Admissions at State Universities to Double in 2028-29 Amid Georgian Dream’s Education Reforms

2026-03-25 - 10:12

Georgian state universities will accept twice as many students for bachelor’s and master’s programs in 2028-2029, as the Education Ministry cites steps in the general and higher education reforms that reduce school and bachelor years and are expected to increase the number of applicants during the transitional period. In particular, for 2028-29 enrollment, student quotas for bachelor’s programs at state universities will double “since school students in 11th and 12th grades will graduate at the same time,” the Education Ministry said on March 25, adding that quotas will also double for master’s programs “because most bachelor’s programs have switched to a three-year model” and that students enrolling in bachelor’s programs in 2024 and 2025 will also graduate together. Under Georgian Dream’s controversial education reforms, the 12th grade at school will become optional from the 2028–2029 academic year. Students who wish will still be able to enrol, but enrolment will no longer be compulsory. Meanwhile, a “repetitorium” will be offered to 11th-grade students to help them prepare for the Unified National Examinations. At universities, most bachelor’s programs that currently follow a four-year model will shift to a three-year program. The broader university overhaul envisions decentralizing higher education from the capital, introducing a “one city – one faculty” principle, and shifting from the current 4+2 bachelor’s and master’s model to a 3+1 system. Changes at the school level include state-approved unified textbooks for public schools, mandatory uniforms for grades 1–6, a ban on mobile phones during class hours, and a reduction in schooling from 12 to 11 years, among other measures. Critics have raised concerns about potential purges in state universities and risks to international study opportunities for Georgian students. In February’s major decision, Georgian Dream assigned faculties and disciplines to specific universities under its one city – one faculty principle, eliminating them at others. The move particularly hit Ilia State University, one of Georgia’s most reputable and government-critical institutions, which had 92% of its programs cut and was left with only pedagogy and select STEM disciplines. The announcement sparked protests from students and staff. Georgian Dream had also planned to merge the country’s two major historic public universities, Georgian Technical University (GTU) and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU), but dropped the plan after resistance from students and parts of the academic community. Also Read: 02/12/2025 – Georgian Dream Proposes General Education Reform Anchored in Identity, Uniformity