Al-Farabi Kazakh National University : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details | TopUniversities
Ranking

# 166QS World University Rankings

PGicon

431Undergrad. & Postgrad. Programmes

International

28 % International students

register interest

About Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Al Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) is the undisputed leader among Kazakhstan’s higher education institutions. The university was the first to receive the Presidential Award of the Republic of Kazakhstan “For Achievements in the Area of Quality” and also won the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Award for excellence in quality and service - a first in Kazakh history.

In the QS World University Rankings, KazNU has solidified its global standing: in the 2026 edition, it is ranked #166, remaining the highest ranked university in Kazakhstan.

In the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, KazNU secured 38th place, making it the only Central Asian university in the top 40.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, which assess universities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), KazNU retains a position in the 401–600 band globally.

Subject-wise QS Rankings (2025):

•        Mathematics: 251–300

•        Natural Sciences: ~360th

•        Engineering & Technology: 304

•        Chemical Engineering (first-time): 401–450

•        Mechanical Engineering: 501–575

•        Arts & Humanities: 160th

•        Modern Languages: 101–150

•        English Language & Literature: 151–200

•        Economics & Econometrics: 251–300

•        Education: 351–400

•        Physics & Astronomy: 401–450

KazNU continues to deeply engage with global sustainability efforts. According to its 2025 THE Impact ranking, the university has shown meaningful progress in multiple SDGs: for example, on SDG 3 (“Good Health & Well being”) it improved from the 601–800 tier to 201–300. It has also made strides in SDG 4 (“Quality Education”), SDG 9 (“Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure”), SDG 10 (“Reduced Inequalities”), and SDG 16 (“Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions”).

In its 2024 Annual Report, KazNU highlights intensified internationalization, structural modernization, and sustainable infrastructure development. bkmisd.farabi.university The university is also the only Kazakh institution to rank among the world’s top 200 “green” universities, according to its sustainability strategy.

KazNU remains active on the international stage and within global academic networks. It is a long-standing member of key international organizations such as the International Association of Universities, the European Society for Engineering Education, the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, and the International Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence.

The university was also among the first in Central Asia to join the UN Academic Impact (UNAI) program, and it continues to serve as a Global Hub for UNAI on sustainable development.

In collaboration with the UN Information Office in Kazakhstan, KazNU has established its flagship, student-led initiative “The UN Model – the New Silk Road”, part of the broader Global Model UN movement.

KazNU’s reach extends globally through its “Al Farabi” centers in partner universities and institutions around the world - including Shahid Beheshti University (Iran), Tsukuba University (Japan), Beijing University of Foreign Studies and Shanghai University of Foreign Studies (China), Istanbul University (Turkey), Jordan University (Jordan), University of Rostock (Germany), University of Karachi (Pakistan), Cairo University (Egypt), Belgorod State University (Russia), and Al-Farabi museum houses in Turkey and India.

Academically, KazNU runs regular international accreditation reviews through agencies such as ASIIN, ACQUIN, AQA, and FIBAA. Many of its programs have been awarded the European Quality Mark “Euro-Label.”

Currently, KazNU has 17 schools (faculties) offering:

•        ~ 134 Bachelor (BA) programs

•        ~ 268 Master (MA) programs

•        ~ 140 PhD / Doctoral programs

These cover a wide range of fields including engineering, natural sciences, humanities & social sciences, medical sciences, and economics.

Its main campus is centrally located in downtown Almaty, with panoramic views of the Alatau mountains, and it enrolls one of the largest student cohorts in Kazakhstan.

Educational program links:

•        Undergraduate: https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/education_programs/bachelor/  

•        Master’s: https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/education_programs/magistracy  

•        Doctoral: https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/education_programs/doctorate/ 

About Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Al Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) is the undisputed leader among Kazakhstan’s higher education institutions. The university was the first to receive the Presidential Award of the Republic of Kazakhstan “For Achievements in the Area of Quality” and also won the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Award for excellence in quality and service - a first in Kazakh history.

In the QS World University Rankings, KazNU has solidified its global standing: in the 2026 edition, it is ranked #166, remaining the highest ranked university in Kazakhstan.

In the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, KazNU secured 38th place, making it the only Central Asian university in the top 40.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, which assess universities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), KazNU retains a position in the 401–600 band globally.

Subject-wise QS Rankings (2025):

•        Mathematics: 251–300

•        Natural Sciences: ~360th

•        Engineering & Technology: 304

•        Chemical Engineering (first-time): 401–450

•        Mechanical Engineering: 501–575

•        Arts & Humanities: 160th

•        Modern Languages: 101–150

•        English Language & Literature: 151–200

•        Economics & Econometrics: 251–300

•        Education: 351–400

•        Physics & Astronomy: 401–450

KazNU continues to deeply engage with global sustainability efforts. According to its 2025 THE Impact ranking, the university has shown meaningful progress in multiple SDGs: for example, on SDG 3 (“Good Health & Well being”) it improved from the 601–800 tier to 201–300. It has also made strides in SDG 4 (“Quality Education”), SDG 9 (“Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure”), SDG 10 (“Reduced Inequalities”), and SDG 16 (“Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions”).

In its 2024 Annual Report, KazNU highlights intensified internationalization, structural modernization, and sustainable infrastructure development. bkmisd.farabi.university The university is also the only Kazakh institution to rank among the world’s top 200 “green” universities, according to its sustainability strategy.

KazNU remains active on the international stage and within global academic networks. It is a long-standing member of key international organizations such as the International Association of Universities, the European Society for Engineering Education, the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, and the International Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence.

The university was also among the first in Central Asia to join the UN Academic Impact (UNAI) program, and it continues to serve as a Global Hub for UNAI on sustainable development.

In collaboration with the UN Information Office in Kazakhstan, KazNU has established its flagship, student-led initiative “The UN Model – the New Silk Road”, part of the broader Global Model UN movement.

KazNU’s reach extends globally through its “Al Farabi” centers in partner universities and institutions around the world - including Shahid Beheshti University (Iran), Tsukuba University (Japan), Beijing University of Foreign Studies and Shanghai University of Foreign Studies (China), Istanbul University (Turkey), Jordan University (Jordan), University of Rostock (Germany), University of Karachi (Pakistan), Cairo University (Egypt), Belgorod State University (Russia), and Al-Farabi museum houses in Turkey and India.

Academically, KazNU runs regular international accreditation reviews through agencies such as ASIIN, ACQUIN, AQA, and FIBAA. Many of its programs have been awarded the European Quality Mark “Euro-Label.”

Currently, KazNU has 17 schools (faculties) offering:

•        ~ 134 Bachelor (BA) programs

•        ~ 268 Master (MA) programs

•        ~ 140 PhD / Doctoral programs

These cover a wide range of fields including engineering, natural sciences, humanities & social sciences, medical sciences, and economics.

Its main campus is centrally located in downtown Almaty, with panoramic views of the Alatau mountains, and it enrolls one of the largest student cohorts in Kazakhstan.

Educational program links:

•        Undergraduate: https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/education_programs/bachelor/  

•        Master’s: https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/education_programs/magistracy  

•        Doctoral: https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/education_programs/doctorate/ 

Available programmes

University information

1) Campus admission open days/tours?

Our Call Center representatives are available for phone calls at + 7 (727) 377-33-33 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Our campus 3D tour is available on  http://3dtour.kaznu.kz/ .  Applicants are welcome to see faculty and departments’ profiles and pages. According to the request some additional virtual tours could be organized and conducted in on-line mode.

  2) How to contact the university

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University has simplified admission of foreign applicants for BA, MA and PhD doctoral programs. Applications are submitted all year-round  and admission is carried out 2 times a year, 5 days before beginning of the semester according to the academic calendar. The whole process of receiving documents is automated and carried out in a specially-developed application –

https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/welcome/foreign;

Applicants are welcome for registration at  https://univer.kaznu.kz/abiturient_user/register/11 and get access to the online application form in the “Online Registration” on the section of the Personal Account. 

3) Cancelled exams 

The University supports all of the applicants whose exams were canceled. Entrance exams are conducting in on-line mode via Skype (Zoom and other platforms are also available) and could be easily scheduled and rescheduled according to the request. The system is flexible and supportive for applicants.

Currents semester exams and the whole educational process has been transformed into distance mode and implemented through the several information and educational systems:

4) English-language test

University is flexible to applicants who unable pass English-language test or exams and organize online interview via Skype. As the University conducts two entrance exams- language and profile (subject) exam, conducting interview in English or other languages on the subject could be enough for admission.

 In case when the proper English language certificates are obliged, applicants are given postponement till the moment it will be possible. So they may provide English language certificates later.

5)   Visa applications 

All of the applicants are provided by the visas. In case when visas are delayed, University contacts Embassies and Consulates with the request for supporting applicants. In some cases visas are prolonged. These cases are very random and usually it is not an issue for applicants.      

6)   Restrictions

Applications are accepting all year-round and no restrictions entered. International applicant follows the usual rules and at the moment they are free to submit documents online. https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/welcome/foreign;

7) Accommodation

Applicants after enrolling in the University are offered two main options regarding their accommodation – campus dorms and private hostels (which have agreement with University on providing accommodation to al-Farabi students). Campus dorms and out campus hostels have all of the necessary facilities to provide students good conditions for educational process.

8)  Any changes to entry requirements      
  
University has no changes to entry requirements and the list of the documents is available at the University  https://www.kaznu.kz/en

In case of problems with registration, please write to the email address: [email protected]

Education is provided in three languages: Kazakh, Russian and English. If the applicant does not know one of the languages, then automatically is enrolled in the preparatory faculty

General

6+
87+
33+
3+

Al-Farabi KazNU covers a wide spectrum of fundamental and applied research which are conducted at 8 research institutes, 29 centers, 2 National Level Labs and in Regional Technopark.

At the present time Al-Farabi KazNU is an intellectual corporation with a scientific and innovative infrastructure, meeting to advanced world analogues and consisting of 16 faculties, 8 research institutes, including the Center of Physico-Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis, the Science and Technology Park, and the National Nanotechnology Open Laboratory, more than 20 institutes and research centers of socio-humanitarian profile, the Business Incubator, the Commercialization Office and small innovative enterprises.

Having a well-developed scientific and innovative infrastructure, KazNU has achieved significant success in implementing the principle “from idea to commercialization of product”, requiring new development models from universities.

https://www.kaznu.kz/en/3/news/one/27946/

https://www.kaznu.kz/en/3/news/one/35380/

The university successfully operates the Cluster of engineering and high technologies, which includes the Science and Technology Park, the Center for Process Innovations and the Center for “Green Technologies”. One of the current areas of the cluster is an activity of the laboratory for creation of artificial satellites and design and launch of small satellites, the result of which was the launch of the Kazakh nanosatellites “Al-Farabi-1” and “Al-Farabi-2” into space, which were created on the basis of the university.

https://www.kaznu.kz/en/18571/page/

https://www.kaznu.kz/en/18571/page/

Together with the Scientific Research Institute of Aerospace Information of the Academy of Sciences of the People's Republic of China, the Center for Remote Sensing of the Earth with a virtual receiving station was created on the basis of KazNU for the first time in Kazakhstan, in order to carry out aerial and satellite surveys, spectrometry and hyperspectral imaging, etc.

https://www.kaznu.kz/en/3/news/one/27603/

The digital campus of KazNU is: an information and communication platform, with a developed transport communication highway for data transmission; a single entry point into a single information and educational environment for access to key information resources and services of a scientific and educational nature; integrated security system at the level of IT resources and IT infrastructure. The IT infrastructure of KazNU is a system of integrated and interconnected functioning of the University’s automated information technologies: data processing center (DPC); computer network topology "star with an intellectual center" (256 subnets); 100% coverage by wifi network; Information security system; server infrastructure clustering based on virtualization and cloud technologies; modernization of computing resources of computer classes based on modern cloud technologies; modernization of the computer equipment park, and technical and technological equipment of the classroom fund; corporate centralized system of corridor printing in the online / offline mode; situational monitoring center: intelligent video surveillance system and access control system; online video conferencing, distance learning systems, Global-classroom; University IP-TV and online broadcasting information content.

https://www.kaznu.kz/en/3319/page

https://www.kaznu.kz/en/14932/page

19,545
76%
24%
5,538
69%
31%
4,077
72%
28%

Student life

Student life https://farabi.university/students/kampus?lang=en 

Cost of Living

Accommodation
$4,820
Food
$2,030
Transport
$190
Utilities
$1,110

Tuition fees

Overall Tuition Fees
Domestic
2,630 USD
International
2,630 USD

Scholarships

Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.

To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:

Employability

The university considers successful employment of graduates as the main indicator of the efficiency of its educational activities. In order to ensure competitiveness and demand for KazNU graduates, the university encourages long-term multilateral cooperation with employers for maintaining the relevance of educational programs’ content to demands of the labor market; attracts practical trainers from employers’ community for conducting study sessions, including those taken on the base of external organizations, and for participation in final attestation of graduates.

To facilitate employment of graduates there is the Career and Professional Development Center, which ensures involvement of employers to conducting various events at the university with the aim of informing students and graduates of KazNU about opportunities for job placement and professional internships.

Faculties provide constant connection with the labor market through the Councils of Employers, formed of the faculty graduates. The faculty administration determines independently the authority and the activity plan for the Council of Employers, based on current and strategic goals of the faculty.

Students and graduates of the university have the opportunity to submit their CVs for consideration by potential employers, and to get information about available job proposals through the corporate "Youth and Career" portal.

https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/11612/page


Rankings & Ratings

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is one of the top public universities in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is ranked #166 in QS World University Rankings 2026.

QS World University Rankings

  • 2015
    #=305
  • 2016
    #=275
  • 2017
    #236
  • 2018
    #=236
  • 2019
    #220
  • 2020
    #207
  • 2021
    #165
  • 2022
    #175
  • 2023
    #150
  • 2024
    #=230
  • 2025
    #163
  • 2026
    #166

QS World University Rankings

  • 2015
    #=305
  • 2016
    #=275
  • 2017
    #236
  • 2018
    #=236
  • 2019
    #220
  • 2020
    #207
  • 2021
    #165
  • 2022
    #175
  • 2023
    #150
  • 2024
    #=230
  • 2025
    #163
  • 2026
    #166

QS Stars is a rating system that helps you select the right university based on your interests. It provides a detailed look at an institution, identifying which universities rate highest in the specific topics that matter to you, like facilities, graduate employability, social responsibility, inclusiveness, and more.
QS StarsQS StarsQS StarsQS StarsQS Stars
QS StarsQS StarsQS StarsQS Stars
QS StarsQS StarsQS Stars

Videos & media

Videos & media

media_view_gallery View Gallery

Campus locations

campus image

open the map

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University advanced Public High 5 no 2630 5538 L 2146