All Levels
Free tuition + stipend
Satbayev University
Almaty, Kazakhstan
"Kazakhstan's leading technical university for mining, petroleum and engineering"
At a Glance
Accept Rate
—
Avg Salary/Yr
—
Ranking
#331 (QS)
PSW VISA
N/A
About Satbayev University
Satbayev University (Kazakh National Research Technical University named after K. I. Satpayev) was founded in 1934 in Almaty as the Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute. It is named after Kanysh Satbayev, the geologist who was the first president of the Kazakh Academy of Sciences. The university has about 10 institutes focused on geology, mining, oil and gas, metallurgy, energy, IT, architecture and construction. Several programmes, including petroleum and drilling engineering, are accredited by ASIIN (Germany), and its petroleum master's offers a double diploma with the University of Lorraine. Kazakhstan has no post-study work visa; graduates who want to stay need an employer-arranged work permit.
Rankings & Recognition
#331
Ranked #331 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (=351 in QS 2027) and #79 in QS Asia.
Accreditations & Memberships
ASIIN-accredited programmes
Double diploma: University of Lorraine
Kazakhstan Government grant university
QS 2026 Performance Breakdown
Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with Satbayev University's global standing for that metric.
Academic Reputation
40.6#
Employer Reputation
58.8#
Faculty / Student
94.2#
Citations / Faculty
1.7#
Intl. Faculty
89.2#
Intl. Students
53.7#
Intl. Research Network
25.7#
Employment Outcomes
33.0#
Sustainability
48.7#
#
Key Facts
1934
Founded
9,591
Total Students
2,905
International Students
1,823
Faculty
#331
QS World 2026
Popular Programs
Petroleum Engineering
Mining and Geology
Metallurgy
Software Engineering
Automation and Robotics
Architecture and Construction
Application Details
Application Route
Online at kb.satbayev.university
Selection
Online interview, no exams
Offer + Contract
Within 1 week of interview
Deposit
40% of tuition before visa
Standardized Test Requirements
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
IELTS Academic (English / PhD)
|
5.0 |
|
TOEFL iBT
|
35 |
|
TOEFL ITP
|
417 |
|
TOEIC
|
550 |
|
Duolingo English Test
|
80 |
|
IELTS / TOEFL (master's, QS)
|
6.0 / 60 |
Study Abroad & Visa Details
Visa Approval Rate
95%
I-20 Processing
Student visa + migration registration
Post-Study Work
N/A
Green Card Pathway
Work permit (employer)
Financials
Application Fee
N/A
Avg Scholarship
Full tuition (grant)
Career Outcomes
33%
Placement Ratio
N/A
Post-Study Work
Where Graduates Land
Faculty & Alumni
Faculty — 1,823
International Staff — 44%
—
Notable Alumni
Campus & Location
Satbayev University's main campus is on Satbayev Street in central Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city. Most international students live in university dormitories next to the campus, and the university also runs study locations in Astana.
Campus Details
5
study locations in Almaty & Astana
9.5k
students
1.8k+
faculty members
1934
founded
Oldest
technical university in Kazakhstan
Dormitories
next to campus
Campus Forecast
Warmest (Jul): 19 to 31 C
Coldest (Jan): -8 to 1 C
Climate: Humid continental
Student Life & Housing
Housing
Housing: Dormitory next to campus
Dining
Living costs: about US$8
150 / year
Health & Wellness
Health insurance: Required for students
Activities & Clubs
Student clubs
Sports
Research labs
Diversity & Demographics
Total Students
9,591
Undergraduate
86.5%
Postgraduate
13.5%
International Students
2,905
Cost Deep-Dive
Foreign students (36 credits)
From US$4,000 / year
Petroleum / Drilling Eng. (BEng)
KZT 1,600,000 / year
Petroleum Engineering (master's)
KZT 1,700,000 / year
Master's (range)
approx. KZT 2.0-2.3M / year
Living costs
about US$8,150 / year
C9 student visa fee
30 MCI
Intakes & Deadlines
Satbayev University admits foreign students for the September start without entrance exams or the UNT. Applicants apply online, are interviewed within a week, receive a contract, pay 40% of tuition and then get visa support within three weeks; they must arrive at least a week before classes. Government grant applications for foreign citizens usually open in spring. Kazakhstan has no post-study work visa; graduates who want to stay need an employer-arranged work permit.
Scholarships at Satbayev University
1 scholarship available
These are general eligibility guidelines. Always confirm exact requirements with the university's admissions office or your Sukhada counsellor.
Academic Requirements
Undergraduate
Secondary certificate + interview; IELTS 5.0 / TOEFL 35 / Duolingo 80
Postgraduate
Relevant bachelor's + interview; IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 60 (QS)
English Proficiency
IELTS Academic (English / PhD)
TOEFL iBT
TOEFL ITP
TOEIC
Duolingo English Test
IELTS / TOEFL (master's, QS)
Required Documents
Passport copy with notarised Kazakh/Russian translation
Education certificate and transcript
Notarised translation of education documents
English or Russian/Kazakh language certificate
Medical certificate 075-u and HIV test
Health insurance (1 year)
Passport-size photos (3x4)
Bank statement (min. US$5,000)
Application Process
1
Choose programme
Check the programme page for entry, language and document requirements.
2
Apply
Submit the application and documents through the online form at kb.satbayev.university.
3
Interview and offer
Attend the admission interview; the decision is given the same day.
4
Receive invitation letter
The university issues an invitation letter and study contract for the visa.
5
Get C9 student visa
Apply for a C9 student visa at a Kazakh embassy or consulate if your country needs one.
6
Arrive and register
Register with the migration police within days of arrival, then enrol and nostrify your diploma.
Campus & Location
Satbayev University's main campus is on Satbayev Street in central Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city. Most international students live in university dormitories next to the campus, and the university also runs study locations in Astana.
Bachelor's
2
Satbayev University
📍 Almaty
Bachelor's
Petroleum Engineering
Satbayev University
📍 Almaty
Bachelor's
Drilling Engineering
Master's
3
Satbayev University
📍 Almaty
Satbayev University
📍 Almaty
Master's
Software Engineering
Satbayev University
📍 Almaty
Master's
Executive MBA
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