher education institution, to conclude financial and economic transactions in accordance with the budget of the higher education institution;

c) prepares a draft structure of the administration of the higher education institution and submits it for approval to the collegiate body or the representative council of the higher education institution, as appropriate;

d) prepares a draft of the uniform rule for admission of support personnel to service, a draft of the amount and conditions of their remuneration, and submits them for approval to the collegiate body or the representative council of the higher education institution, as appropriate;

e) manages the preparation by the main educational units of the higher education institution of their own draft budgets and their submission to the representative council, and the formation and approval by the representative council of the unified draft budget of the higher education institution. In the case of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution, the Head of Administration coordinates the draft budget of the higher education institution with the collegiate body of the higher education institution and submits it for approval to the Board of Regents;

e¹) manages the preparation by the independent scientific-research units of the higher education institution of their own draft budgets and their submission to the representative council;

f) prepares an annual report on the work performed and submits it for approval to the Board of Regents or the representative council, as appropriate;

g) issues individual acts within the scope of his/her competence;

h) is responsible for the legality and effectiveness of the financial and economic activity of the higher education institution;

i) performs other functions provided for by the charter.

2. The Head of Administration is accountable to the Board of Regents and the collegiate body of the higher education institution or the representative council and the academic council, as appropriate.

3. The grounds for early termination of the powers of the Head of Administration are:

a) repeated refusal by the Board of Regents, in a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution, or by the representative council, in a legal entity of public law – a higher education institution, to approve the annual report and the budget;

b) a reasoned decision adopted by the representative council, in a legal entity of public law – a higher education institution, or, in a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher education institution, a reasoned decision adopted by the Board of Regents upon the submission of the collegiate body of the higher education institution;

c) the grounds for termination of an employment contract provided for by the Organic Law of Georgia "Labour Code of Georgia".

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Article 25. Quality assurance in a higher education institution🔗

1. The teaching and scientific-research work of a higher education institution, as well as the quality of the professional development of its personnel, shall be subject to systematic assessment, in which the students of this institution shall also participate and the results of which shall be public and accessible to all interested persons.

2. For the purpose of the systematic assessment of the quality of the teaching and scientific-research work in a higher education institution, as well as of the professional development of its personnel, there shall be a quality assurance mechanism, including in the basic educational unit, which shall operate in accordance with the statute of the higher education institution.

3. A higher education institution shall establish links and cooperate with the relevant services of foreign countries and their higher education institutions in order to develop transparent quality control criteria and a methodology for their assurance.

4. A higher education institution shall ensure a high level of teaching quality by introducing modern methods of learning, teaching and assessment (modules, credit system and others) and by preparing a self-assessment for the authorisation/accreditation process. A higher education institution shall also ensure a high level of research quality by introducing modern research methods.

4¹. The Quality Assurance Service of a legal entity of public law − a higher education institution shall develop the rules for the internal assessment of the scientific-research activity of the university's independent scientific-research unit and shall submit them to the Academic Council for approval.

4². The rules for the internal assessment of the scientific-research activity of the university's independent scientific-research unit shall be based on international standards for the assessment of scientific-research activity (participation of foreign evaluators in the assessment process, use of various forms of scientific bibliometrics and others).

5. The head of the Quality Assurance Service of a legal entity of public law − a higher education institution shall be approved by the Representative Council upon the submission of the Academic Council. The requirements to be set for the head of the Quality Assurance Service shall be determined by the higher education institution.

6. Cooperation between the Quality Assurance Service of a legal entity of public law − a higher education institution and the quality assurance services of the basic educational units shall be regulated by the statute of the higher education institution.

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Article 26. Budget of a higher education institution🔗

1. The development of the draft budget of a higher education institution for the following year shall be coordinated by the head of the administration of the higher education institution.

2. The draft budget of a higher education institution for the following year shall be developed in consultation with the basic educational units and other structural units of the higher education institution.

3. In the case of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State, the head of the administration shall agree the draft budget for the following year with the collegial body of the higher education institution and submit it for approval to the Board of Regents, while in the case of a legal entity of public law, in agreement with the Academic Board, shall submit it for approval to the Representative Board.

4. The Board of Regents or the Representative Board shall consider the submitted draft budget and approve it or return it to the head of the administration with relevant comments.

5. If the head of the administration agrees with the submitted comments, the draft budget, taking into account the comments, shall be approved by the Board of Regents or the Representative Board, respectively.

6. If the head of the administration does not agree with the comments of the Board of Regents or the Representative Board, the head of the administration shall be entitled to return the original version of the draft budget, with appropriate justification, for approval to the Board of Regents or the Representative Board, respectively. The justification submitted to the Representative Board must be accompanied by the proposals of the Academic Board.

7. Failure by the Board of Regents or the Representative Board to approve the draft budget a second time shall result in the termination of the powers of the head of the administration. The draft budget shall be approved upon the submission of the newly appointed head of the administration.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013.

Article 26¹. Budget of an international school/international master's-doctoral school🔗

1. The budget of an international school/international master's-doctoral school shall be developed and approved independently of the budget of the higher education institution founded by the State.

2. The budget of the international school/international master's-doctoral school shall be developed and approved by the head of the international school/head of the international master's-doctoral school in agreement with the Academic Board.

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022.

Article 27. Basic educational unit and the council of the basic educational unit🔗

1. The composition of the basic educational unit of a legal entity of public law − higher educational institution may include teaching, scientific-research (department, scientific-research institute, laboratory, clinic, programme direction and others) and auxiliary (library and others) structural units.

1¹. The rules for the management and activity of an independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit shall be determined by the statute of this independent scientific-research unit, which shall be approved by the council of the basic educational unit.

1². The independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit shall be entitled, in the manner determined by the higher educational institution, to:

a) participate in the implementation of higher educational programmes, as well as in the completion by students of bachelor's and master's theses and dissertations;

b) involve students in scientific grant projects, local and international scientific conferences and scientific-research events.

2. The representative body of the basic educational unit of a legal entity of public law − higher educational institution is the council of the basic educational unit, whose composition includes all persons holding an academic position of the basic educational unit, all persons holding a scientific position of the independent scientific-research unit and representatives of the student self-government, or representatives elected in the manner established by the charter of the higher educational institution from among the academic personnel, persons holding scientific positions of the independent scientific-research unit and the student self-government.

3. The number of representatives of the student self-government in the council of the basic educational unit shall be determined by the statute of the basic educational unit, but may not be less than 1/4 of the composition of the council.

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 - website, 6 July 2011.

Law of Georgia No. 4582 of 27 November 2015 - website, 10 December 2015.

Article 28. Powers of the Council of a Basic Educational Unit🔗

The Council of a basic educational unit:

a) determines and submits to the head of the administration the draft budget of the basic educational unit;

b) on the basis of free and equal elections, by secret ballot, by a majority of the list composition, elects the dean of the basic educational unit;

c) on the proposal of the dean, develops and submits to the Academic Council of the higher educational institution for approval the strategic development plan of the basic educational unit, educational and scientific-research programmes;

d) on the proposal of the dean, develops the structure and statute of the basic educational unit and submits them to the Representative Council for approval;

e) develops the statute of the dissertation council and submits it to the Academic Council for approval;

f) elects the head of the quality assurance service of the basic educational unit;

g) is entitled, on the basis of a violation of the legislation of Georgia by the dean, improper performance of the duties assigned to the dean and/or the carrying out of activities incompatible with the dean, at the request of not less than 1/3 of the members of the Council of the basic educational unit, to consider the question of the early termination of the dean's powers. A decision on the early termination of the dean's powers shall be adopted by secret ballot, by a majority of the list composition. The dean shall not participate in the ballots provided for by this paragraph. An appeal against the decisions adopted on these matters shall not result in the suspension of the effect of the disputed act;

h) in the event of the early termination of the powers of the dean of the basic educational unit, as well as in the event of failure to elect a dean, elects an acting dean;

h¹) on the proposal of the Scientific Council of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit, approves the director of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit;

h²) on the proposal of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit, approves the procedure for the employment of the scientific personnel of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit;

h³) on the proposal of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit, approves the statute of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit and the additional conditions for holding a scientific position in the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit;

h⁴) on the proposal of the quality assurance service of the basic educational unit, approves the procedure for the internal evaluation of the scientific-research activity of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit;

i) exercises other powers conferred on it by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia No. 2078 of 17 November 2009 – LHG I, No. 38, 1 December 2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia No. 3444 of 16 July 2010 – LHG I, No. 42, 22 July 2010, Art. 266

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 6 July 2011

Law of Georgia No. 4582 of 27 November 2015 – website, 10 December 2015

Law of Georgia No. 4298 of 27 June 2024 – website, 4 July 2024

Article 29. Dean of the Basic Educational Unit🔗

1. The Council of the basic educational unit elects the dean of the basic educational unit for a term determined by the charter of the higher educational institution, but not more than 4 years. The same person may be elected to the position of dean only twice consecutively. The Council of the basic educational unit publishes the announcement on the commencement of registration of candidates for the position of dean not less than 1 month before the commencement of registration of candidates, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia and its own charter, observing the principles of transparency, equality and fair competition.

2. Under the charter of a higher educational institution (except for military, police, state security, maritime, arts-creative and sports higher educational institutions founded by the state), a professor or associate professor of the basic educational unit of the respective higher educational institution may be elected as dean, while in military, police, state security, maritime, arts-creative and sports higher educational institutions founded by the state, the procedure and conditions for electing a dean shall be determined by the charter of the respective higher educational institution.

3. The dean of the basic educational unit:

a) ensures the effective conduct of the teaching-scientific activities of the basic educational unit;

b) submits to the Council of the basic educational unit for consideration the strategic development plan of the basic educational unit, educational and scientific-research programmes;

c) develops and submits to the Council of the basic educational unit for approval the structure and statute of the basic educational unit;

d) within the scope of his/her competence, is responsible for the implementation of the decisions of the representative council, the academic council and the council of the basic educational unit;

e) within the scope of his/her competence, issues individual legal acts;

f) chairs the sessions of the Council of the basic educational unit;

g) in accordance with this Law and the charter, is responsible for the targeted use of the budget of the basic educational unit;

h) exercises other powers conferred on him/her by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

4. In accordance with the legislation of Georgia, in the event of early termination of the powers of the dean of the basic educational unit, as well as in the event of failure to elect a dean, the Council of the basic educational unit shall, within 14 days, by secret ballot, by a majority of the list composition, elect an acting dean for a term of not more than 6 months. The same person may be elected as acting dean only once.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 16 July 2010 No. 3444 - LHG I, No. 42, 22.07.2010, Art. 266

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025

Article 29¹. Structure and management of an independent scientific-research unit🔗

1. The structure of an independent scientific-research unit may provide for main and auxiliary structural units.

2. The governing bodies of an independent scientific-research unit are the scientific council of the independent scientific-research unit and the director of the independent scientific-research unit.

3. The scientific and non-scientific structural units of an independent scientific-research unit, the rules of their management and activity shall be determined by the statute of the independent scientific-research unit. The statute of an independent scientific-research unit of a university shall be approved by the representative council, and the statute of an independent scientific-research unit of a main educational unit – by the council of the main educational unit.

4. The head of a scientific structural unit of an independent scientific-research unit shall be elected by the scientific council on the basis of an open competition and approved by the director in accordance with the statute of the independent scientific-research unit. A person who meets the requirements established for a chief researcher or a senior researcher of that independent scientific-research unit may be elected as the head of a scientific structural unit of the independent scientific-research unit. If a person does not hold the position of chief researcher or senior researcher of the independent scientific-research unit, in the case of election to the position of head of a scientific structural unit of the independent scientific-research unit, he/she shall also be considered elected to the corresponding scientific position.

5. The procedure for electing/appointing the head of a non-scientific structural unit of an independent scientific-research unit shall be determined by the statute of the independent scientific-research unit.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Article 29². Scientific Council of an Independent Scientific-Research Unit🔗

1. The chief scientific employees of an independent scientific-research unit shall form the Scientific Council of the independent scientific-research unit.

2. The Scientific Council of an independent scientific-research unit:

a) considers and decides the issues of scientific management and development of the independent scientific-research unit;

b) in the case of implementation of a higher educational programme, participates in the process of monitoring the fulfilment of the research component;

c) performs other functions provided for by this Law, other legislative and subordinate legislative acts of Georgia and the statute of the independent scientific-research unit.

3. The activities of the Scientific Council of an independent scientific-research unit shall be directed by its chairperson elected from among its members by a majority of the list composition.

4. The powers of the chairperson of the Scientific Council of an independent scientific-research unit, the term of powers, and the procedure for election and termination of powers shall be determined by the statute of the independent scientific-research unit.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Article 29³. Director of an independent scientific-research unit🔗

1. The activity of an independent scientific-research unit shall be managed by the director of the independent scientific-research unit.

2. The candidate for the director of an independent scientific-research unit shall be selected for a term of 5 years, on the basis of an open competition, by the scientific council of the independent scientific-research unit and submitted for approval to the academic council/council of the basic educational unit. In the event of a reasoned refusal by the academic council/council of the basic educational unit to approve the candidate, the scientific council of the independent scientific-research unit shall submit the same candidate or select another candidate. In the event of a repeated refusal by the academic council/council of the basic educational unit to approve the candidate, the acting director of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit of the university shall be appointed by the head (rector) of the higher educational institution, while the acting director of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit shall be appointed in accordance with the procedure determined by the charter of the higher educational institution. The scientific council of the independent scientific-research unit shall be obliged, no later than 6 months, to select a new candidate for the director of the independent scientific-research unit. The acting director of the independent scientific-research unit shall be appointed until the approval of the candidate for the director of the independent scientific-research unit by the academic council/council of the basic educational unit.

3. The position of director of an independent scientific-research unit may be held by a person who meets the requirements established for the chief researcher of this independent scientific-research unit and whose age does not exceed 65 years. If the person does not hold the position of chief researcher of the independent scientific-research unit, upon holding the position of director of the independent scientific-research unit, he/she shall also be considered elected to the position of chief researcher. Reaching the age of 65 shall not result in the termination of the director's powers.

4. The same person may hold the position of director of an independent scientific-research unit consecutively only twice.

5. The procedure for selecting the candidate for the director of an independent scientific-research unit and the director's powers shall be determined by the statute of the independent scientific-research unit.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10 December 2015.

Article 30. Dissertation Board🔗

1. The dissertation board is the body conferring the academic degree of Doctor.

2. A higher educational institution implementing a doctoral educational programme creates a dissertation board in the relevant basic educational unit or in the university. The dissertation board develops the statute of the dissertation board, which determines the rules for the composition of the dissertation board and the election of its chairperson, as well as the procedure for the defence of the dissertation. The statute of the dissertation board is approved by the collegial body of the higher educational institution.

2¹. The international master-doctoral school, in accordance with the procedure established by Chapter IV³ of this Law, additionally creates a dissertation board. The governing body of the international master-doctoral school develops the statute of the dissertation board of the international master-doctoral school, which is approved by the academic council. The statute of the dissertation board of the international master-doctoral school determines the rules for the composition of the dissertation board and the election of its chairperson, as well as the procedure for the defence of the dissertation.

3. In a legal entity of public law – a higher educational institution or a basic educational unit, a dissertation board is created according to the relevant field/specialty. The decision on the creation of the dissertation board/boards is taken by the academic council of the university.

4. In the basic educational unit of a legal entity of public law − a higher educational institution, the rule for the composition of the dissertation board and the election of its chairperson is determined by the statute approved by the academic council upon the submission of the council of the basic educational unit. The rule for the composition of the university dissertation board and the election of its chairperson is determined by the statute approved by the academic council upon the submission of the council of the basic educational unit/councils of the basic educational units and the independent scientific-research unit/independent scientific-research units, or the councils of the basic educational units, or the independent scientific-research units.

5. The composition of the dissertation board of the basic educational unit of a legal entity of public law − a higher educational institution and the composition of the university dissertation board are determined by the procedure established by the respective higher educational institution. A member of the university dissertation board is selected in accordance with the criteria and procedure determined by the academic council of the respective higher educational institution.

6. The charter of a legal entity of public law − a university may determine the rule and conditions for inviting a person holding the academic degree of Doctor to the dissertation board.

7. A legal entity of public law − a higher educational institution is entitled to conclude a contract with a scientific-research institution for the implementation of doctoral educational programmes.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Article 31. Quality assurance service of the basic educational unit🔗

1. For the purpose of systematic internal assessment of the quality of teaching and scientific-research work in the basic educational unit of a legal entity of public law − a higher educational institution, as well as of the professional development of its academic personnel and scientific personnel, and for the continuous development of the education quality assurance system, a quality assurance service shall be established, which shall operate in accordance with the statute of the basic educational unit.

2. The quality assurance service of the basic educational unit shall establish relations and cooperate with the relevant services of foreign countries and their higher educational institutions in order to develop transparent quality control criteria and a methodology for ensuring them.

3. The quality assurance service of the basic educational unit shall contribute to ensuring a high level of teaching quality through the use of modern methods of learning, teaching and assessment (modules, credit system and others) and by preparing a self-assessment for the authorisation/accreditation process.

3¹. The quality assurance service of the basic educational unit shall develop the rules for internal assessment of the scientific-research activity of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit and shall submit them to the council of the basic educational unit for approval.

3². The rules for internal assessment of the scientific-research activity of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit shall be based on international standards for the assessment of scientific-research activity (participation of foreign assessors in the assessment process, use of various forms of scientific bibliometrics and others).

3³. The quality assurance service of the basic educational unit shall assess the activity of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit on the basis of the rules for internal assessment of the scientific-research activity of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit, which shall be developed by the quality assurance service of the basic educational unit and approved by the council of the basic educational unit.

4. The requirements to be set for the head of the quality assurance service of the basic educational unit shall be determined by the higher educational institution.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia No. 105 of 16 December 2016 – website, 05.01.2017.

Article 31¹. Establishment and Governance of the Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution🔗

1. The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia shall establish the Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution, approve its charter, and determine a structure and governing bodies different from those provided for by this Law.

2. For the implementation of the set objectives and the performance of the assigned functions, the Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution established in the form of a legal entity shall be transferred property by the Patriarchate of Georgia, and the rules for the use of this property shall be determined by the act of establishment.

3. The rules for the transfer of a student from the Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution to another Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution, the rules for the transfer of a student within the Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution from one Orthodox theological higher educational program to another Orthodox theological higher educational program, and the rules for awarding an academic degree at the Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution shall be established by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

4. The rules for appointment to and dismissal from the position of the head of the Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution shall be determined by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

5. The head of the Orthodox Theological Higher Educational Institution shall perform the functions provided for by the charter of this institution.

Law of Georgia No. 187 of 28 December 2012 – website, 29.12.2012.

Law of Georgia No. 4582 of 27 November 2015 – website, 10.12.2015.

Article 31². Kutaisi International University🔗

1. The objective of the educational program of Kutaisi International University is the training of specialists in the specialties determined in accordance with the procedure provided for by the Law of Georgia “On the Creation of the Legal Entity of Public Law – Kutaisi International University” and the awarding of the appropriate qualification to them.

2. The operation of Chapters IV and V of this Law shall not extend to Kutaisi International University.

Law of Georgia No. 4562 of 25 November 2015 – website, 08.12.2015.

Law of Georgia No. 5276 of 1 November 2019 – website, 04.11.2019.

Article 31³. International School/International Master's and Doctoral School🔗

1. For the purpose of international cooperation and promotion of its development (including the implementation of foreign-language educational programs), with the consent of the Ministry, an International School and/or an International Master's and Doctoral School may be established in a higher educational institution founded by the State.

2. The operation of Chapter IV (except Articles 17, 19, 22 and 26¹, paragraphs 1, 2¹ and 5-7 of Article 30, and paragraphs 1-3¹ of Article 31) and Chapter V (except Article 32, paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of Article 33, and Articles 35, 37-37² and 42) of this Law shall not apply to the International School/International Master's and Doctoral School.

3. Matters not provided for by this Chapter may be regulated by the charter of the International School/International Master's and Doctoral School and by a contract concluded between the higher educational institution founded by the State and the head of the International School/head of the International Master's and Doctoral School.

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022.

Article 31⁴. Management and structure of an international school/international master's-doctoral school🔗

1. An international school/international master's-doctoral school, taking into account the restrictions and specificities defined by this Chapter, may be managed by the manager of the international school/manager of the international master's-doctoral school on the basis of the charter of the international school/international master's-doctoral school and a contract concluded with a higher education institution founded by the State.

2. The manager of the international school/manager of the international master's-doctoral school:

a) in agreement with the Academic Council, develops and approves the budget of the international school/international master's-doctoral school;

b) develops and submits to the Academic Council for approval the strategic development plan, educational and scientific-research programmes of the international school/international master's-doctoral school;

c) develops and submits to the Academic Council for approval the charter and structure of the international school/international master's-doctoral school;

d) develops and submits to the Academic Council for approval the regulation of the dissertation council of the international school/international master's-doctoral school;

e) appoints the head of the quality assurance service of the international school/international master's-doctoral school;

f) within the scope of its competence, issues individual administrative-legal acts;

g) approves the procedure for the recruitment of the scientific personnel of the independent scientific-research unit of the international school/international master's-doctoral school and the additional conditions for holding a scientific position in the independent scientific-research unit of the international school/international master's-doctoral school;

h) at the beginning of the academic year, determines and submits to the Academic Council for approval the coefficients for the Unified National Examinations, as well as the number of students to be admitted to the international school;

i) in the case provided for by the legislation of Georgia, in accordance with the procedure established by order of the Minister, determines and submits to the Academic Council for approval the coefficients of the master's examination of the international master's-doctoral school for the master's examinations, as well as the number of students to be admitted to the international master's-doctoral school;

j) determines and submits to the Academic Council for approval the minimum competence threshold in the examination provided for by the list of international examinations approved by the Ministry;

k) develops and approves the unified procedure for the recruitment of the academic personnel, support personnel, scientific personnel and other personnel of the international school/international master's-doctoral school, and the amounts and conditions of their remuneration;

l) in agreement with the Academic Council, approves the regulation of the quality assurance service of the international school/international master's-doctoral school;

m) on the recommendation of the Quality Assurance Service of the international school/international master's-doctoral school, approves the rules for the evaluation of teaching and scientific-research work;

n) develops and submits to the Academic Council an annual report on its activities;

o) exercises the powers conferred by the statute of the higher education institution and by the contract concluded between the higher education institution and the manager of the international school/manager of the international master's-doctoral school;

p) determines and submits to the Academic Council for approval the tuition fee of the educational programme;

q) develops and approves the regulations and structures of the consultative bodies of the international school/international master's-doctoral school.

3. In the consultative body of the international school/international master's-doctoral school created by the manager of the international school/manager of the international master's-doctoral school, the number of representatives of student self-government shall be determined by the statute of the international school/international master's-doctoral school.

4. In the Academic Council, the number of representatives of the international school/international master's-doctoral school shall be determined by the statute of the higher education institution. At the same time, their number shall not be less than the number of representatives of another main educational unit of the higher education institution by more than 1 member. By the statute of the higher education institution and by the contract concluded between the higher education institution and the manager of the international school/manager of the international master's-doctoral school, the representatives of the international school/international master's-doctoral school in the Academic Council may have their power to participate in voting restricted only in respect of matters that do not concern the international school/international master's-doctoral school.

5. In the Representative Council, the number of representatives of the international school/international master's-doctoral school shall be determined and the procedure for their election shall be established by the statute of the higher education institution. At the same time, their number shall not be less than the number of representatives of another main educational unit of the higher education institution by more than 1 member. By the statute of the higher education institution and by the contract concluded between the higher education institution and the manager of the international school/manager of the international master's-doctoral school, the representatives of the international school/international master's-doctoral school in the Representative Council may have their power to participate in voting restricted only in respect of matters that do not concern the international school/international master's-doctoral school.

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19 April 2022

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16 December 2025

Article 31⁵. Quality Assurance Service of an International School/International Master's-Doctoral School🔗

For the purpose of the systematic implementation of internal assessment of the quality of the educational and scientific-research work of an international school/international master's-doctoral school, as well as of the professional development of its academic personnel and scientific personnel, for the continuous development of the education quality assurance system, a Quality Assurance Service of an international school/international master's-doctoral school shall be established, which shall operate in accordance with the charter of the international school/international master's-doctoral school and the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022.

Article 32. Personnel of a Higher Education Institution🔗

1. In a higher education institution there shall be academic, scientific, administrative and auxiliary positions, as well as other positions provided for by the charter of the higher education institution.

2. A person convicted of a crime against sexual freedom and inviolability provided for by the Law of Georgia "On Combating Crimes Against Sexual Freedom and Inviolability" and/or a person who, on the basis of the same law, has been deprived by a court of the right to work in an educational institution may not be employed in a higher education institution.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2020 No. 5763 – website, 23.03.2020.

Article 33. Academic Personnel of a Higher Education Institution🔗

1. The academic personnel of a higher education institution shall consist of a leading professor, a professor, an associate professor, an assistant professor and an assistant.

1¹. A leading professor shall conduct the educational process and shall direct scientific-research activity. At the same time, he/she shall participate in the said process and activity.

2. (removed - 16.12.2016, No. 105).

3. Professors shall participate in the educational process and scientific research and/or shall conduct them.

4. An assistant, under the guidance of a professor, an associate professor or an assistant professor, shall carry out seminar and research work within the framework of the educational process ongoing in the main educational unit.

5. The maximum amount of the workload of academic personnel shall be determined by the higher education institution in the manner established by the charter.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 - website, 05.01.2017.

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 05.02.2026.

Article 34. Procedure for holding an academic position🔗

1. An academic position may be held only through an open competition, which shall comply with the principles of transparency, equality and fair competition, while in an Orthodox theological higher educational institution an academic position shall be held in accordance with the procedure established by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

2. The date and conditions of the competition shall be published in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia and the charter of the higher educational institution, not less than 1 month before the acceptance of documents.

3. The procedure for holding the competition shall be determined by the charter of the higher educational institution.

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29.12.2012

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20.09.2013

Article 35. Conditions for election and appointment to an academic position🔗

1. A person holding a doctoral or equivalent academic degree who has at least 8 years of experience in scientific-pedagogical work, special scientific achievements (has published scientific works (publications) in leading local and international journals and other publications, has participated in national and international scientific-research projects, etc.) and who meets the additional conditions determined by the charter of the higher educational institution may be elected to the position of leading professor for the term determined by the charter of the higher educational institution.

2. To the position of professor:

a) a person holding a doctoral or equivalent academic degree who has at least 6 years of experience in scientific-pedagogical work and who meets the additional conditions determined by the charter of the higher educational institution may be elected for the term determined by the charter of the higher educational institution;

b) a person who meets the requirements established by subparagraph „a“ of this paragraph and who has special professional achievements and/or scientific achievements (has published scientific works (publications) in leading local and international journals and other publications, has participated in national and international scientific-research projects, etc.) may be elected for an indefinite term;

c) in an arts-creative higher educational institution, a person holding a doctoral or equivalent academic degree who has at least 8 years of experience in scientific and/or pedagogical work and who meets the additional conditions determined by the charter of the said institution may be elected for the term determined by the charter of this institution;

d) a person elected in an arts-creative higher educational institution may hold this position for an indefinite term by decision of the academic council, if he/she meets the requirements established by subparagraph „c“ of this paragraph and determined by the charter of the said institution and was elected to the position of professor for a third consecutive term and/or has special professional, pedagogical and/or scientific achievements.

3. A person holding a doctoral academic or equivalent degree who has at least 3 years of experience in scientific-pedagogical work may be elected to the position of associate professor. In an arts-creative higher educational institution, a person holding a doctoral academic or equivalent degree who has at least 4 years of experience in scientific-pedagogical and/or arts (creative) work may be elected to the position of associate professor of arts (creative) direction (except theoretical fields) for a term of at least 4 years. Additional conditions may be determined by the charter of the arts-creative higher educational institution.

4. A person holding a doctoral academic degree or an equivalent degree may be elected to the position of assistant professor for a term of 3 or 4 years in the manner determined by the charter of the higher education institution. In an arts-creative higher education institution, a person holding a master's academic degree or an equivalent degree may be elected to the position of assistant professor in the arts (creative) field (except theoretical fields) for a term of not less than 4 years.

5. A doctoral student may be elected to the position of assistant for a term of 3 or 4 years in the manner determined by the charter of the higher education institution. In an arts-creative higher education institution, a master's student may be appointed to the position of assistant in the arts (creative) field (except theoretical fields) for a term of 2 or 3 years in the manner determined by the charter of the arts-creative higher education institution.

6. In the case of election to the position of professor provided for by subparagraphs “a” and “b” of paragraph 2 of this article for a term of more than 5 years, the professor shall undergo attestation once every 5 years in the manner determined by the charter of the higher education institution. A professor elected to the position of professor provided for by subparagraphs “a” and “b” of paragraph 2 of this article who is elected to the position of professor for a term of more than 5 years, but after 5 years from election to the position of professor has less than 5 years of his/her term of office remaining, shall not undergo attestation.

7. The charter of a higher education institution may provide for the possibility of holding the academic positions provided for by paragraphs 2–5 of this article by personnel qualified on a professional basis. In this case, a person's qualification may be confirmed by professional experience, special training and/or publications. A person who has the competence necessary for developing the learning outcomes provided for by the program shall be considered to have the relevant qualification.

8. The requirements established by this article shall not apply to academic positions of an Orthodox theological higher education institution.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31 March 2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 6 July 2011

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29 December 2012

Law of Georgia of 6 September 2013 No. 1081 – website, 20 September 2013

Law of Georgia of 3 September 2015 No. 4202 – website, 16 September 2015

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10 December 2015

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 - website, 5 January 2017

Law of Georgia of 18 April 2018 No. 2148 – website, 1 May 2018

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 5 February 2026

Article 36. Labour relations of academic personnel🔗

1. An employment contract with academic personnel shall be concluded in accordance with the procedure determined by the labour legislation of Georgia.

2. A person who has reached 65 years of age may not be elected to an academic position of a higher educational institution founded by the State, and a person holding an academic position who has reached 65 years of age shall be released from the academic position after the expiry of the term of election to the academic position.

(paragraph 2 of Article 36 was declared invalid) – ruling No. 1/4/1691 of the Constitutional Court of Georgia of 22 February 2023 – website, 01.03.2023.

3. (deleted – 28.06.2023, No. 3305).

Law of Georgia No. 1341 of 26 June 2009 – LHG I, No. 16, 07.07.2009, Art. 77

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 06.07.2011.

Ruling No. 1/4/1691 of the Constitutional Court of Georgia of 22 February 2023 – website, 01.03.2023.

Law of Georgia No. 3305 of 28 June 2023 – website, 17.07.2023.

Article 37. Rights of academic personnel🔗

1. Academic personnel shall have the right to:

a) participate in the management of the higher educational institution in accordance with this Law and the charter of the institution;

b) carry out teaching, research, creative activity and publication of scientific works without interference;

c) independently determine, within the framework of the educational programme, the content of study course programmes (syllabi), teaching methods and means;

d) (deleted – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

e) exercise other powers conferred on them by this Law and the legislation of Georgia.

2. Academic personnel shall be obliged to:

a) comply with the requirements of the charter of the higher educational institution;

b) comply with the code of ethics and the norms of disciplinary responsibility;

c) perform the duties assumed under the employment contract;

d) after the completion of scientific-creative leave, submit a report on the work carried out;

e) provide to the police and/or other authorised bodies the personal information provided for by paragraph 4 of Article 43 of this Law, which concerns the fact of possible commission of violence against women and/or domestic violence, if there is a danger of repeated violence.

3. The higher educational institution shall ensure the freedom of scientific teaching and research of academic personnel and shall create appropriate conditions for their activity.

Law of Georgia No. 1611 of 10 August 2009 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia No. 772 of 4 May 2017 – website, 25.05.2017.

Article 37¹. Scientific personnel of the university🔗

1. The scientific personnel of an independent scientific-research unit may consist of scientists and postdoctoral fellows.

2. Scientists are persons holding the following scientific positions: chief researcher, senior researcher and researcher.

3. A postdoctoral fellow is a person who, for the implementation of a specific scientific-research project, is selected on the basis of a competition in a basic educational unit or an independent scientific-research unit, in accordance with the procedure and term determined by the academic council. A person may be selected as a postdoctoral fellow only once.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 - website, 05.01.2017.

Article 37². Rule for holding a scientific position🔗

1. A scientific position may be held only on the basis of an open competition, which shall be conducted in accordance with the principles of transparency, equality and fair competition.

2. Holding the position of chief researcher:

a) may be held, for the term determined by the charter of the higher education institution, by a person holding a doctoral or equivalent academic degree who has at least 6 years of experience in scientific-research activity and who meets the additional conditions determined by the charter of the higher education institution;

b) may be held for an indefinite term by a person who meets the requirements established by subparagraph „a“ of this paragraph and who has exceptional scientific achievements (for example, has scientific publications in leading local and international journals and other publications, has participated in national and international scientific-research projects, etc.).

3. The position of senior researcher may be held by a person who holds a doctoral or equivalent academic degree. The person shall hold the position of senior researcher for the term determined by the charter of the higher education institution.

4. The position of researcher may be held by a person who holds a master's or equivalent academic degree. The person shall hold the position of researcher for the term determined by the charter of the higher education institution.

5. The date of the competition for holding a scientific position and the additional conditions shall be published in the manner provided for by the legislation of Georgia and the statute of the scientific-research unit, 1 month before the receipt of the relevant documents.

5¹. If a chief researcher is elected to the position of chief researcher provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article for a term exceeding 5 years, the chief researcher shall undergo attestation once every 5 years in the manner established by the charter of the higher education institution. A chief researcher elected to the position provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article shall not be subject to attestation if he/she is elected to the position of chief researcher for a term exceeding 5 years, but has less than 5 years of his/her term of authority remaining after 5 years from election to the position of chief researcher.

6. The rules for admission to service of the scientific personnel of an independent scientific-research unit of a university and the additional conditions for holding a scientific position in an independent scientific-research unit of a university shall be developed by the scientific council of the independent scientific-research unit and submitted for consideration to the academic council of the higher education institution, which shall submit the said rules and additional conditions to the representative council of the higher education institution for approval.

7. The procedure for the recruitment of the scientific personnel of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit and the additional conditions for holding a scientific position in the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit shall be developed by the scientific council of the independent scientific-research unit of the basic educational unit and submitted for approval to the council of the basic educational unit.

8. A person holding the academic degree of Doctor may be elected as a postdoctoral fellow in accordance with the procedure determined by the academic council.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 – website, 05.01.2017.

Article 37³. Labour relations of scientific personnel🔗

1. A written employment contract shall be concluded with scientific personnel.

2. The grounds for termination of an employment contract concluded with scientific personnel shall be:

a) personal application;

b) expiry of the term of a fixed-term employment contract;

c) gross or systematic violation of disciplinary norms;

d) violation of the conditions determined by the employment contract;

e) other cases determined by the legislation of Georgia.

3. The issue of combining an academic position and a scientific position shall be determined by the statute of the higher educational institution.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Article 37⁴. Rights and duties of a scientist🔗

1. The rights of a scientist shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia, the statute of the independent scientific-research unit and/or the employment contract.

2. A scientist shall have the right to:

a) conduct scientific research without external interference and publish the results of the research without restriction, except where their restriction is provided for by the employment contract or they contain state secrets;

b) independently determine the content of scientific research, the research methods and means;

c) participate in the implementation of the teaching and research components of educational programmes;

d) along with carrying out scientific-research activity, participate in competitions for obtaining grant funding, as well as benefit from the funding of an individual grant/grants and receive additional funding.

3. A scientist shall be obliged to:

a) fulfil the requirements established by the legislation of Georgia and the statute of the independent scientific-research unit;

b) fulfil the obligations assumed under the employment contract;

c) annually submit a report on the work performed in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

4. The university/basic educational unit and the independent scientific-research unit shall ensure the freedom of scientific research of scientific personnel.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Article 38. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011.

Article 39. Academic titles🔗

1. A higher educational institution has the right, for special merit, to confer the title of honorary doctor or emeritus upon a scientist or public figure.

2. The procedure and conditions for conferring the titles of honorary doctor and emeritus shall be determined by the charter of the higher educational institution. The charter may determine the possibility of providing remuneration to a person holding the title of emeritus.

3. A person holding the title of emeritus may not simultaneously hold an academic position at the same higher educational institution.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 26 June 2009 No. 1341 – LHG I, No. 16, 07.07.2009, Art. 77

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Article 40. Administrative positions and other personnel🔗

1. Administrative positions of a higher education institution founded by the State include: the positions of the head (rector) of the higher education institution, the head of the administration, the head of the main educational unit and the director of an independent scientific-research unit, as well as other positions provided by the charter of the higher education institution. Administrative positions of a legal entity of public law – higher education institution also include the positions of the head of the quality assurance service of the higher education institution and the head of the quality assurance service of the main educational unit.

2. A person who has reached 65 years of age may not be elected or appointed to an administrative position of a higher education institution founded by the State, except where otherwise directly provided by the charter of the higher education institution.

3. Teacher personnel include a teacher and a senior teacher.

4. A teacher is entitled to conduct practical and laboratory work without holding an academic position.

5. Auxiliary personnel include other persons necessary for the activity of the higher education institution provided by the staffing list.

6. A higher education institution is entitled, without holding an academic or teacher position provided by this Law, to invite a specialist with the relevant qualification for the purpose of participating in and/or directing the educational and/or scientific-research process.

7. A higher education institution is entitled to determine the possibility of giving remuneration from its own budget (from the revenues received by the higher education institution from economic activity, except for the funds received as tuition fees for studying in an accredited higher education programme) to a former employee with special merit before it who held an academic or scientific position at this institution. The rules and conditions of remuneration shall be established by the academic and representative councils of the higher education institution.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 18 February 2015 No. 3051 – website, 26.02.2015

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Article 41. Dismissal from an administrative position🔗

The grounds for early dismissal of a person from an administrative position of a higher educational institution founded by the State are:

a) personal request;

b) entry into legal force of a conviction judgment rendered by a court in respect of him/her;

c) death;

d) recognition by a court as having limited legal capacity or recognition as a recipient of support, unless otherwise determined by a court judgment;

e) attainment of the age of 65, except where another possibility is directly provided for by the charter of the higher educational institution;

f) dismissal from an academic position of this higher educational institution, if holding this academic position is a precondition for holding the relevant administrative position;

g) another case provided for by the charter of the higher educational institution.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 20 March 2015 No. 3374 - website, 31.03.2015

Article 42. Incompatibility of positions in a higher educational institution founded by the State🔗

1. A person holding an administrative position may not simultaneously hold another administrative position in this higher educational institution or be the head of another structural unit.

1¹. If holding an academic position is a precondition for holding an administrative position or for membership of a governing body, the expiry of the term of holding the academic position results in termination of authority in the relevant administrative position or in the governing body upon approval of the results of the competition announced for filling the academic position, if the person was not elected to the relevant academic position.

2. A member of the Board of Regents may not simultaneously hold an administrative or academic position in a higher educational institution founded by the State. A member of the Academic Council may not simultaneously hold an administrative position in this higher educational institution, except for the rector, or be a member of the Representative Council.

3. The Speaker of the Representative Council may not simultaneously hold an administrative position in this higher educational institution.

4. Official incompatibility of academic, teacher and support staff, as well as other cases of incompatibility, shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia and the charter of the higher educational institution.

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Article 43. Student rights🔗

1. A student has the right to:

a) receive quality education;

b) participate in scientific research;

c) under the procedure established by the charter, internal regulations and statutes of the higher educational institution, on equal conditions enjoy the material-technical, library, information and other means of the higher educational institution;

d) (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

e) on the basis of universal, direct and equal elections, by secret ballot, elect a representative and be elected to the student self-government, as well as to the governing bodies of the higher educational institution and the main educational unit in accordance with the charter of the higher educational institution;

f) freely found and/or join student organizations in accordance with their interests;

g) freely express their own opinion and give reasoned refusal to share the ideas offered to them in the course of the educational process;

h) under the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia and the charter of the receiving higher educational institution, transfer to another higher educational institution from the second year of study;

h¹) (removed - 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

i) in accordance with the legislation of Georgia and the charter of the higher educational institution, receive a scholarship, financial or material assistance, other types of benefits from the state, the higher educational institution or other sources;

j) choose an educational programme;

k) participate in the development of an individual educational programme;

l) periodically evaluate the work of academic personnel;

m) exercise other powers conferred on them by this Law and the legislation of Georgia.

1¹. If a higher educational institution has been liquidated without determining a successor, the higher educational institution has lost authorization or the educational programme is no longer implemented, the student acquires the right of mobility regardless of the duration of study at this institution.

1². A convicted student does not have the rights provided for by subparagraphs "e" and "f" of paragraph 1 of this article. A convicted student may have the rights provided for by subparagraphs "c", "j" and "l" of paragraph 1 of this article restricted within the limits established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. (removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

3. The higher educational institution creates appropriate conditions for students with disabilities to create the conditions necessary for their full-fledged education, which is determined by the Law of Georgia "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" and the charter of the higher educational institution.

4. Personal information expressed by a student in the presence of academic personnel, as well as information about his/her own views, beliefs and political convictions, which became known to the latter in the course of the educational process, as well as information about the imposition of a disciplinary measure against the student, is confidential, except where there is the student's consent, or the administration's legitimate interest in protecting the safety and legally protected rights of others. Information about the student's academic performance and the imposition of disciplinary measures against him/her shall be stored separately. When storing information about a student, the administration shall be guided by the procedure established by the General Administrative Code of Georgia.

5. A higher educational institution shall be prohibited from using its own powers and material and technical base in such a manner as may create a threat of establishing censorship or restrict freedom of expression, except for the case provided for by paragraph 7 of this article.

6. A higher educational institution shall ensure a fair assessment of the student's knowledge, for which purpose it shall develop appropriate procedures.

7. Disciplinary proceedings against a student shall be proportionate to the disciplinary misconduct and may be carried out only in the cases and in the manner provided for by the charter and internal regulations of the higher educational institution, in accordance with this Law and through a fair procedure. A higher educational institution shall develop a student code of ethics, which may impose a restriction on the student's behaviour if this is related to the conduct of the educational process. A higher educational institution shall determine in detail the rules of behaviour that entail disciplinary liability.

8. The initiation of disciplinary proceedings against a student shall not restrict the student's right to participate in the educational process, except for the cases provided for by the charter and internal regulations of the higher educational institution, if this poses a threat to the protection of the rights, health, property and safety of others and of the educational institution. The issue of disciplinary proceedings against a student shall be decided by the higher educational institution, whose charter determines the body authorised to take the decision. A student shall have the right to attend the consideration of his/her case.

9. In the course of disciplinary proceedings, a student shall have the right to:

a) receive in written form a reasoned decision on the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against him/her;

b) attend the consideration of the disciplinary proceedings issue and enjoy the right of defence;

c) provide the relevant body of the higher educational institution with the information and evidence at his/her disposal;

d) participate in the examination of the evidence obtained by the relevant body of the higher educational institution;

e) request that the issue of disciplinary proceedings against him/her be considered at a public hearing.

10. When considering a matter of disciplinary proceedings, the burden of proof shall be borne by the accusing party. A decision on the conduct of disciplinary proceedings shall be reasoned and based on evidence obtained in accordance with the procedure provided for by the legislation of Georgia and the charter and internal regulations of the higher education institution. All evidence that serves as the basis for the disciplinary proceedings shall be examined by the relevant body of the higher education institution.

11. A student shall have the right to appeal to a court against a decision adopted by the higher education institution in respect of him/her.

12. Student status shall be terminated upon completion of the relevant educational programme or in other cases provided for by the charter of the higher education institution.

13. A student of an Orthodox theological higher education institution shall not enjoy the rights provided for by subparagraphs “e” and “l” of paragraph 1 of this article. A student of an Orthodox theological higher education institution shall be entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia and in accordance with the procedure determined by the charter of the receiving Orthodox theological higher education institution, to transfer to another Orthodox theological higher education institution, as well as, in accordance with the procedure established by the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia and in accordance with the procedure determined by the charter of the Orthodox theological higher education institution, to transfer from the Orthodox theological higher education programme of the Orthodox theological higher education institution to another Orthodox theological higher education programme.

14. The mobility of a student of an Orthodox theological higher education institution to another higher education institution shall not be permitted, except for the case provided for by paragraph 13 of this article.

15. A student of a military higher education institution:

a) shall have the right to suspend student status:

a.a) in the case of being sent to a foreign country by the system of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia, upon enrolment in a military higher education institution;

a.b) when studying at the second level of academic higher education, if suspension of the student's status is necessary and it is initiated by the administrative body in which the student is employed during the period of study;

a.c) when studying at the second level of academic higher education, in the case of non-payment of tuition fees within the established period, for a period of not more than 1 year;

b) Apart from the cases provided for by subparagraph “a” of this paragraph, the opportunity to enjoy the right to suspend student status shall be given:

b.a) due to pregnancy, childbirth and/or childcare;

b.b) when studying at the second level of academic higher education, if his/her health condition has deteriorated for not less than 4 months, except for a student having the status of a military servicemember and a student nominated by an administrative body;

b.c) in the event of deterioration of health condition, on the basis of establishing unsuitability for military service, if he/she is a student having the status of a military servicemember;

c) he/she may exercise the right of mobility while studying in an educational programme of the first or second level of academic higher education, in any semester, upon deterioration of health condition, on the basis of establishing unsuitability for military service, as well as in the case provided for by paragraph 16 of this Article.

16. If a person who is studying in an educational programme of the second level of academic higher education of a military higher educational institution is released from the administrative body by which he/she was nominated to the said military higher educational institution, his/her student status shall be terminated after the announcement of the next mobility, except for the case provided for by paragraph 17 of this Article.

17. In the case provided for by paragraph 16 of this Article, a person's student status shall not be terminated if, within 10 working days from becoming familiar with the decision on his/her release from the administrative body, he/she applies in writing to the military higher educational institution on one of the following matters:

a) on payment of the tuition fee by him/her and continuation of studies;

b) on suspension of student status for not more than 1 year, after which he/she shall pay the tuition fee.

18. A student of the State Security Academy, where the grounds provided for by the statute of this Academy exist, shall be entitled to:

a) suspend student status;

b) exercise the right of mobility.

19. The grounds for termination of the student status of a student of the State Security Academy shall be determined by the statute of the State Security Academy.

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29.12.2012

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 1 June 2017 No. 953 - website, 20.06.2017

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 14 July 2020 No. 6846 - website, 28.07.2020

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 25 May 2022 No. 1612 – website, 06.06.2022

Law of Georgia of 30 May 2024 No. 4243 – website, 13.06.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025.

Article 44. Obligations of a student🔗

A student shall, in accordance with the programme established by the higher educational institution, study all those subjects which he/she has chosen of his/her own will and the study of which is compulsory, and shall observe the charter and internal regulations of the higher educational institution.

Article 45. Rights of student self-government🔗

1. In a higher educational institution, by secret ballot, on the basis of universal, equal, direct elections, student self-governments elected according to basic educational units shall be established.

2. The aggregate of the student self-governments elected in the basic educational units shall be the self-government of the higher educational institution, which shall develop the statute of the student self-government.

3. The student self-government, in accordance with its statute:

a) ensures the participation of students in the management of the higher educational institution;

b) promotes the protection of students' rights;

c) elects its representatives to the council of the basic educational unit and/or, in the case provided for by the charter of the international school/international master's-doctoral school, to the consultative body created by the head of the international school/head of the international master's-doctoral school;

d) is entitled to develop proposals for improving the management system and the quality of teaching of the higher educational institution, which it shall submit to the relevant body;

e) exercises other powers provided for by the statute.

4. The administration of the higher educational institution shall not have the right to interfere in the activities of the student self-government.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022.

Article 46. Levels of academic higher education and Orthodox theological higher education🔗

1. Academic higher education and Orthodox theological higher education are three-level.

2. Within the framework of academic higher education and Orthodox theological higher education:

a) the bachelor's educational programme comprises not less than 180 credits;

b) the master's educational programme comprises not less than 60 credits or not less than 120 credits, which combines parts of the master's educational programme of not less than 60 credits;

c) the duration of the doctoral educational programme is not less than 3 years and its study component shall comprise credits.

3. The Minister determines the maximum number of credits of the educational programme provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article.

4. The educational programme of a higher educational institution comprises on average 60 credits during 1 academic year.

5. After completing the educational programme provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article, as well as the part of the master's educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of this Article, an appropriate diploma with a standard supplement shall be issued.

6. A person who has not completed or has been unable to complete the educational programme provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article shall be issued an appropriate certificate.

7. The holder of the certificate provided for by paragraph 5 of Article 47² of this Law shall obtain the academic degree of Master of Education in the case of completing the 60-credit educational programme of the master's programme in education.

8. A person who has completed a short-cycle educational programme shall be issued a professional diploma certifying an associate degree.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29.12.2012

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 46¹. Ways of implementing the short-cycle educational programme and recognition of achieved learning outcomes🔗

1. A higher educational institution is entitled to implement a short-cycle educational programme:

a) within the framework of that educational programme corresponding to the bachelor's educational programme or to the generic learning outcomes defined for level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework, which also covers the generic learning outcomes defined for level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework, in which case the student is awarded an associate degree as a result of accumulating the corresponding number of credits provided for by this educational programme and achieving the learning outcomes provided for by the short-cycle educational programme;

b) as a separate educational programme and to award a vocational student an associate degree as a result of achieving the learning outcomes established for completing the corresponding short-cycle educational programme and accumulating the corresponding number of credits.

2. In the case provided for by subparagraph „a“ of paragraph 1 of this article, the acquisition of student status shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by Article 52 of this Law.

3. In the case provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 1 of this article, the acquisition of vocational student status shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the Law of Georgia on Vocational Education.

4. In the case of acquisition of the right to study in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, under a bachelor's educational programme or under that educational programme corresponding to the generic learning outcomes defined for level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework, which also covers the generic learning outcomes defined for level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework, the higher educational institution is entitled to recognize the learning outcomes achieved by a person within the framework of the short-cycle educational programme under the bachelor's educational programme or under that educational programme corresponding to the generic learning outcomes defined for level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework, which also covers the generic learning outcomes defined for level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework.

5. As a result of studying the content of the study courses of the short-cycle educational programme, the higher educational institution determines the compatibility of the learning outcomes achieved by the person within the framework of this educational programme with the educational programme provided for by paragraph 4 of this article and adopts a decision on the recognition of the corresponding credits if enrolment in the short-cycle educational programme and instruction under this educational programme were carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

6. A higher education institution is entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to calculate a person's credit load in the case of an educational programme that has not been completed in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System. Recognition of credits shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the charter of the higher education institution.

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No. 3438 of 20 September 2018 – website, 05.10.2018

Article 46². (removed)🔗

Law of Georgia No. 4582 of 27 November 2015 – website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia No. 2251 of 1 December 2022 – website, 14.12.2022

Law of Georgia No. 1354 of 4 February 2026 – website, 05.02.2026

Article 46³. Integrated Master's Educational Programme in Veterinary Medicine🔗

1. The integrated Master's educational programme in veterinary medicine is a higher education programme developed on the basis of the relevant standard, which is completed by the award of the academic degree of Master of Veterinary Medicine.

2. The integrated Master's educational programme in veterinary medicine shall comprise not less than 300 credits.3. Enrolment in the integrated Master's educational programme in veterinary medicine shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, on the basis of passing the Unified National Examinations.

Law of Georgia No. 1367 of 15 November 2017 – website, 27.11.2017

Article 46⁴. Educational Programme for the Training of Veterinarians🔗

1. The educational programme for the training of veterinarians is an educational programme developed on the basis of the relevant standard, which a person holding the academic degree of Bachelor with an indication of the field/speciality of veterinary medicine is entitled to undertake.

2. The educational programme for the training of veterinarians comprises 60 credits and shall be taught over not less than 1 academic year.

3. The rules and fee for accreditation of the educational programme for the training of veterinarians shall be approved by the Ministry upon the submission of the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement.

4. Upon completion of the educational programme for the training of veterinarians, an appropriate certificate shall be issued, which grants the person the right to continue studies in the doctoral educational programme in veterinary medicine.

Law of Georgia No. 1367 of 15 November 2017 – website, 27.11.2017

Law of Georgia No. 3026 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia No. 3438 of 20 September 2018 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia No. 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 47. (removed)🔗

Law of Georgia No. 4529 of 28 March 2007 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia No. 673 of 10 December 2008 – LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia No. 1611 of 10 August 2009 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 47¹. Medical/Dental Education🔗

The medical/dental education programme is a single-stage higher educational programme, which ends with the award of the academic degree of certified physician/dentist. The academic degree awarded as a result of completing the 360-credit educational programme of a certified physician or the 300-credit educational programme of a certified dentist shall be equated with the academic degree of Master.

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Article 47². Teacher Training Educational Programme🔗

1. The teacher training educational programme is a higher educational programme developed on the basis of the relevant standard. The bachelor's educational programme falling within the main field of study of a subject/subject group provided for by the national curriculum may include the teacher training educational programme.

2. The right to complete the teacher training educational programme shall also be held by a person who holds at least a bachelor's or an academic degree equated thereto, or by a person with the relevant arts/sports/military vocational education.

4. The rules and fee for accreditation of the teacher training educational programme shall be approved by the Ministry, upon the submission of the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement and in agreement with the National Centre for Teacher Professional Development.

5. In the event of completion of the teacher training educational programme, a relevant certificate shall be issued. If the bachelor's educational programme provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article includes the teacher training educational programme, the diploma and the diploma supplement shall also indicate the right to teach the subject/subjects of the relevant level of general education.

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 1 February 2022 No. 1354 – website, 08.02.2022

Law of Georgia of 10 May 2022 No. 1548 – website, 24.05.2022

Article 47³. Educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language🔗

1. Passing of the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language is mandatory for persons enrolled in accordance with the procedure provided for by paragraph 1² of Article 52 of this Law.

2. The educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language is a 60-credit programme and its teaching is mandatory during the first academic year.

3. After completion of the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language, the higher educational institution issues a certificate confirming the completion of this programme.

4. Students enrolled on the basis of the results of the Unified National Examinations, after completion of the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language, continue their studies under the bachelor's, integrated master's of veterinary medicine, or certified medical doctor/dentist educational programme of the same higher educational institution.

5. Applicants who, by passing the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language, intend to study under an arts-creative or sports educational programme, are obliged, before the Unified National Examinations, to pass the relevant competition in accordance with the procedure established by the institution implementing the arts-creative or sports educational programme.

6. Students are obliged, after completion of the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language, to continue their studies in the Georgian language under the bachelor's, integrated master's of veterinary medicine, or certified medical doctor/dentist educational programme.

7. All higher educational institutions founded by the State are obliged to admit students to the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language on the basis of the results of the Unified National Examinations.

8. Persons enrolled on the basis of paragraph 3 of Article 52 of this Law have the right to pass the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language in order to continue their studies under the bachelor's, integrated master's of veterinary medicine, or certified medical doctor/dentist educational programme. The educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language is a 60-credit programme. It may be passed only during the first academic year. After completion of this educational programme, the higher educational institution issues a certificate confirming its completion.

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 5 April 2013 No. 518 – website, 24.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2017 No. 1367 - website, 27.11.2017

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 05.02.2026

Article 47⁴. E-learning🔗

1. E-learning provides for the conduct of the learning process or part thereof in a higher educational programme through the use of a modern electronic means of communication – an electronic system for managing the learning process.

2. The electronic system for managing the learning process ensures the organisation and conduct of the learning process based on modern, licensed information and communication technologies, as well as its use for the provision of learning materials, for communication and interaction of the student (except a student placed in a penitentiary institution) with a student and/or the personnel of the higher educational institution, for the objective, transparent and fair conduct of student assessments, for their consultation, for monitoring student progress and for other purposes.

3. E-learning is carried out in the form of synchronous communication, which provides for communication at the same time.

4. For the implementation of the e-learning provided for by paragraph 1 of this article, the higher educational institution ensures the selection of a modern, licensed e-learning application/platform and its proper use for the interactive conduct of the learning process.

5. The list of detailed fields provided for by the classifier of fields of study, as well as the maximum number of credits of higher educational programmes within which e-learning will be permitted, shall be approved by the Minister upon the recommendation of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement.

6. In the case provided for by paragraph 5 of this article, the higher educational institution is entitled to offer the student to take, in the form of e-learning, a study course/subject that includes a theoretical component and does not include a practical component (study/production practice, laboratory classes, clinical training, etc.), which requires the simultaneous physical presence of the student and the personnel implementing the relevant higher educational programme in one environment in order to achieve the learning outcomes of the study course/subject. In such a case, interim, final and additional examinations shall be held at the higher educational institution.

7. In the case provided for by paragraph 6 of this article, the higher educational institution shall ensure, for a student who does not choose to take a study course/subject of theoretical content in the form of e-learning, the planning of the learning process and its implementation in a non-electronic form, on site – by attending the higher educational institution.

8. In the case provided for by paragraph 6 of this Article, the higher educational institution shall, no later than 60 days before the commencement of the delivery of a study course/subject of theoretical content in the form of e-learning, notify the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement thereof. The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement is entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to conduct verification of the conditions of the higher educational institution and the higher educational programme.

9. A higher educational institution is entitled to develop a master's educational programme which implies the conduct of the educational process entirely in the form of e-learning. In such a case, interim, final and additional examinations may be conducted in electronic form or on site − by attending the higher educational institution.

10. In the case provided for by paragraph 9 of this Article, the higher educational institution shall acquire the right to deliver the master's educational programme in the form of e-learning on the basis of passing accreditation.

Law of Georgia of 22 February 2011 No. 4209 – website, 10.03.2011.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 – website, 05.01.2017.

Law of Georgia of 1 June 2017 No. 953 – website, 20.06.2017.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024.

Article 47⁵. Orthodox theological higher education programmes🔗

1. An Orthodox theological higher educational institution is entitled to deliver the following educational programmes:

a) theology educational programme;

b) iconography educational programme;

c) church architecture (ecclesiastical architecture) educational programme;

d) church music and church musicology educational programme;

e) Christian psychology educational programme;

f) Christian art studies educational programme;

g) restoration of easel and monumental iconography educational programme;

h) Christian philosophy educational programme.

2. After completing the programmes provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, a state-recognised diploma and a diploma supplement shall be issued, the form of which shall be approved by the head of the Orthodox theological higher educational institution in agreement with the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement.

3. After completing one of the educational programmes provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, the education received by a person shall be considered as unconditionally recognised by the State.

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 – website, 29.12.2012.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Article 47⁶. Programs of Kutaisi International University🔗

1. Kutaisi International University is entitled to implement doctoral educational programs, master's educational programs, bachelor's educational programs and post-higher education research programs approved on the basis of the recommendation of the International Advisory Board of Kutaisi International University.

2. After completing the program provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, a state-recognized diploma shall be issued.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 – website, 08.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5276 – website, 04.11.2019.

Article 47⁷. Distance learning🔗

1. Distance learning provides for the conduct of the learning process in a distance/electronic form or by using other means of communication.

2. Distance learning is carried out in the form of synchronous or asynchronous communication. Synchronous communication means such interaction where communication between the sender and the recipient of information is carried out at the same time, while asynchronous communication − such interaction where communication between the sender and the recipient of information is not carried out at the same time.

3. For the purpose of implementing the distance learning provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, the higher educational institution shall ensure the selection and proper use of a distance learning application/platform, by means of which it will be possible to conduct the learning process interactively.

4. In order to ensure the accessibility of distance learning, the higher educational institution shall develop instructions/video guide for the use of the selected distance learning application/platform and shall ensure that students and the personnel of the higher educational institution are familiarized with it.

5. The list of components of higher educational programs within the framework of which distance learning will be permitted shall be approved by the Minister, upon the submission of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement.

6. The rules and conditions for conducting the learning process remotely and assessing the results obtained in higher educational institutions of Georgia shall be approved by the Minister.

7. The decision on the admission of distance learning in higher educational institutions of Georgia and the period of implementation of distance learning, as well as the decision on the higher educational institution which must use distance learning for the provision of higher education, shall be taken by the Minister by an individual administrative-legal act.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6287 – website, 15.06.2020.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 47⁸. Educational Program for Special Teacher Training🔗

1. The educational program for special teacher training is a higher educational program developed on the basis of the relevant standard.

2. A person holding at least a bachelor's or an academic degree equivalent thereto who has passed the basic professional skills exam has the right to take the educational program for special teacher training.

3. The educational program for special teacher training comprises 60 credits and is taught over at least 1 academic year.

4. The Ministry approves the rules and fee for accreditation of the educational program for special teacher training on the recommendation of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement and in agreement with the National Center for Teacher Professional Development.

5. In the event of completion of the educational program for special teacher training, a special teacher training certificate is issued.

Law of Georgia No. 2251 of 1 December 2022 – website, 14.12.2022.

Article 48. Bachelor's and Master's studies🔗

1. A person holding a document certifying complete general education issued in Georgia or a document equivalent thereto shall have the right to study in a bachelor's programme.

2. The aim of bachelor's studies is a relatively in-depth mastery of the theoretical aspects of academic disciplines, together with professional training at a level higher than complete general education, which, through programmes of a research nature, prepares a person for further study in a master's programme and for work, taking into account the restrictions established by the legislation of Georgia.

2¹. The name of the qualification awarded upon completion of a bachelor's educational programme shall be determined in accordance with the classifier of fields of study.

3. A person holding at least a bachelor's or an equivalent academic degree shall have the right to study in a master's programme.

4. The aims of master's studies are:

a) the acquisition of in-depth and systematic knowledge and the development of appropriate skills in the relevant direction, field/speciality and/or sub-field/specialisation, which prepares a person for work, taking into account the restrictions established by the legislation of Georgia, and/or for study in a doctoral programme;

b) a change of speciality (except for a regulated educational programme);

c) preparation for scientific-research work and for pedagogical activity at a higher educational institution;

d) professional development and improvement of qualifications.

5. A master's educational programme (except for an arts-creative or sports higher speciality, as well as an educational programme implemented by a higher educational institution of state security) may provide for the independent conduct by a student of such research or the carrying out of such activity on the basis of which he/she will be able to present a master's thesis and/or project, taking into account the peculiarities of the direction, field/speciality or sub-field/specialisation.

5¹. The name of the qualification awarded upon completion of a master's educational programme shall be determined in accordance with the classifier of fields of study.

6. (Removed).

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 - website, 05.01.2017

Law of Georgia of 4 May 2018 No. 2320 – website, 21.05.2018

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025

Article 49. Doctoral studies🔗

1. The right to study in doctoral studies shall be enjoyed by a person holding at least a master's academic degree or an academic degree equivalent thereto, who was awarded the master's academic degree on the basis of completion of an educational programme of master's studies of at least 120 credits (as a whole/in parts) as determined by the Minister or equivalent thereto.

2. The higher education institution shall provide the doctoral student with a scientific supervisor, create conditions for carrying out work oriented on scientific research, which must include substantiated theoretical and/or experimental results, and promote the integration of the doctoral student into the world scientific community.

3. In the event of completion of the educational programme of doctoral studies and defence of the dissertation, the doctoral student shall be awarded an academic degree, the title of which shall be determined in accordance with the classifier of fields of study.

4. The doctoral academic degree shall be awarded by the dissertation council in compliance with the requirements of the relevant regulation.

5. (Removed – 17.06.2011, No. 4792);

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 49¹. Joint higher education programmes🔗

1. The higher education programmes provided for by Articles 47¹–49 of this Law may be jointly implemented by several higher education institutions of Georgia and/or by higher education institutions recognised in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country, for the purposes of consolidating and optimally distributing their own resources, carrying out joint actions for integration into the international educational space, and promoting regional development. The rules for the implementation of a joint higher education programme shall be established jointly by the higher education institutions.

2. The higher education programmes provided for by Articles 471–49 of this Law may be jointly implemented by a higher education institution/institutions of Georgia and an independent scientific-research unit/units and/or by a legal entity of public law – a scientific-research institution – existing at a legal entity of public law – a university, or/and by a legal entity of public law – a scientific-research institution.

3. For the implementation of a joint higher education programme, a contract shall be concluded between the institutions implementing it, which shall determine the content and the forms of implementation of the joint higher education programme. The draft contract provided for by this paragraph shall be agreed with the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement.

4. Upon completion of a joint higher education programme, the award of a joint academic degree shall be carried out by the higher education institution/institutions implementing it, which shall be determined by the respective contract.

5. The implementation of a joint higher education programme shall be possible where it has undergone accreditation. Accreditation of a joint higher education programme shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

6. (Removed – 26.07.2017, No. 1225).

7. (Removed – 26.07.2017, No. 1225).

8. A citizen of Georgia shall be enrolled in a joint higher education programme in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia. Another person shall be enrolled in a joint higher education programme in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of the respective country, at one of the higher education institutions determined by prior agreement of the institutions implementing it.

9. A student enrolled in a joint higher education programme of several higher education institutions of Georgia shall be counted, for each higher education institution, in the total number of students established for it.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 – LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 – LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1225 – website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1430 – website, 24.03.2022.

Article 49². Exchange educational programme🔗

1. A higher educational institution of Georgia shall, before concluding a contract on student exchange with a higher educational institution of a foreign country, receive written information from the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement on the recognition of the said higher educational institution in accordance with the legislation of that country.

2. A student participating in an exchange educational programme of a higher educational institution recognised in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country, who has acquired student status at a higher educational institution recognised in a foreign country, continues studies at a partner higher educational institution of Georgia at the corresponding level of higher education, on the basis of an act issued by the head of this higher educational institution.

3. A student participating in an exchange educational programme, who has acquired student status at a higher educational institution of Georgia, continues studies at a partner higher educational institution of a foreign country in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of that country.

4. It shall be inadmissible to suspend student status for a student participating in an exchange educational programme who has left Georgia within the framework of the exchange educational programme.

5. A student participating in an exchange educational programme who has arrived from a foreign country within the framework of the exchange educational programme shall not be counted by a higher educational institution of Georgia in the total number of students established for it.

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 06.11.2014.

Article 50. Recognition of education received abroad🔗

1. Recognition of a qualification received at a foreign higher education institution or of education received during the period of study at a foreign higher education institution shall be carried out if its compliance with the relevant qualification awarded by higher education institutions of Georgia is established. Compliance may be established taking into account the learning outcomes and the awarded qualification, notwithstanding the difference in the period of study.

2. The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement shall recognize a qualification received at a foreign higher education institution or education received during the period of study at a foreign higher education institution in accordance with the international treaties of Georgia and the procedure established by the Ministry.

3. The decision on the enrollment of an applicant or student holding an educational document of a foreign country in a higher education institution of Georgia shall be made by the relevant higher education institution, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, on the basis of a recognition document issued by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 - LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 50¹. Recognition of learning outcomes achieved within one qualification for the purposes of another qualification🔗

1. A higher educational institution shall be entitled to recognise the learning outcomes achieved by a person within the framework of the educational programme of the corresponding level of academic higher education, for the purposes of awarding the corresponding qualification by completing another educational programme of the same level of academic higher education.

2. Credits received within the framework of the higher educational programme to which enrolment and study are carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia shall be subject to recognition.

3. For the purpose of recognition of credits, the higher educational institution shall determine the compatibility of the learning outcomes achieved by the person within the framework of another educational programme of the same level of higher education with the corresponding higher educational programme and shall adopt a decision on the recognition of the corresponding credits.

4. As a result of substantive study of the content of the study courses provided for by the educational programmes, the correspondence of these courses may be established, notwithstanding the differences in their titles.

5. The higher educational institution shall be entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to calculate the student's workload in credits in the case of an educational programme that has not been implemented in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System.

6. Recognition of credits shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the charter of the higher educational institution.

7. In cases of mobility and recognition of education received abroad, the recognition of the corresponding credits shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1225 – website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 51. National Assessment and Examinations Center🔗

1. The National Assessment and Examinations Center is a Legal Entity of Public Law, which ensures the conduct of Unified National and Common Master's Examinations, is authorized to conduct national assessments and international research, and exercises other powers established by the legislation of Georgia.

1¹. The National Assessment and Examinations Center, in the exercise of its powers, ensures the maintenance of databases in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister. For the purpose of accessibility of information collected during the maintenance of databases and the conduct of Unified National and Common Master's Examinations, as well as during the exercise of other powers, the National Assessment and Examinations Center is authorized to use the means at its disposal, including telephone, insured postal item, electronic mail, short text message and others.

1². A fee may be established for services rendered by the National Assessment and Examinations Center, the amount and payment procedure of which are determined by the Minister.

2. The Minister develops and approves the statute of the National Assessment and Examinations Center.

3. The Minister, in agreement with the Prime Minister of Georgia, appoints and dismisses the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center to and from office.

3¹. The National Assessment and Examinations Center, in the exercise of its powers, has the right to receive, store and issue any document in written or electronic form. The Minister establishes the rules and conditions for the receipt, storage and issuance of a document in electronic form by the National Assessment and Examinations Center.

4. The results of the Unified National Examination conducted by the National Assessment and Examinations Center are binding on all higher education institutions. Every person who wishes and who submits a document certifying complete general education issued in Georgia or a document equivalent thereto has the right to participate in the Unified National Examination.

5. The results of the Common Master's Examination conducted by the National Assessment and Examinations Center are binding on higher education institutions.

6. For the purpose of enrollment in an accredited master's educational program, every person who wishes and who submits a document certifying an academic degree of higher education issued in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia has the right to participate in the examination/examinations conducted by the higher education institution.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No 2795 - LHG I, No 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No 4529 - LHG I, No 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No 1161 - LHG I, No 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 20 April 2010 No 2941 - LHG I, No 23, 04.05.2010, Art. 123

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No 3528 - LHG I, No 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013.

Law of Georgia of 6 August 2013 No. 917 – website, 20.08.2013.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 – website, 05.01.2017.

Law of Georgia of 21 April 2017 No. 655 – website, 10.05.2017.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025.

Article 52. Basis for admission of a student by a higher educational institution to a bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary, certified physician/dentist educational programme🔗

1. Only an applicant who has passed the relevant unified national examinations in accordance with the procedure approved by the Ministry shall have the right to study at a higher educational institution under a bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary, certified physician/dentist educational programme.

1¹. Enrolment of students in a bachelor's theological educational programme at an Orthodox theological higher educational institution shall be carried out on the basis of a proposal submitted by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister, on the basis of the results of individual subjects of the unified national examinations.

1². An applicant who is a citizen of Georgia or a person provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia "On the Procedure for Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, Issuance of Identity (Residence) Certificates and Passports of Citizens of Georgia" and who, in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry, has passed one of the following tests at the unified national examinations shall have the right to continue studies in an educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language:

a) Azerbaijani-language general skills test;

b) Armenian-language general skills test;

c) Ossetian language test;

d) Abkhazian language test.

2. Before the unified national examination, an applicant shall undergo the relevant competition:

a) in accordance with the procedure established by a higher educational institution implementing an arts-creative or sports educational programme, for admission to arts-creative or sports higher education;

b) in accordance with the procedure established by a military higher educational institution, in order to obtain the right to undergo the procedures established by the legislation of Georgia for enrolment in that institution.

3. For the purpose of supporting applicants and student mobility, studies at a higher educational institution without passing the unified national examinations, in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry and within the established timeframes, shall be permitted:

a) for citizens of a foreign country and stateless persons who have received complete general or equivalent education in a foreign country, or for citizens of a foreign country and stateless persons (except for persons who are simultaneously citizens of Georgia) who have received complete general or equivalent education in Georgia under foreign country or international programmes recognised by Georgia;

b) for citizens of Georgia who have received complete general education or equivalent education in a foreign country and who studied in a foreign country during the last 2 years of complete general education;

c) For citizens of a foreign country (except for students participating in a joint higher education program and students participating in an exchange education program), who are studying/studied and have received credits/qualification at a higher education institution recognized in a foreign country in accordance with the legislation of that country;

d) For citizens of Georgia (except for students participating in a joint higher education program and students participating in an exchange education program), who live/lived for a period determined by the Ministry, are studying/studied and have received credits/qualification at a higher education institution recognized in a foreign country in accordance with the legislation of that country (except for that program completed by distance form which is not recognized in Georgia in accordance with the legislation of Georgia).

3¹. For the purpose of supporting applicants, in a legal entity of public law − Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, without passing the Unified National Examinations, in accordance with the procedure and within the timeframes established by the Government of Georgia, study is permitted in individual sports for those members of the national teams of Georgia who will become gold medalists, silver medalists or bronze medalists of the Olympic/Paralympic Games, the Chess Olympiad or the World or European Championship (including in para-sports), as well as for those members of the national teams of Georgia in team sports who will participate in the Olympic/Paralympic Games or in the final tournament of the World or European Championship (including in para-sports) and/or obtain the right to participate in the specified competitions (the Olympic/Paralympic Games or the final tournament of the World or European Championship). The rule determined by this paragraph applies only to those sports whose respective national sports organizations are recognized by the Ministry of Sports of Georgia.

4. (Deleted – 6 August 2013, No. 917).

5. A higher education institution that wishes to admit students to the bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary medicine, certified physician/dentist educational program announces the coefficient assigned by its own educational programs for the applicant's result in each examination subject. On the basis of the Unified National Examinations, applicants are admitted to educational programs according to the coefficients assigned for the examination subjects.

5¹. A higher education institution implementing an educational program for training in the Georgian language, within the number of students determined for the higher education institution by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, announces places for student enrollment – of the total number of students to be admitted through the Unified National Examinations:

a) 5% – for students to be admitted on the basis of the results of the Azerbaijani-language general skills test;

b) 5% – for students to be admitted on the basis of the results of the Armenian-language general skills test;

c) 1% – for students to be admitted on the basis of the results of the Abkhaz language test;

d) 1% – for students to be admitted on the basis of the results of the Ossetian language test.

5². In the relevant year, taking into account the number of applicants to be enrolled on the basis of the Unified National Examinations who are registered in the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language, on the basis of a motivated decision of the higher educational institution and the consent of the Ministry, the percentage distributions provided for by paragraph 5¹ of this Article may be changed within the limits of their sum.

5³. A higher educational institution shall, within the number of students determined for the higher educational institution by the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement, determine the number of places for the enrolment of the students provided for by paragraph 1 of Article 52² of this Law, being not less than 1% of the total number of students to be admitted through the Unified National Examinations.

6. Within the number of students established as a result of authorisation, the higher educational institution may determine places for the persons provided for by paragraph 3 of this Article.

7. (Removed).

8. (Removed – 10.12.2025, No. 1198).

9. The National Assessment and Examinations Centre shall draw up the lists of those applicants who have passed the Unified National Examinations and have acquired the right to study in a basic educational unit under a bachelor's, integrated master's of veterinary medicine, certified physician/dentist educational programme, and shall send them to the relevant basic educational unit.

9¹. The National Assessment and Examinations Centre shall draw up the lists of those applicants who have acquired the right to study in a higher educational institution under the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language, and shall send these lists to the relevant higher educational institution.

10. A higher educational institution and a basic educational unit shall admit applicants only according to the lists determined by paragraphs 9 and 9¹ of this Article, except for the persons provided for by paragraph 3 of the same Article.

11. Enrolment in a branch of a higher educational institution shall be carried out by the higher educational institution. This Article shall not apply to the branch provided for by Article 56⁷ of this Law.

Law of Georgia of 13 May 2005 No. 1443 – LHG I, No. 25, 02.06.2005, Art. 170

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 4 December 2007 No. 5533 – LHG I, No. 43, 12.12.2007, Art. 392

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 – LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 – LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 11 March 2011 No. 4431 – website, 22.03.2011

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29.12.2012

Law of Georgia of 5 April 2013 No. 518 – website, 24.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 6 August 2013 No. 917 - website, 20.08.2013

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 06.11.2014

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4787 - website, 07.03.2016

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2017 No. 1367 - website, 27.11.2017

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3041 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2021 No. 1081 – website, 23.12.2021

Law of Georgia of 28 June 2023 No. 3305 – website, 17.07.2023

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2023 No. 3661– website, 30.11.2023

Law of Georgia of 15 May 2024 No. 4163 – website, 21.05.2024

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 28 May 2025 No. 597 – website, 29.05.2025

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 05.02.2026

Article 52¹. Grounds for admission by a higher educational institution to the bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary, certified physician/dentist educational program of a person who received education in the occupied territory🔗

1. Citizens of Georgia and persons provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia “On the Rules for Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, Issuance of Identity (Residence) Certificate and Passport of a Citizen of Georgia”, who during the last 2 years studied and received a document certifying complete general education in a general educational institution located in the occupied territory defined by the Law of Georgia “On Occupied Territories” and whose complete general education was recognized in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry, have the right to continue their studies in the bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary, certified physician/dentist educational program without passing the Unified National Examinations, after completion of the program of preparation for post-school education, on the basis of assessment organized by the National Assessment and Examinations Center, after confirmation of mastering the learning outcome provided for by the said program.

1¹. Enrollment of students in the Orthodox theological higher educational institution in the theological master's educational program shall be carried out without the common master's examination, in accordance with the procedure established by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

1². In the case of obtaining higher education abroad by distance form, a citizen of Georgia has the right to continue studies in a master's educational program at a higher educational institution of Georgia, if the higher education obtained by him/her abroad by distance form is recognized in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia and he/she has successfully passed the common master's examination and the examination/examinations determined by the higher educational institution, having overcome the minimum competency threshold established by the legislation of Georgia or determined by the higher educational institution.

1³. Only a candidate for master's studies who has successfully passed the common master's examination and the examination/examinations determined by the State Security Academy, having overcome the minimum competency threshold established by the legislation of Georgia or determined by the higher educational institution, has the right to continue studies in the master's program of the State Security Academy. The candidate for master's studies may acquire the said right without passing the common master's examination. The procedure for admission of a person to the master's program of the State Security Academy shall be determined in accordance with the procedure established by the Head of the State Security Service of Georgia.

2. A higher educational institution integrated into the unified master's examination network is entitled to conduct the examination/examinations determined by it both before the publication of the results of the common master's examination and after the publication of the results of the common master's examination.

3. (Removed – 28 February 2012, No. 5718).

4. Only a candidate for master's studies who has successfully passed the master's examination/examinations in accordance with the procedure established by this Law shall have the right to study in a master's educational programme of a higher educational institution integrated into the unified master's examination network (except for an arts-creative or sports master's educational programme in the case where a person is not admitted to this programme through the common master's examination). This rule shall not apply to persons provided for by paragraphs 7 and 7¹ of this article.

4¹. (Removed – 10 December 2025, No. 1198).

5. If a higher educational institution integrated into the unified master's examination network, in the case provided for by subparagraph „d1“ of the first paragraph of Article 10 of this Law, assigns coefficients to a separate part of the common master's examination test, the higher educational institution shall use, for the purpose of enrolment in the master's programme, the sum of the coefficients of the master's examination determined by it.

6. If a higher educational institution integrated into the unified master's examination network, in the case provided for by subparagraph „d1“ of the first paragraph of Article 10 of this Law, does not assign coefficients to a separate part of the common master's examination test, the higher educational institution shall use, for the purpose of enrolment in the master's programme, the coefficients assigned for the examination/examinations determined by it.

7. For the purpose of supporting candidates for master's studies and student mobility, study in a higher educational institution without passing the common master's examinations, in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry and within the established timeframes, shall be permitted:

a) for candidates for master's studies who have received in a foreign country a document confirming the relevant academic degree of higher education;

b) for foreign nationals (except for students participating in a joint higher educational programme and students participating in an exchange educational programme) who are studying/studied and have received credits/qualification in a master's programme of a higher educational institution recognised in a foreign country in accordance with the legislation of that country;

b¹) for citizens of Georgia (except for students participating in a joint higher educational programme and students participating in an exchange educational programme) who, for the period determined by the Ministry, live/lived, study/studied and have received credits/qualification in a master's programme of a higher educational institution recognised in a foreign country in accordance with the legislation of that country (except for a programme completed by distance form which is not recognised in Georgia in accordance with the legislation of Georgia);

c) for master's degree candidates who were enrolled in a higher educational institution in accordance with the procedure established by paragraph 3 of Article 52 of this Law.

7¹. Studying at a higher educational institution without passing the common master's examination shall be permissible for a person who has overcome the relevant threshold in an examination provided for by the list of international examinations approved by the Ministry.

8. Admission to a master's programme of an arts-creative or sports educational programme shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the higher educational institution, except where admission to such programme is carried out by means of the common master's examination.

9. Within the number of students established as a result of authorisation, the higher educational institution may determine places for the persons provided for by paragraphs 7 and 7¹ of this Article.

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2010 No. 4040 - LHG I, No. 75, 27.12.2010, Art. 464

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 - website, 29.12.2012

Law of Georgia of 5 April 2013 No. 518 – website, 24.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 06.11.2014

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4787 - website, 07.03.2016

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 - website, 05.01.2017

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022

Law of Georgia of 15 May 2024 No. 4163 – website, 21.05.2024

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025

Article 52². Grounds for admission by a higher education institution of a person who received education in the occupied territory to a bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary medicine, certified physician/dentist educational programme🔗

1. Citizens of Georgia and the persons provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia “On the Rules for Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, Issuance of Identity (Residence) Cards and Passports of Citizens of Georgia”, who during the last 2 years studied and received a document certifying complete general education in a general educational institution located in the occupied territory defined by the Law of Georgia “On Occupied Territories”, and whose complete general education was recognised in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry, have the right to continue their studies in a bachelor's, integrated master's in veterinary medicine, certified physician/dentist educational programme without passing the Unified National Examinations, upon completion of the programme of preparation for post-school education, on the basis of the assessment organised by the National Centre for Assessment and Examinations, after confirmation of the mastery of the learning outcome provided for by the said programme.

2. The rules and conditions for the implementation of the programme of preparation for post-school education and for enrolment in this programme, as well as the rules for confirming, on the basis of the assessment organised by the National Centre for Assessment and Examinations, the mastery of the learning outcome provided for by the programme, shall be approved by order of the Minister.

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3041 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 05.02.2026.

Article 53. Unified National and Common Master's Examinations🔗

1. The preparation and conduct of the unified national and common master's examinations shall be ensured by the National Assessment and Examinations Centre.

2. The Minister, upon the submission of the National Assessment and Examinations Centre, shall approve the regulation for conducting the unified national examinations and the regulation for conducting the master's examinations.

3. In order to be admitted to participation in the unified national and common master's examinations, an interested person shall apply to the National Assessment and Examinations Centre in written form and/or in electronic form, using a special programme. The procedure and conditions for submitting an application shall be established by the Minister upon the submission of the National Assessment and Examinations Centre.

3¹. (Repealed – 11.03.2011, No. 4431).

4. (Repealed – 11.03.2011, No. 4431).

5. (Repealed).

6. The unified national examination programme shall be approved by the Minister upon the submission of the National Assessment and Examinations Centre.

7. A fee shall be established for admission to participation in the unified national and common master's examinations, the amount of which shall be determined by a normative administrative-legal act of the Minister. The procedure and conditions for exemption from payment of the fee shall be approved by the Minister.

8. The Ministry shall be entitled to establish, in connection with the unified national and common master's examinations, time limits and procedure for submitting and considering an administrative complaint different from that provided for by the General Administrative Code of Georgia. Decisions of the National Assessment and Examinations Centre related to the unified national and common master's examinations shall be appealed to a court, and their appeal shall not result in the suspension of the effect of the disputed acts.

Law of Georgia of 13 May 2005 No. 1443 - LHG I, No. 25, 02.06.2005, Art. 170

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 11 March 2011 No. 4431 – website, 22.03.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia of 6 August 2013 No. 917 - website, 20.08.2013

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 06.11.2014

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 54. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 11 March 2011 No. 4431 – website, 22.03.2011

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 6 August 2013 No. 917 - website, 20.08.2013

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 06.11.2014

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2017 No. 1367 - website, 27.11.2017

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3041 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 54¹. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 6 August 2013 No. 917 - website, 20.08.2013

Law of Georgia of 30 October 2014 No. 2725 – website, 06.11.2014

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 54². (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 1 December 2022 No. 2251 – website, 14.12.2022

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 55. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 - LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 11 March 2011 No. 4431 – website, 22.03.2011

Article 55¹. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 11 March 2011 No. 4431 – website, 22.03.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 13 April 2022 No. 1500 – website, 19.04.2022

Article 56. Rules of admission to master's and doctoral studies🔗

1. The rules of admission to master's and doctoral studies shall be determined by the statute of the respective basic educational unit of the higher educational institution, taking into account the requirements of this Law.

2. (Removed - 01.11.2019, No. 5276).

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 - website, 08.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5276 – website, 04.11.2019

Article 56¹. Content of authorisation🔗

1. Authorisation is a procedure for obtaining the status of a higher educational institution, the purpose of which is to ensure compliance with the standards necessary for carrying out the relevant activity in order to issue an education document recognised by the State. 2. The authorisation standards concern: a) the mission and strategic development of the higher educational institution; b) the organisational structure and governance of the higher educational institution; c) educational programmes; d) the personnel of the higher educational institution; e) students and measures for their support; f) research, development and/or other creative activity; g) material, information and financial resources. 3. The term of authorisation is 6 years. 4. Authorisation shall be carried out by the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement in accordance with the procedure established by the statute on authorisation of educational institutions.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4787 - website, 07.03.2016

Article 56². Decision on authorization🔗

1. To ensure the conduct of authorization of higher education institutions, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement shall create an expert group for the authorization of higher education institutions, the procedure for the creation and operation of which shall be determined by the Regulation on Authorization of Educational Institutions.

2. The decision on authorization shall be taken by the Authorization Council of Higher Education Institutions (hereinafter – the Authorization Council), which shall consist of permanent members and invited members. Invited members shall participate in the activities of the Authorization Council only where the authorization application submitted by the applicant for the status of a higher education institution indicates a regulated academic higher education programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of this Law. Invited members of the Authorization Council shall have the right to vote.

2¹. The permanent members and invited members of the Authorization Council shall be appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister of Georgia upon the submission of the Ministry. When selecting candidates for invited members of the Authorization Council, the Ministry shall be guided by the requirements and criteria established by the World Federation for Medical Education in relation to the composition of the Council.

3. Based on the authorization documentation and the conclusion of the expert group for the authorization of higher education institutions, the Authorization Council shall take one of the following decisions:

a) on authorization;

b) on refusal of authorization;

c) on revocation of authorization.

3¹. Within the framework of the process of authorization of a higher education institution or the process of verifying the fulfilment of the authorization conditions by a higher education institution, the Authorization Council shall be entitled to take a decision on restricting the right of the higher education institution to admit students/vocational students for a period of not less than 1 year, both in respect of the higher education institution as a whole and by individual levels of higher education. The procedure and conditions for taking this decision, as well as the maximum period of restriction of the right of a higher education institution to admit students/vocational students, shall be determined by the Regulation on Authorization of Educational Institutions.

4. The Authorization Council shall be obliged to substantiate the decision taken by it.

5. The decision on authorization shall be published on the website of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement within 10 working days of its adoption.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 20 March 2013 No. 351 – website, 28.03.2013

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4787 – website, 07.03.2016

Law of Georgia of 23 December 2017 No. 1934 – website, 11.01.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia No. 4298 of 27 June 2024 – website, 4 July 2024

Article 56³. Decision on Authorization and Legal Effect of Authorization🔗

1. A decision on authorization shall be adopted if the institution meets all authorization standards.

2. In the event of adopting a decision on authorization, the Authorization Council shall determine, for the higher education institution, in accordance with the procedure established by the Regulation on Authorization of Educational Institutions, the number of student places for the term of authorization.

3. As a result of authorization, a higher education institution is entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to admit students to an accredited higher education programme and to the educational programme for training in the Georgian language, and to issue a document confirming qualification, except for the case provided for by paragraph 3¹ of Article 56² of this Law.

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 – LHG I, No. 47, 5 August 2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No. 1934 of 23 December 2017 – website, 11 January 2018

Law of Georgia No. 1430 of 16 March 2022 – website, 24 March 2022

Article 56⁴. “Legal consequences of refusal of authorization, revocation of authorization or expiry of authorization”;🔗

1. A decision on refusal of authorization shall be adopted if the institution does not meet one of the authorization standards.

2. Based on the results of an inspection of a higher education institution, the Authorization Council is entitled, upon the submission of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, to adopt a decision on revocation of authorization if the institution violates an authorization standard or the norms of Georgian legislation in the field of education relating to the creation, suspension or termination of the status of a student or vocational student.

3. In the case of refusal of authorization or revocation of authorization:

a) the institution shall not be able to acquire or shall lose the status of a higher education institution from the date of entry into force of the relevant decision;

b) the educational institution, in accordance with paragraph 2² of Article 11 of the Law of Georgia on the Development of Education Quality, shall continue educational activities within the period established by the Authorization Council, during which it is restricted in the right to admit students/entrants/candidates for master's studies/candidates for doctoral studies;

c) a student has the right, in accordance with paragraph 2² of Article 11 of the Law of Georgia on the Development of Education Quality, to continue studying at the same educational institution for the period established by the Authorization Council or to transfer to another relevant educational institution;

d) a student, in accordance with paragraph 2² of Article 11 of the Law of Georgia on the Development of Education Quality, after the expiry of the period established by the Authorization Council (if such a period exists), within 5 years from the entry into force of the Authorization Council's decision on refusal of authorization or revocation of authorization, shall have his/her student status suspended and shall be entitled to exercise the right to mobility;

e) an entrant who has successfully passed the Unified National Examinations and, according to the ranking document approved by the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Assessment and Examinations Center, has acquired the right to enrollment in a higher education institution, is entitled to exercise the right to mobility;

f) a candidate for master's studies who was included in the ranking document by master's examination coefficients is entitled to exercise the right to mobility.

4. In the case of adoption of a decision on refusal of authorization or a decision on revocation of authorization, a legal entity is entitled, in order to obtain the same status of an educational institution, to submit an authorization application to the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement one year after the adoption of the decision on refusal of authorization or the decision on revocation of authorization.

5. If the authorization application was submitted to the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement in compliance with the deadlines for submitting an authorization application defined by the Regulation on Authorization of Educational Institutions, and the Director of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement issued an individual administrative-legal act on the creation of expert groups for the authorization of higher educational institutions, before the entry into force of the decision provided for by subparagraph „a“ or „b“ of paragraph 3 of Article 56² of this Law adopted by the Authorization Council, the institution seeking the status of a higher educational institution shall be considered an authorized educational institution for 180 calendar days from the expiry of the authorization period.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4787 – website, 07.03.2016

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6285 – website, 15.06.2020

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1430 – website, 24.03.2022

Law of Georgia of 9 December 2025 No. 1163 – website, 12.12.2025

Article 56⁵. Implementation of theological educational programmes🔗

Those institutions that implement only theological educational programmes shall undergo authorization and accreditation of educational programmes in accordance with a different procedure established by the Ministry.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 56⁶. Implementation of educational programmes by Kutaisi International University🔗

Kutaisi International University shall undergo authorization and accreditation of educational programmes in accordance with the Law of Georgia „On the Establishment of the Legal Entity of Public Law – Kutaisi International University“.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 – website, 08.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5276 – website, 04.11.2019

Article 56⁷. Implementation of the relevant educational activity on the territory of Georgia by a branch of a higher educational institution of a foreign country🔗

In order to carry out the relevant educational activity on the territory of Georgia by a branch of a higher educational institution of a foreign country, it is necessary to establish its compliance with the authorization standards in accordance with the procedure defined by the international treaties of Georgia and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia, for which purpose the higher educational institution of the foreign country shall undergo authorization on the basis of establishing compliance with the authorization standards provided for by the legislation of Georgia for its branch.

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2023 No. 3661 – website, 30.11.2023

Article 57. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Article 58. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Article 59. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Article 60. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Article 61. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Article 62. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Article 63. Content of accreditation🔗

1. The purpose of accreditation is to establish systematic self-assessment of a higher education institution in order to raise the quality of education by determining the compliance of the educational programme of a higher education institution with accreditation standards, and to promote the development of quality assurance mechanisms.

1¹. The accreditation rules established by this Law shall not apply to Orthodox theological higher education programmes of an Orthodox theological higher education institution.

1². The accreditation rules established by this Law shall not apply to educational programmes implemented by Kutaisi International University.

1³. Accreditation of a higher education programme (including a joint higher education programme) may be carried out by a foreign organisation of relevant competence recognised by the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement in accordance with the procedure established by the accreditation regulation.

2. The accreditation standards are:

a) the goal of the educational programme, the learning outcomes and the compliance of the programme with them;

b) teaching methodology and organisation, the adequacy of assessment of the mastering of the programme;

c) students' achievements, individual work with them;

d) provision with teaching resources;

e) opportunities for the development of the quality of teaching.

3. (Removed - 10.12.2025, No. 1198).

4. The implementation of a higher education programme (except the Orthodox theological higher education programme of an Orthodox theological educational institution) and of the educational programme of training in the Georgian language shall be possible only after it has passed accreditation.

5. The National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement shall ensure the conduct of accreditation.

6. For the purpose of taking a decision on accreditation, an Educational Programmes Accreditation Council (hereinafter – the Accreditation Council) shall be established, which shall be composed of permanent members and invited members. The invited members of the Accreditation Council shall participate in its activities only where the accreditation application submitted by the higher education institution indicates a regulated academic higher education programme provided for by subparagraph "b" of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of this Law. The invited members of the Accreditation Council shall have the right to vote.

6¹. The permanent members and invited members of the Accreditation Council shall be appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister of Georgia upon the submission of the Ministry. When selecting candidates for the invited members of the Accreditation Council, the Ministry shall be guided by the requirements and criteria established by the World Federation for Medical Education in relation to the staffing of the Accreditation Council.

7. The National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement shall monitor the fulfilment of the accreditation conditions. In the event of their violation, it shall be entitled to apply to the Accreditation Council with a request to revoke accreditation.

8. Higher educational institutions, including legal entities of public law, shall be entitled, for the purpose of quality control, to jointly establish a legal entity of private law, whose assessments may be considered by the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement in the course of the accreditation of educational programmes of higher educational institutions.

Law of Georgia No. 2795 of 17 March 2006 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia No. 4529 of 28 March 2007 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia No. 1611 of 10 August 2009 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia No. 1916 of 3 November 2009 – LHG I, No. 35, 19.11.2009, Art. 226

Law of Georgia No. 2078 of 17 November 2009 – LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia No. 2941 of 20 April 2010 – LHG I, No. 23, 04.05.2010, Art. 123

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia No. 187 of 28 December 2012 – website, 29.12.2012.

Law of Georgia No. 4562 of 25 November 2015 – website, 08.12.2015

Law of Georgia No. 4787 of 19 February 2016 – website, 07.03.2016

Law of Georgia No. 1225 of 26 July 2017 – website, 28.07.2017

Law of Georgia No. 3026 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia No. 3438 of 20 September 2018 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia No. 3444 of 20 September 2018 – website, 09.10.2018

Law of Georgia No. 5276 of 1 November 2019 – website, 04.11.2019

Law of Georgia No. 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia No. 1430 of 16 March 2022 – website, 24.03.2022

Law of Georgia No. 1198 of 10 December 2025 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 64. Accreditation Expert Group🔗

1. In order to ensure the conduct of accreditation, the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement shall create an accreditation expert group. The procedure for the creation and activity of the accreditation expert group shall be determined by the accreditation regulation.

2. The first stage of the conduct of accreditation shall be the self-assessment carried out by the accreditation applicant according to the forms provided in advance to the accreditation applicant by the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement.

Law of Georgia No. 2795 of 17 March 2006 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia No. 4529 of 28 March 2007 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia No. 1611 of 10 August 2009 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No. 3444 of 20 September 2018 – website, 09.10.2018

Law of Georgia No. 1430 of 16 March 2022 – website, 24.03.2022

Article 65. (Deleted)🔗

Law of Georgia No. 2795 of 17 March 2006 - LHG I, No. 9, 31 March 2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia No. 4529 of 28 March 2007 - LHG I, No. 15, 23 April 2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 - LHG I, No. 47, 5 August 2010, Art. 299

Article 66. Decision on accreditation🔗

1. The decision on accreditation of an educational programme of a higher education institution shall be taken by the Accreditation Council in accordance with the accreditation regulation, including on the basis of the conclusion of the group of accreditation experts, in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. A decision on accreditation may be of 4 types:

a) on accreditation;

b) on conditional accreditation;

c) on refusal of accreditation;

d) on revocation of accreditation.

3. The accreditation term of an educational programme shall be 7 years. An educational programme submitted to the Centre for accreditation during the calendar year in which educational programmes classified in the field of study of the said educational programme are not subject to re-accreditation shall be granted accreditation until the next accreditation term of the educational programmes classified in the field of study of that educational programme. The term of conditional accreditation of an educational programme shall be not more than 4 years. An educational programme submitted to the Centre for accreditation during the calendar year in which educational programmes classified in the field of study of the said educational programme are not subject to re-accreditation shall be granted conditional accreditation until the next accreditation term of the educational programmes classified in the field of study of that educational programme, but not more than 4 years. In the event of expiry of the authorisation term or revocation of authorisation, the accreditation shall be revoked.

4. In the case of the first and each subsequent accreditation of an educational programme, a decision on accreditation shall be taken in the manner established by the accreditation regulation, if the educational programme fully and/or for the most part meets the accreditation standards.

5. In the case of the first and each subsequent accreditation of an educational programme, a decision on conditional accreditation shall be taken in the manner established by the accreditation regulation, if the educational programme partially meets the accreditation standard.

6. A decision on conditional accreditation of an educational programme may not be taken twice in a row.

7. In relation to a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of this Law, when taking a decision provided for by subparagraph „a“ or „b“ of paragraph 2 of this Article, the Accreditation Council shall, within the maximum number of student places established for the higher education institution, determine, in the manner established by the accreditation regulation, the maximum number of student places during the accreditation term.

8. In the event of refusal of accreditation or revocation of accreditation of a higher educational programme of a higher education institution:

a) A higher educational institution shall be restricted in the right to admit students/applicants/candidates for master's studies/candidates for doctoral studies to a higher educational programme and an educational programme of training in the Georgian language whose accreditation has been refused, whose accreditation has been revoked, or whose accreditation term has expired;

b) A student studying with state funding shall, in accordance with paragraph 11 of Article 22 of the Law of Georgia on the Development of Education Quality, be entitled, for the term established by the Accreditation Council (if such a term exists), to continue studies in the same higher educational programme and receive state funding, or to enjoy the right to mobility, transfer to another accredited higher educational programme and transfer to that higher educational programme the remaining amount of state funding allocated for the student;

c) A student studying in an accredited higher educational programme or an educational programme of training in the Georgian language shall, in accordance with paragraph 11 of Article 22 of the Law of Georgia on the Development of Education Quality, upon the expiry of the term established by the Accreditation Council (if such a term exists), from the entry into force of the decision of the Accreditation Council on the refusal of accreditation or on the revocation of accreditation, have the student's status suspended for a term of 5 years and shall be entitled to enjoy the right to mobility;

d) An applicant who has successfully passed the Unified National Examinations and, according to the ranking document approved by the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Assessment and Examinations Center, has acquired the right to be enrolled in a higher educational programme, shall be entitled to enjoy the right to mobility;

e) A candidate for master's studies who has been included in the ranking document by the coefficients of the master's examinations shall be entitled to enjoy the right to mobility.

9. In the event of the expiry of the accreditation term of a higher educational programme or an educational programme of training in the Georgian language, the student shall, on the basis of a decision of the Accreditation Council, have the right to continue studies in the same educational programme until the end of the current academic semester and to receive state funding. The student's status shall be suspended for a term of 5 years from the end of the current academic semester and the student shall be entitled to enjoy the right to mobility.

10. (deleted – 30.03.2022, No. 1466).

11. If the accreditation application was submitted to the National Centre for Educational Quality Development in compliance with the deadlines for submitting an accreditation application determined by the accreditation regulation, and the Director of the National Centre for Educational Quality Development issued an individual administrative-legal act on recognising the higher educational institution as an accreditation applicant, the educational programme submitted by the accreditation applicant shall be considered an accredited educational programme for 180 calendar days from the expiry of the accreditation term, before the entry into force of the decision on accreditation adopted by the Accreditation Council and provided for by subparagraphs „a“, „b“ or „c“ of paragraph 2 of this Article.

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31 March 2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23 April 2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20 August 2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 1 December 2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 5 August 2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 6 July 2011

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4787 - website, 7 March 2016

Law of Georgia of 23 December 2017 No. 1934 – website, 11 January 2018

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21 June 2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11 July 2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3041 – website, 11 July 2018

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3444 – website, 9 October 2018

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6285 – website, 15 June 2020

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18 March 2021

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1430 – website, 24 March 2022

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1466 – website, 6 April 2022

Law of Georgia of 9 December 2025 No. 1163 - website, 12 December 2025

Article 66¹. (removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31 March 2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 5 August 2010, Art. 299

Article 67. Types of accreditation🔗

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23 April 2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 5 August 2010, Art. 299

Article 68. Institutional accreditation🔗

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23 April 2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 - LHG I, No. 38, 19 December 2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20 August 2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 5 August 2010, Art. 299

Article 69. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 70. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 71. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 – LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 72. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 73. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 74. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 – LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Article 75. Regulated educational programme🔗

1. A regulated educational programme shall be regulated by the relevant legislation.

2. Regulated academic higher educational programmes are:

a) law;

b) medicine;

c) pedagogical;

d) (repealed);

e) maritime;

f) veterinary;

g) nursing;

h) midwifery (Midwife).

3. The rules and fee for accreditation of regulated academic higher educational programmes shall be approved by the Ministry upon the submission of the National Centre for Educational Quality Development.

4. (repealed).

5. The National Centre for Educational Quality Development shall ensure the development and approval of the sectoral characteristics of regulated educational programmes.

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 18 December 2007 No. 5625 – LHG I, No. 48, 27.12.2007, Art. 415

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 – LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 18 December 2009 No. 2383 – LHG I, No. 50, 31.12.2009, Art. 400

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2017 No. 1367 – website, 27.11.2017

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3438 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 21 February 2024 No. 4043 – website, 07.03.2024

Article 76. Regulated professions🔗

1. Only by law may the list of regulated professions be established which require academic higher education and passing of the state certification examination, or for the pursuit of which the passing of an appropriate examination is necessary for the conferral of the required relevant qualification.

2. In regulated professions, the rules and conditions for conducting the examination provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article shall be determined by the relevant legislation.

3. For the conferral of the relevant qualification required for the pursuit of pedagogical activity, the rules and conditions for conducting the appropriate examination shall be determined by order of the Minister.

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 21 February 2024 No. 4043 – website, 07.03.2024

Article 77. Accreditation of a regulated educational programme🔗

1. The conditions for accreditation of a regulated educational programme shall be developed by the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement with the participation of the professional associations provided for by the legislation of Georgia and shall be submitted to the Ministry for approval.

2. If in the relevant field there is no professional association provided for by the legislation of Georgia, the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement shall develop the conditions for accreditation of a regulated educational programme with the participation of the interested organisation(s) and parties.

3. (Removed – 19.02.2016, No. 4787).

4. The National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement shall adopt, with respect to the accreditation of a regulated educational programme, the decision provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 66 of this Law.

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 – LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4787 – website, 07.03.2016

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 78. Economic activity of a higher educational institution🔗

A non-entrepreneurial legal entity – a higher educational institution may carry on other economic activity permitted by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Article 79. Funding of a higher education institution🔗

1. Budgetary funding of a higher education institution is oriented towards teaching and/or scientific research, the training, retraining and professional development of personnel for that institution.

1¹. In a higher education institution founded by the Government of Georgia, the studies of a citizen of Georgia at the first and second levels of academic higher education shall be fully funded by the state in accordance with the rules and conditions for funding a higher education institution founded by the Government of Georgia established by the Government of Georgia, while the rules and conditions for state funding of the studies of another person at the first and second levels of academic higher education in a higher education institution founded by the Government of Georgia shall be established by the Government of Georgia.

2. The sources of funding of a higher education institution are:

a) funding allocated in accordance with the rules and conditions for funding a higher education institution founded by the Government of Georgia established by the Government of Georgia;

b) income received in the form of a grant, a donation or by will;

c) scientific-research grants issued by the state on the basis of competitive selection;

d) (removed);

e) (removed - 10.12.2025, No. 1198);

e¹) funding allocated from the republican budget of the autonomous republic;

e²) programme funding allocated by the State Security Service of Georgia for the State Security Academy;

f) other income permitted by the legislation of Georgia, including income received from economic activity.

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 4 May 2018 No. 2320 – website, 21.05.2018

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1209 – website, 17.12.2025

Article 80. (removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 1 July 2011 No. 4999 - website, 15.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 24 November 2011 No. 5304 - website, 08.12.2011

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 5 April 2013 No. 518 – website, 24.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3436 – website, 28.09.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 80¹. (removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2010 No. 4040 - LHG I, No. 75, 27.12.2010, Art. 464

Law of Georgia of 1 July 2011 No. 4999 - website, 15.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 24 November 2011 No. 5304 - website, 08.12.2011

Law of Georgia of 5 April 2013 No. 518 – website, 24.04.2013

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4562 - website, 08.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3436 – website, 28.09.2018

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5276 – website, 04.11.2019

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 81. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia No 1443 of 13 May 2005 – LHG I, No 25, 02.06.2005, Art. 170

Law of Georgia No 2795 of 17 March 2006 – LHG I, No 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia No 4529 of 28 March 2007 – LHG I, No 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia No 1161 of 7 April 2009 – LHG I, No 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia No 1611 of 10 August 2009 – LHG I, No 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia No 2078 of 17 November 2009 – LHG I, No 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia No 3528 of 21 July 2010 – LHG I, No 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia No 4582 of 27 November 2015 – website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1367 of 15 November 2017 – website, 27.11.2017

Law of Georgia No 3026 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia No 3438 of 20 September 2018 – website, 05.10.2018

Law of Georgia No 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia No 1500 of 13 April 2022 – website, 19.04.2022

Law of Georgia No 2251 of 1 December 2022 – website, 14.12.2022

Law of Georgia No 1198 of 10 December 2025 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 82. (repealed)🔗

Law of Georgia No 2795 of 17 March 2006 – LHG I, No 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia No 1161 of 7 April 2009 – LHG I, No 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia No 388 of 22 March 2013 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia No 3026 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia No 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia No 1198 of 10 December 2025 – website, 16.12.2025

Article 83. State scientific-research grant🔗

1. A state scientific-research grant shall be issued to a unit of a higher education institution on the basis of a competition, in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry.

2. The amount of a state scientific-research or educational grant may not be used to finance other activities.

3. State funding of master's and doctoral programmes shall be carried out through a state scientific-research grant, in accordance with the priorities determined by the Ministry, under a special state programme.

Law of Georgia No 3026 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia No 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 84. Property of a higher educational institution founded by the State🔗

1. The property of a higher educational institution founded by the State shall consist of the property transferred to it by the State, legal and private persons, as well as the property acquired by it with its own funds.

2. The issue of taxation of the initial transfer of property by the State to a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity founded by the State – a higher educational institution – shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Article 85. Use of the property of a higher education institution founded by the State🔗

1. The acquisition, alienation or lease of immovable property or part thereof of a legal entity of public law – a higher education institution may be effected only by a decision of the Representative Council of the higher education institution, with the consent of the Ministry and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

1¹. The adoption of any decision relating to the movable property of a legal entity of public law – a higher education institution, if it goes beyond the scope of educational and scientific-research activity, may be effected only by a decision of the Representative Council of the higher education institution, with the consent of the Ministry, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. For the management of the property of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law founded by the State – a higher education institution, a development fund of the higher education institution may be established, to which part of the property and finances of the higher education institution shall be transferred.

3. The development fund of the higher education institution shall be established by the higher education institution, which shall also transfer to it the property necessary for its functioning. The issue of taxation of the initial transfer of property shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia.

4. The higher education institution, with the consent of the Board of Regents, shall approve the statute of the development fund of the higher education institution, which shall determine the powers of the director of the fund and the rules for the management and disposal of the property transferred to the fund.

5. The alienation and encumbrance of immovable property or part thereof of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law founded by the State – a higher education institution shall require the consent of the Board of Regents.

6. Property transferred by the State, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to an arts-creative/sports higher education institution founded by the State may, with the consent of the Board of Regents (in the case of a legal entity of public law – accordingly, of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia or the Ministry of Sport of Georgia, the Ministry and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia), be transferred with the right of gratuitous possession and use to a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity – a general education institution that delivers the out-of-school arts-creative/sports educational programmes defined by Article 11(5) of this Law.

Law of Georgia of 18 December 2009 No. 2379 – LHG I, No. 48, 29.12.2009, Art. 364

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2011 No. 4469 – website, 01.04.2011

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 – website, 05.01.2017

Law of Georgia No. 1632 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No. 3026 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia No. 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia No. 3826 of 30 November 2023 – website, 15.12.2023

Law of Georgia No. 84 of 12 December 2024 – website, 28.12.2024

Article 86. Property transferred by the State to a higher education institution🔗

1. Upon the establishment of a higher education institution, the State shall transfer to it the relevant property in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. The list of the property to be transferred shall be attached to the act on the establishment of the higher education institution.

3. The list of the property to be transferred shall indicate:

a) the inventory of the property;

b) the results of the assessment of the condition of the property by an independent audit or the balance-sheet data.

4. The property remaining as a result of the liquidation of a higher education institution established by the State shall be returned in full to the State in accordance with the legislation of Georgia. The liquidation of a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity established by the State shall also entail the liquidation of the development fund of the higher education institution, and the remaining property shall be returned in full to the State in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 06.07.2011

Article 86¹. Control over the implementation of normative acts in a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity established by the State − a higher education institution🔗

1. Control over the implementation of normative acts implies supervision of the lawfulness of the activities carried out by a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity established by the State − a higher education institution.

2. Control over the implementation of normative acts shall be exercised by the respective Ministry, the Ministry of Defence of Georgia, the Ministry of Culture of Georgia and the Ministry of Sports of Georgia.

3. The bodies exercising control over the implementation of normative acts shall be entitled to require the submission of the materials and information necessary for its exercise.

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia No. 1632 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No. 3026 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia No. 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia No. 3826 of 30 November 2023 – website, 15.12.2023

Law of Georgia No. 84 of 12 December 2024 – website, 28.12.2024

Article 86². Information System for Higher Education Management🔗

1. The information system for higher education management shall reflect information on higher educational institutions, the respective educational programmes, the personnel implementing an educational programme and the personal data of persons entitled to be enrolled in/having been enrolled in an educational programme (including, in cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia − data on their state of health), as well as other information determined by the legislation of Georgia.

2. The collection, storage, processing, analysis and administration of data in the information system for higher education management by the Ministry, in compliance with the requirements of the Law of Georgia on Personal Data Protection, shall be ensured, in accordance with the established procedure, by a legal entity of public law within its system designated by the Ministry.

3. The legal entity of public law provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article shall be entitled, for the purpose of performing the functions determined by the same paragraph, to receive and use personal data held by other legal entities of public law within the system of the Ministry.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3444 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 86³. Obligations of a higher educational institution and the presumption of correctness of the data of the information system for higher education management🔗

1. A higher educational institution shall be obliged to enter the respective information into the information system for higher education management within the time limit established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. Failure by a higher educational institution to enter the respective information into the information system for higher education management in a timely manner may become grounds for suspending an appropriate action to be carried out on the basis of the data of the information system for higher education management or for refusing to carry out such an action.

3. Where there is a discrepancy between the information reflected in the legal acts of a higher educational institution and the respective information reflected in the information system for higher education management, the data of the information system for higher education management shall be taken into account.

4. In cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia, forms of confirmation of the information entered into the information system for higher education management may be established.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3444 – website, 09.10.2018.

Article 86⁴. Responsibility for the correctness and completeness of information entered into the information system for higher education management🔗

The subject obliged to reflect this information in the said system shall be responsible for the correctness and completeness of the information entered into the information system for higher education management.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3444 – website, 09.10.2018.

Article 87. Management of a Higher Educational Institution🔗

1. The Legal Entities of Public Law – higher educational institutions created by decrees of the President of Georgia before the entry into force of this Law shall be considered as founded.

2. The entry into force of this Law shall cause the early termination of the powers of the rector and deans of faculties of a Legal Entity of Public Law – higher educational institution. The early termination of the rector's powers shall be formalized by an order of the President of Georgia. The President of Georgia is entitled to assign the performance of the duties of the rector to the dismissed rector, or to appoint a professor of this higher educational institution as temporary acting rector. The President of Georgia is entitled to early dismiss the acting rector. The early termination of the powers of a faculty dean shall be formalized by an act of the acting rector of the higher educational institution, who is entitled to assign the performance of the duties of the dean to the dismissed dean or to appoint another candidate as temporary acting dean.

3. The first elections of the management bodies of Legal Entities of Public Law – higher educational institutions shall be held by the higher educational institutions in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia no later than 2 years after the entry into force of this Law.

4. Legal Entities of Public Law – higher educational institutions shall, no later than 6 months after the first election of the management bodies corresponding to this Law, submit to the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia for approval new charters corresponding to this Law.

5. In accordance with this Law, immediately after the election of the first composition of the Academic Council, one third of the members shall be determined by lot, whose term of office shall be set at half the duration of the basic educational level.

6. (Removed – 27 June 2024, No. 4298).

7. Higher educational institutions shall ensure full transition to instruction under the educational programs provided for by this Law (bachelor's, master's, certified specialist, doctoral) and the conferral of the corresponding academic degrees no later than the beginning of the 2007-2008 academic year. Before the full transition to instruction under the educational programs provided for by this Law (bachelor's, master's, certified specialist), as a result of completion of a single-stage educational program of not less than five years, graduates of a higher educational institution shall receive a higher education diploma, which is equated to a master's diploma. The procedure for equating to a master's diploma, including additional educational modules, shall be determined by the relevant faculty of the higher educational institution.

8. Higher educational institutions shall, for the implementation of the educational programs provided for by this Law, ensure the transition to the European Credit Transfer System before the beginning of the 2009-2010 academic year.

9. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and higher educational institutions shall, by 31 December 2009, ensure that the respective legal acts are brought into compliance with this Law.

10. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, before the start of the 2010–2011 academic year, ensure the approval of the rule provided for by subparagraph „m1“ of paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Law.

11. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, by 15 September 2010, ensure the approval of the regulation on the authorisation of educational institutions provided for by subparagraph „f“ of paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Law, and by 1 March 2011 – the approval of the regulation on the accreditation of educational programmes of educational institutions provided for by subparagraph „f“ of paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Law.

12. The President of Georgia, the Government of Georgia, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and higher educational institutions shall, by 1 March 2011, ensure that the respective legal acts are brought into compliance with this Law.

13. Institutions implementing the regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „e“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of this Law shall be entitled to implement a maritime academic higher educational programme, notwithstanding accreditation, until the start of the 2017–2018 academic year.

Law of Georgia of 13 May 2005 No. 1444 - LHG I, No. 25, 02.06.2005, Art. 171

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 - website, 05.01.2017

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024

Article 88. Status and financing of higher educational institutions🔗

1. In accordance with the Decree of the President of Georgia No. 418 of 20 July 1998 “On approval of the Regulation and personal composition of the Council for Accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia”, higher educational institutions accredited shall be considered as having institutional accreditation in accordance with this Law until the beginning of the 2007−2008 academic year. The document confirming completion of an educational programme issued before the beginning of the 2007−2008 academic year in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia to the students of the institution which was refused the granting of accreditation in accordance with the above-mentioned Decree shall be considered recognised by the State.

1¹. The document confirming completion of an educational programme issued before the beginning of the 2005–2006 academic year by a licensed higher educational institution or an institution considered licensed by law, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, is recognised by the State, regardless of the accreditation of this institution.

1². The document confirming completion of a higher educational programme issued before the beginning of the 2007-2008 academic year by the Legal Entity of Public Law operating in the field of governance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia – the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, which is considered licensed by law, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, is recognised by the State, regardless of the accreditation of this higher educational institution.

2. (removed).

3. Before the implementation of programme accreditation of higher educational institutions, but not later than the beginning of the 2013–2014 academic year, the programmes of all licensed private law legal entities with institutional accreditation, as well as of a Legal Entity of Public Law – a higher educational institution, shall be considered accredited.

4. (removed).

5. (removed).

6. From the 2005-2006 academic year, the Government of Georgia shall ensure the gradual transition to the system of financing of higher education defined by this Law.

7. The state study grant and the state master's study grant shall be issued until 1 September 2010 to newly founded licensed higher educational institutions with institutional accreditation or provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 66¹ of this Law, for the remaining term of institutional accreditation. In the event that, at the moment of submission of an application for authorisation by these institutions, the possibility of accreditation of the relevant programme does not exist, this programme shall be considered accredited until the appropriate conditions are created.

7¹. Before 1 September 2010, taking into account the interests of students enrolled in institutions with institutional accreditation or in newly established licensed higher educational institutions provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 66¹ of this Law, before the expiry of the term of institutional accreditation, the Accreditation Council is entitled to adopt a decision on the accreditation of an educational programme for a term of less than 5 years. The legal consequences of accreditation shall apply only to the said students.

8. From the 2005-2006 academic year through the 2025-2026 academic year, the Government of Georgia shall establish the maximum, average and minimum amounts of the full and partial amounts of the state study grant for a higher educational programme. For citizens of Georgia, higher educational institutions founded by the State shall, from the 2005-2006 academic year through the 2025-2026 academic year, ensure the determination of the fee for a higher educational programme in accordance with the full amounts of the state study grant established by the Government of Georgia. The determination of fees different from that provided for by this Article for educational programmes implemented by a higher educational institution founded by the State, as well as for joint educational programmes implemented by a higher educational institution founded by the State and a higher educational institution recognised in accordance with the legislation of a foreign country, shall be possible by agreement with the Government of Georgia.

9. (Removed).

10. (Removed – 28.02.2012, No. 5718).

11. (Removed – 28.02.2012, No. 5718).

1². Before the start of the 2007-2008 academic year, legal entities of public law – higher educational institutions shall submit to the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia proposals on the expediency of establishing their branches as higher educational institutions.

1³. A legal entity of public law – higher educational institution may be reorganised by the Government of Georgia into a legal entity of private law, as a result of which the said legal entity shall be considered the successor of the respective legal entity of public law.

1⁴. Within 1 month from the entry into force of this paragraph, the Government of Georgia shall ensure the creation of the Regents' Council and the approval of its statute.

Law of Georgia of 13 May 2005 No. 1443 - LHG I, No. 25, 02.06.2005, Art. 170

Law of Georgia of 17 March 2006 No. 2795 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2006 No. 3987 - LHG I, No. 48, 22.12.2006, Art. 354

Law of Georgia of 28 March 2007 No. 4529 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 - LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 7 April 2009 No. 1161 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 5 August 2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 - website, 6 July 2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 9 March 2012

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 8 April 2013

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 - website, 10 December 2015

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3436 – website, 28 September 2018

Law of Georgia of 5 February 2020 No. 5709 – website, 10 February 2020

Law of Georgia of 9 June 2021 No. 613 – website, 14 June 2021

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2021 No. 1072 – website, 23 December 2021

Law of Georgia of 28 June 2023 No. 3305 – website, 17 July 2023

Article 89. National Centre for Assessment and Examinations, National Centre for Educational Accreditation and Compatibility of Educational Programmes🔗

1. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, before the start of the 2006-2007 academic year, ensure the approval of the statute of the National Examinations Centre.

2. By the beginning of the 2007-2008 academic year, the Government of Georgia shall ensure the commencement of the activities of the State Accreditation Service.

3. Before its establishment, the functions of the National Examinations Centre shall be performed by the Ministry and the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Assessment and Examinations.

3¹. The Legal Entity of Public Law – National Examinations Centre is the successor of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Examinations Centre, and the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Educational Accreditation is the successor of the Legal Entity of Public Law – State Accreditation Service.

3². The Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Educational Accreditation shall be reorganised into the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for the Development of Education Quality. The Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for the Development of Education Quality is the successor of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Educational Accreditation.

3³. The Legal Entity of Public Law – National Examinations Centre shall be reorganised into the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Assessment and Examinations. The Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Assessment and Examinations is the successor of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Examinations Centre.

4. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, for the 2005-2006 academic year, ensure the holding of the unified national examinations in Georgian language and literature, general skills, foreign languages (English, German, French or Russian) and mathematics, and for the 2006-2007 academic year – also in other subjects. The procedure for holding the examinations and their compulsory/optional nature shall be determined by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia in accordance with this Law.

5. Before the establishment of the State Accreditation Service of educational institutions, the performance of its functions shall be ensured by the Accreditation Council of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia established in accordance with the Decree of the President of Georgia No 418 of 20 July 1998 "On the Approval of the Statute and Personal Composition of the Accreditation Council of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia".

5¹. Before the completion of the measures related to the reorganisation of the Legal Entity of Public Law – State Accreditation Service into the National Centre for Educational Accreditation, its functions shall be performed by the Legal Entity of Public Law – State Accreditation Service, and before the completion of the measures related to the change of the name of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Examinations Centre, its functions shall be performed by the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Examinations Centre.

5². The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall be tasked with implementing the measures related to the reorganisation of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Educational Accreditation into a Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Educational Quality Development. Until these measures are completed, the functions of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Educational Quality Development shall be performed by the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Educational Accreditation.

5³. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall be tasked with carrying out, before 1 September 2013, the measures related to the reorganisation of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Examinations Centre into a Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Assessment and Examinations. Until these measures are completed, the functions of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Assessment and Examinations shall be performed by the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Examinations Centre.

6. (removed).

6¹. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, before the start of the 2017–2018 academic year, ensure the implementation of the accreditation of the educational programme for teacher training.

6². The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, before the start of the 2017–2018 academic year, ensure the development and approval of the rules provided for by subparagraph „m1“ of paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Law and by Article 54². Until the respective rule is approved, a person with higher education shall be admitted to the educational programme for teacher training and a teacher training certificate shall be issued in accordance with the rule approved by the higher educational institution.

6³. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, by 31 December 2011, ensure the approval of the rule provided for by subparagraph „f1“ of paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Law.

6⁴. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, before the start of the 2012–2013 academic year, ensure the accreditation of the educational programme for training in the Georgian language. A higher educational institution shall, before the start of the 2012–2013 academic year, undergo the accreditation of the educational programme for training in the Georgian language. Before the first accreditation of the educational programme for training in the Georgian language is conducted, the educational programme for training in the Georgian language of a higher educational institution shall be considered accredited.

7. Before the start of the 2006-2007 academic year, higher educational institutions shall ensure the transition to a 120-credit master's programme.

8. Before the start of the 2005-2006 academic year, a higher education diploma obtained as a result of completing a single-stage educational programme of not less than five years shall be equated to a master's diploma. A diploma obtained before the start of the 2005-2006 academic year as a result of completing a single-stage higher educational programme of less than five years shall be equated to a bachelor's diploma.

8¹. To persons enrolled before the start of the 2007-2008 academic year, upon completion of an educational programme in medicine (including veterinary medicine) of not less than 5 years, a diploma of certified physician (veterinarian) shall be issued, which is equated with a master's diploma.

8². At the end of the 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 academic years, the diploma of certified specialist issued upon completion of an educational programme of not less than 5 years is equated with a master's diploma, the diploma of certified specialist issued upon completion of a 4-year educational programme is equated with a bachelor's diploma, and the diploma of certified specialist issued upon completion of an educational programme of not less than 3 years – with a diploma of professional higher education.

8³. Before the start of the 2005-2006 academic year, a diploma issued upon completion of a single-stage, 4-year educational programme of a second specialty, for the purposes of which the learning outcomes of the educational programme undertaken within the first specialty were taken into account and which was considered identical to the 5-year educational programme of the same specialty of the implementer of the educational programme, is equated with a master's diploma.

8⁴. For the purposes of continuing studies at a higher educational institution, the diploma certifying secondary vocational education, which is equated by law with a diploma certifying professional higher education, shall be considered equated with the state document certifying complete general education.

8⁵. The academic degree of certified veterinarian obtained before the entry into force of this paragraph upon completion of a 300-credit educational programme for veterinarians is equated with the master's academic degree. A person enrolled in a 300-credit educational programme for veterinarians is entitled to complete this programme, upon completion of which he/she shall be awarded the academic degree of certified veterinarian, which is equated with the master's academic degree.

8⁶. Before the start of the 2007-2008 academic year, the higher education diploma issued upon completion of the higher educational programme of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia – a legal entity of public law operating in the field of governance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia – is equated with a master's diploma.

9. The scientific degree of candidate of sciences obtained before the entry into force of this Law is equated with the academic degree of doctor.

10. Paragraph 9 of this Article also applies to persons who have become or will become aspirants (seekers) and obtain the degree of candidate of sciences at a higher educational institution, but not later than 31 December 2006.

10¹. A person holding the academic degree of doctor is equated in legal status with a person who, before 2007, has been awarded the scientific-pedagogical title of docent or professor in the relevant field of arts-creative or architecture.

10². A person who has completed a single-stage educational program and who, during the implementation of this program, was entitled to continue studies in aspirantura shall have the right to study in doctoral studies.

11. Legal Entities of Public Law – higher educational institutions shall, before the start of the 2006-2007 academic year, ensure the transfer of professor-teachers and researchers employed at the institution to the relevant academic positions provided for by this Law.

12. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, before the start of the 2006-2007 academic year, ensure the adoption of the acts provided for by subparagraphs “f”, “g”, “i”, “m” and “n” of paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Law.

12¹. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, before 15 April 2009, ensure the approval of the regulation on conducting master's exams and the rule for the distribution of state master's study grants.

12². For persons who, before 2013, after the common master's exams and before the exam/exams determined by the higher educational institution, received a document certifying an academic degree of higher education and were enrolled in a master's program of a higher educational institution in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, the common master's exam shall be considered passed.

13. In the event of a conflict between the norms of this Law and the norms of the Law of Georgia “On Education”, the norms of this Law shall apply.

14. Higher educational institutions that were granted institutional accreditation in 2006 require re-accreditation in the part of professional higher education for the implementation of higher professional educational programs.

15. Before the start of the 2008-2009 academic year, the Government of Georgia shall ensure the compliance of Legal Entities of Public Law – higher educational institutions with subparagraphs “w”, “w1” and “gg18” of Article 2 of this Law and with paragraph 1 of Article 9.

16. (Deleted).

17. In the 2007-2008 academic year, enrollment in an accredited higher educational institution for study in professional higher educational programs shall be carried out under a procedure different from that established by this Law, on the basis of the results of the Unified National Exams, in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.

17¹. Admission of students to the educational program of a certified specialist (professional higher education) after the 2010–2011 academic year shall be inadmissible. State study grants shall be issued to persons enrolled before that time under the procedure in force until 1 September 2010.

17². In the case of continuing studies under a bachelor's, certified physician/dentist/veterinarian educational programme, the higher educational institution may count the credits accumulated by a certified specialist for the purposes of obtaining the academic degree of bachelor, certified physician/dentist/veterinarian. In order to study under a bachelor's, certified physician/dentist/veterinarian educational programme, a certified specialist shall be enrolled in a higher educational institution in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

17³. A higher educational institution which, as of 1 September 2010, carries out a nominal educational activity shall be entitled, until the persons enrolled in the nominal educational programme complete the respective educational programme, to carry out the said educational activity. It shall be inadmissible for a higher educational institution to admit students to the nominal educational programme after 1 September 2010.

18. In 2009, a legal entity of private law – an accredited higher educational institution and a legal entity of private law provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 66¹ of this Law – a newly established licensed higher educational institution shall be entitled not to join the unified master's examination network and to admit master's candidates under a procedure different from that provided for by Article 52¹ of this Law.

19. In 2009, where the relevant circumstances exist, an accredited higher educational institution shall be entitled, before the unified master's examinations, to conduct the examination(s) determined for a master's candidate. An accredited higher educational institution shall be obliged, by 7 June 2009, to establish the procedure for conducting the examination(s) determined by the higher educational institution for master's candidates, as provided for by subparagraph „h“ of paragraph 1 of Article 10 of this Law.

20. After the entry into force of the regulation on authorisation of educational institutions provided for by subparagraph „f“ of paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Law, all licensed higher educational institutions, except accredited ones or newly established licensed higher educational institutions provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 66¹ of this Law operating before 1 September 2010, shall be obliged to undergo authorisation in order to obtain the right to issue an education document recognised by the State. Accredited higher educational institutions or newly established licensed higher educational institutions provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 66¹ of this Law operating before 1 September 2010 shall be considered authorised for the remaining term of accreditation. After the expiry of that term, they shall be obliged to undergo authorisation in order to obtain the right to issue an education document recognised by the State.

21. Persons enrolled in higher educational institutions licensed before 1 September 2010 shall be subject to the legal regime in force before 1 September 2010.

22. The legal consequences of passing authorisation by a licensed higher educational institution shall not extend to persons enrolled in that institution before passing authorisation. They shall be subject to the legal regime established by the legislation of Georgia that was in force before passing authorisation. In the case of enrolment in a higher educational institution, the State recognition of higher education received by persons enrolled in a licensed higher educational institution shall be carried out, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, by the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement, under the conditions established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. The conditions and fee for the State recognition of higher education received by persons enrolled in a licensed higher educational institution shall be established by a normative administrative-legal act of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.

23. Within 10 days from 1 September 2010, every licensed higher educational institution, except accredited ones or newly founded licensed higher educational institutions provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 66¹ of this Law that were in operation before 1 September 2010, shall be obliged to submit to the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement the list of persons enrolled in that institution (in both printed and electronic form).

23¹. A person indicated in the list of persons enrolled in a licensed higher educational institution provided for by paragraph 23 of this Article shall be entitled to continue studies at the licensed higher educational institution which has submitted to the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement the list of persons enrolled in that institution.

24. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall enrol in a higher educational institution, without the Unified National Examinations, those applicants who were unable to take the 2010 Unified National Examinations owing to the culpable action of bodies within the system of the said Ministry. The existence of guilt must be confirmed by the relevant proceedings. Applicants shall be enrolled in a higher educational institution by an individual administrative-legal act of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, for 1 year. During this period, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall ensure the financing of the studies of the said persons within the maximum amount of the state study grant determined by the Government of Georgia. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall take into account, in the registration application, the priority list of the faculty and of the academic higher and/or professional higher educational programme and/or of the educational programme for preparation in the Georgian language of the higher educational institution, and the number of vacant places available within the total number of students determined for the higher educational institution as a result of institutional accreditation. These persons shall acquire the right to continue their studies in the educational programme direction/speciality only on the basis of passing the Unified National Examinations of the following year. In the case of passing the Unified National Examinations, the higher educational institution shall, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, recognise the credits obtained by these persons, while the award of the state study grant shall be made in accordance with the procedure established by paragraph 2 of Article 54 of this Law.

25. Reorganisation, before this paragraph enters into force, by way of merger, by the authorised body of an educational institution implementing unrecognised higher educational programmes, with a legal entity of public law — an accredited higher educational institution — shall result in the extension to persons with complete general education enrolled in these programmes of the legal regime provided by the legislation of Georgia for students of the accredited higher educational institution.

26. Persons who, before this paragraph enters into force, were enrolled in a higher educational institution as a result of the Unified National Examinations and in respect of whom a document certifying complete general education — an attestation certificate — was not issued owing to criminal or administrative proceedings shall be subject to all the legal consequences determined for the use of a genuine attestation certificate.

27. A person conditionally admitted in 2011 to a military higher educational institution, on the basis of the legislation of Georgia, to the educational programme of the first academic year of the bachelor's degree without acquiring the status of an attendee shall acquire the right to the status of an attendee and to continue studies in the corresponding educational programme of the military higher educational institution in the case of exceeding the minimum competence threshold at the 2012 Unified National Examinations.

28. Study at a higher educational institution without passing the common master's examinations, in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry and within the established timeframes, shall be permitted for nationals of a foreign country who acquired the right to continue their studies at a higher educational institution of Georgia before this Law entered into force and who hold a document confirming higher education issued in Georgia and recognized by the State.

29. A higher educational institution of Georgia that, before this paragraph entered into force, has concluded a contract on student exchange with an educational institution of a foreign country, shall be obliged to apply to the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement in order to receive written information on the recognition of the said higher educational institution in accordance with the legislation of that country.

Law of Georgia No. 1444 of 13 May 2005 - LHG I, No. 25, 02.06.2005, Art. 171

Law of Georgia No. 2795 of 17 March 2006 - LHG I, No. 9, 31.03.2006, Art. 67

Law of Georgia No. 4529 of 28 March 2007 - LHG I, No. 15, 23.04.2007, Art. 118

Law of Georgia No. 673 of 10 December 2008 - LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia No. 1161 of 7 April 2009 - LHG I, No. 9, 13.04.2009, Art. 44

Law of Georgia No. 1611 of 10 August 2009 - LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia No. 2078 of 17 November 2009 - LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia No. 3376 of 6 July 2010 - LHG I, No. 40, 20.07.2010, Art. 253

Law of Georgia No. 3528 of 21 July 2010 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia No. 4040 of 15 December 2010 - LHG I,No. 75, 27.12.2010, Art. 464

Law of Georgia No. 4792 of 17 June 2011 - website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia No. 5718 of 28 February 2012 – website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia No. 6177 of 15 May 2012 – website, 29.05.2012

Law of Georgia No. 388 of 22 March 2013 – website, 08.04.2013

Law of Georgia No. 518 of 5 April 2013 – website, 24.04.2013

Law of Georgia No. 917 of 6 August 2013 - website, 20.08.2013

Law of Georgia No. 1081 of 6 September 2013 – website, 20.09.2013

Law of Georgia No. 2690 of 17 October 2014 - website, 27.10.2014

Law of Georgia No. 2725 of 30 October 2014 – website, 06.11.2014

Law of Georgia No. 4582 of 27 November 2015 - website, 10.12.2015

Law of Georgia No. 3026 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia No. 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia No. 613 of 9 June 2021 – website,14.06.2021

Article 89¹. Measures to promote access to higher education for students due to hostilities in Georgia🔗

1. Recognition of higher education obtained in the occupied territories of Georgia shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister. After recognition of education obtained in the occupied territories of Georgia, a citizen of Georgia and a person provided for by Article 20¹³ of the Law of Georgia “On the Rules for Registration of Citizens of Georgia and Foreigners Residing in Georgia, Issuance of Identity (Residence) Cards and Passports of Citizens of Georgia” shall have the right to continue their studies at a higher educational institution of Georgia without passing the Unified National Examinations, in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister.

2. The amount of funds allocated within the framework of the social programme for financing higher education of persons affected as a result of the armed attack of the Russian Federation on 7 August 2008, for accredited educational programmes of higher educational institutions of Georgia, may exceed the maximum amount of funds to be allocated within the framework of the social programme provided for by this Law. The amount and conditions of financing of these persons with a state study grant shall be determined by the Government of Georgia upon the submission of the Ministry.

3. Citizens of Georgia who lived in the Russian Federation before 7 August 2008 and were enrolled in higher educational institutions recognised by that country shall have the right to continue their studies at a higher educational institution of Georgia without passing the Unified National Examinations, in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2008 No. 673 - LHG I, No. 38, 19.12.2008, Art. 241

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 - LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 1 July 2011 No. 4999 - website, 15.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3041 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 89². Measures to promote access to higher education by students affected as a result of natural disasters in Georgia🔗

The amount of funds allocated within the framework of the social programme for financing higher education of students affected as a result of the natural disaster in 2012, for accredited educational programmes of higher educational institutions of Georgia, may exceed the maximum amount of funds to be allocated within the framework of the social programme provided for by this Law. The amount and conditions of financing of these persons with a state study grant and a state master’s study grant shall be determined by the Government of Georgia upon the submission of the Ministry.

Law of Georgia of 21 December 2012 No. 141 - website, 27.12.2012

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 89³. Recognition of education certifying documents issued by the educational institutions of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church from 2005 until 1 January 2015🔗

1. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the Patriarchate of Georgia shall ensure the joint study of the issue of recognition of education certifying documents issued by the educational institutions of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church from 2005 until 1 January 2015, the development of the rule for the recognition of education certifying documents issued by the educational institutions of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church from 2005 until 1 January 2015, and its approval by the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia.

2. The Patriarchate of Georgia shall ensure the compliance of education certifying documents recognised on the basis of the rule provided for by paragraph 1 of this article with the diploma form provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 47⁵ of this Law.

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 – website, 29.12.2012.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Article 89⁴. Authorisation of Orthodox theological higher educational institutions🔗

Orthodox theological higher educational institutions founded by the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church on the basis of this Law shall be considered authorised in accordance with this Law until 1 January 2015. From 1 January 2015, the said Orthodox theological higher educational institutions shall be subject to authorisation in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.1

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 – website, 29.12.2012.

Article 89⁵. Rule for the conferral of an academic degree by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia🔗

1. The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia shall be entitled, until 1 January 2015, to determine himself a rule for the conferral of an academic degree in the field of Orthodox theological higher education that differs from that established by the legislation of Georgia and to confer an academic degree on the basis of the rule determined by him.

2. An education certifying document − a diploma issued on the basis of paragraph 1 of this article shall be recognised by the State.

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 187 – website, 29.12.2012.

Article 89⁶. Students enrolled in the highest educational institution of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church/in an Orthodox theological higher educational institution🔗

1. Students enrolled in an Orthodox theological higher educational institution before 1 January 2016 shall be considered enrolled in accordance with the legislation of Georgia. The recognition and calculation in credits of the education received by them before enrolment in this institution shall be carried out by the respective institution.

2. Students enrolled in the highest educational institution of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church before 1 January 2013 shall be considered enrolled in accordance with the legislation of Georgia. The recognition and calculation in credits of the education received by them before enrolment in this institution shall be carried out by the respective institution.

Law of Georgia of 22 March 2013 No. 388 – website, 08.04.2013.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 – website, 05.01.2017.

Article 89⁷. Measures to promote the receipt of higher education by students affected in villages adjacent to the dividing line with the occupied territories of Georgia🔗

The amount of funds allocated within the framework of the social programme for the financing of higher education of students affected in villages adjacent to the dividing line with the occupied territories of Georgia, for accredited educational programmes of higher educational institutions of Georgia, in 2013 and 2014 may exceed the maximum amount of funds to be allocated within the framework of the social programme provided for by this Law. The amount and conditions of financing of these persons by the state study grant and the state master's study grant shall be determined by the Government of Georgia upon the submission of the Ministry.

Law of Georgia of 26 December 2013 No. 1882 – website, 27.12.2013.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3026 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 89⁸. Measures to be implemented for the fulfilment of the obligations provided for by an international treaty of Georgia ratified by the Parliament of Georgia🔗

1. The Government of Georgia shall be entitled to determine, for the fulfilment of the obligations provided for by the "Millennium Challenge Compact" ratified by the Resolution of the Parliament of Georgia of 4 October 2013 "on the ratification of the 'Millennium Challenge Compact' between the United States of America, acting on behalf of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and Georgia":

a) rules and conditions different from those established by the legislation of Georgia for the implementation of higher educational programmes to be implemented through cooperation between a higher educational institution of Georgia and San Diego State University;

b) rules and conditions different from those established by the legislation of Georgia for admission to higher educational programmes to be implemented through cooperation between a higher educational institution of Georgia and San Diego State University;

c) rules and conditions different from those established by the legislation of Georgia for the funding of students admitted to higher educational programmes to be implemented through cooperation between a higher educational institution of Georgia and San Diego State University;

d) rules and conditions different from those established by the legislation of Georgia for the award of qualifications to students upon completion of higher educational programmes to be implemented through cooperation between a higher educational institution of Georgia and San Diego State University, the issuance of documents confirming qualifications and recognition.

2. The higher educational programmes to be implemented through cooperation between a higher educational institution of Georgia and San Diego State University provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article shall be considered accredited for the term for which they are considered recognised/accredited under the legislation of the United States of America.

Law of Georgia of 26 December 2014 No. 2992 – website, 31.12.2014.

Article 89⁹. Recognition of education received in an educational institution of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church that has been liquidated or whose educational activity has been terminated🔗

1. The Patriarchate of Georgia, in accordance with the procedure established by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, recognizes the education of those persons who received education in an institution of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church that was liquidated or whose educational activity was terminated before 2005 and who are unable to confirm their own education or qualification.

2. The Patriarchate of Georgia is entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, to issue a document confirming the recognition of education provided for by paragraph 1 of this article – a diploma/copy of a diploma.

3. A person who studied in an institution of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church that was liquidated or whose educational activity was terminated before 1 January 2013 has the right to acquire student status in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

4. An Orthodox theological higher educational institution is entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, to recognize the education received by the person specified in paragraph 3 of this article before acquiring student status.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10 December 2015.

Article 89¹⁰. (Removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10 December 2015.

Law of Georgia of 18 April 2018 No. 2148 – website, 1 May 2018.

Law of Georgia of 4 May 2018 No. 2320 – website, 21 May 2018.

Article 89¹¹. (Removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10 December 2015.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 – website, 5 January 2017.

Article 89¹². (Removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4582 – website, 10 December 2015.

Law of Georgia of 16 December 2016 No. 105 – website, 5 January 2017.

Law of Georgia of 10 May 2022 No. 1548 – website, 24 May 2022.

Article 89¹³. Veterinary education (educational programmes existing in a phase-out regime)🔗

1. A higher educational institution is entitled to implement the 240-credit higher educational programme of the veterinary bachelor's degree before the start of the 2018-2019 academic year and to admit applicants to this programme through 2017 inclusive.

2. A higher educational institution shall, before the start of the 2018-2019 academic year, ensure the transfer to the integrated master's programme in veterinary medicine of those students enrolled through 2017 inclusive in the 240-credit higher educational programme of the veterinary bachelor's degree who will not be awarded the qualification as a result of completing the 240-credit higher educational programme of the veterinary bachelor's degree before the start of the 2018-2019 academic year.

3. In the case provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article, in the case of transfer to the integrated master's programme in veterinary medicine of students enrolled through 2017 inclusive in the 240-credit higher educational programme of the veterinary bachelor's degree, the student's studies under the integrated master's programme in veterinary medicine shall be funded taking into account the amount of the state study grant received by the student for the funding of studies under the initial higher educational programme and the remaining years, for a period of no more than 5 years.

Law of Georgia of 15 November 2017 No. 1367 – website, 27 November 2017.

Article 89¹⁴. The basis for enrolment in higher educational institutions of Georgia for persons registered for the 2019 Unified National Examinations/Common Master's Examinations, residing in the territories provided for by subparagraphs „a“ and „b“ of Article 2 of the Law of Georgia „On Occupied Territories“, who were unable to participate in the said examinations🔗

1. Persons residing in the territories provided for by subparagraphs „a“ and „b“ of Article 2 of the Law of Georgia „On Occupied Territories“, who registered for the 2019 Unified National Examinations/Common Master's Examinations, but were unable to participate in the said examinations, or participated in these examinations, but did not obtain the right to be enrolled in a higher educational institution of Georgia, have the right to be enrolled in a higher educational institution of Georgia, respectively, in an accredited educational programme of bachelor's, integrated bachelor's-master's teacher training, veterinary training, certified physician/dentist or master's studies, without passing the Unified National Examinations/Common Master's Examinations.

2. The list of persons provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, who have the right to be enrolled in higher educational institutions of Georgia and to be funded, respectively, by a state study grant or a state study master's grant, shall be determined by an individual administrative-legal act of the Minister.

3. A person provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article shall be enrolled in a higher educational institution of Georgia on the basis of an application and the individual administrative-legal act of the Minister provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article.

4. A student enrolled in a higher educational institution of Georgia in accordance with this Article shall receive funding for 1 year from enrolment in the said institution. The student's funding in the higher educational institution shall be extended annually (a bachelor shall receive funding for a total of 4 academic years, and a master's student − for a total of 2 academic years), if the student accumulates, in the 2019-2020 academic year (a bachelor − also during the following 3 academic years, and a master's student − also during the following 1 academic year), the number of credits provided for by the individual administrative-legal act of the Minister.

Law of Georgia No. 5091 of 3 October 2019 – website, 04.10.2019.

Law of Georgia No. 339 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 89¹⁵. Grounds for enrolment in higher educational institutions of Georgia of convicts who successfully passed master's examinations in 2019🔗

1. Convicts who successfully passed master's examinations in 2019 but did not obtain the right to be enrolled in higher educational institutions of Georgia shall have the right to be enrolled in the 2019-2020 academic year in higher educational institutions of Georgia in a master's educational programme, in accordance with the procedure approved by the Minister.

2. The list of persons provided for by paragraph 1 of this article who have the right to be enrolled in higher educational institutions of Georgia in a master's educational programme shall be determined by an individual administrative-legal act of the Minister.

3. Persons provided for by paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article shall be enrolled in higher educational institutions of Georgia on the basis of an application and the individual administrative-legal act of the Minister provided for by paragraph 2 of this article.

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5279 – website, 04.11.2019.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 339 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 89¹⁶. Grounds for enrolment in a higher educational institution implementing an arts-creative or sports educational programme in 2020🔗

1. An applicant who wishes to be enrolled, on the basis of the 2020 unified national examinations, in a higher educational institution implementing an arts-creative or sports educational programme shall pass the relevant competition, in accordance with the procedure established by the higher educational institution implementing the arts-creative or sports educational programme, for admission to arts-creative or sports higher education.

2. The operation of subparagraph „a“ of paragraph 2 of Article 52 of this Law shall not apply to the applicant provided for by paragraph 1 of this article.

Law of Georgia of 25 June 2020 No. 6498 – website, 01.07.2020.

Article 89¹⁷. Time limit for the suspension of the status of a student of a military higher educational institution and for the entry into force of mobility🔗

The operation of paragraphs 15 and 16 of Article 43 of this Law shall extend to a student enrolled in a military higher educational institution after the entry into force of the said paragraphs.

Law of Georgia of 25 May 2022 No. 1612 – website, 06.06.2022.

Article 89¹⁸. Measures to be taken in 2023 for the purpose of facilitating the studies of students with suspended status who have a financial debt in a higher educational institution of Georgia🔗

For the purpose of facilitating the studies of students with suspended status who have a financial debt in a higher educational institution of Georgia, the Government of Georgia shall be entitled to issue a relevant normative act in 2023.

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2023 No. 3957 – website, 25.12.2023.

Article 89¹⁹. Extension of the requirement of living in a foreign country for a period determined by the Ministry to certain persons🔗

The requirement of living in a foreign country for a period determined by the Ministry provided for by subparagraph „d“ of paragraph 3 of Article 52 of this Law and subparagraph „b1“ of paragraph 7 of Article 52¹, in view of the hostilities conducted in Ukraine and the State of Israel, shall not apply to persons who from the 2021-2022 academic year were/will be enrolled in higher educational institutions of Ukraine or the State of Israel.

Law of Georgia of 15 May 2024 No. 4163 – website, 21.05.2024.

Article 89²⁰. Measure to be implemented in connection with the creation of an online university🔗

The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia shall be instructed to develop, by 1 January 2028, the concept/model and standard of an online university.

Article 89²¹. Implementation by state-founded higher educational institutions of the programmes not provided for by the list of educational programmes (curricula) determined by the Government of Georgia🔗

State-founded higher educational institutions, for which the Government of Georgia determines the list of educational programmes (curricula) that they are entitled to implement, shall be granted the right, regardless of the remaining term, to implement in accredited or non-accredited (authorised) mode the educational programmes which, as of 1 January 2026, they implement in accordance with the legislation of Georgia and which are not provided for by the said list, subject to the following deadlines:

a) a bachelor's educational programme of not less than 180 credits − before the start of the 2029-2030 academic year;

b) a bachelor's educational programme of not less than 240 credits − before the start of the 2030-2031 academic year;

c) a master's educational programme − before the start of the 2028-2029 academic year;

d) a doctoral educational programme − before the start of the 2029-2030 academic year;

e) an integrated bachelor's-master's educational programme for teacher training, an integrated master's educational programme in veterinary medicine, an educational programme for a certified physician, an educational programme for a certified dentist − before the start of the 2030-2031 academic year.

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4298 – website, 04.07.2024.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1198 – website, 16.12.2025.

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1354 – website, 05.02.2026.

Article 90. Entry of the Law into Force🔗

1. The age restriction provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 36 for academic positions, subparagraph „e“ of Article 38 and paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 39 of this Law shall enter into force from the beginning of the 2009-2010 academic year.

2. The first paragraph of Article 81 of this Law shall enter into force from the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year.

2¹. Subparagraph „c1“ of the first paragraph of Article 6 and subparagraph „m2“ of the first paragraph of Article 7 of this Law shall enter into force upon approval of the rule provided for by subparagraph „m1“ of the first paragraph of Article 7 and Article 54² of this Law.

2². Enrolment of applicants in the educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language at a higher educational institution, on the basis of the results of the tests provided for by paragraph 1² of Article 52 of this Law, is a temporary measure and shall be in effect through the 2030-2031 academic year.

2³. (Removed – 06.06.2018, No. 2480).

2⁴. (Removed – 06.06.2018, No. 2480).

3. This Law shall enter into force upon publication.

Law of Georgia of 10 August 2009 No. 1611 – LHG I, No. 25, 20.08.2009, Art. 148

Law of Georgia of 17 November 2009 No. 2078 – LHG I, No. 38, 01.12.2009, Art. 281

Law of Georgia of 21 July 2010 No. 3528 – LHG I, No. 47, 05.08.2010, Art. 299

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4792 – website, 06.07.2011

Law of Georgia of 28 February 2012 No. 5718 – website, 09.03.2012

Law of Georgia of 24 June 2015 No. 3742 – website, 03.07.2015

Law of Georgia of 6 June 2018 No. 2480 – website, 21.06.2018

Law of Georgia of 28 June 2023 No. 3305 – website, 17.07.2023

President of Georgia M. Saakashvili

Tbilisi,

21 December 2004.

No. 688-rs