Kutaisi International University (KIU)
Next-generation STEM campus co-developed with TUM International
About
Kutaisi International University (KIU) is Georgia’s newest public university, launched in 2020 by the Cartu Foundation with a €1 billion endowment and academic stewardship from TUM International/Technical University of Munich. Built on a 158-hectare smart campus outside Kutaisi, KIU delivers fully English bachelor’s programs in Management, Computer Science, and Mathematics & Applications, as well as TUM-aligned master’s degrees in Finance & Information Management, Embedded Systems, and Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship. Academic governance, curricula, and quality assurance follow European standards and the Bologna framework, while faculty recruitment draws from Georgia, Germany, and the broader EU.
The campus features LEED-certified academic buildings, high-performance computing clusters, AI & robotics labs, fab-labs, 24/7 learning commons, sports villages, and residence halls accommodating more than 1,000 students. KIU operates innovation labs with SAP, Siemens, Amazon Web Services, and local tech startups, and hosts the region’s first quantum computing research hub in partnership with the TUM School of Computation. Students benefit from dual-degree pathways with TUM, Erasmus+ mobility, German language training, and a dedicated International Services Center that supports admissions, visas, housing, and career placement with Georgian and European employers.
College Highlights
College Highlights
Key Accreditations & Recognitions
Key Accreditations & Recognitions
National Accreditation
Authorized by the Georgian National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) as a public university; programs undergo periodic audits with the Ministry of Education & Science.
Global Recognition
Academic governance and QA are overseen with TUM International/Technical University of Munich; member of EUA, EURAS, and Erasmus+. Dual-degree tracks follow ECTS and QS/THE reporting standards.
Comprehensive Facilities
Smart classrooms, HPC and quantum computing labs, AI/robotics makerspaces, entrepreneurship hub, on-campus residences, sports village, and 24/7 learning commons.
Specialties
Specialties
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Computer Science (BSc)
Duration: 4 years (240 ECTS)
Medium: English
Faculty: KIU School of Computing with TUM-appointed professors, AI/ML researchers, and industry mentors
Eligibility: High school diploma with strong math background; KIU online admission test; English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
Highlights: HPC & quantum labs, AWS/SAP partnerships, Erasmus+ exchanges, internships with Georgian tech startups
Management (BSc)
Duration: 4 years
Medium: English
Faculty: School of Management & Technology with TUM curriculum oversight and visiting professors from Germany
Eligibility: High school diploma, math/logic KIU test, IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
Highlights: Entrepreneurship garage, finance analytics lab, mandatory internships with Georgian/European firms, German language training
Mathematics & Applications (BSc)
Duration: 4 years
Medium: English
Faculty: International math faculty supported by TUM and Georgian Academy of Sciences researchers
Eligibility: High school diploma with advanced mathematics; KIU placement exam; English proficiency B2
Highlights: Applied statistics & data science tracks, research assistantships, dual-degree pathway to TUM MSc programs
Postgraduate Programs
MSc Finance & Information Management (TUM Dual Degree)
Duration: 2 years
Medium: English
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or STEM; GRE/GMAT or KIU graduate test; IELTS 6.5
Highlights: Joint KIU-TUM supervision, semesters in Munich, access to TUM Venture Lab Finance, capstones with European fintech companies
University Highlights
- Georgia’s newest research university, founded with a €1B endowment and academic partnership with TUM International.
- English-medium BSc programs in Management, Computer Science, Mathematics & Applications, plus joint MSc degrees with TUM.
- Smart campus with HPC/quantum computing labs, AI & robotics makerspaces, fab-lab, and 24/7 learning commons.
- Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and TUM Munich exchanges ensure dual-degree and research mobility opportunities.
- On-campus residences, sports village, health center, and student services supporting an international community.
- Career center connects students with Georgian tech firms, global startups, and multinational employers.
Fee Structure
| Course | Year Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| BSc Computer Science | 2,800 USD per year |
| BSc Management | 2,600 USD per year |
| BSc Mathematics & Applications | 2,600 USD per year |
| MSc Finance & Information Management | 5,500 USD per year |
| MSc Embedded Systems / IP & Entrepreneurship | 5,800 USD per year |
| Campus Housing & Meal Plan | 1,000 – 1,400 USD per year |
| Student Services & Innovation Lab Fee | 350 USD per year |
Note: Tuition is invoiced in GEL; USD conversions are approximate. Application, visa, health insurance, German language courses, and international mobility costs are extra. KIU provides merit scholarships, Women-in-STEM grants, and Erasmus+/TUM mobility funding for qualified students.
Campus Photos
Student Reviews & Ratings
Share Your Experience
Help other students by sharing your experience at this university
Write a ReviewRajesh Kumar
December 2024"Studying Computer Science at KIU means learning in English with professors from TUM and Georgia. The HPC lab, innovation garage, and the chance to spend a semester in Munich are huge advantages for anyone targeting a global tech career."
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
What are the admission requirements for KIU bachelor’s programs?
Applicants need a recognized high school diploma with strong math grades, must pass KIU’s online admission/aptitude test (or submit SAT/ACT), and provide proof of English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 72 / Duolingo 100). Motivational essays and interviews are required for certain programs.
Are KIU degrees internationally recognized?
Yes. KIU is a state university accredited by NCEQE and developed with TUM International/Technical University of Munich. All programs follow ECTS, enabling seamless transfers to European master’s degrees and Erasmus+ mobility. Dual-degree tracks award KIU and TUM credentials.
What documents are required during admission?
Submit notarized transcripts, passport copy, motivation letter, CV, English proficiency certificate, recommendation letter, and proof of application fee payment. Some programs require math/logic test results or coding challenge submissions.
Fees & Living
What is the average cost of living on the KIU campus?
Students budget 350–450 USD per month. On-campus housing ranges from 100–150 USD, meal plans around 120 USD, and Kutaisi transport is 15 USD monthly. Living on campus reduces commuting costs and includes sports and health facilities.
Are there scholarships available for international students?
Yes. KIU offers merit scholarships, Cartu Foundation STEM grants, Women-in-Tech scholarships, and Erasmus+ mobility stipends. Maintaining GPA thresholds and participating in innovation projects is required to renew funding.