Top 25 Scholarships for Kazakh Students

Studying abroad can open doors to world-class education, global networks, and career opportunities. For Kazakh students, numerous scholarships make this dream achievable across undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and short-term programs. This guide lists 25 fully funded and partially funded scholarships, including government schemes, university awards, and international fellowships, all current and practical for Kazakh applicants.

Government-Funded Scholarships for Kazakh Students

Kazakhstan and partner governments offer generous funding for study abroad. These programs often cover tuition, living expenses, and travel, with service commitments upon return.

• Bolashak International Scholarship – Kazakhstan’s flagship program covering full tuition, monthly stipend, travel, and insurance for bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, and internships at top global universities. Requires a return commitment to work in Kazakhstan.
• Kazakhstan Government Scholarship (Ministry of Education) – Supports Kazakh citizens for master’s and PhD studies abroad in priority fields like engineering, medicine, and IT. Includes tuition and a living allowance.
• Russian Government Scholarship (Rossotrudnichestvo) – Fully funded quota for Kazakh students in Russian universities, covering tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend. Available for all degree levels.
• Turkish Government Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) – Covers tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and monthly payments for Kazakh students at Turkish universities. Wide field selection.
• DAAD Scholarship (Germany) – Funded by the German government, offering full support for master’s and PhD students from Kazakhstan in engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences. Includes language course.

“The Bolashak program transformed my career — it gave me access to world-class education and a network that I still rely on today.” – Aizhan, former Bolashak scholar

International Organization Scholarships

Global bodies and foundations offer competitive awards for Kazakh students to study at partner institutions worldwide. These often require strong academic records and leadership potential.

• Fulbright Program (USA) – Fully funded for Kazakh master’s and PhD students, plus research scholars. Covers tuition, airfare, health insurance, and living costs. Offers J-1 visa.
• Chevening Scholarship (UK) – One-year master’s funding for Kazakh professionals, covering tuition, living expenses, travel, and visa fees. Requires at least two years of work experience.
• Erasmus+ (EU) – Scholarships for joint master’s programs and short exchanges at European universities. Full coverage includes tuition, travel, and living allowance. Kazakh institutions partner directly.
• Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship – Funds master’s in development-related fields at partner universities worldwide. Open to Kazakh nationals with work experience in development.
• MEXT Scholarship (Japan) – Japanese government scholarship for undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and teacher training. Covers tuition, accommodation, monthly allowance, and airfare. Strong preference for engineering and science.
• Hungary Scholarship Programme (Stipendium Hungaricum) – Fully funded bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in Hungarian universities. Includes tuition, dormitory, health insurance, and monthly stipend. Kazakh quotas are available.

University-Specific Scholarships for Kazakhs

Many top universities offer dedicated funding for international students from Kazakhstan. These awards are merit-based and often cover full or partial costs.

• University of Oxford – Clarendon Fund – Full tuition and living stipend for graduate students at Oxford. Open to Kazakh applicants in any field. Highly competitive.
• Harvard University – Harvard International Scholarship – Need-based full or partial scholarships for bachelor’s students. Kazakh students with strong academic background can apply.
• University of Cambridge – Cambridge Trust – Awards for master’s and PhD, covering tuition and sometimes living costs. Specific Kazakhstan partnership components exist.
• University of Toronto – Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – Fully funded undergraduate scholarship covering tuition, books, residence, and living expenses. Kazakh students from public schools are eligible.
• Australian National University (ANU) – ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship – 25% to 50% tuition fee reduction for undergraduate and graduate coursework students from Kazakhstan.
• Korea University – Global KU Scholarship – Full or partial tuition for Kazakh students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Based on GPA and language proficiency.
• University of Melbourne – Graduate Research Scholarships – Covers full tuition and living allowance for PhD candidates from Kazakhstan. Research priority areas include agriculture, energy, and health.

“Don’t underestimate the application essay — it’s your chance to connect your background in Kazakhstan with the university’s mission. Be specific about your goals.” – Duman, PhD student at Cambridge via Cambridge Trust

Regional and Private Scholarships

Foundations, corporations, and regional initiatives also fund Kazakh students. These often target specific fields or underrepresented groups.

• Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) – Full PhD funding at Singapore’s leading universities, including NUS and NTU. Covers tuition, stipend, settling-in allowance, and airfare.
• Education First (EF) Scholarships – Partial awards for language courses and study abroad programs. Kazakh students can apply for a 50% tuition reduction for EF programs in English-speaking countries.
• UNESCO Fellowship Programme – Short-term research grants for Kazakh scholars in science, education, and culture. Covers travel and living expenses.
• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) – Regional Program – Fully funded bachelor’s and graduate courses at Korean universities. Includes Korean language training, tuition, and monthly stipend. Specific quota for Central Asian countries.
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarships – Full funding for master’s and PhD in STEM and social sciences at partner universities, including in Malaysia, Turkey, and Morocco. Kazakh nationals from Muslim communities are eligible.
• Boeing Scholarship for Kazakhstan – Annual award for Kazakh undergraduate students in aerospace and engineering fields at select US universities. Covers partial tuition.
• Open Society Foundations – Civil Society Leadership Awards – Full funding for master’s degrees for Kazakh activists and professionals working in human rights, governance, or media.
• Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN) – Exchange grants for Kazakh students to study at US community colleges or universities for one semester. Covers tuition and living costs.

Quick Comparison Table: Top 10 Scholarships at a Glance

Application Tips for Kazakh Students

Applying for multiple scholarships increases your chances. Start preparing documents at least 12 months before your intended start date.

• Check eligibility carefully – Some scholarships require specific fields, English test scores (IELTS/TOEFL), or work experience. Verify before applying.
• Prepare strong recommendation letters – Ask professors or employers who know your academic or professional work well. Give them context about the scholarship.
• Write a tailored personal statement – Explain why you want to study abroad, how it connects to Kazakhstan’s development, and what you will bring back.
• Gather transcripts and certificates early – English translations and notarized copies take time. Request them from your university well in advance.
• Apply to a mix of fully and partially funded options – This balances competitiveness with financial feasibility.

Conclusion

Kazakh students have access to a wide range of scholarships from governments, international organizations, and universities. Whether you aim for a bachelor’s in Korea, a master’s in Germany, or a PhD in the United States, there is funding to support your journey. Focus on meeting deadlines, crafting a clear story about your goals, and leveraging Kazakhstan’s growing global reputation. With careful planning, you can turn your study abroad dream into reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Bolashak scholarship and who can apply?

Bolashak is the Kazakh government’s flagship international scholarship. It covers full tuition, monthly stipend, travel, and insurance. Kazakh citizens under 35 (for master’s) or 45 (for PhD) with a strong academic record can apply. Priority fields include engineering, medicine, and public administration.

2. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at the same time?

Yes, you can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously. However, you cannot accept funding from two sources for the same program. Always check each scholarship’s policy on combining awards. Many allow you to use a second scholarship for additional costs not covered by the first.

3. What English language test scores do I need for these scholarships?

Minimum scores vary. For Fulbright and Chevening, IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL 80–100 is common. Bolashak requires IELTS 6.0 for bachelor’s and 6.5 for master’s/PhD. Check individual program pages. Some scholarships (e.g., DAAD) accept German proficiency instead.

4. Is there an age limit for Kazakhstan government scholarships?

Yes. Bolashak requires applicants to be under 35 for master’s programs and under 45 for PhD. The Kazakh Ministry of Education scholarship often has a similar age cap. International scholarships like Fulbright and Chevening do not have strict age limits, but they favor professionals with work experience.

5. Do I need to return to Kazakhstan after completing my studies?

Only for specific scholarships. Bolashak and the Kazakh government scholarship require recipients to work in Kazakhstan for at least five years after graduation. Erasmus+ and university-specific awards generally have no return obligation, though you must comply with visa conditions.

6. How competitive are these scholarships for Kazakh students?

Competitiveness varies. Bolashak receives thousands of applicants each year for a few hundred spots. Fulbright and Chevening are also highly selective. Regional scholarships like GKS or Stipendium Hungaricum may have lower competition due to quotas for Central Asian countries.

7. Can I apply for a PhD if I only have a bachelor’s degree?

Some PhD programs accept bachelor’s holders if you have relevant research experience. However, most scholarships (Bolashak, DAAD, Fulbright) prefer a master’s degree. For direct PhD entry, check programs like SINGA or the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship.

8. What documents are typically required?

Common documents include: CV/resume, academic transcripts, degree certificates, English proficiency test scores, recommendation letters (2–3), a personal statement or research proposal, passport copy, and sometimes a medical certificate. Translations and notarization may be needed.

9. Are there scholarships specifically for women from Kazakhstan?

While no scholarship is exclusively for Kazakh women, many encourage female applicants in STEM and leadership fields. Examples include the Fulbright Foreign Student Program (which has a gender equality focus) and the Central Asia University Partnerships Program. Check individual scholarship policies.

10. How can I find updated information about application deadlines?

Always visit the official scholarship website. For Bolashak, check the Center for International Programs (bolashak.gov.kz). For Fulbright, use the US Embassy in Kazakhstan page. Scholarship deadlines rarely change, but annual updates occur. Subscribe to newsletters of the scholarship providers.