Admission

Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University
PhD Student Guide

Thank you very much for showing interest towards the PhD programme of our University. Below you will learn what we offer and what procedures have to be followed to become a PhD student at our University.

How to Become a PhD student?

Admission and Mobility are those two ways through which one can become a PhD student at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University.
The announcement about the admission to PhD programme is made by the Academic Council of the University. With this purpose the Admission Commission is established based on the order of the University Rector. Check the University sebsite for any updates.

The admission to the PhD programme requires a Master’s or equivalent degree awarded by the accredited education institution;
If the degree was awarded by the foreign higher education institution it is required to address the Centre of the Education Quality Development first;

Registration Procedure

In order to take part in the competition for the admission to the PhD programme the following documents have to be presented:

An Application form (filled and printed);
An Applicant’s CV
A copy of a notarized Diploma of a Master’s or the equivalent Academic Degree (for the BSU Graduates a copy of a Diploma confirmed by BSU (for the current year graduates –an official confirmation on awarding the Academic Degree)
A document that proves the equality between one-level, 5-year period higher education confirmation document and Master’s Academic Degree(issued by LEPL-Quality Development National Centre of Education)
A notarized copy of a diploma of a Master’s (or equivalent) academic degree (for graduates of 2020 –an official notification letter on awarding the academic degree; for BSU graduates a copy of a diploma attested by BSU);
A copy of a (passport) an identity card;
3X4 photos and electronic versions of those on CD;
A copy of a military registration evidence of the selectee (or a military ID in case it exists);
A short abstract of the research project and the consent of the assumed scientific advisor (following the attached form-form N1);
A notarized copy of recognition of the education received in foreign country (in case it exists);
Other documents if considered by the relevant doctoral programme;

Exams

The procedure of admission to the PhD programme is comprised of the following two sections:

Written exam in English Language to conform at least B2 level of the foreign language knowledge by the candidate
After the exam is passed successfully the candidate is interviewed/has to pass the exam in specialty. The aim of the interview is to learn about the candidate’s academic achievements, the knowledge in the field and the motivation;

The results of the exam are published on the university website. It is obligatory to conclude the agreement with BSU before the academic year starts.

Teaching, Learning and Research Issues

The PhD students of our University are engaged in the learning process as well as directly involved in the current University teaching and research processes;
Each doctoral programme is comprised of learning and research components and ends with defending a dissertation.
While taking the PhD programme you have to make 180 ECTS credits distributed as follows: 120 ECTS credits are allocated to a research component, and 60 ECTS credits– a learning component.
The title of the dissertation as well as the scientific adviser, who will provide support in carrying out the research and planning of the learning process, are approved in the first semester. The scientific advisor can be the academic and scientific staff of our University as well as the academic staff of other leading Georgian and foreign higher education institution;
Within one semester after being admitted to the programme an Individual Learning and Research Plan is elaborated; the plan will include the assumed schedule of the learning and the research components. Individual schedule is kept in the personal history statement; any changes to it can be made upon the PhD student, the scientific advisor and the programme head’s agreement;
The duration of the doctoral programme amounts 3 years. The given period can be increased only based on the decision of the Academic Council if justified by the scientific advisor and the PhD student.

Defense of a Dissertation

The dissertation must reveal the justified results of the theoretical and/or experimental research;
After the dissertation is successfully defended the PhD student is awarded the Doctor’s academic degree and handed the relevant diploma.