The number of Kazakhstani universities in the flagship QS World University Rankings, which lists the world’s top universities, has more than doubled over the past four years and increased by 50 percent in the last three years, from 14 to 21 universities.
The QS World University Rankings were first published in 2004, Kazakhstani universities have been participating in this ranking since 2011, according to the Press service of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), an international rating agency, is the originator of the following ratings:
- World university ranking – QS World University Rankings
- Subject rankings of the world’s best universities – QS World University Rankings by Subject
- Ranking of the world’s best universities in achieving sustainable development goals – QS Sustainability Rankings
- Regional rankings of the best universities QS University Rankings by Region (Европа, Латинская Америка, Азия, Арабский регион)
- Ranking of the best student cities in the world – QS Best Student Cities
- Ranking of the best MBA and master’s programs – QS MBA and Masters Rankings
- Program QS Stars.
In the subject-specific QS rankings, the number of Kazakhstani universities has quadrupled over four years, growing from 2 to 8.
A significant achievement is Kazakhstan’s entry into the QS Sustainability Rankings, which assess universities’ commitment to sustainable development goals. In the latest edition, 12 Kazakhstani universities debuted with strong performance in the “Management Model” indicator.
The number of Kazakhstani universities participating in the QS Stars program has also risen to 23 over the past three years. This program offers the country’s leading universities new opportunities to attract talented international students and faculty through independent audits that highlight each institution’s unique strengths, including reputation, research productivity, inclusiveness, and contributions to sustainability.
In September 2024, the QS Global MBA Rankings were published, where, for the first time since 2016, the presence of Kazakhstani universities rose from one to three.
Kazakhstan is also represented in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings, with two cities, Astana and Almaty, listed. Notably, in both the QS Global MBA Rankings and the QS Best Student Cities Rankings, Kazakhstan is the only representative from Central Asia.
The new edition of the QS Asia University Rankings 2025 features 985 universities from 25 countries and territories, with universities from India, China, Japan, and South Korea providing the strongest competition for Kazakhstani institutions. This year, Kazakhstani universities showed impressive improvement, with nearly two-thirds advancing from their previous rankings.
The 2025 QS Asia University Rankings includes a record-breaking 35 Kazakhstani universities, marking a historic achievement for higher education in Kazakhstan.
| Kazakhstan universities in the top 500 of the QS Asia University Rankings 2025 | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | Higher education institution |
| 29 | 29 | Al-Farabi Kazakh National University |
| 65 | 71 | Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilev |
| 89 | 105 | Satbayev University |
| 131 | 146 | Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abay |
| 138 | 144 | Mukhtar Auezov University of South Kazakhstan |
| 149 | 155 | Kazakh National Agrarian Research University |
| 167 | 206 | Karaganda University named after Academician E.A. Buketov |
| 193 | 203 | Khoja Ahmed Yasawi International Kazakh-Turkish University |
| 230 | 261-270 | Kazakhstan-British Technical University |
| 264 | 251-260 | Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University |
| 269 | 301-350 | KIMEP University |
| 281 | 351-400 | Kazakh Agrotechnical University named after Saken Seifullin |
| 288 | 301-350 | East Kazakhstan Technical University named after D. Serikbayev |
| 305 | 351-400 | Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages named after Abylai Khan |
| 345 | 501-550 | Narhoz University |
| 345 | 351-400 | Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov |
| 354 | 291-300 | Almaty Technological University |
| 441-450 | 601-650 | Toraighyrov University |
| 451-460 | 601-650 | Yessenov University |
| 461-470 | 551-600 | Suleyman Demirel University |
| 501-520 | 601-650 | Shakarim University |
| 521-540 | 601-650 | North Kazakhstan University named after Manash Kozybaev |
| 521-540 | 501-550 | West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University named after Zhangir Khan |
| 541-560 | 601-650 | Kyzylorda University named after Korkyt Ata |
| 601-620 | 601-650 | Taraz Regional University named after M.H. Dulati |
| 621-640 | 501-550 | East Kazakhstan University named after Sarsen Amanzholov |
| 641-660 | 601-650 | Aktobe Regional University named after K. Zhubanov |
| 701-750 | 651-700 | Ilyas Zhansugurov Zhetysu University |
| 701-750 | 601-650 | Karaganda Industrial University |
| 701-750 | 651-700 | Pavlodar Pedagogical University |
| 751-800 | 801+ | International University of Information Technology |
| 751-800 | 701-750 | Turan University |
| 801-850 | 801+ | Innovative Eurasian University |
| 801-850 | – | Kazakh National Women’s Pedagogical University |
QS Quacquarelli Symonds Senior Vice President Ben Sauter notes, “Kazakhstan’s strengthening position in the QS Asia University Rankings reflects its commitment to meeting the highest standards in higher education and its growing international recognition. This year’s positive trend is characterized by an improvement in the standings of nearly two-thirds of Kazakhstan’s universities in the ranking and an increase in the number of Kazakhstani universities in the top 100, from two to three. Such impressive results have been achieved due to the high quality of the educational environment, which allows for more personalized approaches in teaching and learning, as well as the continued growth of reputational indicators.”
Twenty-two Kazakhstani universities improved their positions, three universities maintained their positions, and one university—the Kazakh National Women’s Pedagogical University—returned to the ranking after a one-year absence.
Three leading universities in the country are now in the top 100 of the ranking, including the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi and the Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilev, along with Satbayev University, which is now ranked at 89th place.
Kazakhstan is significantly enhancing its reputation indicators: 77 percent of Kazakhstani universities in the ranking improved their scores on Academic Reputation, and 89 percent improved on Employer Reputation.
Sergey Khristolyubov, QS Regional Director, adds, “The number of Kazakhstani universities in the QS Asia University Rankings has increased to 35, setting an all-time record in the country’s higher education history. Notably, compared to last year, the average scores of calculated indicators for Kazakhstani universities in the ranking increased across every methodology metric, indicating systematic efforts to improve the global competitiveness of Kazakhstani universities.”
Khristolyubov continued, “This progress is impacting several key areas. Additionally, for the first time, over 70 percent of publications by Kazakhstani authors are in journals within the first and second quartiles, reflecting the growing influence of scientific research and the effectiveness of publication strategies among educational institutions and scientific organizations in Kazakhstan. A primary opportunity for further advancement lies in engaging faculty and staff in research through tangible and intangible incentives and developing academic writing skills.”
Thus, the reputation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Kazakhstan within international academic and employer communities continues to strengthen. The high quality of the educational environment remains a key competitive advantage for Kazakhstani Higher Education Institutions in the rankings, as evidenced by their strong Faculty-to-Student Ratio scores.
The main opportunity for further progress of Kazakhstani Higher Education Institutions in the rankings involves participating in international scientific collaborations, boosting scientific productivity, and expanding influence on the modern scientific agenda.
