Study and find schools in Kazakhstan

Studying in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country and a growing study destination for students from the region and beyond. The Bureau of National Statistics counted 20,618,796 people on 1 September 2026. Kazakh and Russian are both widely used in education, and several universities teach mostly in English, which makes the country accessible to international students without either language.

Kazakhstan's universities follow the European degree model. In 2010 the country became a full member of the European Higher Education Area, the first Central Asian state to do so, according to the national centre for the recognition of qualifications (ENIC Kazakhstan).

The education system in Kazakhstan

Higher education is overseen by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which is responsible for higher and postgraduate education, language policy and quality assurance. Universities award degrees in three cycles organised in ECTS credits. At SDU University, for example:

• A bachelor's degree requires 240 ECTS credits
• A master's degree requires 120 ECTS credits
• A PhD requires 180 ECTS credits

Students build their timetable from courses each semester; at SDU they take between 20 and 42 ECTS per semester. The academic year has two main semesters: at SDU, the autumn semester begins in September and the spring semester in January. Universities also offer foundation programmes and language courses for applicants who do not yet meet the language requirement, and business schools run MBA and executive programmes.

Kazakh universities are public or private, and many offer programmes in Kazakh, Russian and English. At SDU University, 70% of programmes are taught in English and 30% are available in English, Kazakh or Russian.

Admission and recognition

International applicants apply directly to the university. SDU University's process is typical: an online application with passport, school certificate and transcript, recommendation and motivation letters, and a non-refundable student fee of 200 USD; then an English placement test and an online interview; and finally an acceptance letter. Applicants with IELTS 5.5 can skip the placement test. SDU's application deadlines are 31 July 2026 for the autumn intake and 30 November 2026 for the spring intake.

Foreign school and university documents must be recognised in Kazakhstan. The recognition (nostrification) procedure covers secondary, vocational, higher and postgraduate qualifications and can be requested online through the eGov.kz portal or at a public service centre. Applicants usually submit an application, an identity document, the diploma with its supplement, a notarised translation if the document is in a foreign language, and proof of payment of the state fee. At SDU, international students must complete this procedure within their first semester, with the university's help.

Student visa and residence

Visa rules depend on nationality, so check the website of the Kazakh embassy or consulate in your country. For students who need a visa, the usual route is:

• Get admitted to a programme; only admitted students can apply for a student visa
• The university requests an invitation letter from the migration police, which takes about 5 to 7 working days at SDU
• Apply in person at a Kazakh embassy or consulate with the invitation letter, a passport valid for at least six months beyond the visa, a form, a photo and the visa fee
• Register with the immigration authorities within three working days of arrival

Long-term foreign residents must also give fingerprints at the migration police, and visas are extended in Kazakhstan through the university, between 30 and 14 working days before they expire. Failure to register can lead to fines and deportation, so follow your university's instructions closely.

Costs

There is no single national fee table for international students; each university publishes its own fees. At SDU, fees depend on the programme and on the number of ECTS credits taken each semester, and are paid before the semester starts. Ask for the current fee schedule of your programme, and budget for the application fee, visa and registration costs, housing and health insurance.

Where to study

Almaty is home to KIMEP University and Kazakh-American University. KIMEP reports that it has passed FIBAA accreditation valid until 2033 and runs Executive MBA and Mini MBA programmes; Kazakh-American University combines Kazakh and American study programmes.

Kaskelen, in the Almaty region, is the home of SDU University, which opened in 1996 and has more than 8,932 students. It offers bachelor's programmes in fields such as finance, economics, international law, international relations, computer science, translation studies and education. Its on-campus Student House has room for 1,280 people.

Economics, management, mathematics, computer engineering and translation are among the subjects most often offered by the Kazakh schools in our directory.

Practical life

University dormitories are the simplest housing option for first-year students; SDU's Student House stands 30 metres from the university building. Keep your passport, visa and registration documents up to date throughout your studies, and keep copies of your recognition documents, which you will also need later for further study or work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Kazakhstan?

Yes. Several universities teach in English; at SDU University, 70% of programmes are taught in English. Admission usually requires an English test such as IELTS 5.5 or the university's own placement test.

Are degrees from Kazakhstan compatible with European degrees?

Kazakhstan has been a full member of the European Higher Education Area since 2010, and universities use ECTS credits: 240 for a bachelor's, 120 for a master's and 180 for a PhD at SDU.

Do I need to have my diploma recognised in Kazakhstan?

Yes. International students must complete the recognition (nostrification) of their previous education documents, which can be requested through eGov.kz; at SDU this must be done within the first semester.

How do I get a student visa for Kazakhstan?

After admission, the university obtains an invitation letter, and you apply at a Kazakh embassy or consulate. On arrival you must register with the immigration authorities within three working days.