Universities of Kazakhstan
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Nazarbayev University
Nazarbayev University (NU) is a leading research university in Astana, Kazakhstan, founded in 2010. NU embodies the best global research and educational practices, ranking among the top 23% of universities worldwide (Times Higher Education 2026) and first in the Caucasus and Central Asia region.
KIMEP University
KIMEP University is Central Asia's leading English-language university, founded in 1992 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Offering 17 internationally accredited programs across business, law, economics, international relations, and journalism, KIMEP prepares students for careers on a global scale. With a faculty representing over 20 countries and a vibrant multicultural campus community, the university delivers a world-class education at the heart of Central Asia.
Maqsut Narikbayev University
Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), formerly known as KAZGUU University, is one of Kazakhstan's leading private higher education institutions, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The university is named after Maqsut Narikbayev, a prominent Kazakhstani jurist and statesman, reflecting the institution's deep roots in legal education and public service. MNU is recognized as the leader among all educational institutions in Kazakhstan and ranks in the global Top 50 in its subject areas, outperforming a number of well-known American and European institutions. The university holds prestigious international accreditations and participates actively in global rankings, attracting students from across Kazakhstan and beyond through its diverse academic programs spanning law, economics, business, liberal arts, and journalism. The university is structured around five schools: MNU Law School, International School of Economics, School of Liberal Arts, International School of Journalism, and a Business School. It prides itself on a trilingual educational environment offering instruction in Kazakh, Russian, and English, with more than 100 international partner universities enabling academic mobility and dual-degree opportunities. With over 39,000 qualified professionals among its alumni and a 92% graduate employment rate, MNU continues to serve its mission of providing high-quality and affordable education to students from Kazakhstan and abroad.
SDU University
Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) is a leading private university founded in 1996 near Almaty through a joint Kazakh-Turkish initiative. Offering over 60 programs in engineering, business, law, and humanities – 70% taught in English – SDU provides undergraduate students with a truly international education and the practical skills to succeed in a competitive global environment.
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) is Kazakhstan’s flagship institution of higher education and one of the leading universities in Central Asia. Founded in 1934, it is named after Abu Nasr al-Farabi, a renowned medieval philosopher and scholar of Turkic origin. The university is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and cultural capital, on a campus spanning over 100 hectares known as “Kazgugrad.” In the QS World University Rankings 2026, KazNU holds position #166 globally, remaining the highest-ranked university in Kazakhstan and securing 38th place in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026 — the only Central Asian university in the Asian top 40. By a Government decree dated July 25, 2022, KazNU was granted the official status of a research university. The university serves a diverse community of over 25,000 students from more than 50 countries across 16 faculties, 64 research centers, and maintains partnerships with over 400 universities worldwide. KazNU is a member of the International Association of Universities, the European Society for Engineering Education, and was the first Central Asian university to join the UN Academic Impact (UNAI) program, serving as the Global Hub on Sustainability. Its mission is to strengthen the potential of highly qualified, competitive specialists through innovative teaching methods and the integration of education, science, and business. The university’s vision is to become a world-class research university, competitive in the global scientific and educational space.
Satbayev University
Satbayev University (officially: Kazakh National Research Technical University named after K.I. Satbayev) is the oldest and most prestigious technical university in Kazakhstan, founded in 1934. For over 90 years, it has been synonymous with technological progress and engineering leadership in the country, and is recognized as Kazakhstan's No. 1 Technical University according to national IQAA ratings. The university is ranked #331 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and ranks 50–101st in the QS Subject Rankings for Petroleum Engineering. It holds National Research University status, awarded in 2014, which enables collaboration with outstanding scientists worldwide. The university comprises 9 specialized institutes and serves more than 8,000 students, offering instruction in Kazakh, Russian, and English across engineering, architecture, IT, and management.
Kazakh-British Technical University
Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) is a leading research and educational institution located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, founded in 2001 by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan in partnership with the British Council. The university focuses its research and education on the key sectors of the Kazakhstani economy, including oil and gas, information technologies, banking and finance, management, and telecommunications. KBTU is the first and only Kazakhstani university with IT programs internationally accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, USA). The KBTU Business School holds ACBSP accreditation (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs). Since 2005, KBTU has partnered with the University of London to award double undergraduate degrees through its International School of Economics, with academic direction provided by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The university offers education across 9 schools at the Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels, with all instruction conducted in English. KBTU is also affiliated with the Center for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School (since 2011) and maintains partnerships with over 50 universities worldwide. The university has an enrollment of approximately 2,000–3,000 students and boasts a graduate employment rate of around 98%.
Narxoz University
Narxoz University is one of the leading private, non-profit universities in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, located in Almaty. Founded in 1963 as the Almaty Institute of National Economy, the university was renamed Narxoz University in 2016 and has since undergone significant modernization. The university offers education in three languages — English, Kazakh, and Russian — at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, specializing in economics, business, finance, law, digital technologies, social sciences, and public administration. Narxoz holds FIBAA (European) institutional accreditation as well as ACCA, CIM, and CIMA professional accreditations. In 2023, the university was awarded 4 QS Stars overall and 5 QS Stars for teaching quality, employability, and inclusiveness. It is ranked #1001–1200 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and was named Kazakhstan’s top private university by the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking in 2022. The university is guided by a Business Advisory Council of leading national and international employers and offers double-degree programs with Queen’s University Belfast (UK), La Rochelle School of Business (France), Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania), and Illinois Institute of Technology (USA). With over 60 years of history, approximately 150,000 alumni, and a recently reconstructed campus, Narxoz provides a modern, internationally oriented educational experience.
Astana IT University
Astana IT University (AITU) is a leading educational and scientific institution in Central Asia, specializing in information technology, digital transformation, and the training of highly qualified specialists for the digital economy. Founded by the Nursultan Nazarbayev Educational Foundation, AITU’s mission is to promote the digital transformation of Kazakhstan. The university offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and College programs, with the Bachelor’s program taught entirely in English. AITU features modern research laboratories, partnerships with international IT vendors such as Huawei, Cisco, and Kaspersky, and a vibrant student community with over 25 student clubs. The university is located in the EXPO Business Center in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, and holds a License for Educational Activities (No. KZ26LAA00015835, issued April 2, 2019).
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) is Kazakhstan's flagship national university, founded in 1996 by Presidential Decree and named after the renowned scholar Lev Nikolayevich Gumilyov. Located in the heart of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, ENU has grown into one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Central Asia. The university holds a place in the QS World University Rankings (#317 in QS WUR 2025), making it the only young Kazakhstani university to enter the QS Top 50 Under 50, and is consistently recognized in the Times Higher Education Rankings as well. ENU comprises 13 faculties and schools, more than 28 scientific institutes and research centers, a Military Department, and various cultural-educational centers representing different countries. ENU offers 65 bachelor's programs, 68 master's programs, and 38 PhD programs, taught in Kazakh, Russian, English, Chinese, French, German, and Turkish. The university hosts students from over 25 countries and maintains academic partnerships with more than 460 universities around the world, actively promoting international academic mobility, joint research programs, and exchange opportunities. The university follows the Bologna three-level system of higher education (Bachelor – Master – PhD) and is a member of multiple international associations including the Eurasian Association of Universities, the Association of Asian Universities, the Turkic Universities Union, and the Network University of CIS countries. ENU's campus in Astana provides students with libraries, dormitories, sports facilities including a swimming pool, a health center, and an active student life with over 60 organizations and clubs.
International Information Technology University
International Information Technology University (IITU) is a public university established in 2009 by order of the President of Kazakhstan, founded in close collaboration with iCarnegie, the educational arm of Carnegie Mellon University. Located in Almaty, IITU specializes in training a new generation of ICT specialists, with an emphasis on industry technologies, advanced management, economics, and communication skills, all delivered with deep English-language proficiency. IITU is the only university in Kazakhstan to have received ASIIN institutional international accreditation (Germany), and according to the rating of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken" it has entered the TOP 3 universities of Kazakhstan, ranking 1st in fields such as Information Systems and Electronic Journalism. The university partners with over 70 universities worldwide (including Carnegie Mellon, KAIST, and several Malaysian universities) and offers double-degree and exchange programs. Today more than 5,000 students study at IITU across Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, and MBA programs, with English as the main language of instruction.
Almaty Management University
Almaty Management University (AlmaU) is Kazakhstan's oldest private university and the first business school in the CIS, founded in 1988 in Almaty. Holding prestigious accreditations including AMBA, FIBAA, and CEEMAN IQA, AlmaU offers undergraduate programs across business, law, digital technologies, and health sciences, equipping students with an entrepreneurial mindset to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.
University of International Business
Kenzhegali Sagadiyev University of International Business (UIB) is a leading private business university in Central Asia, founded in 1992 as the Republican School of Business and granted full university status in 2001. Named after academician Kenzhegali Sagadiyev — Kazakhstan's first Minister of Higher Education and former president of the National Academy of Sciences — UIB ranks among the 60 leading universities of Kazakhstan and is consistently ranked the best private business university in the country by the Independent Agency of Accreditation and Rating of Kazakhstan. UIB holds national accreditations from IQAA, IAAR, and KazSEE, plus international accreditations from FIBAA (Germany), AQA (Austria), and ACCA (UK). The university enrolls more than 3,000 full-time students with 70%+ practitioner faculty, 450+ business partners, and an 82.7% employment rate among graduates. UIB has expanded beyond business to include programs in IT, international relations, law, journalism, and — through its International Medical School (IMS) opened in 2022 — English-medium medical education.
Caspian University
Private university offering diverse programs in technology, business, and humanities
Turan University
Turan University is one of the first and largest private universities in Kazakhstan, established in 1992 in Almaty. It is a full-cycle educational institution encompassing a lyceum, college, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral (PhD) programs. The university is part of the Turan Educational Corporation, which also includes Turan-Astana University, two colleges, a lyceum, and the Tau-Turan recreational complex. In 2020, it received the “Altyn Sapa” national award as the best service provider. It is ranked #1001–1100 in the QS Asian University Rankings 2026. The university has 5 faculties: Economics, Humanities and Law, Graduate School of Business, Digital Technologies and Arts, and the Foundation Faculty. It operates 15 departments and 5 research institutes. The campus covers 35,000 m² in central Almaty and features a Digital Innovation Lab, Apple Digital Laboratory, Business Intelligence Center, a courtroom, and the White Hall. Turan was the first Kazakhstani university to join the Eduroam project. Education is offered in three languages: Kazakh, Russian, and English.
Coventry University Kazakhstan
Coventry University Kazakhstan (CUK) is the first British university branch campus located in the heart of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Launched in September 2024, it is a unique partnership between Coventry University (UK) and Primus Education LLP. The campus was established as part of Kazakhstan’s national strategy to expand global education opportunities in the region. Coventry University itself is a global, modern university founded in 1843 as the Coventry School of Design. It was rated Gold overall in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 (TEF), holds a 5 QS Stars overall rating, and ranks in the Top 100 in the world for international outlook. The university is No. 3 in the UK for students overseas. CUK offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Business, Computer Science, International Relations, Economics, Finance, and an MBA Global Business (Executive). All instruction is delivered in English by international faculty. The campus provides modern facilities including interactive study spaces, a library, and café facilities. A brand-new state-of-the-art campus for up to 4,000 students is expected to open in 2026–2027.
Cardiff University Kazakhstan
Cardiff University Kazakhstan is the first overseas branch campus of Cardiff University (Wales, UK) and the only Russell Group university campus in Central Asia. The campus was officially opened in Astana in September 2025, established through a partnership between Cardiff University and the not-for-profit Public Foundation Qualified Centre of Education (QCEF). With over 140 years of academic excellence, Cardiff University is ranked 181st in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities. The Kazakhstan campus offers undergraduate degree programmes taught in English by UK-based faculty, providing students with a world-class education rooted in tradition and focused on the future.
Kazakh-German University
The Kazakh-German University (DKU) is an international university located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, established under a bilateral intergovernmental agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Federal Republic of Germany. Founded over 25 years ago, DKU operates on the principles of German university autonomy and the Humboldt tradition, combining education, research, and societal engagement in a unique bi-national academic environment. DKU consistently ranks among the Top 5 universities in Kazakhstan according to the trade chamber ATAMEKEN, and offers internationally accredited programs in engineering, economics, and social sciences. The university maintains active partnerships with over 10 German partner universities and provides students with access to Double Diploma programs, enabling them to receive degrees recognized in both Kazakhstan and Germany.
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) is Kazakhstan’s leading medical institution, founded in 1930 in Almaty[cite: 1315]. It was the first higher medical education institution established in the Kazakh SSR and was granted national university status in 2001[cite: 1316]. The university is internationally accredited by WFME and recognized by WHO and the ECFMG (USA)[cite: 1318]. KazNMU currently enrolls approximately 15,500 students, including 2,900 international students from over 30 countries[cite: 1320]. It operates 7 academic buildings, 8 dormitories, and over 30 clinical bases[cite: 1321].
Astana Medical University
Astana Medical University (AMU) is a leading medical higher education institution in Kazakhstan. Founded in 1964, the university provides education in medicine, dentistry, pediatrics, pharmacy, nursing, and public health. The university has modern simulation centers, libraries, and clinical bases. AMU is focused on developing international cooperation and offers educational programs that meet world standards.
Karaganda Medical University
Leading medical university in Central Kazakhstan
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Abai KazNPU), founded on September 1, 1928, is Kazakhstan's oldest and most prestigious teacher-training institution, ranked #1 among pedagogical universities in the country and #=628 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. With over 16,000 students, more than 150 educational programs, and a network of 100+ international partner universities, Abai University is a leading center for education science, humanities, natural sciences, and the arts, committed to nurturing highly qualified specialists for Kazakhstan's knowledge economy. The university has been a signatory of the Magna Charta Universitatum, underscoring its alignment with European academic values and standards. It is home to the internationally acclaimed Sorbonne–Kazakhstan Institute and the Branch of the University of Lorraine (France), offering unique dual-degree programs. Abai University operates the Scientific and Innovation Park "Abai LABS," a psychological support service, and a digital education platform (Univer 2.0), reflecting its commitment to blending tradition with modern, technology-driven pedagogy. In QS subject rankings, the university stands out globally — ranked #=41 in Education & Training, #=93 in English Language & Literature, and in the top 200 in Philosophy — solidifying its reputation as a world-class center for teacher education and humanistic research.
Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications
Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications (AUPET), also known as Energo University, is a leading research university in Central Asia specializing in energy, telecommunications, information technology, and aerospace technologies. Established in 1975 as the Almaty Institute of Power Engineering (originally separated from the Energy Faculty of the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute), the university was officially renamed in 1997 and later named after its first rector, Gumarbek Daukeyev. AUPET is a non-profit joint-stock company with approximately 5,609 undergraduate and 379 graduate students. The university ranks in the top 10 of the National Rating of the Best Technical Universities of Kazakhstan and boasts nearly 100% graduate employment. It holds first place nationally in specialties such as Electrical Power Engineering, Radio Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, and Instrumentation. The university offers double degree programs with Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and North China Electric Power University (NCEPU), and partners with the New York Film Academy. AUPET actively participates in international projects including USAID, Erasmus+, and Horizon Europe. The campus includes modern laboratories, innovation centers, three dormitories, a library, conference hall, and five sports halls.
Buketov Karaganda University
Major university in Central Kazakhstan with comprehensive programs
Yessenov University
Yessenov University, officially the Caspian University of Technology and Engineering named after Sh. Yessenov, is the flagship higher education institution of the Mangystau Region and the leading technical university on the Kazakhstani coast of the Caspian Sea. Founded in 1976 as a branch of the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute to train engineers for the Mangystau industrial complex, it has since grown into a modern, fully accredited university offering programs across engineering, IT, business, law, education, philology, tourism, and maritime studies. The university hosts around 7,400 students across roughly 150 educational programs at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, with instruction available in Kazakh, Russian, and English. It has strong ties to the oil, gas, and maritime industries of the Caspian region, around 150 corporate partners, and over 110 partner universities worldwide. Yessenov University is home to the unique Maritime Academy, a Military Department, the German-Kazakh Institute of Sustainable Engineering Sciences, and Yessenov College. It is ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2026 band 1201–1400.
M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University
M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University (Auezov University / SKU, formerly South Kazakhstan State University) is one of the oldest and largest multidisciplinary universities in Kazakhstan, founded in 1943 in Shymkent and named after the renowned Kazakh writer Mukhtar Omarkhanuli Auezov. It is the largest university in Kazakhstan by student count, with more than 25,000 students across Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs, and 1,500+ faculty including doctors of science, PhDs, and academicians. Auezov University ranked 2nd in the 2024 National Rating of Kazakhstan's leading multidisciplinary universities, and entered the QS World University Rankings 2026 in the #731–740 band. The university holds ASIIN institutional accreditation, with several programs bearing the European quality marks Eurobachelor, Euro-Inf, and Euro-ACE. SKU maintains over 200 international cooperation agreements and runs 26 joint and double-degree programs with foreign universities.
Shakarim University
Regional university in Semey with diverse academic offerings
Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University
International Kazakh-Turkish university with diverse academic programs
Saginov Karaganda Technical University
Technical university with engineering and technology programs
D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University
D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) is a leading technical higher education institution in Kazakhstan, founded in 1958 and located in Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen), East Kazakhstan Region. It is ranked #1001–1200 in QS World University Rankings and holds second place among technical universities in the country according to the Republican Ranking Agency. EKTU offers over 80 educational programs at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels across engineering, IT, natural sciences, business, social sciences, and arts. The university is the only institution in Kazakhstan that prepares specialists for the nuclear industry. Several of its programs carry the EUR-ACE® Label from the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE). The university maintains strategic partnerships with institutions worldwide, including Technical University of Munich (Germany), Akita University (Japan), Hoseo University (South Korea), and University of Wroclaw (Poland). With approximately 8,000–9,000 students enrolled and nearly 500 teaching staff, EKTU is a major educational and research hub in eastern Kazakhstan.
Atyrau Oil and Gas University
Atyrau University of Oil and Gas named after Safi Utebayev (AOGU) is the only specialized state university in the field of oil and gas in Kazakhstan. Founded in 1959 as an educational center of the All-Union Correspondence Polytechnic Institute in the city of Guryev (now Atyrau), it has evolved into a leading industrial branch university serving the energy sector of Kazakhstan. The university currently offers bachelor’s, master’s, MBA, and doctoral programs across four faculties and one institute. With approximately 7,000–8,000 students, it is ranked among the top 1,401–1,500 universities in Asia (QS Asian University Rankings 2026). AOGU is accredited by the Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (IQAA) and recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan. The university integrates dual education, industrial internships, and applied research into its curriculum. It operates an industrial training ground developed with the support of KazMunayGas and EmbaMunayGas, and serves as the Ministry of Energy’s first Center for Sectoral Technological Competencies. AOGU also hosts the AI HUB Artificial Intelligence Center and actively engages in international partnerships with universities from China, Poland, Indonesia, Turkey, and other countries.
S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University
S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University (KATRU / KazATU), also known as Seifullin University, is the largest agricultural university in Central and Northern Kazakhstan and the first institution of higher education to be established in Astana, the country's capital. Founded in 1957 as the Akmola Agricultural Institute, the university has grown from a three-department institute into a multidisciplinary research university that ranks consistently among the top 10 universities in Kazakhstan and within the top 400 universities in Asia according to the QS Asia University Rankings 2024. The university currently serves over 12,000 full-time students across 9 faculties and 3 research institutes, supported by more than 820 highly qualified professors, scientists and instructors. With 134 educational programs across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, and 32 research laboratories, KATRU has established itself as a premier hub for scientific research and technological innovation in the agro-industrial sector. KATRU holds membership in Magna Charta Universitatum, which underpins its integration into the European Higher Education Area. The university maintains nearly 200 partnership agreements with higher education institutions across 35 countries and cooperates with over 2,690 businesses, governmental and non-governmental organizations for student internships and employment placement. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, KATRU is placed in the #1201–1400 band globally, #351–400 in Asia, and #16 among Central Asian universities.
Kazakh National Agrarian Research University
The Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) is Kazakhstan's leading agrarian research institution, established in 1996 through the merger of the Alma-Ata Zoo-Veterinary Institute and the Kazakh Agricultural Institute. In 2020, it was elevated to national research university status. KazNARU is home to approximately 7,000 students across 6 faculties and operates 4 research institutes and 9 laboratories through its International Agrotechnological Hub. The university developed two COVID-19 vaccine candidates (NARUVAX-C19) and maintains partnerships with 140 universities worldwide, benchmarking its development against Wageningen University. KazNARU provides 100% dormitory coverage for students and is ranked 481st in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Almaty Technological University
Almaty Technological University (ATU) is one of the leading universities in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, founded in 1957. The university specializes in training specialists for the food, processing, textile and light industries, engineering and IT, economics and business, tourism, service and hospitality industries. ATU is consistently ranked among the top five technical universities in Kazakhstan. The university cooperates with 95 major educational institutions across the globe and offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and double-degree education programs. ATU provides a modern education system with a multilingual training approach, involving qualified faculty with international experience.
Semey Medical University
Medical university providing healthcare education in East Kazakhstan
South Kazakhstan Medical Academy
Medical academy providing healthcare education in South Kazakhstan
Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University
Medical university serving West Kazakhstan region
Toraigyrov University
Major regional university with comprehensive academic programs
Innovative Eurasian University
Innovative University of Eurasia (InEU) is a private multidisciplinary higher education institution located in Pavlodar, in northeastern Kazakhstan. Founded in 1994, it has grown into one of the leading regional universities in the country, offering bachelor’s, master’s, MBA/EMBA, and PhD programs across business, law, education, engineering, IT, and natural sciences. The university operates two main faculties — the Faculty of Business, Education and Law, and the Faculty of Engineering and Technology — alongside its own colleges, a School of Business and Business Administration, and several research and language centers (including English and German language centers). InEU holds national institutional accreditation and several international specialized accreditations. The university is known for its innovative academic programs, active international cooperation through Erasmus+ and the “One Belt, One Road” project, and a strong focus on entrepreneurship and applied research. InEU has been recognized in the national Top 10 educational programs ranking and partners with universities and organizations across Europe and Asia.
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University
Regional university serving Kyzylorda region
A. Baitursynov Kostanay Regional University
Regional university offering comprehensive programs in Kostanay region
M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University
Leading university in North Kazakhstan region
M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University
Regional university serving Zhambyl region
Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University
Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University is one of the leading public universities in western Kazakhstan, founded on June 14, 1950, as a teachers’ institute. Named after the prominent Kazakh educator and scientist Khalel Dosmukhamedov, the university is the only state university in the Atyrau Region, providing education in natural sciences, humanities, economics, law, engineering, fine arts, music, and pedagogical specialties. The university is home to over 8,000 students across 6 faculties, offering more than 55 bachelor’s specialties and 27 master’s programs. It employs approximately 500 teaching staff, including over 200 doctors and candidates of sciences, professors, associate professors, and PhDs. The university was ranked 69th in the Kazakh National H-index Ranking in 2023. In 2010, the university became a full participant in the Bologna Process. It maintains international partnerships with over 150 universities worldwide and offers academic mobility through Erasmus+, Mevlana, and ORHUN exchange programs. The university’s infrastructure includes 5 academic buildings, 2 student dormitories, the “Zhaiyk” sports and cultural complex, and a medical center.
S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University
Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University (EKU) is a major public multidisciplinary university located in Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen), the capital of the East Kazakhstan Region. Founded on July 5, 1952, as a pedagogical institute, it was transformed into a full university in 1991 and named after the prominent linguist and Turkologist Sarsen Amanzholov in 2003. The university is organized into four Higher Schools: Pedagogy; Humanities; Business and Law; IT and Natural Sciences, plus a Higher College. It offers over 60 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs spanning education, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, IT, engineering, agriculture, and law. EKU is an active member of the Eurasian Association of Universities and was included in the list of 600 world university leaders under the Magna Charta Universitatum in 2009. The university has international partnerships and participates in Erasmus+, Bolashak, and ORHUN academic mobility programs. It has an enrollment of approximately 5,000–7,000 students and holds institutional accreditation from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan.
M. Zhansugurov Zhetysu University
Regional university in Zhetysu region
Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian-Technical University
Zhangir Khan University, officially known as the West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University (WKATU) named after Zhangir Khan, is one of the oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions in the West Kazakhstan region. The university is a Non-Profit Joint-Stock Company (NJSC) and carries the motto "Tradition, Quality, Success." It offers education across 103 educational programs in 17 areas of preparation, organized under 4 institutes and 1 faculty center. The university is ranked 9th in the general TOP-20 rating of universities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and holds the 40th position in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026: Central Asia. It is also ranked 658th in the QS Asia University Ranking 2026 overall and 8th in the national ranking of leading technical universities in Kazakhstan. The graduate employment rate stands at 84%.
Karaganda University of Economics
University specializing in economics, finance, and international trade
Kazakh Academy of Transport and Communications
Specialized academy for transport, logistics, and communications education
Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering
The Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering (KazGASA) is a leading private higher education institution in Kazakhstan, specializing in architecture, design, construction, and engineering. Founded in 1980 as the Almaty Architectural and Construction Institute (AASI), it was reorganized and renamed KazGASA in 1992. The academy is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, and has an enrollment of approximately 5,000–6,000 students. KazGASA is part of the International Educational Corporation (IEC), formed in 2007 by merging KazGASA with the Kazakh-American University (KAU). It was the first university in Central Asia and Southeast Asia to receive UNESCO–UIA accreditation for its Architecture program in 2007. The university maintains partnerships with 117 universities across 32 countries and offers programs in Kazakh, Russian, and English. Today, KazGASA offers 39 bachelor’s, 16 master’s, and 6 doctoral programs. In the 2025 Atameken National Ranking, two of its educational programs ranked first nationwide, and the university was included in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings in 2025.
A. Margulan Pavlodar Pedagogical University
Pedagogical university training teachers in Pavlodar region
A. Myrzakhmetov Kokshetau University
University providing education in humanities and sciences
Arkalyk Pedagogical University
Arkalyk Pedagogical University named after I. Altynsarin is one of the leading pedagogical higher education institutions in Kazakhstan, specializing in the training of teachers and scientific personnel. Founded on April 12, 1972, the university is located in the city of Arkalyk, Kostanay Region. In 1977, it was named after the great Kazakh educator and enlightener Ibrai Altynsarin. The university currently operates three faculties and offers 28 bachelor’s degree educational programs across natural sciences, pedagogy, philology, history, art, and physical culture. It maintains international partnerships with universities from 9 foreign countries, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Indonesia, Russia, Turkey, and Poland, providing students with academic mobility opportunities. In 2023, the university ranked first in graduate employment among Kazakhstani universities according to the “Atameken” National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, achieving a 94% employment rate. The university has an enrollment of approximately 2,000–2,999 students and is officially recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Dulatov Kostanay Engineering-Economics University
University combining engineering and economics education
K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University
Regional university in Aktobe with diverse academic programs
Karaganda Industrial University
Industrial university focused on mining and engineering
Kazakh National Academy of Choreography
National academy specializing in dance, choreography, and performing arts
Kazakh-Russian Medical University
Private medical university in Almaty
Kostanay Social-Technical University Aldamzhar
Technical university focused on engineering and social sciences
M. Utemisov West Kazakhstan University
Regional university in West Kazakhstan offering comprehensive educational programs
Rudny Industrial University
Industrial university specializing in mining and metallurgy
Sh. Ualikhanov Kokshetau University
Regional university in Akmola region offering diverse programs
Shymkent University
Regional university in Shymkent offering diverse academic programs
Taraz Innovation-Humanitarian University
University focused on innovation and humanities
Tashenov University
University offering programs in humanities, sciences, and social sciences
University Medical Center
Nazarbayev University School of Medicine (NuSoM) is Kazakhstan's premier English-taught medical school partnered with University Medical Center (UMC) for advanced residency training in specialties like Internal Medicine and Surgery
West Kazakhstan Innovation-Technology University
Technology and innovation focused university
Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts
National academy specializing in performing arts, film, and creative industries
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