Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for International Student

fully-funded
March 9, 2025
Kazakhstan

Scholarship Description

The Scholarship Program for Studying in Kazakhstani Universities is an initiative by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It invites foreign applicants, including persons of Kazakh nationality who are not citizens of Kazakhstan, to pursue full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs at participating Kazakhstani universities. The program aims to promote international education, academic mobility, and cultural exchange while supporting Kazakhstan’s integration into the global education system, notably through the Bologna Process. Administered by the Higher Education Development National Center, the scholarship typically covers tuition fees, accommodation, and may include a monthly stipend, depending on the specific terms for the academic year. Applicants undergo a multi-step selection process involving document submission, online testing for adaptive potential, and interviews with representatives from the Ministry, the Operator, and universities.

Eligibilities

Open to foreign nationals, including persons of Kazakh ethnicity not holding Kazakh citizenship.
Must have completed the required prior level of education (secondary for Bachelor’s, Bachelor’s for Master’s, Master’s for PhD).
Meet minimum academic performance thresholds (e.g., "good" grade for Bachelor’s, 3.0/4.0 GPA for Master’s/PhD).
Physically fit to study abroad as certified by medical documentation.
No specific age limit is typically mentioned, but programs may prioritize younger applicants or those recently graduated.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree Applicants:
- Completed secondary education with a minimum grade equivalent to "good" (specific GPA may vary).
- Motivational essay in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
- One letter of recommendation from a previous educational institution or employer.
- Medical certificate for studying abroad, including HIV/AIDS clearance.
Master’s Degree Applicants:
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
- Motivational essay in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
- Two letters of recommendation from educational institutions or employers.
- Medical certificate as above.
PhD Applicants:
- Master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
- Research proposal in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Medical certificate as above.
Language Proficiency: An international certificate (e.g., TCF ≥ 50 for French, or equivalents like IELTS/TOEFL) may be required unless the applicant’s native language or prior education language matches the program’s medium (Kazakh, Russian, or English).

Deadline: May 30, 2025 (78 days left)

Required Documents:

Copy of previous education document (e.g., secondary school certificate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree) with transcript, notarized and translated into Kazakh, Russian, or English.
Motivational essay (in Kazakh, Russian, or English).
Letter(s) of recommendation (1 for Bachelor’s, 2 for Master’s/PhD) in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
Medical certificate for studying abroad, including therapist, narcologist, psychiatrist conclusions, X-ray data, lab tests, and HIV/AIDS clearance from an official health authority.
PhD applicants: Research proposal in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
Optional: Language proficiency certificate (not required if the language is native or was the medium of prior education within 5 years).
Optional: Invitation letter from a Kazakhstani university (if available).

How to Apply

Visit the official scholarship portal (likely moved to https://studyin.kz as noted in Web ID: 3 for 2024).
Complete the online application form in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
Upload required documents (see below).
Submit the application within the deadline.
If documents are verified successfully, receive a link for online testing to assess adaptive potential.
Pass the online test to qualify for an interview invitation.
Attend an online interview with representatives from the Ministry, the Operator, and universities.
Await selection results.