About Kazakhstan

Officially the Republic of Kazakhstan and located in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is home to over 17.9 million people. Bordered by 5 countries, Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world.

The terrain of Kazakhstan is varied, from deserts and flatlands to rock canyons and snow-capped mountains. It has a large land area, which means that its population density is one of the lowest in the world. Kazakhstan has around 131 ethnicities, including Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians and Germans. About 70% of the country’s population practice Islam as their religion, with 26% of people practicing Christianity. However, Kazakhstan officially allows freedom of religion. The culture in Kazakhstan is very different to that of Western countries, but studying there would be a great way to have a truly different experience.

Cost of Studying and Living in Kazakhstan:

Kazakhstan uses the Tenge (KZT) at its currency

Your tuition fees will depend on where you choose to study and at what level, as well as whether the institution is public or private. On average, you should expect to pay between $200/€175 and $4,000/€3,500. There are a wide variety of scholarships offered by institutions, assessed by academic excellence or financial situation.

Your living costs will depend on where you choose to stay for the duration of your course. If you live in a bigger city then you will pay more than in a smaller city. On average, you should budget for between $1,000/€900 and $1,500/€1,400 per month. This accounts for your accommodation, groceries and travel

Language

There are two different official languages of Kazakhstan; Kazakh and Russian.

Whilst it would be useful to have knowledge of the Kazakh or Russian language to study in Kazakhstan, there are an increasing amount of courses offered in English. If you choose to study in a non-native language, you will likely have to prove your proficiency. If you do not meet the required standards, it is common for universities in Kazakhstan to offer language courses to help you improve.

Even if you are able to study in English, you should make an effort to learn as much Kazakh and Russian as possible. Communicating with the locals and other students is a perfect way to practice.

Why Study in Kazakhstan?

More than 50,000 international students enrol in Kazakhstan’s world ranked universities each year. The country is welcoming to international citizens, both students and civilians. Only around 66% of residents are native Kazakhs, making the country ethnically diverse.

There are 3 of Kazakhstan’s universities in the 2022 QS World University Rankings top 500. The highest ranked of these is Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, which is placed at 175th. Higher education in Kazakhstan is divided into three levels. You can study at a Basic College, which provides fundamental education and allows you to gain a bachelor’s degree. You can also gain specialist diplomas in specific areas of education. To gain a masters degree, you will need to join a scientific programme, which takes 3 to 6 years to complete. This developing system produces graduates who are prepared for their next step in life, which a suitable and quality award.