The Law on Higher Education of Georgia, adopted in 2004, defines several types of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country: universities, colleges, and other HEIs established by law. 

Universities are authorized to offer all three cycles of higher education—Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs—and are required to engage in scientific research. To conduct research activities within their Master’s and Doctoral programs, universities must either have an appropriate research infrastructure or establish formal agreements with research institutions. 

Colleges are defined as higher education institutions that offer the first cycle of higher education, focusing on Bachelor’s degrees. Other higher education institutions established by law may follow different structures, depending on their legal foundation.

Moreover, according to the law on vocational education, a vocational educational institution/college is also defined as a legal entity that is authorized to implement professional educational programs, short-cycle educational programs, professional training programs, professional retraining programs and training programs in the state language in accordance with the rules established by the legislation of Georgia. The Law on Higher Education grants these institutions a degree of institutional autonomy, allowing them to manage academic programs, faculty appointments, and internal governance structures while ensuring compliance with national laws and regulations. All HEIs must undergo an authorization process overseen by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) to ensure their programs meet national standards for delivering recognized qualifications. The NCEQE's accreditation also aligns with European benchmarks for quality assurance.

Additionally, higher education institutions in Georgia can be established as either public or private legal entities, as defined by law.

Public vs. Private Institutions

• Public Institutions: The structure of the higher education institution established by the State is defined following the Law of Georgia "on Higher Education" (Chapter IV). Funded primarily by the state, public institutions are mandated to provide accessible and affordable education. They often receive additional support for research and are expected to adhere to strict government regulations and quality assurance standards. Public institutions have flexibility in designing curricula and may offer specialized or niche programs catering to specific market demands.

• Private Institutions: Even though the structure of private higher education institutions is not determined by law, according to the authorization standards, the structure of higher education institutions and the procedure for choosing management bodies should be determined in such a way as to ensure the possibility of effective, fair and transparent decision-making. These are typically funded through tuition fees, private investments, and endowments. Private institutions  also have flexibility in designing curricula and may offer specialized or niche programs catering to specific market demands. However, they must still meet the national quality assurance standards set by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE).

The Unified National Strategy of Education and Science of Georgia (2022-2030) supports this classification and emphasizes the importance of diversifying higher education institutions, with specific goals for enhancing infrastructure, promoting research and development, and increasing collaboration with international universities.