Student Rights and Student Self-Governance in Georgia

Loading…

Student Rights and Student Self-Governance

What main rights does a student have in a higher education institution?

A student has the right to receive quality education, to take part in scientific research, to use the material, library and information facilities of the institution on equal terms, to elect and be elected to student self-governance and governing bodies, to join student organisations, to express his or her own opinion, to receive a scholarship and assistance, to choose an educational programme and to evaluate the work of the academic personnel.

When may a student transfer to another higher education institution?

As a general rule the right to mobility arises from the second year of study, under the procedure established by Georgian legislation and the charter of the receiving institution. However, if the institution was liquidated without a successor, lost its authorisation or no longer delivers the programme, the right to mobility arises regardless of the length of study.

How are disciplinary proceedings against a student conducted?

The proceedings must be proportionate to the offence and follow a fair procedure: the student is entitled to a reasoned written decision on the opening of proceedings, to attend the hearing, to use the right of defence, to submit evidence and to request a public hearing. The burden of proof lies on the accusing party, and the institution's decision may be appealed in court.

May the administration interfere in the activities of student self-governance?

No. The administration of a higher education institution has no right to interfere in the activities of student self-governance. Self-governances are created according to basic educational units, through elections by secret ballot, and carry out their activities on the basis of their statute.

What duties does a student have?

A student is obliged to study, under the programme established by the institution, every subject he or she chose of his or her own will and whose teaching is mandatory, and to observe the charter and internal rules of the institution.

8 min·26 Aug 2026

The Catalogue of Student Rights

The Law of Georgia on Higher Education grants students a broad catalogue of rights that is binding on every higher education institution. If you hold student status, the law gives you the following rights:

to receive quality education and to participate in scientific research;

to use the material, technical, library, information and other facilities of the institution on equal terms, in the manner established by its charter, internal rules and regulations;

to elect a representative and to be elected to student self-governance and to the governing bodies of the institution and of the basic educational unit, through universal, direct and equal elections by secret ballot;

to freely establish and/or join student organisations in accordance with your own interests;

to freely express your own opinion and to give reasoned refusal to share the ideas offered during the learning process;

to transfer to another higher education institution from the second year of study, in the manner established by Georgian legislation and the charter of the receiving institution;

to receive a scholarship, financial or material assistance and other benefits from the state, the institution or other sources;

to choose an educational programme and to participate in developing an individual educational programme;

to periodically evaluate the work of the academic personnel.

This list is not exhaustive: beyond the rights named above, a student also exercises every other competence conferred by this law and by other legislation of Georgia. In addition, for students with disabilities the institution is obliged to create the appropriate conditions necessary for full-fledged education, as determined by the Georgian law on the rights of persons with disabilities and by the charter of the institution.

Student Rights and Student Self-Governance