M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University
М. Әуезов атындағы Оңтүстік Қазақстан университеті
Shymkent's large multidisciplinary university, founded in 1943 and home to thousands of Central Asian students.
- Founded
- 1943
- QS World Ranking
- 781-790
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About Auezov University
Auezov South Kazakhstan University began on 19 June 1943, when the Soviet government decided to set up a Technological Institute of Building Materials in Chimkent (now Shymkent) during the Second World War. It later grew into a multidisciplinary university and is named after the Kazakh writer Mukhtar Auezov, whose statue stands in front of the main building. The university describes itself as the largest multidisciplinary university in Kazakhstan and the scientific, educational and cultural centre of the south.
Teaching is organised in faculties and higher schools: Agrarian; Natural Science and Pedagogy; History and Pedagogy; Philology; Culture and Art; Sport; Building and Transport; Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering and Oil and Gas Engineering; Jurisprudence; Computer Engineering and Energy; Management and Business; Textile and Food Engineering; and Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. It reports more than 22,000 students and seven dormitories, and it runs master's double degrees with partners such as Peoples' Friendship University of Russia and Samara State Technical University.
Shymkent is only about 120 km from Tashkent, and the university has a large international community: an undated university page reports 1,506 full-time foreign students and 4,807 in total including evening and distance learners, from countries including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Afghanistan and China. It suits students who want an engineering, agricultural, teaching or humanities degree in Kazakhstan's third-largest city, close to the Uzbek border.
Why students choose Auezov University
A strong international community: 4,807 foreign students, over 20% of the student body, according to an undated university page.
A foundation programme where foreign applicants study language, history and specialist subjects before entering a degree.
Master's double degrees with Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Samara State Technical University and the National University of Uzbekistan.
Ethnic Kazakhs from other countries can compete for state grants by passing the Unified National Testing (UNT); the university's undated foreign-student page says 100 foundation students did so at the start of one academic year.
Admissions
2027-28 entry
Selectivity
The university does not publish an acceptance rate. Kazakh citizens are admitted with a Unified National Testing (UNT) certificate, and state grants are awarded competitively on UNT scores; the university publishes passing scores for the grant competition.
Typical entry requirements
| Kazakh secondary education | Original school certificate, UNT certificate, medical certificate (form 075/u) and six 3x4 photos; grant holders submit the electronic grant certificate |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary certificates | Original school certificate with a notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian; foundation year available for those who need language preparation |
Deadlines
For 2026 entry the Admissions Committee was open from 1 June to 25 August. Dates for 2027 had not been published when checked in September 2026 and are expected to follow a similar summer window.
How to apply
Kazakh applicants submit documents to the Admissions Committee (open 1 June to 25 August in 2026) with their UNT certificate. International applicants use the online application for international applicants on the admissions site (priem.auezov.edu.kz); documents in other languages need notarised translations into Kazakh or Russian. The Center for International Relations provides visa support and works with Kazakhstan's migration services.
What admissions looks for
- For grant places, UNT scores above the published passing scores for the grant competition.
- Passing any special or creative exam required by the programme, such as for teacher-training or arts programmes.
- A complete document set, including a medical certificate and, for foreign applicants, notarised Kazakh or Russian translations.
- Preparation in the language of instruction; foreign applicants who need it can take the foundation programme.
Tips for applying to Auezov University
- 1 If you are an ethnic Kazakh living abroad, take the UNT: passing it lets you compete for a state grant rather than paying tuition.
- 2 Get notarised Kazakh or Russian translations of your certificates before you apply.
- 3 Register for a dormitory place early through dorm.auezov.edu.kz; priority goes to groups such as orphans, students with disabilities and applicants with UNT scores above 120.
- 4 Contact the Auezov Buddy Club, a student volunteer group that helps foreign students settle in.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in KZT
Kazakh citizens and ethnic Kazakhs from abroad who pass the UNT can compete for state educational grants that cover tuition. The admissions site also lists grants from the public foundation 'Qazaqstan Halqyna' for UNT graduates from socially vulnerable rural families, orphans and students with disabilities, plus discounts for special categories of students. The university does not publish tuition fees for foreign students on its English pages.
- Awarded competitively on UNT scores
- State educational grants
- Non-repayable, for eligible UNT graduates
- Qazaqstan Halqyna foundation grants
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (credit system)
Chemical engineering and biotechnology
Rooted in the university's origins as a technological institute, with a water-quality laboratory named after U. Besterekov and a food biotechnology lab.
Oil and gas engineering
A dedicated faculty, plus a master's double degree in Oil and Gas Processing Technology with Samara State Technical University.
Building and transport
The university was founded in 1943 to train specialists in building materials; this faculty continues that line.
Modern languages and philology
The university reports a QS subject ranking of 301-350 in Modern Languages for 2026.
Textile and food engineering
A higher school serving south Kazakhstan's light and food industries.
Agriculture
An Agrarian Faculty in one of Kazakhstan's main farming regions.
Research
- The Research Institute of Natural and Technical Sciences includes laboratories for water quality monitoring, food biotechnology, innovative process equipment and multiphysical modelling.
- A regional testing laboratory for structural and biochemical materials and the Sapa research and test centre serve industry.
- Scientific centres for history and ethnology and for archaeology and anthropology work within the social and humanitarian research institute.
Schools & faculties
- Agrarian Faculty
- Natural Scientific and Pedagogical Higher School
- Faculty of History and Pedagogy
- Faculty of Philology
- Faculty of Culture and Art
- Faculty of Sport
- Faculty of Building and Transport
- Faculty of Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering and Oil and Gas Engineering
- Faculty of Jurisprudence
- Higher School of Computer Engineering and Energy
- Higher School of Management and Business
- Higher School of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Student life
The university reports more than 22,000 students, seven dormitories (three state-owned and four run with partners) and ten student organisations with a Student Parliament. A Youth Center supports student projects, and groups range from a young artists' club and a debate organisation to a readers' club, a psychological support group and a young journalists' organisation. There are dance, vocal, dombra and KVN comedy circles and a sports complex. Foreign students get help from a dedicated centre and from the Auezov Buddy Club, a student volunteer group that helps newcomers adapt.
- Seven dormitories, with online room booking through dorm.auezov.edu.kz.
- Auezov Buddy Club for foreign students.
- Dombra, vocals, dance and KVN circles, plus a university theatre, museum and TV and radio studio.
- Debate clubs and sports sections at the Densaulyq sports complex.
Housing. Seven dormitories; first-year students request a place online, and priority goes to groups such as orphans, students with disabilities and high UNT scorers, with residents signing a contract and following curfew rules (07:00-23:00).
Location
Shymkent is Kazakhstan's third-largest city and one of its three cities of republican significance, in the far south about 120 km north of Tashkent. It sat on a Silk Road caravan route and is now a major railway junction. The university's main building is on Tauke Khan Avenue in the city centre, and Shymkent International Airport has domestic and international flights.
Nearest airport: Shymkent International Airport (CIT)
Notable alumni
- NB Nurlan BeknazarovDeputy Chairman of Kazakhstan's Kurultai and former senator from Shymkent; degree as a financial economist
- NK Nuralkhan KusherovAkim (governor) of Turkistan Region since 2025; finance degree (2005)
- AZ Arman ZhetpisbayevMayor of Shymkent 2008-2012; graduated in industrial and civil building (1993)
- NA Nurjan AltaevMember of the Mazhilis and founder of the El Tiregi party; law degree (2004)
- EZ Erzhan ZhilkibaevFormer akim of Taraz; bachelor's in economics and management (1999)
- NA Nurlan AuesbaevPolitician, chair of the Astana branch of the Nationwide Social Democratic Party; studied at the university
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study at Auezov South Kazakhstan University?
Yes. An undated university page reports 4,807 foreign students, from countries including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, and the university offers an online application for international applicants and a foundation programme.
Do I need the UNT to enter Auezov University?
Kazakh applicants submit a UNT certificate. Ethnic Kazakhs from abroad who pass the UNT can compete for state grants; other foreign applicants apply directly and may start with the foundation programme.
When does the Auezov University admissions committee open?
For 2026 entry it was open from 1 June to 25 August. The 2027 dates had not been published in September 2026.
Does Auezov University have dormitories?
Yes, seven dormitories. Students apply online, and places are prioritised for groups such as orphans, students with disabilities and applicants with UNT scores above 120.
Where is Auezov University?
On Tauke Khan Avenue in Shymkent, southern Kazakhstan, about 120 km north of Tashkent.
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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