Grants, scholarships and student housing: How Kazakhstan’s higher education system changed over 7 years

Over recent years, Kazakhstan has increased spending on educational grants, scholarships and research, reduced the shortage of student accommodation, and expanded cooperation with foreign universities. In this article El.kz examines how higher education and science in Kazakhstan have evolved in recent years based on data from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

KZT 1.5 trillion allocated for educational grants

One of the key achievements of the past seven years has been the consistent expansion of state support for higher education. During this period, Kazakhstan allocated 655,680 educational grants, with total funding amounting to KZT 1.5 trillion.

This represents one of the largest instruments of direct state support for young people and investment in the country’s human capital. An educational grant enables an individual applicant to obtain higher education at public expense while simultaneously contributing to the development of Kazakhstan’s human resources over the long term.

Through the system of the state educational order, conditions are created for training specialists who are expected to contribute to the economy and other strategically important sectors. The scale of funding demonstrates that expanding access to higher education remains a priority of public policy.

Over seven years, the Government allocated an amount to educational grants comparable to major long-term investment programmes. At the same time, the impact is measured primarily by the number of young people who have gained the opportunity to study at higher education institutions with public funding.

Such support is particularly important for families for whom tuition fees represent a significant financial burden. At the same time, the next priority is to improve the effectiveness of these investments, including alignment between workforce training and the needs of the economy, the quality of educational programmes, graduate employability, and the connection between higher education and the real sector of the economy.

Overall, the allocation of 655,680 grants and KZT 1.5 trillion in funding over seven years demonstrates the scale of the expansion of state support for young people.

Student scholarships increased 2.5-fold

Over the past seven years, Kazakhstan has also strengthened financial support for students, master’s students and doctoral students. The current scholarship amounts to KZT 52,372 for students, KZT 84,000 for students enrolled in teacher education programmes, KZT 117,098 for master’s students, and KZT 262,500 for doctoral students.

In 2019, the student scholarship amounted to KZT 20,949, whereas today it exceeds KZT 52,000. Over seven years, the basic student scholarship has increased approximately 2.5-fold.

The scholarship remains one of the most tangible instruments of state support for students, with a direct impact on their day-to-day living conditions.

Particular attention has been given to teacher education programmes. The scholarship for students in this field has reached KZT 84,000. This measure provides additional support for the training of professionals for the education sector and increases the attractiveness of teaching as a career.

The scholarship for master’s students exceeds KZT 117,000, while doctoral students receive KZT 262,500. Financial support is particularly important at the master’s and doctoral levels, as education at these stages is closely linked to the involvement of young professionals in scientific and research activities.

The increase in scholarships is part of a broader public policy aimed at creating favourable conditions for access to education. Access to education depends not only on the availability of a grant, but also on the costs of accommodation, food, transportation and other everyday needs of students.

The state support system covers all levels of higher and postgraduate education, creating conditions for education, professional development and the training of research personnel. Over the past seven years, support for students has increased, while payments to master’s and doctoral students have also been raised.

Shortage of student accommodation reduced to 5,200 places

One of the most significant infrastructure achievements of the past seven years has been the reduction in the shortage of places in student accommodation. During this period, 267 student residences with a total capacity of 66,104 places were commissioned in Kazakhstan.

As a result, the shortage of places declined from 82,000 to 5,200. Until several years ago, the lack of student accommodation was one of the most pressing challenges facing student infrastructure.

For students, access to accommodation is directly linked to access to education. Even receiving an educational grant does not fully resolve the issue if a family has to bear significant rental costs in another city.

For this reason, the construction and commissioning of new student residences are regarded as an important component of ensuring access to higher education. Over seven years, more than 66,000 new places have been created.

During the same period, the shortage was reduced by more than 76,000 places, from 82,000 to 5,200. These figures cover the seven-year period and demonstrate a consistent expansion of the student accommodation capacity.

The development of student residences improves access to education for young people from the regions, reduces the financial burden on families, and enables universities to develop a comprehensive student environment and campus infrastructure.

At the same time, the issue has not yet been fully resolved. A shortage of 5,200 places remains, meaning that further efforts should focus on addressing the problem in cities and at universities where demand remains highest.

The next issue concerns the quality of student accommodation. Modern student residences should provide appropriate conditions for living, studying, recreation and social interaction.

The dynamics of the past seven years demonstrate a significant improvement in the situation. The reduction in the shortage from 82,000 to 5,200 places means that a problem that previously had a systemic nature has now been substantially narrowed in scope.

In total, the commissioning of 267 new student residences created 66,104 places. This infrastructure achievement has a direct impact on the living conditions of tens of thousands of students and further expands access to higher education.

Research and development funding increased 3.6-fold

Over the past seven years, Kazakhstan has significantly increased the resources allocated to research and development (R&D). In 2018, domestic expenditure on R&D amounted to KZT 72.2 billion, while in 2025 it reached KZT 261.5 billion.

This represents a 3.6-fold increase. Over seven years, expenditure on research and development increased by almost KZT 190 billion.

The growth is also significant over a shorter period. In 2020, domestic expenditure on R&D amounted to KZT 89 billion, compared with KZT 261.5 billion in 2025.

Over five years, the indicator increased 2.9-fold. The increase in domestic R&D expenditure expands the resource base for conducting research and developing new technologies.

At the same time, the volume of funding itself is not regarded as the ultimate outcome. One of the key issues is the extent to which these resources are effectively translated into scientific results, technologies, innovations and solutions for the economy.

The next stage in the development of science involves further increasing investment while improving its impact and efficiency. The quality of research projects, the demand for research outputs and their practical application are of particular importance.

The link between university research and the training of young researchers also plays a critical role. A modern university should not only provide education but also serve as a fully-fledged centre for research, development and innovation.

The growth in R&D expenditure creates broader opportunities to achieve this objective. The stronger the research capacity of universities and scientific organisations, the greater the opportunities for young professionals to participate in substantive research projects.

The increase in domestic R&D expenditure from KZT 72.2 billion to KZT 261.5 billion demonstrates a substantial expansion of the financial base for scientific activity in Kazakhstan. A 3.6-fold increase over seven years provides a foundation for the next policy objective: translating increased investment into tangible scientific results, technologies and solutions for the national economy.

Kazakhstan hosts 33 branches of foreign universities

Another important area has been the expansion of international cooperation in higher education. In 2025, nine branches of foreign higher education institutions from the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, the Republic of Korea and Russia were established in Kazakhstan.

As of today, 33 branches of foreign universities operate in Kazakhstan. In September 2025, branches of Cardiff University, Coventry University, Woosong University, Anhalt, Politecnico della Marche and MGIMO University began operations.

At the same time, Kazakhstani universities are expanding their presence abroad. Over the past three years, five branches of Kazakhstani higher education institutions have been established in other countries.

In 2022, a branch of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was established in Bishkek, while a branch of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University was established at Osh State University in the Kyrgyz Republic. The following year, a branch of Auezov University was opened in Chirchiq, Uzbekistan, as well as a Joint Faculty of Information Technologies of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National Universityat Osimi Tajik State University in Dushanbe.

In 2025, a branch of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University began operating on the premises of Omsk State University in Russia. The network of strategic partnerships between Kazakhstani and foreign universities is also expanding.

Since 2021, 40 strategic partnerships have been established in the form of branches, franchise arrangements, partnerships, global campuses and consortia. Of these, 33 branches of universitiesfrom the United Kingdom, Russia, the United States, China, the Republic of Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Hungary and Poland have been opened.

Work is underway to develop a further 10 strategic partnerships. In 2025, an agreement was also reached to establish the second and third Lubаn Workshops at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and the Academy of Logistics and Transport in Almaty.

This year, KNUS — Kazakhstan National University of Sports and QAIRU — Qazaq AI Research University were launched.