Samtskhe-Javakheti State University
Regional public university for education, business, tourism, and agrarian innovation
About
Samtskhe-Javakheti State University (SJSU) is a public institution located in Akhaltsikhe, serving Georgia’s southern mountain region. Founded in 1990 as a branch of Tbilisi State University and reorganized in 2007, SJSU focuses on teacher education, humanities, business administration, tourism, agrarian and environmental sciences, engineering, and applied IT to support the social and economic development of Samtskhe-Javakheti.
The university operates modern classrooms, forestry and soil labs, a hospitality skills center near Rabati Fortress, IT & engineering workshops, and agricultural demo plots in Aspindza and Ninotsminda. SJSU partners with European universities through Erasmus+, Tempus, and cross-border Caucasus projects, while also collaborating with local municipalities, national parks, and heritage organizations to deliver bilingual education, sustainable tourism initiatives, and agritech pilots. International students receive Georgian/Armenian language support, accommodation assistance, and mobility opportunities across partner campuses.
College Highlights
College Highlights
Key Accreditations & Recognitions
Key Accreditations & Recognitions
National Accreditation
Licensed by the Georgian National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) and supervised by the Ministry of Education & Science.
Global Recognition
Member of the European University Association (EUA), Black Sea Universities Network, and Erasmus+/Tempus partnerships with universities in Poland, Lithuania, and Armenia.
Comprehensive Facilities
Pedagogy labs, tourism & hospitality skills center, renewable energy workshop, agrarian research fields, regional studies institute, dormitories, and sports complex.
Specialties
Specialties
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Programs
BEd Primary Education & Inclusive Pedagogy
Duration: 4 years
Medium: Georgian with Armenian-language modules
Faculty: School of Education with inclusive pedagogy labs and UNICEF-supported projects
Eligibility: High school diploma; Georgian proficiency; interview for international applicants
Highlights: Practicum in Akhaltsikhe, Ninotsminda, and Adigeni schools; inclusive education center; Erasmus+ teacher exchanges
Tourism & Cultural Heritage Management (BA)
Duration: 4 years
Medium: Georgian & English
Faculty: Tourism & Social Sciences with partnerships across Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and Rabati Fortress
Eligibility: High school diploma; English B1 for English track
Highlights: Hospitality lab, local tour company projects, internships in spa resorts and national parks
Business & Logistics (BBA)
Duration: 4 years
Medium: Georgian & English
Faculty: Business & Law faculty with lecturers from customs services, logistics firms, and municipal government
Eligibility: High school diploma; math/logic test; English B1 (for English track)
Highlights: Entrepreneurship labs, collaboration with Tsalka Free Industrial Zone, Erasmus+ mobility
Postgraduate Programs
Information Technologies & Smart Systems (BSc)
Duration: 4 years
Medium: Georgian & English electives
Faculty: Engineering & IT school with robotics lab and regional innovation hub
Eligibility: High school diploma with math/physics; English B1 for English elective stream
Highlights: Smart farming & IoT projects, coding bootcamps, Erasmus+ ICT mobility
Forestry & Environmental Management (BSc)
Duration: 4 years
Medium: Georgian
Faculty: Agrarian & Environmental faculty with field stations across Samtskhe highlands
Eligibility: High school diploma with science background; Georgian proficiency
Highlights: Field practice in Borjomi-Kharagauli Park, GIS mapping, cooperation with forestry agencies
MA Regional Development & Public Administration
Duration: 2 years
Medium: Georgian with English modules
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field; motivation interview
Highlights: Focus on mountain region policy, EU project management, internships with local municipalities and NGOs
University Highlights
- Public university founded in 1990 to educate teachers, agronomists, engineers, and tourism leaders for Georgia’s southern mountains.
- Five faculties cover Education, Humanities, Business & Law, Agrarian & Engineering, and Tourism & Social Sciences with bilingual course options.
- Hospitality innovation lab near Rabati Fortress plus forestry, soil science, and renewable energy labs for applied learning.
- Collaborations with Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Tsalka Free Industrial Zone, and local SMEs provide internships and projects.
- Erasmus+, Tempus, and Black Sea network partnerships ensure exchanges with Poland, Lithuania, Armenia, and Turkey.
- Community outreach delivers teacher training, entrepreneurship mentoring, and cultural preservation initiatives across the region.
Fee Structure
| Course | Year Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| BEd Primary Education & Inclusive Pedagogy | 2,100 USD per year |
| BA Tourism & Cultural Heritage | 2,200 USD per year |
| BBA Business & Logistics | 2,300 USD per year |
| BSc IT & Smart Systems | 2,400 USD per year |
| BSc Forestry & Environmental Management | 2,200 USD per year |
| MA Regional Development & Public Administration | 2,500 USD per year |
| Dormitory & Meal Support | 900 – 1,200 USD per year |
Note: Tuition is paid in GEL; USD figures are approximate. Visa, insurance, field practice, and certification exams are extra. SJSU students can access Georgian state grants, mountain-region scholarships, Erasmus+ mobility stipends, and need-based tuition waivers.
Campus Photos
Student Reviews & Ratings
Share Your Experience
Help other students by sharing your experience at this university
Write a ReviewRajesh Kumar
December 2024"SJSU’s tourism programme took us from classrooms to the Rabati Fortress and Borjomi-Kharagauli Park. I now lead tours in English and Georgian thanks to the practical labs and Erasmus semester in Lithuania."
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
What are the admission requirements for undergraduate programs?
Applicants must hold a recognized secondary diploma, pass the Georgian Unified National Exams (or SJSU’s international admissions test), and provide English B1 certification for English-track courses. Some programmes require interviews or portfolios.
Are SJSU degrees recognized internationally?
Yes. SJSU is accredited by NCEQE, a member of EUA and the Black Sea Universities Network, and implements the ECTS credit system, enabling graduates to continue studies across Europe.
What documents are required during admission?
Submit notarized transcripts, passport copy, birth certificate, English proficiency certificate (if applicable), CV, motivation letter, and financial guarantee. International documents must be legalized/apostilled before submission.
Fees & Living
What is the average cost of living in Akhaltsikhe?
Students usually spend 320–420 USD per month. Dormitories or shared apartments cost 120–170 USD, meals and utilities about 150 USD, and local transport is under 15 USD. Field trips and internships may add extra costs.
Are there scholarships available for international students?
Yes. SJSU provides Georgian state grants, mountain-region scholarships, Erasmus+/Tempus mobility funding, and tuition discounts for high-achieving or socially vulnerable students.