Most Guides About Kazakh Scholarships Make the Same Mistake — Let’s Clarify It First
Bolashak is Kazakhstan’s most famous scholarship. It is also a scholarship exclusively for Kazakhstani citizens, not for international students from other countries.
This is the same common error found in guides about Indonesia (where LPDP is for Indonesian citizens only) and Indonesia (where LPDP is often listed as an international scholarship). If you are not a Kazakhstani citizen, Bolashak is not accessible to you.
The scholarship that IS open to international students is the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship Program for International Students, a separate, genuine international program managed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan. It offers 490 Bachelor’s places, 50 Master’s places, and 10 PhD places annually. Applications for 2026 are open from March 30 to May 31, 2026 via studyin.kz.
Additionally, Nazarbayev University — Kazakhstan’s flagship research university established with partnerships from Cambridge, Wisconsin, and Duke, offers the Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship specifically for international (non-Kazakhstani) students.
This guide covers everything an international student needs to know about studying in Kazakhstan correctly.
The Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for International Students
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan invites applications from international students for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD scholarships for full-time studies in Kazakhstan. This scholarship is open to foreign citizens, including persons of Kazakh nationality who are not citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Number of places for 2026:
- Bachelor’s degree: 490 places
- Master’s degree: 50 places
- PhD degree: 10 places
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Free dormitory accommodation
- Medical insurance
What applicants must cover themselves: Applicants will need to make provision for all expenses not covered by the scholarship, this includes travel costs, personal expenses, and living costs beyond the stipend.
Application window 2026: Applicants can apply online from 30 March to 31 May 2026 until 23:59 Astana time at the following link: studyin.kz/admission. The application must be completed in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
Language requirements: IELTS Academic minimum 5.5, TOEFL iBT minimum 46, TOEFL PBT minimum 453. Exemption: No international language proficiency certificate is required if your previous education was in the program’s language.
If you studied at an English-medium institution, a free MOI Certificate from your university registrar may satisfy the language requirement for English-taught programs. Generate the correct format at: MOI Generator
Minimum GPA requirements:
- Bachelor’s: Secondary education completed with a grade of “good” or above
- Master’s: Bachelor’s degree GPA minimum 2.33/4.0 or equivalent
- PhD: Master’s degree GPA minimum 2.33/4.0 or equivalent — one of the lowest published PhD GPA thresholds of any major government scholarship program globally
Selection process: Shortlisted candidates are invited for an online interview conducted by representatives of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and participating universities. Final selection results are announced following the interview process.
Apply at: studyin.kz/admission
Bolashak — What It Actually Is (And Why It Doesn’t Apply to You)
Bolashak (meaning “Future” in Kazakh) is the Republic of Kazakhstan’s presidential scholarship for citizens to study at the world’s leading universities. Established in 1993 by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, it is one of Central Asia’s most prestigious and competitive study-abroad program.
Bolashak is exclusively for Kazakhstani citizens. You must hold a valid Kazakhstan passport or identity document.
Roughly 13,000 Kazakhstani citizens have studied in 33 countries through Bolashak since its launch. Graduates hold key positions across Kazakhstan’s government, business, and academic sectors. Bolashak covers Masters degrees, PhD programs, medical residency, and professional internships at leading global universities.
Why this matters for international students: If you are from Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Bangladesh, or any non-Kazakhstani country, Bolashak is not available to you. Apply to the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for International Students or the Nazarbayev University Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship instead. Any guide or agent suggesting you apply for Bolashak as a non-Kazakhstani is wrong.
Nazarbayev University — Kazakhstan’s Flagship and the Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship
Nazarbayev University (NU) in Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) is Kazakhstan’s most internationally recognized university. It was established with direct academic partnerships with some of the world’s top institutions including the University of Cambridge, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Duke University, and others. Programs are delivered in English across all schools.
Rankings: NU is ranked in the QS World University Rankings and is Central Asia’s most research-intensive English-medium university.
The Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship for international students:
The international applicants are eligible to the “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship. The governmental scholarship provides a monthly stipend, basic medical insurance and guaranteed compensation money for travel in accordance with the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. No need to apply for scholarship separately. All candidates are considered for the scholarship by default.
Monthly stipend amounts:
- Undergraduate: approximately KZT 48,182/month (~EUR 80)
- Master’s: approximately KZT 181,250/month (~EUR 302)
- PhD: approximately KZT 217,500/month (~EUR 362)
What the scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend (as above)
- Basic health insurance
What it does not cover:
- Airfare
- Personal living expenses beyond the stipend
How to apply: The scholarship is awarded after admission is confirmed, so there is no independent application deadline beyond university admission dates. Apply for admission to Nazarbayev University first, if accepted as an international student, the Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship consideration is automatic.
Schools at Nazarbayev University:
- School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS)
- School of Sciences and Humanities (SSH)
- School of Mining and Geosciences (SMG)
- School of Medicine (SOM)
- Graduate School of Business (GSB)
- Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP)
- Graduate School of Education (GSE)
- Graduate School of Law (GSL)
Apply at: nu.edu.kz
Other Universities in Kazakhstan for International Students
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) — Almaty. Kazakhstan’s largest public university, founded 1934. Strong in sciences, law, journalism, and international relations. Receives government scholarship placements. Russian and Kazakh medium with some English programs.
Eurasian National University (ENU/L.N. Gumilyov) — Nur-Sultan. Kazakhstan’s second-largest university. Strong in engineering, IT, and social sciences. Named after Lev Gumilyov. Government scholarship placements available.
Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) — Almaty. Joint Kazakh-British institution. English-medium programs in engineering, IT, and business. Smaller, more focused international environment.
Almaty Management University (AlmaU) — Almaty. Business, management, and economics focus. Growing international student population.
Student Visa for Kazakhstan
Non-CIS international students need a study visa (Category D) or an Invitation Letter to study in Kazakhstan for programs lasting more than 90 days.
Process:
- Receive admission letter or scholarship offer from your Kazakhstani university
- The university applies for an Invitation Letter on your behalf from the Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Use the Invitation Letter to apply for a study visa at the Kazakhstani Embassy or consulate in your home country
- On arrival, register with local migration authorities within 3 business days
Documents typically required:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- University admission letter or scholarship offer
- Invitation Letter from the university
- Proof of accommodation
- Medical certificate (including HIV test)
- Photographs
Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Start as early as possible after receiving your offer.
Work rights: International students on study visas are generally permitted to work in Kazakhstan with an additional permit, confirm current regulations with the university’s international office.
Cost of Living in Kazakhstan — Very Affordable
Kazakhstan’s cost of living is among the lowest of any country covered in ScholarWing’s “How to Study” series. Even Nur-Sultan and Almaty, the country’s most expensive cities are very affordable by global standards.
Typical monthly costs in Nur-Sultan:
- Accommodation: USD 100-200/month (university dormitory cheaper; private room moderate)
- Food: USD 80-150/month (local markets and canteens very cheap)
- Transportation: USD 15-30/month (public transport extensive and affordable)
- Personal expenses: USD 30-60/month
Total typical budget: USD 225-440/month
The Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship context: The NU Master’s stipend of ~EUR 302/month in Nur-Sultan covers living costs comfortably, with room for moderate savings. The PhD stipend of ~EUR 362/month is even more livable.
Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). The exchange rate fluctuates — check current rates when budgeting.
Why Kazakhstan for International Students?
1. World’s Largest Landlocked Country — Strategic Crossroads Kazakhstan borders Russia to the north, China to the east, and Central Asian republics to the south. It is a Belt and Road Initiative partner country and a key node in Eurasian trade and infrastructure networks. For students interested in energy policy, Central Asian affairs, Russian studies, or China-Central Asia relations, Kazakhstan offers unparalleled geographic and institutional access.
2. Nazarbayev University — Central Asia’s Research Leader NU is genuinely internationally competitive in engineering, data science, and natural sciences. Its English-medium programs, international faculty, and research partnerships with Cambridge and Duke give it academic credibility well beyond its geographic region. A degree from NU is meaningfully different from a degree from a generic Kazakhstani institution.
3. Very Low PhD GPA Requirement The Kazakhstan Government Scholarship requires only a 2.33/4.0 GPA for PhD applicants, one of the lowest published PhD scholarship GPA thresholds globally. CSC China has no published minimum; Kazakhstan publishes one that is extremely accessible. For students with slightly lower academic records who want to pursue PhD-level study, Kazakhstan is one of the most accessible routes.
4. Islamic World Context Kazakhstan is a Muslim-majority country (approximately 70% Muslim). For students from Pakistan, the Middle East, or African Muslim countries, the cultural environment is more familiar than in most European study destinations.
5. Russian Language Access Most Kazakhstani university instruction is in Russian or Kazakh, with English available primarily at NU and a few international programs. For students who speak Russian, the full range of Kazakhstani universities becomes accessible, significantly expanding program and scholarship options.
Practical Tips for Applying to Kazakhstan
1. Bolashak is not for you if you are not Kazakhstani — apply for the International Scholarship instead Go directly to studyin.kz and apply for the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for International Students. The application window is March 30 – May 31, 2026.
2. Nazarbayev University — apply for admission first, scholarship is automatic Apply for admission to NU through nu.edu.kz. If admitted as an international student, the Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship consideration happens automatically, no separate scholarship application needed.
3. PhD GPA requirement is 2.33/4.0 — very accessible If your Master’s GPA was 2.33 or above on a 4.0 scale, you meet the minimum published requirement for PhD-level government scholarship consideration. This is a genuine accessibility advantage Kazakhstan offers that most scholarship guides don’t highlight.
4. Language exemption if previous degree was in English If your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree was taught in English, you may be exempt from the IELTS/TOEFL requirement for English-taught programs. Get your free MOI Certificate from your university registrar, confirm exemption eligibility with your target university.
5. Get a university invitation letter early The visa process for Kazakhstan requires an Invitation Letter from the university. Request this as soon as you have your admission or scholarship offer, visa processing adds time on top of this.
FAQ
Is Bolashak open to international students?
No, Bolashak is exclusively for Kazakhstani citizens. International students should apply for the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for International Students at studyin.kz, or the Nazarbayev University Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship.
What is the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for International Students?
It is a scholarship managed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, open to foreign citizens, offering 490 Bachelor’s, 50 Master’s, and 10 PhD places annually. It covers full tuition, monthly stipend, dormitory, and medical insurance. Application deadline: May 31, 2026 via studyin.kz.
What is the Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship at Nazarbayev University?
It is the scholarship for international (non-Kazakhstani) students at Nazarbayev University. It covers full tuition, monthly stipend (~EUR 302 for Master’s, ~EUR 362 for PhD), and basic health insurance. No separate application awarded automatically after admission confirmation.
What is the minimum GPA for the Kazakhstan PhD scholarship?
2.33 out of 4.0 for the Master’s degree held by the PhD applicant, one of the lowest published PhD scholarship GPA thresholds of any government scholarship program globally.
When is the application deadline?
The Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for International Students application window is March 30 to May 31, 2026. For Nazarbayev University, follow NU’s admission cycle deadlines at nu.edu.kz.
Do I need IELTS for Kazakhstan scholarships?
IELTS 5.5 minimum for English-medium programs, or TOEFL iBT 46. Exemption: if your previous education was conducted entirely in English, no language certificate is required. A free MOI Certificate may substitute confirm with your target university.