Kazakhstan Emerges as Hub for International Branch Campuses

Kazakhstan is witnessing a surge in international higher education activity as foreign universities establish branch campuses across the country. This trend aligns with the government’s strategic vision to position Kazakhstan as a regional academic hub while meeting the rising demand for quality education among students.

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Rapid Growth of Overseas Branches

As of mid-2025, Kazakhstan is home to 23 branch campuses of international universities, with 11 additional campuses scheduled to open by the end of the year. These institutions represent a diverse mix of global education leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Italy, and Russia.

Key examples include:

• Cardiff University (UK): Established a campus in Almaty, offering engineering and business programs.
• Anhalt University (Germany): Opened an Almaty branch focusing on applied sciences and engineering.
• Woosong University (South Korea): Preparing to launch in Turkistan with programs in IT and business.
• Politecnica delle Marche (Italy): Setting up in Taldykorgan with a focus on engineering and design.

Boom in International Student Enrollment

This expansion has fueled a record 31,500 international students studying in Kazakhstan in 2024. The government aims to increase this figure to 100,000 students by 2028, leveraging the country’s strategic location, competitive tuition fees, and English-language programs to attract a global student base.

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Policy Shift: From Expansion to Quality

While the influx of foreign campuses continues, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education recently announced that Kazakhstan now has “enough” international branch campuses. The focus is shifting toward:

• Strengthening strategic partnerships
• Enhancing quality assurance measures
• Building research collaborations and joint programs to attract global talent

Opportunities for Indian Students

This internationalization drive offers promising opportunities for Indian students, particularly in engineering, medicine, and business disciplines. Affordable tuition and English-medium instruction make Kazakhstan an appealing alternative to traditional destinations like Europe and North America.

In summary, Kazakhstan’s strategic higher education policies are rapidly transforming the country into a major regional destination for international students. With world-class programs, competitive costs, and growing global recognition, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a key player in the international education landscape.