How to get into Satbayev University for IT in 2026

One of the oldest and most prestigious technical universities in Kazakhstan, known for its developments in mining and oil industries. For over 80 years, this university has been synonymous with technical progress and leadership in Kazakhstan. Although technical specialties dominate Satbayev University's profile, it is a multidisciplinary university where students can also study architecture and management.

Satbayev University was the first university in Kazakhstan to receive the Institutional Evaluation (IEP) from the European Association of Universities in 2011 and reaffirmed it in 2014.

Bachelor's Programs:

In 2026, the Kazakh National Research Technical University named after K. I. Satpayev offers programs in the field of information technology.

Educational programs:
— Computer Science
— «Mathematical and Computer Modeling»
— «Information Systems»
— «Information Security».

Tuition fees:
— Computer Science: 1,278,060 tenge
— «Mathematical and Computer Modeling»: 1,222,560 tenge
— «Information Systems»: 1,278,060 tenge
— «Information Security»: 1,278,060 tenge.

More than 2,000 grants are awarded annually.
The minimum entrance score for the Unified National Testing (UNT) is 80 points.

When applying to the admissions office, the following documents are required:

— Application for enrollment
— Original educational document
— Copy of identity document
— Two 3 x 4 cm photographs
— Medical certificate form 075-u + fluorography
— Vaccination card No. 063
— Electronic UNT certificate
— Electronic certificate of educational grant award
— Military registration information from egov.kz for males born in 2006 or later
— Copy of military ID + military registration information for those who have completed military service.

Faculty

The faculty holds higher education in IT or related fields such as computer science, software engineering, and cybersecurity. They are distinguished not only by theoretical knowledge but also by practical industry experience.

Faculty selection is based on professional achievements, education, certifications, and teaching experience. The university attracts specialists who actively monitor trends in the IT sector, participate in professional communities, and impart not only basic knowledge but also practical skills to students.

Faculty members are engaged in research, industry collaboration, and project participation, which helps integrate the academic curriculum with the requirements of the modern IT sector.

Student Opportunities

The university provides students with a wide range of opportunities for development and successful careers in IT.

The university ensures access to modern laboratories, equipment, and software. The educational process is oriented toward industrial standards and practices of leading computer science schools, combining theoretical training with laboratory courses, project work, and industry interaction.
An important part of the educational program is lectures and masterclasses by leading industry specialists, giving students the opportunity to learn about real projects and current trends in the global IT world.

A significant part of the university's IT ecosystem involves student participation in hackathons and applied projects.

In 2025, the Satbayev University team took second place at HackNU 2025 with the Aitys.ai project in the machine learning track, and the FinTech team became a prize winner at the Halyk OIY Student Hackathon 2025, presenting an AI solution in the field of financial literacy. These results demonstrate that knowledge gained in classrooms translates into real technological products.

Internships

A modern tool called the «Digital Map of Practice Bases» has been developed for Satbayev University, facilitating the organization and monitoring of students' practical training.

This system has been implemented to optimize the management of internships and practical training.
The university assists in organizing a dual study system for graduating and third-year students.

This approach provides not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills, making graduates more attractive to employers. Students with work experience during their studies gain a competitive advantage in the labor market.

Academic Mobility and Double Degrees

Every semester, the university sends students on academic mobility programs under Erasmus+ and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, funded by the university or the student themselves.

Requirements for participation:
— High average GPA, minimum 2.67
— English language proficiency certificate: IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test
— Transcript and resume in English and Russian
— Certificates and awards.

Partner universities for academic exchange:
— Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania
— Częstochowa University of Technology, Poland
— Silesian University of Technology, Poland
— Middle East Technical University, Turkey
— Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
— Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea
— Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia.

International and double-degree programs play a significant role in preparation.

Since 2024, joint education programs with City University of Hong Kong have been launched, including in Computer Science. Cooperation with Hof University of Applied Sciences is also developing. The university is also expanding international educational formats with partner universities in South Korea, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Belgium.

This gives students the opportunity to participate in academic mobility, study in an English-speaking environment, and gain international experience.

The educational process focuses on integrating fundamental training with modern technological directions, including programming, information system development, and data work. The educational model includes laboratory courses, project work, and industry interaction.

Student Life

The university has four student dormitories and a Young Scientists' House for master's and doctoral students. 

Dormitories are equipped with necessary furniture, the ability to set up a computer, and internet access. Applications for accommodation are submitted through the electronic Dormitory platform, which reduces corruption risks and automates the process.

Student life is enriched with clubs and communities: Satbayev Scout Club, ENACTUS, debate clubs, KVN, robotics and competitive programming clubs, and many others.

Employment

The university actively collaborates with leading IT companies and financial organizations: «Halyk Bank», 1C, Huawei, «Kazakhtelecom», «TsentrKredit» Bank, «Orion Sistema», and «Otbasy Bank». This collaboration provides students with opportunities for internships, project work, and knowledge exchange.

The Career Center helps students successfully start their careers: it conducts job fairs, seminars, and training on job searching, resume writing, and interview preparation, as well as individual consultations. 

There are also Telegram and Instagram channels where announcements about events and job vacancies from employers are published.

The competitiveness of IT programs is confirmed by ranking results. In the national rating of educational programs «Atameken», the «Information Systems» program holds high positions. In the international QS World University Rankings for Computer Science & Information Systems, the university is ranked in the 501-550 range.