Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens
Edit ScholarshipFully funded scholarship from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education for foreign citizens to study bachelor's, master's or PhD programs at Kazakhstani universities (e.g. Al-Farabi KazNU).
Overview
The Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens is a fully funded award administered by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, operating separately from the better-known Bolashak Programme since 2019. It places international bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students at Kazakhstani universities — 37 institutions with 2,668 academic programmes participated in the 2025–2026 cycle — covering tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance for the full programme duration.
The scale of the programme is significant: 550 awards were available for the 2025–2026 academic year, distributed across bachelor's (490 awards), master's (50 awards), and doctoral (10 awards) study. In that cycle, 13,723 applicants from 57 countries competed, giving you a realistic sense of both the demand and the geographic reach. Applications are processed through Kazakhstan's National Center for the Development of Higher Education, and selection includes an online interview in addition to document review.
Kazakhstan's universities deliver instruction in Kazakh, Russian, or English depending on the institution and programme. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Nazarbayev University, and other participating institutions offer English-medium programmes at the graduate level. If you're considering study in Central Asia, this scholarship is one of the most substantive government awards in the region — full coverage with no tuition or accommodation costs, from a country that has invested heavily in growing its higher education sector over the past decade.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Republic of Kazakhstan |
| Host Country | Kazakhstan |
| Degree Levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Value | Full tuition, monthly stipend, free dormitory accommodation, and medical insurance |
| Deadline | Annual cycle via the National Center for the Development of Higher Education portal (konkurs.bolashak.gov.kz) |
| Eligible Nationalities | Foreign citizens of all nationalities, including ethnic Kazakhs who are not citizens of Kazakhstan |
| Official Website | bolashak.gov.kz |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality and Citizenship
The scholarship is open to foreign citizens of all nationalities. This includes ethnic Kazakhs (Oralmans and diaspora members) who hold citizenship of another country and are not citizens of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstani citizens are not eligible for this programme.
Academic Requirements
For the 2025–2026 cycle, approximately 13,723 applicants competed for 550 places. The programme targets high-achieving students; a minimum GPA of approximately 3.0 out of 4.0 (or its equivalent in your home country's grading system) is the baseline expectation. Check the current cycle's official call for the precise academic threshold, as this may be updated annually.
Programme Level Quotas
The 550 awards in the 2025–2026 cycle were divided as follows: 490 bachelor's awards, 50 master's awards, and 10 doctoral awards. Competition is most intense for master's and doctoral awards given the smaller number available relative to interest. The 37 participating universities span a wide range of disciplines; check the official portal for the current list of eligible institutions and programmes.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition fees at the assigned Kazakhstani university for the normal programme duration
- Monthly living stipend (amount per the Ministry's current schedule)
- Free dormitory accommodation on campus
- Medical insurance for the duration of the programme
- Note: international travel to and from Kazakhstan is not included; plan and fund your own airfare
How to Apply
- Create an account on the application portal: Access the applicant's personal account at konkurs.bolashak.gov.kz. This is the official portal for the scholarship competition administered by the National Center for the Development of Higher Education.
- Submit your application: Complete the online application form, selecting your preferred university and programme from the list of participating institutions. Attach all required documents in the formats specified on the portal.
- Await document review: The National Center reviews submitted applications for completeness and eligibility. Ensure all documents are certified and translated into Kazakh or Russian as required.
- Attend the online interview: Shortlisted applicants are invited to an online interview. Prepare to discuss your academic background, motivation for studying in Kazakhstan, your chosen programme, and your plans after graduation.
- Receive your placement: Successful candidates are assigned to a university and programme. The list of 2025–2026 recipients is publicly available on the Bolashak website, providing transparency about the process.
- Complete enrolment formalities: Coordinate with your assigned university for enrolment, student visa application, and dormitory assignment. The Ministry and university will provide guidance.
Required Documents
- Valid national passport
- Academic transcripts from all previous education levels (certified and translated as required)
- Degree certificates or school leaving certificates
- Language proficiency documentation (if your chosen programme requires English, Russian, or Kazakh proficiency)
- Medical certificate (some cycles require a health clearance form)
- Completed online application form via konkurs.bolashak.gov.kz
- Photographs to specification
- Any additional documents requested in the current cycle's official call
Key Dates & Deadlines
The scholarship runs an annual competition cycle. Applications are submitted through the konkurs.bolashak.gov.kz portal during the designated open period, which is announced at the start of each calendar year. Online interviews follow the application review, and the final list of recipients is announced before the academic year begins (typically by mid-summer for a September start). For the 2025–2026 cycle, recipient lists were published by June 2025. Monitor bolashak.gov.kz for the announcement of the next cycle's application window.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Research your target university and programme thoroughly before selecting it on the application — the interview will test whether you have a genuine plan, not just a scholarship strategy
- If you are applying for master's or doctoral awards (where only 50 and 10 places respectively exist), a clear research agenda and awareness of Kazakhstan's academic strengths in your field will strengthen your interview
- Have all documents certified and translated well in advance of the deadline — last-minute translation issues are the most common reason for application rejection
- A specific reason for choosing Kazakhstan — academic, regional, cultural, or professional — comes across as more credible than a generic motivation statement
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the application window — once closed, the portal does not accept late submissions and the next cycle is a full year away
- Submitting uncertified or untranslated academic documents
- Choosing a programme without checking whether it is taught in a language you are proficient in — many bachelor's programmes at Kazakhstani universities are in Kazakh or Russian
- Underestimating the online interview — it is a substantive part of the selection process, not a formality
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens?
It's a fully funded scholarship from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education for foreign citizens to study bachelor's, master's, or PhD programmes at Kazakhstani universities. It has operated separately from the Bolashak programme since 2019 and awards approximately 550 places per year.
Who is eligible for the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens?
All foreign citizens, including ethnic Kazakhs who are not citizens of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstani citizens are not eligible. In the 2025–2026 cycle, applicants from 57 countries competed.
Is the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, free dormitory accommodation, and medical insurance. International airfare to and from Kazakhstan is not included.
How many awards are available under the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens?
550 total awards in the 2025–2026 cycle: 490 for bachelor's, 50 for master's, and 10 for doctoral study. Numbers may vary slightly by cycle.
What documents do I need for the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens?
A valid passport, certified and translated academic transcripts, degree or school leaving certificates, language proficiency documentation, a medical certificate (if required), and the completed online application form via konkurs.bolashak.gov.kz.
Does the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship include an interview?
Yes. Shortlisted applicants are required to attend an online interview as part of the selection process. The interview assesses your academic background, motivation, and suitability for your chosen programme.
What universities participate in the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens?
37 Kazakhstani universities participated in the 2025–2026 cycle, offering 2,668 academic programmes across various fields. The full list is published on the official portal at konkurs.bolashak.gov.kz each cycle.
What language are courses taught in at Kazakhstani universities?
This varies by institution and programme. Some programmes are in English (particularly at Nazarbayev University and in graduate-level programmes at major state universities), while others are in Kazakh or Russian. Confirm the language of instruction for your chosen programme before applying.
When does the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship application open each year?
The application window is announced at the start of each calendar year on bolashak.gov.kz. Monitor the official website and contact info@bolashak.gov.kz for the current cycle's dates.
Is the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship different from the Bolashak scholarship?
Yes. The Bolashak scholarship funds Kazakhstani citizens to study abroad. The scholarship for foreign citizens places international students at Kazakhstani universities. They are separate programmes administered through the same centre but with entirely different eligibility and purpose.