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CIU vs CU vs NVU: three Tbilisi universities compared

Caucasus International University (CIU), Caucasus University (CU) and New Vision University (NVU) are three private universities in Tbilisi that students often weigh up together. This page sets their published fees, courses, accreditation and admission side by side, so you can see how they differ before you shortlist.

By BRS Global Education · Last reviewed

CIU, CU and NVU at a glance

All three are private universities in Tbilisi that teach in English to international students. The table uses the details published by each university at the time of review.

 CIUCUNVU
Full nameCaucasus International UniversityCaucasus UniversityNew Vision University
Founded199520042013
Address73 Chargali Street, Tbilisi 01411 Paata Saakadze Street, Tbilisi 010211 Nodar Bokhua Street, Tbilisi 0159
English MDUS$6,000 / yr, 6 yearsUS$6,000 / yr, 6 yearsUS$7,000 / yr, 6 years
English dentistryUS$5,000 / yr, 5 yearsNot in our reviewed listUS$7,000 / yr, 5 years
Lowest published feeUS$3,000 / yrUS$5,000 / yrUS$4,500 / yr
Clinical trainingClinical Skills Center with simulators, plus dental clinics and a university teaching clinicMemoranda of cooperation with around twenty Tbilisi clinics and laboratories, per CU's MD documentNVU University Hospital named as the predominant clinical setting, alongside affiliated clinics
HousingDormitory announced but not confirmed; most students rentNo dormitory advertised; the International Relations office helps find housingNo dormitory confirmed; most students rent shared apartments
AdmissionSecondary school certificate, passport and proof of EnglishCertificate, B2 English and NEET where it applies; pre-acceptance letter in about a weekOnline interview within seven days, then a Conditional Offer Letter
Official websiteVisitVisitVisit

Tuition is the figure published by the university or the national Study in Georgia portal at the time of review and can change between intakes. Always get the current fee schedule in writing before you pay anything.

Are CIU and CU the same university?

No, and the similar names cause real confusion. Caucasus International University (CIU) is at 73 Chargali Street and was founded in 1995. Caucasus University (CU) is at 1 Paata Saakadze Street and was established in 2004 on the base of the Caucasus School of Business. New Vision University (NVU) is a third, separate university at 11 Nodar Bokhua Street. Fees, courses and accreditation decisions belong to each university, so check that any quote, offer letter or invoice names the right one before you pay.

Courses and fees compared

Annual tuition for the English-taught programmes each university lists. A dash means the university does not list that course for international students in English in the sources we reviewed.

CourseCIUCUNVU
Medicine (MD)Medicine: US$6,000 / yr, 6 yearsMedicine: US$6,000 / yr, 6 yearsMedicine: US$7,000 / yr, 6 years
Dentistry (DMD)Dental Medicine: US$5,000 / yr, 5 years-Dental Medicine: US$7,000 / yr, 5 years
Nursing (Bachelor)Listed in English; fee and length to confirm-Nursing Care: US$4,500 / yr, 4 years
Pharmacy (Bachelor)--Pharmacy: US$4,500 / yr, 4 years
IT and computing (Bachelor)Information Technology: US$3,500 / yr, 4 yearsComputer Science and AI: US$5,500 / yr, 3 yearsCybersecurity: US$5,500 / yr, 3 years-
Business (Bachelor)Business Administration: US$3,500 / yr, 3 yearsBusiness Administration: US$5,500 / yr, 3 yearsBusiness Administration: US$4,500 / yr, 4 years
Architecture and design-Architecture: US$5,000 / yr, 4 yearsGraphic Design: US$5,000 / yr, 3 years-
Social sciences (Bachelor)--Political Science and International Relations: US$4,500 / yr, 4 years
Master's programmesGlobal Policy and Security Studies: US$3,000 / yr, 2 yearsBusiness Administration, MBA: US$5,000 / yr, 2 yearsInformation Technology Management: US$5,000 / yr, 2 yearsBusiness Administration, MBA: US$4,500 / yr, 2 years

Each university page lists every programme with its length and credits. Some also list extra programmes, such as double degrees at CU or doctoral and rehabilitation programmes at NVU, whose fees and intakes you should confirm. See the full tables for CIU, CU and NVU.

What the degree costs in tuition

DegreeCIUCUNVU
MD, whole degreeUS$36,000US$36,000US$42,000
Dentistry, whole degreeUS$25,000-US$35,000

These are tuition only, assuming today's fee stays flat for the whole degree. Add living costs, visa, insurance, flights and one-off fees. Our cost guide shows what those add up to.

Accreditation

Georgia's National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) publishes accreditation decisions. Its April 2023 list of MD programmes shows the English MD at CIU, CU and NVU accredited until 31 December 2027. NCEQE's register also shows a positive decision on CIU's English Medicine programme valid from 22 July 2022 with a term to correct a deficit, and a decision for CU valid until 29 March 2029 with a progress-report condition.

Dates change as decisions are renewed. Ask each university for its current decision in writing and check eqe.ge before you pay. Whether you can practise in your own country is decided by your home regulator, not by the university or by us. For medicine, read our MBBS in Georgia guide.

Which should you choose?

The honest answer depends on your marks, budget and plans. As a starting point:

  • CIU: Students who want simulator-based skills training, a transparent English fee list and the ability to preview the campus through a virtual tour.
  • CU: Students who want an MD or a business, IT or design degree at a large private Tbilisi university with Western partner programmes and a published English fee list.
  • NVU: Students who want an MD or dentistry degree in English taught around a university hospital and are comfortable with a fee that is among the higher MD fees in our guide.

You do not apply to any of them yourself. Contact us with your marks, budget and country, and we will tell you which one fits, what it will cost in total and which approvals you need first. Compare them with the wider field on our universities in Georgia page.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CIU and CU in Georgia?

They are two separate private universities in Tbilisi with similar names. Caucasus International University (CIU) is at 73 Chargali Street and was founded in 1995. Caucasus University (CU) is at 1 Paata Saakadze Street and was established in 2004. Both publish US$6,000 a year for the six-year English MD. CIU also lists English dentistry, IT and business at lower published fees, while CU's English list adds computer science, cybersecurity, architecture, graphic design and an MBA at US$5,000 to US$5,500 a year.

Which is cheaper for the MD: CIU, CU or NVU?

CIU and CU publish US$6,000 a year for the English MD, and NVU publishes US$7,000. Over six years that is US$36,000 at CIU, US$36,000 at CU, US$42,000 at NVU, in tuition alone. Confirm the current schedule in writing and ask whether the fee is fixed for the whole programme.

Which of CIU, CU and NVU offers dentistry in English?

CIU (US$5,000 a year, 5 years) and NVU (US$7,000 a year, 5 years) list English Dental Medicine. CU's English programme list that we reviewed does not include dentistry.

Do CIU, CU and NVU have dormitories?

None of the three confirms a dormitory on its official pages. CIU announced plans for an international-student dormitory, CU does not advertise one and its International Relations office helps students find housing, and NVU's pages do not confirm one. Most international students at all three rent shared apartments in Tbilisi, so ask each university for current housing help in writing.

Are CIU, CU and NVU accredited?

NCEQE's April 2023 list of MD programmes shows the English MD at all three accredited until 31 December 2027. NCEQE's register also shows a positive decision on CIU's English Medicine programme valid from 22 July 2022 with a term to correct a deficit, and a decision for CU valid until 29 March 2029 with a progress-report condition. Ask each university for its current decision in writing and check eqe.ge. Recognition in your home country is decided by your own regulator.

Which is best for MBBS in Georgia: CIU, CU or NVU?

There is no single best. NVU names its own university hospital as its main clinical setting but charges more. CU lists memoranda with around twenty Tbilisi clinics. CIU has a simulator-based Clinical Skills Center and dental clinics and publishes a clear fee list. We do not have independent exam pass-rate data to rank them, so we compare fees, clinical access, accreditation and your own goals. Tell us your marks, budget and country, and we will give you an honest shortlist.

How do I apply to CIU, CU or NVU?

Contact BRS Global Education. You do not apply yourself: we assess your profile, tell you honestly which of the three fits, prepare and submit your application, and guide you through NCEQE recognition and your D3 student visa.

Not sure which of the three fits?

Tell us your marks, budget and country. We compare CIU, CU and NVU for your profile, then handle the application for you.