1. World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)
The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the quality of medical education worldwide. WFME has developed international standards for both undergraduate (basic) and postgraduate medical education. These standards are periodically revised. Further information is available at: https://wfme.org/
2. Recognition of the Center by WFME
On November 18, 2018, the LEPL - National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) was granted recognition status by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for a 10-year term. This recognition was preceded by a comprehensive evaluation of the Center by an international panel of experts, whose positive report served as the basis for the recognition decision. Further information on this matter is available at the following link:https://eqe.ge/en/page/static/643/sameditsino-ganatlebis-msoflio-federatsia-wfme
3. Compliance with WFME Requirements
According to the assessment and recognition carried out by WFME, the Center's standards and procedures for the quality assurance of medical education are in compliance with the Federation's standards.
During the assessment period, the Center had developed the Medicine Benchmark (https://old.eqe.ge/geo/parent/73), which was based on the WFME 2015 Standards for Basic Medical Education (BME 2015). At the end of 2020, the Federation published the updated Basic Medical Education standards (BME 2020), and in 2021, in view of the circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it developed standards for distributed and distance learning in medical education (DDL 2021).
The Sectoral Council for Medical Education took both updated documents into account and prepared an updated version of the Benchmark, which was approved on 16 November 2022 (last updated on 1 April 2026) and is published on the Center's website: https://eqe.ge/en/page/static/1033/jandacva-socialuri-ketildgheoba
4. WFME Recognition and Its Significance
WFME does not itself accredit medical programs or schools. Through its recognition process, it assesses the extent to which the authorization/accreditation standards, processes, benchmarks and other instruments of individual quality assurance agencies conform to WFME standards for the relevant level of education. WFME recognition means that, within a predefined objective assessment framework, the Federation has established the conformity of a particular agency with the Federation's standards. Further information on the WFME Recognition Programme is available at: https://wfme.org/
Accreditation of a medical education program granted by a quality assurance agency recognized by WFME indicates that the accreditation process was conducted in accordance with international standards. This enhances the quality and credibility of the global recognition of accreditation granted by the Center to universities operating both in Georgia and abroad.
5. WFME Recognition and Eligibility for the USMLE from 2024
Under the requirement established by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), from 2024 only graduates of medical schools accredited by a quality assurance agency recognized by WFME are eligible to participate in ECFMG Certification (the original version of the requirement is available at: Accreditation – 2024 Accreditation Requirement).
ECFMG Certification is one of the prerequisites for admission to the final stage, Step 3, of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Accordingly, graduates of medical schools accredited by the Center are eligible to obtain ECFMG Certification and to sit all steps of the USMLE.
6. Quality Assurance of Medical Education
The quality assurance system for medical education in Georgia is fully aligned with both national and international standards and requirements. All Doctor of Medicine (MD) educational programs operating in the country are accredited by the LEPL National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE).
Accordingly, the evaluation of medical programs in Georgia fully complies with WFME standards and procedures, as well as with the requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO), which ensures the international recognition of the Medical Doctor (MD) qualification and diploma. The Medical Doctor qualification awarded in Georgia meets the licensing regulations of the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India for graduates who have obtained their medical education abroad (ECFMG). Graduates are also entitled to sit the USMLE examinations in the United States and to commence postgraduate training.
7. Medicine Program and Qualification Awarded
In Georgia, the higher medical education program lasts six years and leads to the qualification of Medical Doctor. This qualification is equated to Level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework. The academic degree awarded upon completion of the one-cycle higher education program leading to the Medical Doctor qualification is equivalent to a Master's degree.
8. Duration, Volume and Student Workload of the Higher Education Program in Medicine
Under the Law of Georgia on Higher Education, a one-cycle higher education program in Medicine comprises no fewer than 360 ECTS credits. In accordance with the Rule for Calculating Higher Education Programs in Credits, approved by Order No. 3 of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia of 5 January 2007, and the Medicine Benchmark approved by order of the Director of the Center, the duration of the program is six years.
A student's workload during one academic year comprises 60 ECTS credits. Under an individual study plan, the annual workload may exceed 60 credits; however, within the established duration of the program, the total number of credits added beyond 60 must not exceed 15 in aggregate. Consequently, a one-cycle higher education program in Medicine cannot be shorter than six academic years.
9. Regulation and the Medicine Benchmark
The Medical Doctor program is a regulated program. The Sectoral Council for Higher Medical Education develops the standard for one-cycle higher education in Medicine (the higher education benchmark), which is approved by the Director of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (the currently valid benchmark is available at: https://eqe.ge/ka/page/static/1033/jandacva-socialuri-ketildgheoba).
Taking into account the international standards of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), the Benchmark sets the minimum learning outcomes to be achieved by graduates of all Medicine programs, together with the teaching, learning and assessment methods, resources and other essential characteristics required for achieving those outcomes, including recommendatory guidelines.
Notwithstanding the requirement to adopt the learning outcomes and other mandatory requirements defined by the Benchmark, the document sets only the minimum mandatory requirements consistent with international standards and does not restrict the diversity of Medicine programs. In the accreditation process, programme individuality is encouraged, provided that the program meets the minimum requirements established within the regulatory framework.
10. Program Structure and Clinical Training
During the first three years, students study fundamental and core pre-clinical subjects and acquire clinical skills at clinical skills centers. Clinical rotations begin in the fourth year. During semesters IX–XII (years 5 and 6), students undergo clinical training at university clinics, partner teaching hospitals and primary healthcare facilities that meet the requirements established by national regulations and the Benchmark. Years 5 and 6 are devoted to learning in a clinical environment, and clinical training in this period accounts for 120 ECTS credits. Moreover, The sixth year is fully dedicated to a mandatory internship (internatura). The program content and structure is fully in line with international standards and is equivalent the MBBS programs offered in India and the United Kingdom.
11. Mandatory Disciplines
The program structure and the list of mandatory subjects requiring both theoretical and practical/clinical instruction, as defined in Schedule I of the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL) 2021 of the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India, are fully incorporated into the accredited one-cycle Medical Doctor programs in Georgia:
• Pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology.
• Clinical subjects and mandatory fields of clinical rotation: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, General Surgery, Anesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics, Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Community and Preventive Medicine, Emergency Services, and Laboratory Services and their sub-specialties.
12. Rights of Graduates and Professional Pathways
Pursuant to the Law of Georgia on Medical Practice, graduates of Medical Doctor programs, regardless of nationality, are entitled to:
• take up employment as a Junior Doctor; a person appointed to this position performs the functions of a physician under the direction and responsibility of a person holding the right to independent medical practice;
• continue studies at the doctoral level (a research career in biomedical sciences leading to a PhD, of no less than three years) and engage in pedagogical and/or scientific activities;
• work as a paramedic upon completing an appropriate specialization course.
Under Article 14 of the same Law, a Junior Doctor is authorized to perform a physician's duties under the supervision of a certified specialist. Where no certified physician is available, the Junior Doctor may independently provide emergency medical care.
Graduates of English-taught one-cycle higher education programs in Medicine are also entitled to sit the USMLE examinations in the United States and to commence postgraduate training, as well as to sit the NExT/FMGE examinations and continue their professional activity in India.
13. Student Involvement in Patient Care
In Georgia, all students, regardless of nationality, are entitled to conduct the physical examinations and perform the medical procedures specified in the curriculum on patients, under the supervision of an instructor and with the patient's informed consent, in accordance with the Law of Georgia on Patient Rights.
14. Language of Instruction in English-Taught Programs
In the English-taught one-cycle Medical Doctor programs accredited by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, the entire teaching and learning process, including clinical training, is conducted in English, with the exception of Georgian language courses designed for patient communication (a minimum of 12 ECTS credits).
15. Comparability with the Indian MBBS Qualification
The Medical Doctor qualification awarded in Georgia is equated to a Master's degree, and its holders perform a physician's duties under Junior Doctor status (see Section 6). These duties fully correspond to those of holders of the Indian MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) qualification.
16. Accreditation of Programs at Universities Operating Abroad
In 2023, Mkhitar Heratsi State Medical University of Yerevan applied to the Center for accreditation of its medical programs. In accordance with the procedure set out in the Accreditation Statute, the Center assessed the submitted programs with the participation of international and local experts. The expert panel comprised experts from Great Britain, Hungary, Armenia and Georgia. The Center, recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), thereby administered, for the first time, the accreditation of the educational programs of a medical university operating abroad.
17. Information about students and graduates of the single-cycle medical program
All students in Georgia—whether local or international—are registered in the LEPL Education Management Information System (EMIS), which operates under the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia. The register contains information on all current students and graduates of the Medical (MD) education program..
