Government of Kazakhstan - Bolashak Scholarship

What you get

You will receive a fully funded place to study abroad. The scholarship covers your full tuition fees, books, health insurance and travel expenses, as well as a monthly living allowance. It funds Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, specialist medical training and professional placements at more than 630 partner universities in over 32 countries, including Harvard, MIT, Cambridge, Oxford, ETH Zurich and the Technical University of Munich. It is administered by the Kazakh Government through the Centre for International Programmes and has supported over 12,000 people since 1993. There are two conditions attached to this: upon completion of your studies, you must work in Kazakhstan for at least 5 years, and you must provide a property as security equivalent to the value of the scholarship.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a citizen of Kazakhstan. That is the only fixed rule.
• Kazakh language: You hold a valid KAZTEST or Qazaq Resmi Test certificate at Level B1 or above.
• University place: You have received a firm offer of admission from a partner university abroad, or the Centre for International Programmes is arranging a place for you.
• Field of study: Any topic is acceptable. Priority is given to areas that are important to the Kazakh economy.
• Level: You would like to study for a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree, undertake specialist medical training or complete a research placement abroad.
• Extra proof by track: To enrol on a Bachelor’s degree programme, you must have won a medal (1st, 2nd or 3rd place) at an international Olympiad within the last 3 years in a subject relevant to your degree programme. Many Master’s and work-based programmes require professional experience instead (often 1 to 3 years) and a grade point average of at least 3.00 out of 4.00.

How to apply

You apply online via egov.kz or studyin.kz and can track the status of your application in your personal account. Application periods open approximately three times a year. The selection process includes a language test (KAZTEST or Qazaq Resmi Test) and psychological tests. The final decision is made by a national commission.

How realistic are your chances?

This is Kazakhstan’s most prestigious state scholarship, which is very well known and therefore highly competitive. However, strict selection criteria limit the pool of applicants: You must already have a firm offer of admission, have passed the Kazakh language test with a grade of B1, and provide subject-specific evidence such as an Olympiad medal or several years’ relevant professional experience. If you clearly meet these conditions, you have a genuine chance of success. However, before applying, please ensure that you are able to accept the obligation to work for 5 years after completing your degree, as well as the security deposit.