Satbayev University is the oldest technical university in Kazakhstan, opened in Almaty in 1934 as the Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute. It was renamed Satbayev University in 2017; before that it was Kazakh National Technical University (KazNTU).[1] An aggregator lists it at =351 in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
For foreign students, tuition on a fee basis starts from $4,000 a year and depends on the programme.[3] Foreign citizens are admitted by online interview, without entrance exams or the Unified National Testing (UNT); an English certificate is needed for doctoral and English-taught programmes.[3]
Key facts
| Official name | Satbayev University; formerly Kazakh National Research Technical University named after K.I. Satbayev (KazNRTU) and Kazakh National Technical University (KazNTU)[1] |
| Location | Almaty, Kazakhstan (22 Satbayev Street)[3] |
| Type | Technical research university; the university’s history page names the operator as a non-profit joint-stock company (NPJS)[1] |
| Founded | 1934; first academic year began on 19 September 1934[1] |
| Names | Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute (1934), Kazakh Polytechnic Institute (1960), Kazakh National Technical University (1994), named after K.I. Satbayev (1999), Satbayev University (2017)[1] |
| Students | 7,929 full-time equivalent (THE 2027 data as listed by xuanxiao.org)[2] |
| Programmes | 72 bachelor’s, 68 master’s and 60 PhD educational programmes[4] |
| Institutes | Geology and Oil-Gas Business; Mining and Metallurgy; Automation and Information Technologies; Energy and Mechanical Engineering; Architecture and Civil Engineering; Project Management; Transport Engineering and Logistics; Digital Technologies and AI; Military Institute[4] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =351 (aggregator listing of the 2027 edition)[2] |
| QS Asia 2027 | 89th, down 10 places[5] |
| Tuition, foreign students | From $4,000 per year of study (36 credits for bachelor’s); price depends on the programme[3] |
| Entry for foreign citizens | Online interview; no entrance exams or UNT; 40 % of tuition paid after the contract[3] |
| Official website | satbayev.university |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About Satbayev University
The Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute (KazMMI) opened in Almaty with faculties for mining and non-ferrous metals; the first academic year began on 19 September 1934.[1] In 1960 it became the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute, in 1994 the Kazakh National Technical University, and in 1999 it received the name of the academician Kanysh Satbayev.[1] It gained the category “National Research Technical University” in 2014 and was renamed Satbayev University in 2017.[1]
The university describes itself as the oldest and one of the most prestigious technical universities in Kazakhstan, known for mining and oil, but interdisciplinary, with architecture and management also taught.[6] It is organised in institutes, a transport school and a military institute, and has an address at 22 Satbayev Street in Almaty.[4][3]
How is Satbayev University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026) the aggregator xuanxiao.org lists Satbayev University at =351. We could not confirm this with a university or press source. Wikipedia lists 331 for the 2026 edition.[2][7] In the regional QS Asia 2027 table (3 November 2026) it is 89th, down 10 places.[5]
The aggregator also lists Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 at 1401–1600.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See the Kazakhstan ranking for the other universities in the country.
What can you study at Satbayev University?
The university lists 72 bachelor’s, 68 master’s and 60 PhD educational programmes.[4] They are grouped in these units:[4]
- Geology and Oil-Gas Business Institute named after K. Turyssov
- Mining and Metallurgical Institute named after O. 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
The admissions guide for foreigners lists programme groups such as engineering systems and networks, project management and business administration, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).[3]
How much does Satbayev University cost for foreign students?
Foreigners can study only on a fee basis. Tuition is calculated per year of study (36 credits for a bachelor’s programme) and starts from $4,000. The price depends on the educational programme and may change, so the university asks you to confirm it with the Admissions Committee.[3] The page gives no academic year for this figure.
After the interview you receive an invitation letter and a tuition agreement, and you pay 40 % of the tuition according to the agreement before the start of studies.[3] On arrival you must show a bank certificate of solvency of at least $5,000 and take out medical insurance for one year.[3]
Grants and scholarships
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan provides grants for foreign students, including ethnic Kazakhs who are not citizens of the republic. The programme gives free tuition and a monthly scholarship depending on academic success.[3] The “Study in Kazakhstan” project of the same ministry offers a platform of Kazakh universities and study scholarships.[8] The university states that discounts and other programmes are listed in a “Discounts” section, which we could not read.[3]
How do you apply to Satbayev University as a foreigner?
Admission is remote and face-to-face. You choose a programme, scan your documents and submit a preliminary application in the electronic admissions office (kb.satbayev.university) with a passport copy and your education document with supplement. You then get an online interview with the department, the Admissions Committee and the International Office; an official decision follows on the day of the interview.[3]
After the decision you receive an invitation letter and tuition agreement, pay 40 % of tuition, receive visa support and an enrolment order, and obtain a C9 student visa at a Kazakh consulate. CIS citizens receive temporary registration on arrival. You arrive with the original documents, with notarised translations into Kazakh or Russian made in Kazakhstan.[3] No entrance exams or UNT certificate are needed; foreign citizens enter on the basis of an interview.[3] Doctoral applicants also provide a list of publications for the last three years, a research plan and an essay or recommendation.[3] We give no deadlines here because they change every year.
Which language level do you need?
An English certificate is required for doctoral programmes and for programmes taught in English. Accepted minimums are IELTS Academic 5.0, TOEFL iBT 35, TOEFL ITP 417, TOEIC 550 or Duolingo English Test 80.[3] The guide does not say which programmes are taught in English, and we found no statement on the Kazakh and Russian levels required for programmes taught in those languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Satbayev University the same as KazNTU?
Yes. It was Kazakh National Technical University from 1994, named after K.I. Satbayev from 1999, and renamed Satbayev University in 2017.[1]
How much does Satbayev University cost for foreign students?
Tuition starts from $4,000 per year of study and depends on the programme; 40 % is paid after the contract.[3]
How is Satbayev University ranked?
Do foreign students take an entrance exam at Satbayev University?
No. Foreign citizens enter without entrance exams or UNT, on the basis of an online interview.[3]
Are there grants for foreign students?
The Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education provides grants for foreign students with free tuition and a monthly scholarship.[3]
More about studying in Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Kazakhstan
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
- L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
- Kazakh-British Technical University
- Nazarbayev University
Sources
[1] Satbayev University: History of university (page without a date)
[2] xuanxiao.org: Satbayev University (ranking aggregator) (QS World 2027 edition =351, THE 2027, students (FTE); aggregator, page without a date)
[3] Satbayev University: For foreign entrants (page without a date; fees, documents and interview procedure)
[4] Satbayev University: Home page (page without a date; programme counts and institutes)
[5] The Astana Times: Kazakhstan Retains Central Asia’s Top University Rankings as Nazarbayev University Climbs 62 Places (article of 3 Nov 2026 on QS Asia 2027)
[6] Satbayev University: About the university (page without a date)
[7] Wikipedia: Satbayev University (QS 2026 position (secondary source))
[8] Satbayev University: Study in Kazakhstan programme for international students (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.