Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Almaty, Kazakhstan • Founded 1934 • World Rank #2717
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1934, the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Almaty (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KNU) is a large-sized coeducational Kazakhstani higher education institution. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KNU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. KNU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Location pin, postal address, phone, email, website, and social profiles for Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Always verify channels through the official domain to avoid third-party impersonators.
Academic Details
A quick read on Al-Farabi Kazakh National University's academic vitals — enrolment counts, faculty makeup, and recognition status. The combination determines class sizes, faculty access, and credential portability.
Academic Structures
The internal academic structure of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University — by faculty, school, and unit. Research-only units exist alongside teaching units; their function and student involvement differ.
Unit 14 items
- Faculty of Biology
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Eastern Studies
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Geography
- Faculty of History
- Faculty of International Relations
- Faculty of Journalism
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics
- Faculty of Philology
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Political Science and Philosophy
- Preparatory Faculty for Foreign Students
Degrees
Find the degree level matching your study stage at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Bologna-process cycles (1st/2nd/3rd) map roughly to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral but with country-specific variations.
Doctoral 10 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Environmental Studies
- Information Sciences
- Law
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Natural Sciences
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
- Sports
Other 32 programs
- Agriculture
- Arts and Humanities
- Biomedicine
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Earth Sciences
- Ecology
- Economics
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Epidemiology
- Law
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Modern Languages
- Museum Management
- Museum Studies
- Natural Sciences
- Oriental Studies
- Paediatrics
- Pedagogy
- Pharmacy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Sports
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Biology and Biotechnology (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Biomedicine
- Biophysics
- Biotechnology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Common Career Paths
- Biologist
- Lab Technician
- Research Scientist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Chemistry and Chemical Technology (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Analytical Chemistry
- Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
Common Career Paths
- Chemist
- Lab Researcher
- Quality Control Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Geography and Environmental Management (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ecology
- Geography
- Geography (Human)
- Meteorology
- Surveying and Mapping
- Tourism
- Water Science
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
History, Archaeology, and Ethnology (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ancient Civilizations
- Archaeology
- Contemporary History
- Ethnology
- History
- Medieval Studies
- Modern History
- Museum Studies
International Relations (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- International Law
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Regional Studies
Journalism (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Journalism
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Editor
- News Producer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Fiscal Law
- Law
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Mechanical Mathematics (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mechanics
Common Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Actuary
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine and Health Care (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biomedicine
- Dentistry
- Epidemiology
- Medicine
- Paediatrics
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Sports
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Oriental Studies (Faculty) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arabic
- Chinese
- East Asian Studies
- Hindi
- Japanese
- Korean
- Modern Languages
- Persian
- Philology
- Regional Studies
- Translation and Interpretation
- Turkish
- Urdu
Philology, Literature, and World Languages (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Native Language
- Philology
- Russian
- Translation and Interpretation
Common Career Paths
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Language Teacher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy and Political Science (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Educational Administration
- Pedagogy
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Religion
- Social Work
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Physics (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Physics
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Materials Engineering
- Measurement and Precision Engineering
- Nuclear Physics
- Physics
- Thermal Physics
Common Career Paths
- Physicist
- Research Scientist
- Data Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics and Business (School) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Finance
- Law
- Management
- Marketing
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University's programme catalogue is grouped by level below — use the filter to narrow your shortlist. Programme entry windows and admissions criteria typically appear on each programme's dedicated page.
509 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Kazakhstan
Bachelor's Degree 139 programmes
Showing 10 of 139.
Master's Degree 227 programmes
Showing 10 of 227.
Doctorate 121 programmes
Showing 10 of 121.
Higher Diploma 22 programmes
Showing 10 of 22.
How to apply to Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
What applying to Al-Farabi Kazakh National University typically involves — research, eligibility check, document prep, submission, and follow-up.
-
1
Research programmes at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University offers 509 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
-
2
Review admissions criteria
Each programme at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
-
3
Gather supporting documents
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
-
4
Lodge your application
Apply directly via Al-Farabi Kazakh National University's online portal at www.kaznu.kz. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
-
5
Confirm receipt and track progress
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +7 (727) 247 16 71. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
The questions below summarise Al-Farabi Kazakh National University's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.
When was Al-Farabi Kazakh National University founded?
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was established in 1934 (approximately 92 years ago).
Where can I find Al-Farabi Kazakh National University?
The institution is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
What is Al-Farabi Kazakh National University's control type?
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is a public institution.
How many students does Al-Farabi Kazakh National University have?
The institution has a student body of 20,000-24,999.
How is Al-Farabi Kazakh National University ranked?
It ranks #2717 globally and #2 in Kazakhstan.
What qualification levels does Al-Farabi Kazakh National University offer?
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University offers doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does Al-Farabi Kazakh National University have?
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University has 14 academic units.
Who recognises Al-Farabi Kazakh National University?
Yes, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is recognised by Ministry of Education and Science.
How do I find Al-Farabi Kazakh National University online?
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University's official website is www.kaznu.kz.
Faculties at nearby universities
If you're weighing Al-Farabi Kazakh National University against other institutions in the area, these neighbouring universities offer overlapping faculties and similar admissions cycles. They are useful for shortlisting based on travel distance or campus environment.
Where Else to Study Linguistics & Language Studies
Programme-level scholarships for Linguistics & Language Studies students vary substantially across Kazakhstan institutions. Often the less-marketed scholarships are the easiest to secure for qualified applicants.
Universities Compared with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Admissions advisor commonalities exist within peer tiers — advisors recommending Al-Farabi Kazakh National University often recommend the universities below alongside it as natural cross-applications.
Studying in Kazakhstan: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
