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An English-medium, affordable MBBS at Kazakhstan's oldest and leading medical university, founded in 1930 in Almaty. Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, with direct flights from India and a large Indian student community.
5000+ Students trust us
Kazakhstan
Country
Almaty
City
6 Years
Course duration (integrated track)
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
The 'Concordia' building of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University in Almaty
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Recognition & Prestige
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University is Kazakhstan's oldest and leading medical university and appears in the QS World University Rankings, though in a modest global band. Its strength for international students is recognition and affordability: it is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and its graduates are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification for the United States.
QS #1001–1200
QS World University Rankings 2026 (QS Asia around #371)
WDOMS
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (FAIMER ID F0001779)
ECFMG
Graduates eligible to apply for ECFMG certification (USA)
English
English-medium General Medicine for international students
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University is a national medical university under Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and Kazakhstan's oldest medical university. It is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (FAIMER ID F0001779) — a listing, not WHO approval — and its graduates are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification for the United States. Indian students can qualify to practise in India through the National Medical Commission screening/exit examination (FMGE, transitioning to NExT), subject to meeting the NMC's conditions.
Complete Information About Kazakh National Medical University
Get complete information about studying MBBS at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, including fees, the admission process and recognition for Indian students.
Success stories
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Academic Excellence
KazNMU offers an affordable, English-medium medical education at Kazakhstan's oldest and leading medical university, in a safe mountain city with a large Indian community and direct flights from India.
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.
How to Apply
Admission to KazNMU for Indian students is direct and NEET-based: it is decided on Class 12 (PCB) marks together with a qualifying NEET-UG score, with no separate entrance examination like the UCAT and no IELTS requirement for the English-medium programme. NEET is mandatory both to study MBBS abroad and to practise in India afterwards, and an NMC Eligibility Certificate is now expected before departure.
Applicants must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and English, and must have a qualifying NEET-UG score, which is mandatory for any Indian student studying MBBS abroad.
Confirm with the university that the offered programme is the integrated General Medicine (Physician) track that meets the NMC's duration and same-institution internship conditions, and get this in writing in the admission letter.
Applicants apply to the university or its authorised representatives with academic documents and passport; there is no separate university entrance exam for the English track.
Eligible students receive an admission letter, and Indian students obtain the NMC Eligibility Certificate now expected before starting an MBBS abroad.
Students apply for the Kazakhstan student visa with the admission letter and supporting documents, and arrange travel to Almaty.
Students enrol at the start of the academic year, typically in September, and complete arrival formalities and a medical check.
Applicants must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. The general requirement is a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology taken together (with the standard relaxation to 40% for SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories), in line with the National Medical Commission's eligibility norms for studying MBBS abroad.
Subjects:
Applicants must have completed, or will complete, 17 years of age on or before 31 December of the year of admission, in line with the National Medical Commission's rules for MBBS.
Indian applicants need Class 12 with PCB, a qualifying NEET-UG score, an NMC Eligibility Certificate, a valid passport and the supporting documents for admission and the student visa. There is no separate university entrance test for the English-medium programme, and no IELTS is generally required.
NEET & Class 12
A qualifying NEET-UG score and Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology are the core academic requirements for admission and for later Indian licensing.
Confirm the Track
Because Kazakhstan has 5, 6 and 7-year medical tracks, confirm in writing that your programme meets the NMC's duration and same-institution internship conditions before enrolling.
There is no university entrance examination like the UCAT for the international programme; for Indian students the operative requirement is NEET-UG plus Class 12 marks.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application route | Direct application to the university or its authorised representatives |
| Admissions test | No UCAT/IELTS; qualifying NEET-UG score required for Indian students |
| Academic requirement | Class 12 with PCB and English; minimum 50% in PCB (40% for reserved categories) |
| Intake | September each year |
| India-side requirement | NEET-UG qualification and NMC Eligibility Certificate, for later FMGE/NExT licensing in India |
Indian applicants typically provide the following documents for admission and the student visa:
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Program Structure
Kazakhstan reformed its medical education, so KazNMU offers General Medicine in several tracks. The integrated six-year Physician (General Medicine) track, taught in English, is the one Indian students should aim for, moving from basic sciences to clinical study and internship, and it should meet the NMC's duration and same-institution conditions.
Total Duration:
6 Years (integrated Physician track; a 5-year Bachelor and a 7-year track also exist)
Degree:
Physician (General Medicine) — the MBBS-equivalent Kazakh medical qualification
Years 1–2
The pre-clinical foundation years, taught in English, covering the core basic medical sciences with laboratory and early clinical-skills work, and Russian language alongside for the clinical years:
Years 3–4
The para-clinical and early clinical years, introducing disease mechanisms and clinical subjects with training in the university clinics and Almaty hospitals:
Year 5
Senior clinical study across the major specialties, with increasing hands-on hospital training under supervision:
Year 6
A final internship year of supervised clinical practice completing the integrated Physician programme; for FMGL-2021 this internship should be completed at the same institution.
Clinical training takes place in KazNMU's own university clinics and Almaty hospitals, followed by the internship year. For Indian students, a further internship in India is required for Indian registration (see the FMGE & NExT section). An indicative pattern is:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Years 3–5 | Clinical training in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry and the specialties in the university clinics and Almaty hospitals |
| Year 6 | A rotational clinical internship completing the integrated Physician qualification (ideally at the same institution, for FMGL-2021) |
| Back in India | Indian graduates clear the FMGE/NExT and complete the required internship in India before registering with the NMC or a State Medical Council |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Legacy
From its namesake and first rector to modern Kazakh scientists, KazNMU has shaped medicine in Kazakhstan for nearly a century. The figures below have a documented connection to the university.
Sanzhar Asfendiyarov (1889–1938) was a prominent Kazakh statesman, historian and physician and one of the founders and the first rector of the institute that became Kazakh National Medical University. The university carries his name in recognition of his role in building higher education and medicine in Kazakhstan; he is its namesake and founding figure.
Professor Almaz Sharman is a Kazakh biomedical scientist and public-health figure associated with Kazakh medicine and with KazNMU, known for his work in medical science and health promotion in Kazakhstan.
Rather than a long list of celebrity graduates, the university's story is its role since 1930 as Kazakhstan's principal training ground for doctors, having educated a large share of the country's physicians.
Teaching is delivered by the university's schools and departments and its own university clinics, with clinical training in Almaty's hospitals. The university is led by its Rector, Professor Marat Shoranov.
Kazakhstan's oldest medical university (since 1930)
The university's own teaching clinics
English-medium teaching for international students
A large international student community
Support for a large international student community
Hostel and arrival assistance
Clinical supervision in university clinics and hospitals
Guidance for Indian students on FMGE/NExT
About University
The historic building of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University with its Kazakh-language pediment
Get all information about Kazakh National Medical University in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Kazakh National Medical University.
Role in medicine
The arched entrance gate of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University in Almaty
Get all information about Kazakh National Medical University in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Kazakh National Medical University.
Cost of living
Almaty is an affordable city by international standards, though a little more than the smaller Central Asian cities. Here is an approximate monthly breakdown for a student (this is separate from tuition).
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount (per month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (hostel) | ₹5,200 – ₹10,000 (US$60 – US$120) |
| Food & Groceries | ₹7,700 – ₹13,000 (US$90 – US$150) |
| Transport & Personal | ₹2,200 – ₹4,300 (US$25 – US$50) |
| Winter Clothing & Utilities | ₹3,000 – ₹6,900 (US$35 – US$80) |
Average monthly living cost (excluding tuition)
₹18,000 – ₹34,000 (US$210 – US$400)
Housing
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University offers hostel accommodation for its international students in Almaty, and there are also private rental options, all at a moderate cost by Indian standards.
The university provides hostel accommodation for international students, giving new arrivals a secure, supervised place to live in Almaty at a moderate annual cost.
Hostel rooms are furnished and heated, important in Almaty's cold winters, usually on a shared basis within a supported student environment.
Accommodation in Almaty is affordable by international standards, though a little more than in smaller Central Asian cities.
With a large Indian student community in Almaty, hostels and nearby areas offer a familiar, supportive environment for students from India.
Hostels and nearby messes cater to Indian students with Indian and vegetarian food, and Indian grocery items are available in the city.
Students who prefer more independence can rent private apartments or shared flats near the campus, still at a moderate cost.
Accommodation is in Almaty, a safe, green, modern city at the foot of the mountains, with good public transport.
The university and student representatives help international students with airport pickup, arrival formalities and settling into accommodation.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
Almaty has a large Indian student community, so Indian and vegetarian food is available, alongside affordable local Kazakh and Central Asian cuisine.
Hostels and nearby messes serve Indian food, including vegetarian meals, so Indian students can eat familiar home-style food throughout their studies.
Location
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, 94 Tole Bi Street, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Nearest Airport
Almaty International Airport (ALA), with direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai (around 3.5 hours) on Air Astana and IndiGo; Kazakhstan is only 30 minutes behind Indian time
Local Transport
Almaty has a metro, buses, trolleybuses and taxis, so students can travel around the city and to the university clinics and hospitals easily and affordably
Your Roadmap to Success
The Physician (General Medicine) degree from Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, opening licensing pathways in India, the United States and other countries.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
An Indian graduate of Kazakh National Medical University who wants to practise in India follows the licensing pathway set by the National Medical Commission (NMC): qualifying NEET before starting, completing a course and internship that meet the NMC's conditions, clearing the NMC screening examination (currently the FMGE, transitioning to the NExT), completing the required internship in India and registering with the medical council. The NMC does not 'approve' individual foreign universities; it sets conditions the student and course must meet, and the Kazakh degree-structure choice is central to meeting them.
Step 1
Under NMC rules, an Indian student must have qualified NEET-UG before beginning the course abroad to be eligible later for Indian licensing. NEET is mandatory both to study MBBS abroad and to sit the FMGE/NExT, and an NMC Eligibility Certificate is now expected.
Step 2
The Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021 require the course and internship together to meet the NMC's minimum duration (about 54 months of study plus a 12-month internship), completed in the SAME institution, taught in English, with a degree that entitles the holder to practise in Kazakhstan. This is exactly why the choice between the 5-year Bachelor and the integrated 6-year Physician track matters — confirm your track meets these conditions in writing.
Step 3
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination for foreign medical graduates, currently the FMGE, which India is replacing with the National Exit Test (NExT), then complete the required internship in India and register with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council.
Student Life Style
Being a medical student in Almaty is a mix of demanding study and life in a safe, green mountain city with a large Indian student community.
The Kaindy sunken-forest lake in the mountains of Kazakhstan
Fees & Financial
The main financial attraction of Kazakh National Medical University is its affordability and English-medium teaching. Tuition and living costs are well below private medical colleges in India or Western medical schools, so realistic planning is mostly about budgeting the whole affordable package.
International students pay tuition from about US$4,200 per year (agent figures range to about US$6,000), with moderate Almaty living costs on top, so the whole course comes to roughly ₹30–50 lakh depending on the track length and lifestyle, a fraction of the cost of a private MBBS in India or a UK medical degree.
Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University.
4.3
150 reviews
Compare
Compare Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
Kazakh National Medical University vs AIIMS New Delhi
| University | Kazakh National Medical UniversityAlmaty, Kazakhstan | AIIMS New DelhiNew Delhi, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Public (national) medical university | Government institute of national importance |
| Medium | English (some Russian for clinical years) | English |
| Course Duration | 6 years (integrated Physician / MBBS-equivalent) | 5.5 years including internship (MBBS) |
| Tuition (per year) | From ~US$4,200 (~₹3.6 lakh) | Nominal (a few thousand rupees per year) |
| Admission | NEET-qualified + Class 12 (PCB); direct admission | NEET-UG (extremely high rank) |
| Recognition | WDOMS-listed (F0001779); ECFMG-eligible; NMC-eligible via FMGE/NExT | NMC-recognised |
| World Ranking | QS #1001–1200 (Kazakhstan's leading medical university) | India's top-ranked medical institute (NIRF #1) |
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Our blog
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FAQ
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about studying MBBS at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University.
Campus photographs supplied by the client. Kazakhstan scenery images courtesy of Unsplash: the Almaty skyline and Big Almaty Lake — photos by Akmaral Khudaikulova and Polina Skaia; the Kaindy sunken-forest lake — photo by Anatolii Shcherbyna; Kolsai Lake (social preview image) — Unsplash contributor. The scenery images are genuine Kazakhstan / Almaty-area views used as local context, not campus buildings.
