Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was founded in 1934 in Almaty and is the oldest and largest classical university in Kazakhstan. It occupies a large purpose-built campus in the south of the city.

Its faculties cover the natural sciences, engineering, information technology, medicine and healthcare, economics and business, law, international relations, journalism and the humanities. Geology, chemistry and physics reflect the country's resource-based economy.

The university takes part in the Bologna framework, so degrees follow the bachelor's, master's and doctoral cycle with credits. Programmes are taught in Kazakh, Russian and, for a number of courses, English — the language of instruction varies by programme and should be checked directly.

Admission is document-based and generally accessible, but the documentation is checked carefully.

• A completed secondary qualification with the subjects the programme requires; a recognised bachelor's degree for master's entry.
• Legalised and translated academic documents, often with apostille certification.
• Evidence of English ability for English-taught programmes; confirm in writing whether a test is required or an internal assessment is accepted.
• A valid passport and the documents needed for the study visa invitation issued by the university.
• A medical certificate and the immunisation records the university specifies.

Kazakhstan's largest university, with fees set per programme and well below Western European levels.

• Set per programme and per year, published by the university.
• Language of instruction affects the programme and sometimes the fee — Kazakh, Russian and English tracks all exist.
• Low by international comparison, and combined with low living costs in Almaty.
• State scholarship quota places are allocated through a national process and are a separate route from paying fees.
• University merit awards decided by the institution on academic record.
• Additional costs — visa, registration, insurance and document attestation.

Work from the university's admissions office, which we will contact on your behalf for your specific programme and year of entry — it is the only figure that will be correct for you, and it is republished every year. We will confirm the current cost and what it includes before you commit to an application.

Al-Farabi participates in the state scholarship quota for international students, allocated through a national process, and additionally runs its own awards decided on academic record. The two routes have separate applications and separate timetables.

• State quota places — allocated nationally, with eligibility set centrally.
• University merit awards — decided by the institution on academic record.
• Faculty awards — concentrated in the sciences and engineering.

Academic documents generally need attesting, and that is the usual reason a strong application misses its deadline. Start the paperwork early.

A large campus university in Almaty, Kazakhstan's biggest city, set against the Tian Shan mountains.

• A substantial single campus with its own residences, libraries and sports facilities.
• Almaty is the country's commercial and cultural centre, greener and milder than Astana.
• Mountains immediately south — skiing and hiking are close, and a real part of student life.
• A growing international cohort, with support services developing alongside it.
• On-campus dormitory accommodation is available and inexpensive, which simplifies arrival considerably.
• Russian is widely used alongside Kazakh; English is common among students on English-taught tracks.

Confirm the language of instruction for your specific programme before applying. Tracks in Kazakh, Russian and English all exist under similar programme titles, and the difference is fundamental.