Introduction
Kazakhstan Government Scholarship Program 2026, a fully funded opportunity for international students who want to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree at universities across Kazakhstan. This scholarship is run by the Center for International Programs JSC and covers a wide range of academic fields, with the exact list of participating universities and specialties to be published on the official Study In portal once the application window opens.
Candidates can submit their documents online from 30 March to 31 May 2026, and the deadline is strict, closing at 23:59 Astana time on the final day. This round offers 490 seats for bachelor’s degree applicants, 50 seats for master’s degree applicants, and 10 seats for PhD doctorate applicants, making it one of the larger fully funded scholarship intakes available this year. Applications can be completed in Kazakh, Russian, or English, so language should not be a barrier for most international candidates.
There is no mention of an application fee in the official requirements, which makes this an accessible option for students from many financial backgrounds. Below, I have broken down everything you need to know in simple sections, so you can quickly check whether you qualify and understand exactly what documents to prepare.
Key Details:
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD Doctorate programs
- Host Country: Kazakhstan
- Application Deadline: 31 May 2026, until 23:59 Astana time
- Application Opens: 30 March 2026
- Number of Bachelor’s Grants: 490
- Number of Master’s Grants: 50
- Number of PhD Grants: 10
- Application Language: Kazakh, Russian, or English
- Program Operator: Center for International Programs JSC
- Application Fee: Not mentioned in official requirements
- Application Method: Fully online through the Study In portal
What This Scholarship Offers:
This scholarship gives successful candidates a complete academic pathway in Kazakhstan, along with several practical advantages:
- Full access to higher education at a Kazakhstani university without needing to arrange a separate funding source
- A choice of three academic levels, so whether you are starting your first degree or pursuing a doctorate, there is a track designed for you
- Flexibility in application language, since documents can be submitted in Kazakh, Russian, or English, removing the need for costly translation services in most cases
- A fair and transparent selection process, since specialties and university placements are published openly on the Study In portal
- An opportunity to study in a country that bridges European and Asian academic traditions, which can be valuable for students interested in regional studies, trade, or international relations
- A supportive path for refugees, since the bachelor’s degree requirements specifically account for applicants with a refugee certificate
- Recognition of prior academic performance, since strong GPA holders at master’s and PhD level are prioritized, rewarding academic effort
- A structured, well-organized admission process managed by a dedicated government operator, reducing the uncertainty that often comes with applying to a new country’s education system
Eligibility Criteria:
Requirements vary slightly depending on which degree level you are applying for. Here is what you need for each:
For Bachelor’s Degree Applicants:
- You must be applying for higher education for the first time at this level
- A copy of your identity document is required, including a refugee certificate copy if applicable
- You need a copy of your previous education document with transcript, along with a notarized translation into Kazakh, Russian, or English
- Your secondary education average score must be at least “good,” unless you hold a refugee certificate, in which case this requirement is waived
- If your transcript is unavailable, a certificate from your current institution showing your grades for the current period is accepted instead
- A motivational essay written in Kazakh, Russian, or English
- Two letters of recommendation from your school or employer, written in Kazakh, Russian, or English
- A medical certificate confirming your fitness to study abroad, along with a certificate confirming you do not have HIV or AIDS
- A fully completed application questionnaire
- An invitation letter from a Kazakhstani NGO, if you have one
For Master’s Degree Applicants:
- You must be studying at this level for the first time
- A copy of your identity document
- A copy of your bachelor’s or specialist diploma with transcript, notarized and translated, showing a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 or its equivalent
- A motivational essay in Kazakh, Russian, or English
- Two letters of recommendation in Kazakh, Russian, or English
- Medical certificates confirming fitness to study abroad and the absence of HIV/AIDS
- A completed application questionnaire
- An invitation letter from Kazakhstani UNRWA, if available
- An international language proficiency certificate (see the language requirements section below)
For PhD Doctorate Applicants:
- You must be studying at this level for the first time
- A copy of your identity document
- A copy of your bachelor’s or specialist diploma with transcript, notarized and translated, showing a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 or its equivalent
- A motivational essay in Kazakh, Russian, or English
- Two letters of recommendation in Kazakh, Russian, or English
- Medical certificates confirming fitness to study abroad and the absence of HIV/AIDS
- A completed application questionnaire
- An invitation letter from Kazakhstani UNRWA, if available
- An international language proficiency certificate
- A written justification for your proposed dissertation research topic, submitted in Kazakh, Russian, or English
Language Proficiency Requirements (Master’s and PhD):
If you are applying for a master’s or PhD program, you will need to submit one of the following language certificates, unless your country of residence uses that language officially or as the language of instruction and your institution has operated for five years or less:
- English: TOEFL IBT with a minimum score of 46, TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 453, or IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 5.5
- German: DSH at B2 level, or TestDaF at B2 level
- French: TFI at B2 level or higher in reading and listening, DELF at B2 level, DALF at B2 level, or TCF with a minimum of 400 points
- Chinese: HSK at level 4 or higher
Programs Available:
The official announcement confirms that the full list of participating universities and available specialties will be published directly on the Study In portal once applications open. Since the source material does not provide a specific field list for this round, I recommend checking the portal link below at the start of the application window for the most accurate and updated list of programs.
How to Apply:
- Visit the official application portal at studyin.kz/admission
- Register and prepare your application starting from 30 March 2026
- Choose your intended degree level: bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD
- Gather all required documents based on your degree level, including notarized translations where needed
- Write your motivational essay in Kazakh, Russian, or English
- Secure two letters of recommendation from your school or employer
- Arrange your medical certificates from an official health authority in your country of residence
- If applying for master’s or PhD, prepare your language proficiency certificate in advance, since testing can take time to schedule
- PhD applicants should also prepare a clear justification for their dissertation research topic
- Submit your complete application online before 31 May 2026, 23:59 Astana time
- Keep checking the Study In portal for the published list of universities and specialties before finalizing your choices
Frequently Asked Questions?:
Is the Kazakhstan Government Scholarship fully funded?
Yes, this is a government-funded scholarship program covering study at Kazakhstani universities for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students.
Is there an application fee?
The official requirements do not mention any application fee.
What languages can I use to apply?
You can complete your application in Kazakh, Russian, or English.
Do I need a language certificate for a bachelor’s degree?
No, language certificates are only required for master’s and PhD applicants, not bachelor’s applicants.
What GPA do I need for master’s or PhD programs?
You need a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0, or its equivalent, from your previous degree.
When exactly does the application close?
The deadline is 31 May 2026, at 23:59 Astana time.
How many scholarships are available this round?
There are 490 bachelor’s grants, 50 master’s grants, and 10 PhD grants available.
Where can I find the list of eligible universities and fields?
The full list will be published on the Study In portal once applications officially open.
