D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University
Дәулет Серікбаев атындағы Шығыс Қазақстан техникалық университеті
A 1958 engineering university in Oskemen, near the Russian, Chinese and Mongolian borders, with USD 2,000 tuition for overseas bachelor's students.
- Tuition
- KZT 878.7K
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1958
- QS World Ranking
- 1001-1200
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About EKTU
D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) was set up in 1958 as the Ust-Kamenogorsk Road Construction Institute by decisions of the USSR and Kazakh SSR governments. It became East Kazakhstan Technical University in 1996 and was named after its first rector, Daulet Serikbayev, in 1997. Since 2020 it has been a non-profit joint stock company. The university describes itself as a basic engineering university of Kazakhstan in Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen), a city at the junction of the borders of Russia, China and Mongolia.
The university trains engineers in metallurgy, mining, mechanical engineering, energy, construction, transport and IT, and also offers business, forestry and environmental programmes. It teaches through schools including Architecture, Civil Engineering and Energy; Geosciences; Business; and Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence, plus an International School of Engineering, a Foundation programme and a Higher IT College. Most programmes are taught in Kazakh and Russian, and Wikipedia notes that teaching in English is offered for several programmes.
For international applicants the entry points are simple: an interview-based admission on a paid basis, with rolling document acceptance from 1 June to 25 August, and published overseas tuition of 2,000 USD a year for the bachelor's programmes it lists. It suits students looking for an affordable engineering or IT degree in a small Central Asian city, who can handle Russian or Kazakh-language paperwork.
Why students choose EKTU
Overseas (non-CIS) bachelor's students pay 2,000 USD a year for the listed IT, automation, mechanical, transport and metallurgy programmes (2026-27 price list).
The university holds a QS Stars 5-star rating, valid from 14 April 2026 to 8 November 2028.
The 2026-27 price list includes a bachelor's programme in Nuclear Power Plant Operation, and Wikipedia describes the university as preparing specialists for the nuclear industry.
A Foundation programme is available for international applicants who need to prepare for study.
Admissions
2026-27 admission (latest published); 2027-28 not yet published
Selectivity
EKTU publishes no acceptance rate. Citizens of Kazakhstan are admitted through the Unified National Test (ENT) with a pass mark of 50 points, at least 5 in each subject. International applicants on a fee-paying basis are admitted after an interview with the Admissions Committee.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary education certificate (international applicants, bachelor's) | Notarised copy of the certificate and transcript with notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian; recognition and nostrification of the foreign certificate |
|---|---|
| Health and legal documents | Medical certificate Form 075 including HIV and malaria tests, obtained in Kazakhstan; identity document with notarised translation |
| Financial proof | Certificate confirming the bank account balance is at least the cost of one year of tuition and dormitory accommodation |
Deadlines
- International applicants: document acceptance Non-bindingJune 1 to August 25 (each year; rolling)
Enrolment happens 5 days before the start of the next academic period, after an interview with the Admissions Committee.
The window of 1 June to 25 August is the standing annual window published for international applicants; EKTU does not give separate dates for the 2027 intake on the pages checked. The admission page also says interviews for fee-paying international applicants are held throughout the calendar year.
How to apply
International applicants apply through the online admission form for international students (bachelor's, master's or doctoral), choosing programme, form of study and language of study (English, Russian or Kazakh), and upload a passport copy, previous education document and transcript, medical certificate, photo, motivation letter, bank account status certificate and a certificate of no criminal record. After acceptance, EKTU provides the documents needed for a category C9 student visa, valid for one year and renewable each year.
What admissions looks for
- A successful interview with the Admissions Committee for international fee-paying applicants.
- A complete, notarised and translated document set, with the foreign certificate recognised through nostrification.
- Evidence of funds covering one year of tuition and dormitory accommodation.
- For Kazakhstani applicants, an ENT total of at least 50 points and at least 5 in each subject.
Tips for applying to EKTU
- 1 Start nostrification of your certificate early: it is a separate procedure run through the Public Service Center with notarised copies and translations.
- 2 Have documents translated into Russian or Kazakh by a notary in Kazakhstan, as the admissions rules require.
- 3 Get the medical certificate (Form 075, including HIV and malaria tests) in Kazakhstan, because certificates from elsewhere are not accepted.
- 4 Contact the Department of International Cooperation with questions about admission before you pay anything.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in KZT
State education grants exist for Kazakhstani citizens through the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the East Kazakhstan regional administration and the Serpin 2050 programme. Students who are orphans or have disabilities live in the dormitories free, students from large families get a 50% dormitory discount, and first-year students from southern and western regions pay 5,000 KZT a month. The pages checked do not list university scholarships for international students.
- 1,385 beds in three dormitories
- Dormitory capacity
- 209,000 KZT per year (2026-27)
- Foundation programme tuition
Academics
Academic calendar: Two academic periods per year, with credit-based tuition
Artificial Intelligence (bachelor's)
Priced separately at 1,074,480 KZT for Kazakhstani fee-payers and listed at 2,000 USD for overseas students.
Nuclear Power Plant Operation
Listed in the 2026-27 price list (code 6B07118) among the engineering programmes; Wikipedia says the university prepares specialists for the nuclear industry.
Metallurgy
One of the mining and metallurgy programmes; the overseas 2,000 USD price list includes it.
Information Systems and Computer Engineering and Software
IT programmes offered to overseas students at 2,000 USD a year.
Architecture
Admission for Kazakhstani applicants uses a creative exam together with mathematical literacy, reading proficiency and history of Kazakhstan.
Mining, Geology and Exploration of Mineral Deposits
Reflects the East Kazakhstan region's metallurgical industry; the university names Kazzinc and Ulba Metallurgical Plant among industrial partners on Wikipedia.
Research
- The university runs the Kazakh-German Institute of Science and Technology (KGIST) and the Center of Advanced Development 'VERITAS', per its site and Wikipedia.
- It has an Erasmus+ and TEMPUS page, and dual-degree education within the Shanghai Cooperation University framework according to Wikipedia.
- A 'Great Altai' museum and a regional technopark, 'Altai East Kazakhstan Regional Technopark' LLP, are listed among the university's units.
Schools & faculties
- School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Energy
- School of Geosciences
- School of Business
- School of Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence
- International School of Engineering
- Center of Language Competences
- Foundation
- Higher IT College
- Military Sub-Department
Student life
EKTU has three dormitories with 1,385 beds in total, video surveillance and study rooms, sports rooms, laundry and internet classes in the buildings. Beds are requested through an electronic application on the student services centre portal. The university has a student self-government body, a trade union organisation, an alumni club and a 'For Knowledge' newspaper. Its English pages do not list clubs or traditions in detail.
- Three dormitories with 1,385 beds and study and sport rooms.
- Student self-government and an alumni club.
- Erasmus+ and academic mobility programmes listed for international students.
- A Higher IT College and a Foundation programme on the same university.
Housing. Three university dormitories with 1,385 beds (No. 1 on Serikbayev St. 19A, No. 2 on Mendeleyev St. 3, No. 3 on Serikbayev St. 41).
Location
Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk) is the industrial centre of East Kazakhstan, at the junction of the borders of Russia, China and Mongolia. The university is in the city on D. Serikbayev Street, and the site links to Ust-Kamenogorsk International Airport and Air Astana for travel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan handles visa rules; international students need a category C9 student visa valid for one year and renewed annually.
Nearest airport: Ust-Kamenogorsk International Airport
Notable alumni
- VS Vera SukhorukovaMember of the Majilis of Kazakhstan and honorary citizen of Ust-Kamenogorsk (as listed on the university's Wikipedia article)
- KM Kairat MussinChair of the 'Tolegetay' International Charitable Fund (as listed on Wikipedia)
- SM Shalkar MukhamgaliyevArtist, singer and entertainer, and a participant in KVN shows (as listed on Wikipedia)
- SB Shakarym BuktugumovChair of the Board of the Regional Center of Government-Private Partnership of the East Kazakhstan Region (as listed on Wikipedia)
Frequently asked questions
How much does EKTU cost for international students?
For students from outside the CIS, the 2026-27 price list gives 2,000 USD a year for the listed first-year bachelor's IT, automation, mechanical, transport and metallurgy programmes. CIS students pay 696,960 to 1,074,480 KZT depending on the programme.
Is EKTU taught in English?
Most programmes are in Kazakh and Russian. The international application form lets you choose English, Russian or Kazakh as the language of study, and Wikipedia notes English teaching for several programmes.
When can international students apply to EKTU?
Documents are accepted from 1 June to 25 August, and admission is decided after an interview with the Admissions Committee.
What visa does an international student need for Kazakhstan?
EKTU says foreign students need a category C9 student visa, issued for one year with multiple entries and renewed every year, after they have been accepted.
How is EKTU ranked?
It is in the QS World University Rankings 2027 band 1001-1200 and holds a QS Stars 5-star rating. It is not ranked in THE 2026 or ARWU 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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