Satbayev University
Сәтбаев университеті
Kazakhstan's oldest technical university, built on mining and oil and gas, with flat fees for foreign students.
- Students
- 8,346
- International
- 17%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 11.2:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- KZT 1M
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1934
About Satbayev University (KazNRTU)
Satbayev University (officially the Kazakh National Research Technical University named after K.I. Satbayev, KazNRTU) began its first academic year on 19 September 1934 as the Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute in Alma-Ata. It became the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute in 1960 and the Kazakh National Technical University in 1994, was named after the geologist Kanysh Satbayev in 1999, and received national research university status in 2014. It describes itself as the oldest technical university in Kazakhstan, best known for mining and the oil business.
The university is organised into institutes, including the Geology and Oil-Gas Business Institute, the Mining and Metallurgical Institute, the Institute of Automation and Information Technologies, the Institute of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, the Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering, the School of Transport Engineering and Logistics, the Institute for Project Management and an Academy of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. It works with Kazakhstan's largest industrial companies and runs double-degree programmes with universities such as City University of Hong Kong, Pennsylvania State University and Sungkyunkwan University.
Kazakh citizens enter through the Unified National Testing (UNT), with more than 2,000 state grants a year and a minimum UNT score of 80. Foreign students apply online, are admitted by interview without entrance exams, and study on a fee-paying basis, with teaching available in Kazakh, Russian and English. It suits students heading for engineering, energy, mining or IT careers in Central Asia.
Why students choose Satbayev University (KazNRTU)
International bachelor's tuition is a flat US$4,400 a year across all programmes for 2026-2027.
Foreign applicants are admitted through an online interview, with no entrance exam or UNT, and can enrol during the year.
Programmes can be studied in Kazakh, Russian or English, and some carry ABET or ASIIN international accreditation.
The Satbayev University Racing Team, founded in 2017, builds energy-efficient cars for the Shell Eco-marathon and made its international competition debut in 2019.
Admissions
2027-2028 academic year (foreign applicants can apply year-round)
Selectivity
Satbayev University does not publish an acceptance rate. Kazakh applicants need at least 80 points on the UNT to compete for its more than 2,000 annual state grants; foreign applicants are admitted by interview on a fee-paying basis.
Typical entry requirements
| Kazakh school certificate + UNT | UNT score of at least 80 in the subject pair required for the programme (e.g. Mathematics and Computer Science for IT programmes); state grants awarded competitively |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary school certificate | Apostilled or legalised school certificate with a notarised Kazakh or Russian translation, a passport valid for at least 12 months after the start of the academic year, and a successful online interview; nostrification of the certificate is completed in Kazakhstan |
| English language | IELTS 5 · TOEFL iBT 35 Required only for English-taught programmes (and doctoral study): IELTS Academic 5.0, TOEFL iBT 35, TOEFL ITP 417, TOEIC 550 or Duolingo English Test 80. |
Deadlines
- Foreign applicants (fee-paying) Non-bindingRolling
Foreigners can enrol during the year; allow about 3 weeks for visa support after the enrolment order.
- Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education grants for foreign students Non-binding1 April - 31 May (annually)
Online document submission via the Center of Bologna Process and Academic Mobility; free tuition and a monthly stipend.
Satbayev University accepts foreign applicants on a rolling basis; plan for document translation, the interview, visa support (about 3 weeks after the enrolment order) and consular visa processing, and arrive at least a week before classes start. Kazakh applicants follow the national UNT and grant calendar.
How to apply
Submit a preliminary application online at kb.satbayev.university with scans of your passport and school certificate. Within about a week you are given an online interview with the department, Admissions Committee and International Office, and receive a decision the same day. The university then emails an invitation letter and tuition agreement; you pay 40% of the fee, receive visa support for a C9 student visa, and arrive in Almaty at least a week before classes with original documents, proof of funds (at least US$5,000) and medical insurance.
What admissions looks for
- For Kazakh applicants, a UNT score of at least 80 in the required subject combination, with higher scores needed to win a state grant.
- For foreign applicants, a successful online interview with the department and Admissions Committee.
- An education document at the right level, apostilled or legalised and translated into Kazakh or Russian.
- For English-taught programmes, a recognised English test at the published minimum.
Tips for applying to Satbayev University (KazNRTU)
- 1 Start early on legalisation or apostille of your school certificate; translations and nostrification are then done in Kazakhstan.
- 2 Make sure your passport is valid for at least 12 months after the start of the academic year.
- 3 Have at least US$5,000 in a bank account and a bank solvency certificate ready for arrival.
- 4 Register with the university's department for foreign students within 2 days of crossing the border to stay compliant with migration rules.
- 5 Apply for the Kazakh government grant for foreign students between 1 April and 31 May if you want free tuition.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in KZT
International students pay a flat US$4,400 a year for all bachelor's programmes in 2026-2027, with 40% paid after receiving the tuition agreement. Foreign students, including ethnic Kazakhs without Kazakh citizenship, can apply for Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education grant (free tuition and a monthly stipend) from 1 April to 31 May each year. Kazakh citizens compete for more than 2,000 state grants a year; discounts are available to some groups by Academic Council decision.
- US$4,400 per year (all programmes)
- International bachelor's tuition, 2026-2027
- More than 2,000 a year; minimum UNT score 80
- State grants for Kazakh applicants
- At least US$5,000 in a bank account
- Proof of funds on arrival
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (credit system; 36 credits per bachelor's year for fee purposes)
Oil and Gas Business (B271)
Core of the Geology and Oil-Gas Business Institute and one of the fields the university is best known for.
Mining and Mineral Extraction (B071) and Metallurgy (B171)
The university's founding disciplines, dating back to the 1934 Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute.
Information Technology (B057) and Information Security (B058)
Offered at the Institute of Automation and Information Technologies, the highest local fee band (1,300,000 KZT).
Architecture (B073)
Taught at the T.K. Bassenov Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
City University of Hong Kong dual-degree bachelor's
A double-degree track with City University of Hong Kong, with separately published fees.
Research
- Research focuses on energy and energy saving, mechanical engineering, geology and subsoil use, mining and metallurgy, new materials and nanotechnology, and AI for industry.
- Researchers are developing formulations to reduce asphaltene deposits in oil pipelines.
- The university hosted the opening of inVision U, a fully grant-funded bachelor's programme founded with support from InDrive founder Arsen Tomsky, which enrolled 112 students.
Schools & faculties
- Geology and Oil-Gas Business Institute named after K. Turyssov
- Mining and Metallurgical Institute named after O.A. Baikonurov
- Institute of Automation and Information Technologies
- Institute of Energy and Mechanical Engineering named after A. Burkitbayev
- T.K. Bassenov Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering
- School of Transport Engineering and Logistics named after M. Tynyshpayev
- E. Turkebayev Institute for Project Management
- Academy of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence
- Military Institute
Student life
Satbayev University's campus is on Satbayev Street in Almaty, with a university dormitory next to campus where most international students live. Student life includes a Student Dean's Office that runs student self-government with annual elections, the Racing Team, an Eco-Hub launched under the Taza Kazakhstan programme, charity events such as Red Nose Day, and cultural events that introduce foreign students to Kazakh culture. Foreign students come from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Türkiye, Pakistan, Egypt and other countries.
- Satbayev University Racing Team: energy-efficient cars for the Shell Eco-marathon and electric race cars.
- Student Dean's Office: elected student self-government.
- A military department where Kazakh students can train as reserve lieutenants alongside their degree.
- A corporate clinic on campus for the medical certificates international students need.
Housing. Most international students are given a place in the university dormitory located next to the campus.
Location
Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest city and its former capital, in the south-east of the country near the mountains. Satbayev University's main address is 22 Satbayev Street. Many nationalities can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for 14, 30 or 90 days, but degree students need a C9 student visa and must register their passports with the migration police.
Nearest airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Notable alumni
- AE Alexandra ElbakyanCreator of the Sci-Hub website; BSc in computer science (2009)
- RI Rufina IsakovaScientist, Doctor of Technical Sciences and academician of the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences; graduated from the Kazakh Mining and Metallurgy Institute in 1947
- AZ Askar ZhumagaliyevFormer Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan; studied radio communication, broadcasting and television
- AS Adil ShayakhmetovFormer head of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee; graduate of the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute
- ES Ermek SağymbaevChairman of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (from 2022); graduated in 1992
Frequently asked questions
How much are Satbayev University fees for international students?
A flat US$4,400 per academic year for all bachelor's programmes in 2026-2027. Kazakh citizens pay 1,000,000 to 1,300,000 KZT a year.
Do foreign students need to take the UNT or an entrance exam?
No. Foreign citizens are admitted on the basis of an online interview, without entrance exams or the UNT.
Can I study in English at Satbayev University?
Yes, programmes are offered in Kazakh, Russian and English. English-taught programmes require IELTS Academic 5.0, TOEFL iBT 35 or an equivalent.
Are there scholarships for international students?
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education offers grants for foreign students, covering tuition and a monthly stipend, with applications from 1 April to 31 May each year.
What is the minimum UNT score for Satbayev University?
80 points, with more than 2,000 state grants awarded each year on a competitive basis.
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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