Loading page...
Best student cities
Where you study shapes your budget, climate, social life and which universities you can attend. Here's Almaty vs Astana — and the strong regional options beyond them.
Official platform of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest city and its historic academic heart. It has the widest choice of universities, the most developed student scene, a milder climate than the capital, and a dramatic mountain backdrop popular for weekend hiking and skiing. If you want the richest student social life and the broadest programme options, Almaty is usually the default choice.
Good for: the widest university choice, cultural life, milder weather, an established international-student community.
Astana, the capital, is newer, planned and fast-growing, with striking modern architecture and major national institutions — including Nazarbayev University. It's a hub for government, business and research, and tends to feel more corporate and orderly than Almaty. Winters are notably colder.
Good for: modern facilities, flagship institutions, research and government / business links.
| Almaty | Astana | |
|---|---|---|
| Character | Cultural, lively, established | Modern, planned, corporate |
| University choice | Widest | Flagship institutions |
| Climate | Milder | Colder winters |
| Best for | Social life + choice | Modern facilities + research |
Beyond the two big centres, several regional cities host well-regarded universities — often with lower living costs and strong programmes in specific fields such as medicine or engineering. For budget-conscious students, a regional city can sit well below the national cost range. Browse universities by city in the directory, and see our detailed cities of Kazakhstan guide.
City choice is one of the biggest levers on your monthly spend — a regional city can sit well below the ~$300–$600/month national range, while central Almaty or Astana flats push toward the top. See the full cost of studying guide for detailed budgets, and remember the university dormitory is the cheapest option in any city.
Compare universities by city, then apply through the official student portal.
Keep exploring