The education system in Kazakhstan based on the principle of continuity and succession of comprehensive educational curricula and educational programs includes the following levels of education:

• Preschool education;
• Primary education;
• Basic secondary education;
• Secondary education (general secondary education, vocational education and training);
• Post-secondary education;
• Higher education;
• Postgraduate education.

Higher Education

Training in degree programs of higher education is carried out in the mode of full-time and (or) external studies.

The main types of organizations of higher and (or) postgraduate education are:

• National research university;
• National organization of higher and (or) postgraduate education;
• Research university;
• University;
• Academy;
• Institute and equated to it organization (conservatory, higher school, higher specialized school).

A student who passes the final academic assessment for the completion of the degree program of higher education is awarded a bachelor's degree or a qualification of specialist's degree.

Specialist's degree is a higher education level aimed at training personnel with the qualification of a specialist in a relevant degree program with the compulsory mastering of at least 300 academic credits/ECTS.

Bachelor’s degree is a higher education level aimed at training personnel with a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate degree program with the required mastering of at least 240 academic credits/ECTS.

Postgraduate Education

Training in postgraduate degree programs is carried out in the mode of full-time studies.

Postgraduate education is accomplished on the levels of master's degree, residency and Ph.D. studies in organizations of higher and (or) postgraduate education, scientific organizations in the main activity profile and field of training.

Training on the master's degree level is performed based on the bachelor’s degree programs in two directions:

• Scientific & Teacher training degree with the compulsory mastering of at least 120 academic credits/ECTS;
• Professionally oriented degree with the compulsory mastering of at least 60-90 academic credits/ECTS.

Training on the Ph.D. degree level is performed based on the master’s degree programs in two directions:

• Scientific & Teacher training degree;
• Professionally oriented degree;

with the compulsory mastering of at least 180 academic credits/ECTS.

Postgraduate medical and pharmaceutical education includes residency, master's and Ph.D. degree programs.

Accreditation

Education institutions are subject to institutional and specialized (degree programme) accreditation in accreditation bodies recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan maintains a register of recognized accreditation bodies, accredited education institutions and educational programs.

The Committee for the Control of Education and Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan coordinates the following issues:

• issuance of licenses and (or) supplements to the license for carrying out educational activities by legal bodies;
• state attestation of education institutions;
• accreditation of bodies of research and (or) scientific and technological profiles;
• apostilization of diplomas, qualifications (originals);
• dissertation councils performance;
• award of Ph.D. degree, the doctor degree in specialization and appointment to academic ranks of the associated professor, professor;
• and others.

Post-secondary educational programs are provided by Colleges and Higher colleges.

Training in post-secondary educational programs is realized according to the list of specialties approved by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Information on the accredited education institutions, as well as HEI catalogue are available on the official website of ENIC-Kazakhstan.

The Bologna Process & Academic Mobility Center of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan provides the public service on Recognition of qualifications issued by foreign education institutions.

The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Ratification of the Lisbon Recognition Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher education in the European Region, dated December 13, 1997, N 202-I.