June 9, 2026

The Best Study Fields for Full Scholarships in Kazakhstan

Articles

Useful Information

Getting a university education for free in Kazakhstan is possible. However, the system behind grants and funding is often confusing for applicants and their families. State-funded grants, regional scholarships from local akimats, university-funded aid, and full tuition-free programs are completely different mechanisms with different selection criteria, funding structures, and levels of support.

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In 2026, the situation became even more complicated. The total number of state-funded bachelor’s grants has been shrinking for the second consecutive year in several fields. As a result, competition for free university education became quite tough.

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How the Grant System in Kazakhstan Works

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Before choosing a major, it is important to understand where free education funding actually comes from. In Kazakhstan, there are three main sources.

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The first and most familiar option is the state educational grant provided by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. These grants are distributed according to Unified National Testing (UNT) results within specific academic fields. The higher the score and the lower the competition, the higher the chance of receiving funding. However, the number of grants is fixed and changes annually depending on government priorities.

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The second source is regional grants funded by local akimats. Regional and city administrations allocate additional funding from local budgets for fields considered strategically important for their area. These are usually teaching, medicine, IT, engineering, and agricultural sciences. In 2025, more than 1,700 such grants were distributed across Kazakhstan.

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The third source includes university-funded scholarships and full tuition-free programs. Some universities finance education independently through their own budgets or with support from private foundations. In this model, the selection process, coverage, and student requirements may differ significantly from the state system. The strongest programs cover not only tuition but also accommodation, meals, transportation, and stipends.

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What Is Happening to State Grants in 2026?

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Over the past two years, the overall number of state bachelor’s grants has been steadily decreasing. The sharpest cuts have affected social sciences and humanities, but also other fields.

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Engineering, manufacturing, and construction programs lost around 2,670 state-funded places in two years — nearly 14 percent. Most of the reduction occurred between the 2025 and 2026 academic years.

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Teaching and education programs lost more than 1,500 places over the same period. IT programs are also facing cuts despite continuous discussions about digital transformation and technological development.

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For applicants in 2026, this means one thing: competition for state grants is significantly tougher than before, especially in high-demand fields. A strong UNT score no longer guarantees admission as reliably as it did several years ago.

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This is why alternative funding formats regional grants and especially full tuition-free programs are becoming a serious admission strategy.

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Top Fields with the Highest Chances of Receiving Grants

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Education and Teaching

Teaching programs have historically remained one of the largest categories of state-funded education. They continue to receive substantial support, especially in regional universities. At the same time, competition is shifting toward math, physics, and inclusive education specializations.

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Medicine and Healthcare

Healthcare remains one of the most stable areas in terms of state support because demand for medical professionals consistently exceeds supply. However, medical programs are among the most competitive in the country. More realistic grant opportunities are often found in narrower specialties such as laboratory diagnostics, public health, and nursing.

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IT and Digital Technologies

Despite the public emphasis on digitalization, state funding for IT programs is shrinking. Competition continues to grow as the number of applicants increases every year. At the same time, IT has become one of the strongest areas for alternative support formats: university-funded scholarships, corporate programs, and full tuition-free initiatives.

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Engineering and Construction

Engineering remains the largest field in terms of the total number of state-funded places, even after significant reductions. Narrow engineering specializations — energy systems, metallurgy, mechanics, and agricultural engineering — are traditionally less popular among applicants, creating better opportunities for students who intentionally choose these paths.

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Social Sciences, Communications, and Public Policy

Historically, these areas have received fewer state grants compared to engineering or medicine. However, labor market demand for specialists in communications, analytics, public policy, and social research is rapidly growing. International organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and modern public institutions increasingly require professionals with interdisciplinary skills in these fields.

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How Is a Tuition-Free Program Different from a State Grant?

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This difference is extremely important but often misunderstood by applicants.

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A state grant usually covers only tuition fees. Housing, meals, transportation, and study materials remain the responsibility of the student or their family. Grant allocation depends on UNT scores, competition, field selection, and annual government quotas.

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A full tuition-free program works differently. Funding does not depend on UNT scores or government quotas. Selection is based on motivation, intellectual potential, and readiness for active academic work. The strongest programs cover not only education, but also accommodation, food, transport, and scholarships. Students also do not carry any employment obligations after graduation.

In simple terms: a state grant reduces the cost of tuition to zero. A full tuition-free program reduces the total cost of receiving higher education to zero.

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inVision U: Full Tuition-Free Support Across All Programs

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inVision U, located in Almaty, operates on a fully tuition-free model for all students. Tuition, accommodation, meals, transportation, and scholarships are fully covered by the university. There are no student loans and no mandatory work obligations after graduation.

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Any school graduate from Kazakhstan or Central Asia can apply regardless of income level or region. Selection is based on motivation, potential, and readiness for project-based learning rather than UNT scores.

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The university currently offers five bachelor’s programs, each with full tuition-free support.

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How to Choose: State Grant or Tuition-Free Program

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There is no universal answer. The right strategy depends on the applicant’s goals and circumstances.

A state grant remains the best option for students with strong UNT scores who plan to study in a traditional public university with a well-established reputation.

A tuition-free private university program becomes a strong choice when the priority is educational quality, project-based learning, international career opportunities, or access to an innovative academic environment.

Importantly, these strategies do not exclude one another. Applicants can simultaneously apply to inVision U and participate in the competition for state-funded grants.

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Conclusion

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The state grant system in Kazakhstan is becoming more competitive each year, while the number of available places continues to shrink. Relying on only one funding option is becoming increasingly risky.

Understanding all available opportunities from regional grants to full tuition-free programs — gives applicants a significant advantage when planning their future education.

Free higher education in Kazakhstan exists. The key is choosing the right path toward it.

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