The adult literacy rate in Kazakhstan is 99.5%, one of the highest in the world. Primary and secondary education in Kazakhstan are universal and mandatory, and higher education is highly valued by its citizens. Education is Kazakhstan is comprised of three consecutive levels: primary education (forms 1-4), basic/general education (forms 5-9) and senior level education (forms 10-12), which can be either professional education or continued general education. All primary and secondary education can be completed in one institution of in various institutions. Senior level professional education is provided by specialized professional/technical schools, vocational schools, colleges and lyceums.
Currently, Kazakhstan has six former higher education institutions. These include universities, institutes, and academies, higher schools, conservatories and higher colleges. Within the higher education system, there are three recognized levels: basic higher education, specialized higher education, and scientific-pedagogical higher education. Basic higher education is exactly that, higher education that provides the basics or fundamentals of a chosen education path, leading towards a Bachelor’s degree. Specialized higher education leads students towards earning a Specialist’s Diploma and students pursuing scientific-pedagogical higher education work toward earning a Master’s degree. Similar to higher education systems in other countries, postgraduate studies in Kazakhstan lead to the Doctor of Sciences or Ph.D. and the Kandidat nuak (Candidate of Sciences).
Due to a special Bolashak scholarship program sponsored by the Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan, each year several thousand Kazakhstan citizens (up to 5,000) are provided the opportunity to study abroad at the higher education institution of their choice. The scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses to and from the university they attend, as long as they are able to comply with the eligibility requirements of an institution abroad. However, there is one catch. Students who fund their education abroad via the Bolashak scholarship are require to return to Kazakhstan upon completion of their degree to work for a minimum of five years.
Below is a list of the top colleges, universities, academies and higher education institutions in Kazakhstan along with links to each institution’s website (where available).
Almaty
- University of International Business
- International IT University
- Adilet Law Academy
- Abay Almaty State University or Abai University)
- Almaty Technological University
- Almaty Institute of Power Engineering and Telecommunications
- University of Central Asia
- International Academy of Business
- Kainar University
- Kazakh-American University
- Kazakh Automobile Road Institute
- Kazakh-British Technical University
- Kazakh Academy of Labour and Social Relations
- Kazakh Academy of Sports & Tourism
- M.Tynyshbayev Kazakh Academy of Transport & Communication
- Turar RyskulovKazakh Economic University
- T.K.Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts
- Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatoire
- Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University
- Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University
- K.I.Satpayev Kazakh National Technical University
- Kazakh National University (Al-Farabi University)
- Ablai-khan Kazakh University of International Relations & World Languages
- KIMEP: Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research
- Suleyman Demirel University
- Turan University
- Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering
- Kazakh National Agrarian University
Aktau
- Aktau College of Foreign Languages
- Sh.Yesenov – Caspian State University of Technology and Engineering Sh. Yesenov, former Aktau State University
Aktobe
- K.Zhubanov Aktobe State University
- Aktobe State Pedagogical Institute
- M.Ospanov West Kazakhstan State Medical Academy
- Kazakh-Russian International University
Astana
- Akmola State Medical Academy
- L.N. Gumilev – Eurasian National University
- Kazakh National Academy of Music
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University
- Nazarbayev University
Atyrau
- H. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau State University
- Atyrau Institute of Oil and Gas
Ekibastuz
- K.I.Satpayev Ekisbastuz Engineering & Technical Institute
Karagandy
- Buketov Karagandy State University
- Karagandy State Technical University
- Karagandy State Medical Academy
Kokshetau
- Sh.Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University
Kostanay
- A.Baitursynov Kostanay State University
- Kostanay State Pedagogical Institute
Kyzylorda
- Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University
Oral
- M.Otemisov West Kazakhstan State University
- Zhangir-Khan West Kazakhstan Agricultural & Technical University
- West Kazakhstan Humanitarian Academy
Oskemen
- S.Amanzholov East Kazakhstan State University
- D.Serikbaev East Kazakhstan State Technical University
- East Kazakhstan Regional University
- Kazakh-American Free University
Pavlodar
- Innovative University of Eurasia
- Pavlodar State University S. Toraigyrov
- Pavlodar State Pedagogical Institute
Petropavl
- North Kazakhstan State University, named for M. Kozybaev
Rudni
- Rudniy Industrial Institute
Semey
- Shakerim Semey State University
- Semey State Pedagogical Institute
- Semey State Medical Academy
- Kazakh Finance Economical Institute
Shymkent
- M.O.Auezov South Kazakhstan State University
- South Kazakhstan State Medical Academy
- M.Saparbayev South Kazakhstan Humanitarian Institute
Taraz
- Taraz State University M.H.Dulati
- Taraz State Pedagogical Institute
- Zhambyl Hydromelioration and Construction Institute
- Zhambyl of Humanities and Technique
Tekeli
- University of Central Asia
Turkestan
- Ahmet Yesevi �niversitesi
Zhezkazgan
- O.A. Baikonurov Zhezkazgan University