The Kazakhstan Government Scholarships 2026 offer international students a strong chance to study in Central Asia through funded Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs at higher education institutions in Kazakhstan. Backed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the scholarship mainly covers tuition fees and a monthly stipend, and current 2026 sources indicate an application deadline around 31 May 2026 for the new cycle.

For students searching terms like Kazakhstan Government Scholarship 2026, fully funded scholarships in Kazakhstan, and study in Kazakhstan for international students, this program is attractive because it is open to all nationalities, includes a large number of awards, and gives access to recognized universities in a country that links Europe and Asia.

Basic Information about the Scholarships

• Scholarship name: Kazakhstan Government Scholarship 2026.
• Host country: Kazakhstan.
• Funding body: Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Managed by Center for International Programs
• Administering body: Higher Education Development National Center is mentioned in one source as part of administration.
• Degree levels:
  • Bachelor’s.
  • Master’s.
  • PhD.
• Scholarship type: Funded scholarship for full-time study.
• 2026 number of awards:
  • Bachelor’s: 490
  • Master’s: 50
  • PhD: 10
• Application deadline:
  • One 2026 source states 31 May 2026.
  • Another 2026 source also indicates a document acceptance window ending on 31 May 2026 (Astana time).
• Application fee: One 2026 source says free.

University/Institution Details

The scholarship is not limited to one university. Instead, it supports full-time degree study at approved higher education institutions in Kazakhstan under the national scholarship framework. This means selected students may study at leading Kazakh universities across major cities such as Astana, Almaty, and other academic centers, depending on program availability and admission outcomes.

Kazakhstan has positioned itself as a growing regional education destination, and one source notes that it is the only Central Asian country recognized as a full member of the European Higher Education Area, which strengthens the international value of its academic system. That matters for students who want a lower-cost but internationally relevant study destination with programs in English, Russian, or Kazakh.

Participating Universities

• Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
• L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
• Satbayev University
• Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University
• Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University
• Kazakh National Agrarian University
• K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University
• Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications
• Y. Altynsarin Arkalyk Pedagogical Institute
• Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University
• S.Utebayev Atyrau Oil and Gas University
• D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University
• S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University
• I. Zhansugurov Zhetysu University
• M.Utemisov West Kazakhstan University
• Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian-Technical University
• S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical University
• Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and Foreign Languages
• E. Buketov Karaganda University
• Karaganda Technical University
• Karaganda Industrial University
• Yessenov University
• Sh. Ualikhanov Kokshetau University
• A. Baitursynov Kostanay University
• Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University
• Toraighyrov University
• Pavlodar Pedagogical University
• Rudny Industrial Institute
• M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University
• M. Dulaty Taraz University
• Shakarim University
• South-Kazakhstan State Pedagogical University
• M. Auezov South-Kazakhstan University
• Astana IT University
• Kazakh-British Technical University
• M.S.Narikbayev KAZGUU University
• Almaty Management University

Study Areas

The Kazakhstan Government Scholarship supports a very wide range of academic programs. While it is not published as one single fixed subject list in the reviewed results, public summaries clearly indicate broad eligibility across major disciplines:

• Medicine and Health Sciences.
• Engineering and Technology.
• Natural Sciences.
• Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Economics and Business Administration.
• Education and Pedagogy.
• Agriculture and Environmental fields.
• Law and Political Science.
• Arts and Architecture.
• Information Technology and Computer Science.
• One 2026 source also states that General Medicine (MBBS) is available.

That broad academic coverage makes this scholarship useful for students who do not want a narrow fellowship with only one or two subjects. In plain terms, the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship is a multi-field national scholarship scheme rather than a single specialized academic award.

Kazakhstan Government Scholarships Benefits

The public 2026 and carry-over program summaries consistently point to the following main benefits:

• Full tuition fee covered
• Free dormitory accommodation
• Monthly stipend
• Visa & registration support
• Study in English-medium programs available
• Access to full-time study in Kazakh higher education institutions.
• Opportunity to study in English, Russian, or Kazakh, depending on the program and institution.
• Large national scholarship allocation, which improves opportunity compared with highly limited one-seat scholarships.

This is why many websites describe the program as fully funded, though applicants should understand that “fully funded” here mainly refers to tuition plus stipend, not necessarily every personal expense.

Benefits not included

• Accommodation is not consistently confirmed in the reviewed sources as a guaranteed universal benefit under the government scholarship itself.
• Flight tickets are not clearly listed in the sources reviewed.
• Visa fees are not clearly stated as covered.
• Personal expenses beyond the monthly stipend remain the student’s responsibility.
• There is no separate language preparatory course according to one 2026 source, although Russian or Kazakh may be taught within the academic curriculum.
• Family or dependent support is not mentioned in the reviewed summaries.

So yes, the scholarship is strong, but no, students should not assume it covers every single cost automatically.

Eligibility Criteria for the Kazakhstan Government Scholarships

The reviewed 2026 and recent cycle sources indicate the following core eligibility rules:

• Open to foreign nationals of all countries.
• Also open to persons of Kazakh nationality who are not citizens of Kazakhstan.
• For Bachelor’s applicants:
  • Must hold a secondary school certificate or equivalent with grades no less than “good”.
  • Must be first bachelor’s degree
  • Good academic result (at least “good” grade)
• For Master’s applicants:
  • Must hold a Bachelor’s or specialist degree.
  • Must be first master’s degree
  • Must generally have a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent
• For PhD applicants:
  • Must hold a Master’s degree.
  • Must be first PhD
  • Research proposal (dissertation topic)
  • Same language requirements as Master’s
  • Must generally have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
• Selection stages:
  • One 2026 source mentions applicants must pass an online adaptive test and interview.
• Age:
  • One 2026 public source mentions 18 to 40 years, though applicants should verify whether that is uniformly official for every degree level in the final call.

Language requirement for Masters and PhD (any one):

• IELTS ≥ 5.5
• TOEFL ≥ 46 (iBT)
• TOEFL PBT 453.
• Or German
  • DSH Level B2
  • TestDaF Level B2
• French:
  • TFI: at least B2 (reading and listening)
  • DELF: B2
  • DALF: B2
  • TCF: minimum 50 points
• Chinese:
  • HSK: minimum Level 4
• Not required if previous study was in same language

Required Documents for the Application

The available 2026-oriented sources indicate that applicants should be prepared with the following standard materials:

• Completed application form through the official scholarship portal.
• Passport or identity document.
• Application can be submitted in Kazakh, Russian, or English
• Must include translated documents (if needed)
• Invitation letter from a university is optional but helpful

For Bachelors

• Identity document (including refugee certificate, if applicable).
• Secondary education certificate with transcript and attachment (if available) and notarized translation into Kazakh, Russian, or English.
• Motivational essay in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
• One letter of recommendation from the educational institution or employer in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
• Health certificate for travelling abroad.
• HIV/AIDS certificate issued by an official health authority.
• Completed application form.
• Letter of invitation from a Kazakhstan university (if available).

For Masters & PhD

• Academic certificates + transcript
• Bachelor’s degree certificate with transcript and appendix (if available) and notarized translation into Kazakh, Russian, or English.
• Master’s degree certificate with transcript and appendix (if available) and notarized translation into Kazakh, Russian, or English.
• Motivational essay
• 2 recommendation letters
• Medical certificate
• Application form
• Letter of invitation from a Kazakhstan university (if available).

Kazakhstan Government Scholarships Application Process

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the Higher Education Development National Center of Kazakhstan and review the current 2026 scholarship guidelines.
• Step 2: Choose your degree level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD.
• Step 3: Prepare academic documents, passport, and language certificate if required.
• Step 4: Complete the online application and upload all required files.
• Step 5: Submit before the deadline, with current 2026 sources pointing to 31 May 2026.
• Step 6: If shortlisted, complete the online adaptive test and interview where applicable.
• Step 7: Wait for the final scholarship and university placement outcome.
• Step 8: Once selected, proceed with visa, travel planning, and enrollment at the assigned university in Kazakhstan.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Apply early, because national portals can get overloaded close to deadline.
• Check the GPA rule carefully, since public sources show slightly different thresholds and you do not want to assume the wrong one.
• Prepare your language certificate in advance, especially for Master’s and PhD applications.
• Choose a study field that clearly matches your past education, because that makes your profile more believable and competitive.
• Practice for the interview, since one source confirms an adaptive test and interview can be part of the selection.
• Keep scans clean and readable, because poor document quality kills applications fast.
• Research Kazakh universities before applying, so you understand program language, city costs, and degree structure.

Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is generally more affordable than Western Europe, which is one reason this scholarship makes practical sense:

• Accommodation: Around USD 150 to USD 350 per month depending on city and housing type.
• Food and groceries: Around USD 120 to USD 250 per month.
• Transportation: Around USD 15 to USD 40 per month.
• Utilities and internet: Around USD 40 to USD 90 per month if not included in rent.
• Phone and personal expenses: Around USD 50 to USD 120 per month.
• Books and supplies: Around USD 20 to USD 50 per month.
• Estimated total monthly cost: Around USD 395 to USD 900 for a moderate student lifestyle in Kazakhstan.

That means the monthly stipend can meaningfully reduce the cost burden, especially outside the most expensive city zones.

Why Choose This Scholarship?

• It is open to international students from all countries, which makes it unusually accessible.
• It covers tuition and gives a monthly stipend, which is the core financial pressure for most students.
• It supports Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD study, so it is flexible across academic stages.
• It offers many scholarship slots, with public sources citing 550 total awards.
• It supports a huge range of subjects, including engineering, medicine, business, IT, and social sciences.
• Kazakhstan is relatively affordable, so the scholarship stretches further than in more expensive study destinations.
• It provides access to a growing higher education system connected to the broader European academic framework.

Frequently Asked Questions about the scholarship

• Is the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship 2026 fully funded?
  It is commonly described as fully funded because it covers tuition fees and a monthly stipend, but the reviewed sources do not clearly confirm universal coverage for all items such as flights, visa fees, or accommodation.
• Who can apply?
  Foreign nationals from all countries can apply, and persons of Kazakh nationality who are not citizens of Kazakhstan are also eligible.
• What degree levels are available?
  Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD.
• What is the deadline?
  Current 2026 sources indicate the deadline is 31 May 2026.
• Is IELTS required?
  For Master’s and PhD, an international language certificate is required, with examples such as IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 46 listed in one source.
• How many scholarships are available?
  Public summaries cite 550 scholarships, including 490 Bachelor’s, 50 Master’s, and 10 PhD.
• Is there an interview?
  One 2026 source says applicants must pass an online adaptive test and interview.

Application Timeline

• Opens: 30 March 2026
• Deadline: 31 May 2026 (23:59 Astana time)
• Apply online: studyin.kz/admission

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