The higher education system in Georgia consists of three cycles:
- First cycle – Bachelor’s Degree (240 credits);
- Second cycle – Master’s Degree (120 credits); and
- Third cycle – Doctor’s Degree (180 credits).
The following are the higher education institutions in Georgia:
- College
- Teaching University
- University
External quality assurance in Georgia is carried out through an accreditation process which is conducted by the National Education Accreditation Centre.
The state recognizes the qualification documents issued only by an accredited higher education institution or equated thereto. Today there are 12 universities and professional schools in Georgia:
- 4 universities dedicated to art;
- 3 specialized colleges of art;
- 3 general universities in which there are centres or faculties of arts; and
- 2 private institutions in which there are centres or faculties of arts.
In May 2005, Georgia acceded to the Bologna process. The new Law of Georgia on Higher Education obliges the institutes of higher education of Georgia to pursue the main priorities of the Bologna process, such as transferring to the three-step system of higher education, quality assurance and accreditation, European Credits Transfers and Storage (ECTS) system, mobility, involvement of students in the decision-making process, compatibility of curricula with the European system etc.
Since 2005, a new model entitled “Money Follows a Student” has been in operation. Two phases of institutional accreditation have also been carried out under the Universal National Examination system, which has secured assessment of entrants by the unified methods and elimination of corruption in this sphere. The cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Sciences with the civil community is in progress.
Under Order N 407 of the Minister of Education and Sciences of Georgia of May 3, 2006, the national team for support of the Bologna process was established. The goal of this team is to set the concrete objectives for the effective implementation of the reforms under the Bologna process in Georgia and to promote the activities determined within the Bologna process.
In the autumn semester of 2006, several higher education institutions in Georgia introduced performance based indicators / targets, according to the Bologna process.
Among the institutes of higher art education, Tbilisi Vano Sarajishvili State Conservatory and Tbilisi State Academy of Fine Arts have transferred to the three-step system of education. In 2005-2006 the ECTS system was introduced as well. At Tbilisi Vano Sarajishvili State Conservatory, 23 curricula are built on the credit system and at Tbilisi State Academy of Arts – 24 curricula. In 2006 both institutes issued a new form of Transcript to Diploma to graduates. This form was approved under Order N 149-e of the Minister of Education and Sciences of Georgia (05.04.05) On Approval of the Form for Transcript of the Higher Education State Certificate – Diploma.
Shota Rustaveli State University of Theatre and Film has also been transferred to the tree-step system of higher education. The ECTS system has been introduced for the university students of the first and second years, with 114 curricula built on the credit system.
In 2007, the Law on Higher Vocational Education was adopted which creates the conditions for development of the higher educational system in the line of specialties attributed to practical qualifications. The higher vocational education system in Georgia is divided into artisan and artists’ education, where the artisan education covers the applied specialties and artists’ education – the art specialties.
The following is being developed:
- Art and Culture Education Roadmap and Action Plan
- Study of Out-of-School Arts Education Institutions and Action Plan.
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