Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University
Абай атындағы Қазақ ұлттық педагогикалық университеті
Kazakhstan's first university, founded in 1928 in Almaty and still the country's main school for training teachers.
- Students
- 22,951
- International
- 11%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 10.1:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- KZT 950K
- Latest published (Lorraine branch page dated April 2025)
- Founded
- 1928
About Abai University
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Abai University, formerly KazNPU) calls itself the first higher education institution in Kazakhstan. It opened in Almaty in 1928, was named after the poet and thinker Abai in 1935, became a university in 1990 and later received national status by presidential decree. Early teachers included Akhmet Baitursynov and Saken Seifullin, and for almost a century it has trained the country's teachers, linguists, mathematicians and scientists.
Teaching is organised into faculties of Pedagogy and Psychology; Natural Science and Geography; Mathematics and Physics; Philology; World Languages; History and Law; Arts; Physical Education and Basic Military Training; and Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence, plus the French-language Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute and a branch of France's University of Lorraine. The university's own statistics show about 22,950 students, including about 2,585 foreign students, and 66% of places funded by state grants.
Programmes are taught in Kazakh, Russian and English, with some in French. Most Kazakh students win places through the Unified National Testing (UNT) and the national grant competition. It suits students who want to teach, or to study languages, humanities and sciences, in a large city university with a long national history.
Why students choose Abai University
It is Kazakhstan's first university, founded in 1928, and remains the national flagship for teacher education.
The Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute, opened in 2014 with the presidents of Kazakhstan and France, teaches bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes in French.
A branch of the University of Lorraine, opened in December 2024, offers double-degree programmes such as International Law, with no French required for admission.
About two thirds of students (66%) study on state grants, according to the university's statistics.
Admissions
2027-28 academic year (admission committee in summer 2027)
Selectivity
The university does not publish an acceptance rate. Places depend on Unified National Testing (UNT) scores. The university's threshold table for 2026-27 is marked as a draft (PROEKT): it lists minimums from 65 to 95 by programme group (e.g. 80 for Pedagogy and Psychology, 90 for mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and geography teacher training, 95 for Kazakh and foreign-language teacher training). State grants are awarded competitively.
Typical entry requirements
| UNT (Pedagogy and Psychology, B001) | Minimum 80 points for 2026-27, grant and paid (draft threshold table) |
|---|---|
| UNT (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology or geography teacher training) | Minimum 90 points for 2026-27 (draft threshold table) |
| UNT (Kazakh language and literature; foreign language teacher training) | Minimum 95 points for 2026-27 (draft threshold table) |
| Creative programmes (choreography, fine art, fashion and design, media) | Reading literacy and history of Kazakhstan from the UNT plus two creative exams (maximum 120 points); fewer than 5 points in a creative exam rules you out |
| University of Lorraine branch programmes | Passing scores of 65 to 80 by programme (e.g. 75 for International Law); French not required at entry |
| English language | Programmes are taught in Kazakh, Russian or English (some multilingual), and the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute teaches in French. The university does not publish IELTS or TOEFL minimums on its admissions pages. |
Deadlines
- Grant competition documents (2026 cycle) Non-binding Passed13 to 20 July 2026 (passed)
Grant list published 10 August. Dates are from the admission rules page, which lists them without a year.
- Creative exams for paid places (2026 cycle) Non-binding PassedApplications 13 July to 7 August 2026 (passed)
Creative exams held 12 to 19 August. Dates are from the admission rules page, which lists them without a year.
- Admission committee accepts documents (2026 cycle) Non-binding Passed20 June to 25 August 2026 (passed)
Includes the special pedagogical exam in the same window. Dates confirmed on the admission committee schedule page (updated 19 June 2026). The 2027 dates have not been published yet.
The published dates are for the 2026 cycle and have passed (the rules page gives them without a year; the committee schedule page dated June 2026 confirms 20 June to 25 August). For entry in September 2027, expect the admission committee to open again around late June 2027, after the UNT; check the admission rules page for the 2027 schedule.
How to apply
Submit documents to the admission committee at 30 Kazybek bi Street, Almaty: ID card, school certificate or diploma, application form, two 3x4 photos, UNT certificate, state grant certificate if awarded, and any quota documents. Grant applicants enter the national grant competition. International students receive a university invitation for a C9 student visa, and the university provides migration and visa support after arrival.
What admissions looks for
- A UNT score at or above the threshold for your programme group, which runs as high as 90 to 95 for many teacher-training programmes.
- At least 5 points in each mandatory UNT subject and each profile subject.
- For creative programmes, strong results in two creative exams alongside reading literacy and history of Kazakhstan.
- For pedagogical programmes, a pass in the special pedagogical exam.
Tips for applying to Abai University
- 1 Check the threshold for your programme group: in the university's draft table for 2026-27 they range from 65 points for some programmes to 95 for Kazakh language and foreign-language teaching.
- 2 If you want a state grant, submit grant competition documents in the mid-July window; the grant list comes out in August.
- 3 Creative applicants must register for creative exams separately and score at least 5 points in each.
- 4 Look at the Lorraine branch if you want a French double degree: French is taught from year one and is not needed at entry.
Costs & financial aid
Latest published (Lorraine branch page dated April 2025) · figures in KZT
About 66% of students study on state educational grants awarded through the national competition based on UNT scores. The Qazaqstan Khalqyna foundation also funded 850 grants for 2024-25 covering tuition of up to 1 million tenge a year plus a 40,000 tenge stipend, for applicants from low-income rural families, orphans and students with disabilities. The Lorraine branch offers 95 scholarships.
- 66% (paid places 34%)
- Students on state grants
- Tuition up to 1,000,000 tenge a year plus 40,000 tenge stipend
- Qazaqstan Khalqyna foundation grant (2024-25)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (academic year from September)
Mathematics teacher training
Minimum UNT score of 90 for 2026-27 (draft thresholds); the Mathematics bachelor's took first place in its group in the IQAA-Ranking 2024.
Preschool Education and Upbringing
Ranked first in its group in the IQAA-Ranking 2024.
International Law (double degree with the University of Lorraine)
French-recognised double degree; passing score 75 and tuition of 950,000 tenge a year.
Economics (Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute)
Double-degree bachelor's with the University of Poitiers in France.
Foreign language teacher training
One of the most competitive groups, with a minimum UNT score of 95 for 2026-27 in the university's draft threshold table.
Research
- Research labs include the Laboratory of Applied Research and Teaching Technologies in Physics, the International Scientific Laboratory of ICT and a Scientific and Methodological Center of Geography and Ecology.
- The university takes part in Erasmus+ mobility and joint double-degree programmes with French universities.
- It reports first place among pedagogical universities in the IQAA-Ranking 2024 institutional rating.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology
- Faculty of Natural Science and Geography
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
- Faculty of Philology
- Faculty of World Languages
- Faculty of History and Law
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Physical Education and Basic Military Training
- Faculty of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence
- Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute
- Branch of the University of Lorraine
- Institute of Education in Astana
Student life
Abai University is a city-centre university in Almaty. The university says 48 student organisations and clubs are active, covering science, creative arts, sport, volunteering and media, with volunteer groups among the most popular. Each September a 'Qosh keldin, Student' evening welcomes first-year students. Sports students have won Almaty boxing titles and a district basketball cup, and some first-years play for FC Kairat's U-18 team.
- 48 student organisations and clubs, including volunteer groups such as Meyirim, Bereke and Senim.
- 'Qosh keldin, Student' welcome evening for first-year students each September.
- University teams in boxing, basketball and other sports.
- Dormitory places allocated by published criteria, with preference for eligible groups.
Housing. The university has dormitories, with places allocated automatically according to published criteria and priority for eligible applicants.
Location
The university is in central Almaty: the admission committee is at 30 Kazybek bi Street, the University of Lorraine branch at 28 Kazybek bi Street, and the special pedagogical exam is held at 31 Tole bi Street. The university also runs an Institute of Education in Astana.
Nearest airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Notable alumni
- VK Vyacheslav KimCo-founder and board chairman of Kaspi.kz; graduated in financial economics (1998)
- AB Aida BalaevaKazakh politician, Minister of Culture and Information (2023-2026) and Deputy Prime Minister (2025-2026); graduated in Russian language and literature (2000)
- OZ Orymbek ZhautykovMathematician known for work on stability theory and infinite systems of differential equations; mathematics degree (1934)
- MK Makhmud KassymbekovHead of the Chancellery of the President of Kazakhstan (1996-2019); qualified as a mathematics teacher (1974)
- EN Erlan NysanbaevFormer Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan; bachelor's in finance (2008)
Frequently asked questions
What UNT score do I need for Abai University?
It depends on the programme group. The university's draft threshold table for 2026-27 lists minimums from 65 to 95, for example 80 for Pedagogy and Psychology, 90 for mathematics or physics teacher training and 95 for Kazakh language or foreign-language teacher training.
When does the Abai University admission committee open?
In 2026 it accepted documents from 20 June to 25 August. The 2027 schedule has not been published, but a similar summer window is expected after the UNT.
How much does Abai University cost?
Programmes at the University of Lorraine branch cost 950,000 tenge a year. Fees for other programmes are not published online, and about 66% of students study on state grants.
What languages are courses taught in?
Kazakh, Russian and English, with multilingual programmes; the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute teaches in French.
Can international students study at Abai University?
Yes. About 2,585 foreign students are enrolled, and the university issues invitations for C9 student visas and helps with migration registration.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to Abai University in the QS World University Rankings 2027.