Kazakhstan (KZ)
Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked nation — a vast Central Asian republic stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, encompassing endless steppes, dramatic canyons, and the remnants of the ancient Silk Road.
Education & Schools
Schools, universities, and language courses in Kazakhstan.
👶 Childcare & Kindergarten
State kindergartens are subsidised by the Kazakhstani government — parents pay only a small contribution toward meals and materials. Free kindergarten places (fully state-funded) are available for families below the income threshold.
Register electronically at egov.kz → "Kindergarten queue" (Кезек). When a place becomes available, you will receive an SMS notification. Bring: birth certificate, vaccination record, medical fitness certificate (форма 063-У), and IIN to the kindergarten to complete enrollment.
Contact the kindergarten directly, complete an enrollment form, and submit the child's vaccination record and medical fitness certificate. Most private kindergartens teach primarily in Russian or Kazakh.
Apply directly to the kindergarten with: passport copies, vaccination records, and health certificate. Most international kindergartens affiliated with international schools offer a direct pathway to primary enrollment (AIS, Haileybury, QSI, British International School).
🏫 Schools
Apply at your district state school (determined by propiska/registration address). Bring: birth certificate, IIN, vaccination record (прививочный паспорт), medical fitness certificate. State school enrollment for Grade 1 opens in April–May for September. Expat children without Kazakh or Russian are advised to attend international schools instead.
State secondary schools: same district-based enrollment as primary. Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (НИШ): competitive entrance exam (Unified National Testing) — very selective. Application opens January–March for September enrollment.
🌍 International Schools
International schools in Almaty and Astana serve the expat community with English-medium instruction. Key schools (2026/27 fees): Haileybury Almaty (British National Curriculum / IGCSE / A-Level, KZT 8,840,000–19,190,000/year = approx. USD $19,000–42,000), Almaty International School — AIS (IB MYP and DP, approximately $12,000–22,000/year), QSI International School Almaty (American curriculum, approximately $7,000–15,000/year), Astana International School — AIS-Astana (IB World School PYP/MYP/DP, approximately $14,000–24,000/year), Haileybury Astana (British / IGCSE / A-Level, similar fee range to Haileybury Almaty). Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (НИШ) are the best state-funded option (Cambridge International + Kazakhstani curriculum, free, highly competitive admission). All major international schools have waiting lists for popular year groups — apply as early as possible, ideally before relocating.
🎓 University
Kazakhstani secondary school graduates: admission via UNT (Unified National Testing) for state universities. Nazarbayev University has separate international-standard admission with English-language application. Foreign students apply directly to universities — foreign qualifications must be recognised by the Ministry of Education (НКОКО). Apply from January–June for September intake.
🗣️ Language Courses
Free government-funded Kazakh language courses for residents. Apply at your district akimat language centre. Limited capacity — register early.
Many private language schools (языковые центры) offer intensive Russian for expats. 3-month intensive is sufficient for basic daily communication. Ask in Almaty Expats Facebook group for current recommendations.
University-based language programmes offer academic credits. Useful for those enrolled in Kazakhstani higher education who need formal language credits.
Education & Schools
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