Higher education in Kazakhstan for international students

Kazakhstan offers various options for higher education, including bachelor's, master's, doctoral and additional education.

Bachelor’s degree is the initial stage of advanced higher education, typically taking 4 to 5 years to complete. Programs cover a range of disciplines, from economics and business to science and technology.

Master’s degree is an advanced level of education requiring a bachelor's degree. Master's programs usually span 1 to 2 years, offering in-depth knowledge in a chosen field. Students spend at least one year specializing in a specific area and at least two years for scientific and pedagogical studies.

Doctoral studies are an advanced level of higher education in Kazakhstan, and students can start it only after obtaining a master's degree. It usually involves setting up a research thesis and requires students to show a high level of knowledge in their field.

Kazakhstan also offers additional education. This is a studying that allows students to develop their professional skills and knowledge within their field of activity.

The foreign students can get higher or postgraduate education in such educational organizations of this level:

• National organization of higher and postgraduate education;
• National research University;
• Research university;
• University;
• Academy;
• Institute;
• Conservatory, higher school.

The studying in higher education programs is conducted in the following forms:

• Full-time;
• Online;
• External.

However, for a number of educational programs, the studying is conducted only in full-time format. For instance, it is not allowed to study in the form of an external course in such areas:

• Information and communication technologies;
• Engineering;
• Manufacturing industries;
• Architecture, construction;
• Military, national security and others.

Online education in the fields of pedagogy and psychology, engineering, art, water management, military, geology, veterinary medicine, healthcare, metrology is impossible. The extensive higher education system in Kazakhstan increases the opportunities for graduates from any region to realize their educational desires and dreams. The country needs highly qualified specialists to implement government development plans.

The foreign students can obtain higher education in Kazakhstan either as fee-paying or on a scholarship basis. The student can study for free or with partial payment in the following cases:

• If a student receives an educational grant, the state pays for his studies in full or in part;
• Employer sponsorship.

An educational grant is awarded to applicants on a competitive basis based on the results of the UNT (when applying for a bachelor's degree) or CT (upon admission to the Master's program). The grant is awarded to those who have scored the highest number of points. Grants are differentiated and awarded by a special Republican commission. To participate in the educational grant competition, the foreign students need to submit an application to the admissions committee of the OVPO or through the e-government web portal from July 13 to 20 of current year. Enhanced scholarships are available for top-performing students, as well as those with visual or hearing disabilities, orphans, or those under guardianship.

Additional scholarship options include targeted state grants for specific universities, local government Akimat grants for in-demand regional specialties, rector's grants for outstanding achievements, and scholarships from foundations and public organizations. The Bolashak scholarship supports Kazakh students pursuing master's, doctoral, residency, and internship programs abroad, with expanded opportunities in sectors like IT, geological exploration, and agriculture.

Tuition fees vary based on the educational institution, program type, and studying format. Public universities generally offer more budget-friendly options, starting at around US$ 5,000 per year. Private university fees, including those in countries with advanced education systems, can start at US$ 10,000 per year.