Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University
С.Ж. Асфендияров атындағы Қазақ ұлттық медицина университеті
Founded in 1930 as Kazakhstan's first medical university; English-taught Medicine and Dentistry for foreigners.
- Students
- 14,474
- 10,727 undergraduates
- International
- 15%
- of students
- Tuition
- KZT 3M
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1930
About KazNMU
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) is a medical university in Almaty; its own history page says the decision to open the first medical university in Kazakhstan was taken in 1930. It is named after Sanzhar Asfendiyarov, the director of the Kazakh State Medical Institute in 1930-1931. On 1 September 2026 it reported 14,474 students, including 10,727 in bachelor's programmes, 1,793 in residency and 1,675 in internship, and 2,111 foreign students from 39 countries, the largest groups from India (1,541) and Pakistan (287).
It is organised into four schools and two faculties, 78 departments and 183 clinical bases, including three university clinics: the Clinic of Internal Diseases, the Aksai children's clinic and a primary care and diagnostics centre. Bachelor's degrees include Medicine, Pediatrics and Dentistry (six years), Pharmacy (five years) and Nursing (four years). The university lists 100 educational programmes and over 1,600 teaching staff.
For foreign applicants, admission to the English-language Medicine and Dentistry programmes is by document check and interview, not an entrance exam, and applications go through partner companies that cooperate with the university. The annual tuition fee published for 2026-2027 is 3,000,000 tenge. The university says 99.3% of graduates are employed. It suits students who want a clinical, hospital-based medical degree in Central Asia and are ready to be assessed on motivation and English.
Why students choose KazNMU
English-language Medicine and Dentistry programmes for foreign citizens, with a published 2026-2027 admission process and fee of 3,000,000 tenge a year.
A large clinical network: 183 clinical bases and three university clinics, including the Aksai children's clinic.
A genomic laboratory in the B. Atchabarov Research Institute of Fundamental and Applied Medicine and a Science and Technology Park with a business incubator.
Nine university dormitories, and a bank-statement requirement that must cover a year of study and dormitory accommodation.
Admissions
Foreign citizens, English-language Medicine and Dentistry, 2026-2027 academic year (latest published)
Selectivity
No acceptance rate is published. Foreign applicants are admitted by interview, with a minimum interview score of 60% of the maximum, followed by a competitive selection against the admission plan. The university's 1 September 2026 fact sheet states a 140-point entrance score, 'the highest in the country', for national applicants (its own claim, not independently checked).
Typical entry requirements
| School-leaving certificate | Copy of the education document with transcript; the original must be apostilled and, for enrolment, notarised translations into Kazakh or Russian are required |
|---|---|
| Passport | National passport valid for at least 2 years when documents are submitted |
| NEET (Indian citizens) | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test certificate required |
| English language | IELTS 5 · TOEFL iBT 35 Accepted minimums: IELTS Academic 5.0, TOEFL iBT 35, TOEFL ITP 417, TOEIC 550, Duolingo English Test 80. |
Deadlines
The 2026-2027 admission-process document gives no fixed application deadline; interview dates are posted on the university website and given to the partner companies, so check the site for 2027 dates.
How to apply
Foreign citizens apply through companies cooperating with the university (list on the university website), which submit the application, passport copy, apostilled education document with transcript, NEET certificate if applicable and English certificate to the admission committee as PDFs. The committee then sends a letter permitting an interview (online allowed). After selection, originals, medical certificates, a criminal-record document and a bank certificate are submitted, then the invitation and visa are issued.
What admissions looks for
- At the interview, general education, life experience, beliefs, achievements, life position and worldview.
- Motivation for medicine: sample questions ask why you chose the profession, what medical experience or volunteering you have and what qualities make a good doctor.
- A complete, high-quality PDF document package; incomplete packages are not considered.
Tips for applying to KazNMU
- 1 Prepare for the interview questions the university lists, such as what 'Do no harm' means and how you handle criticism.
- 2 Get your education document apostilled early and plan notarised translations into Kazakh or Russian for enrolment.
- 3 Keep your passport valid for at least 2 years at submission.
- 4 Be ready to show a bank certificate (valid at most 5 working days at contract signing) covering at least one year of tuition and dormitory accommodation.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in KZT
The admission document for foreign applicants does not describe scholarships. Students must show a bank certificate covering at least one year of tuition plus dormitory accommodation before the contract is signed.
Academics
Medicine (6 years)
The core English-language programme for foreign citizens, with a 2026-2027 interview-based admission process.
Dentistry (6 years)
Also offered in English to foreign citizens, with its own University Dental Clinic.
Pediatrics (6 years)
Linked to the Aksai University Clinic, one of Kazakhstan's oldest children's multidisciplinary clinics.
Pharmacy (5 years)
Supported by the Center for Pharmacy and Pharmacology, which runs a pilot workshop for cosmetic products.
Public Health and Management in healthcare
Offered from bachelor's to doctoral level, including a Global Health master's programme.
Research
- The B. Atchabarov Scientific Research Institute of Fundamental and Applied Medicine, founded in 2009, includes a vivarium, a public-health risk laboratory and an accredited genomic laboratory.
- The university ranks 4th among Kazakhstani universities in the National H-index ranking, according to its 2026 fact sheet.
- Its Science and Technology Park includes a business incubator and a technology commercialisation centre.
Schools & faculties
- General Medicine School 1
- General Medicine School 2
- Public Health School
- Pharmacy School
- Dentistry School
- Pediatrics School
- International Faculty
- Postgraduate Education Faculty
The university's 2026 fact sheet states 99.3% employment of graduates.
Student life
KazNMU has nine dormitories around Almaty, a Student Government, a student scientific society and a career and employment centre. Foreign students make up about one in seven of its students, mostly from India and Pakistan, so English is widely used in the international programmes. The university renovated departments and laboratories in 2025, including a Biomedical Science Laboratory and its oldest auditorium, named after Manshuk Mametova. Students train in hospital settings from the university's own clinics.
- Nine dormitories (Nos. 1-9) at addresses across Almaty.
- A student scientific society and a Council of Young Scientists.
- An anatomical museum and simulation centre for hands-on training.
- A career and employment centre and a graduate alumni association.
Housing. The university operates nine dormitories, and foreign students must show funds covering dormitory accommodation for one year.
Location
The main building is at Tole Bi Street 94 in Almaty. The university's clinics and dormitories are spread across the city, so expect to use local transport between them.
Nearest airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Notable alumni
- AA Akmaral AlnazarovaPediatrics graduate of 1994, listed by the university as Minister of Health of Kazakhstan (as of the January 2026 list)
- MS Marat ShoranovGeneral Medicine graduate of 1997; Chairman of the Board and Rector of KazNMU (as of the January 2026 list)
- AS Almas SharmanGeneral Medicine graduate of 1982; President of the Kazakhstan Academy of Preventive Medicine (as listed by the university)
- TS Timur SultangazievGeneral Medicine graduate of 2006; listed by the university as First Vice Minister of Health (January 2026 list)
Frequently asked questions
How do foreigners apply to KazNMU?
Through companies cooperating with the university, which submit your application, passport, apostilled education document, English certificate and (for Indian citizens) NEET score. The admission committee then invites you to an interview.
What are the tuition fees for international students at KazNMU?
For 2026-2027 the university states 3,000,000 tenge a year for foreign citizens in the English-language Medicine and Dentistry programmes.
What English score does KazNMU require?
IELTS Academic 5.0, TOEFL iBT 35, TOEFL ITP 417, TOEIC 550 or Duolingo 80.
Is there an entrance exam for foreign applicants?
There is no entrance exam, but there is an interview scored out of a maximum, with a minimum pass mark of 60%. Indian citizens also need a NEET certificate.
What is KazNMU's QS ranking?
In QS World University Rankings 2027 KazNMU is in the 1001-1200 band, according to the university's QS certificate dated June 2026.
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.
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