Advisory for Indian Students studying or willing to study MBBS in Kazakhstan

By: Career Marg Team | on October 7, 2022

Advisory for Indian Students studying/willing to study in Kazakhstan

Registration:  Approximately 5000 Indian students are currently enrolled in various medical institutions in Kazakhstan.  Medical universities of Kazakhstan follows NMC’s guidelines which were published in the Gazette of November 2021 i.e. 5 year’s study and 1 year’s internship.  However, aspirant students from India are advised to re-verify this from the particular university chosen by them to pursue their studies.   They should also verify that the university selected for study is also registered with WHO.  Students should mentally be prepared to learn Kazakh or Russian language which will be required during their 1 years internship period. 

After completing their education, Indian students are eligible to appear in the examination conducted in three languages (Kazakh, Russian & English) by the National Centre of Independent Testing for getting a license to practice as a doctor in Kazakhstan like other Kazakh students. Practicing/working in Kazakhstan is subject to the labor and immigration laws of Kazakhstan.  

If students plan to go for USMLE or PLAB etc. after finishing their studies in Kazakhstan, they are advised to check the requirements of the respective country for USMLE or PLAB, etc. where they intend to go for higher studies.  Also, students must ensure that the Kazakh medical university fulfills the requirements needed for USFMG, USMLE, or PLAB, etc. in respect of the country chosen by them for their future studies. 

(i) Mandatory to Qualify NEET to Pursue Foreign Medical Course: According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI, it is mandatory to qualify National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to pursue a medical course in a foreign country. Thus, Indian Citizens intending to obtain a primary medical qualification from any medical institution outside India, on or after May 2018, shall have to qualify the NEET for admission to MBBS course abroad.  The result of NEET shall be deemed to be treated as the Eligibility Certificate for such persons, provided that such persons fulfill the eligibility criteria for admission to the MBBS course prescribed in the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997. 

(ii) Admission Process in Kazakhstan medical institutions: Medical institutions have appointed ‘contractors’ for recruiting students and insist on using this channel for admission. The universities prefer to work through the ‘contractors’ for the provision of hostel facilities, the general welfare of the students, and even collecting fee. This is ostensibly for the convenience of students, who are new to the environment and do not speak the local language. These ‘contractors’ have their sub-agents in India. In many cases, senior Indian students themselves function as contractors and agents.

(iii) Reliability of ‘contractors’ as a source of information and facilitation: Contractors can make false promises and give false/misleading information. It is, therefore, in the interest of prospective students to do inquiries from the medical institutions directly about the courses/facilities available.

(iv) English Medium: Medical colleges in Kazakhstan have a separate department that teaches foreign students in English medium.  Medical Universities in Kazakhstan use simulators, and mannequins for conducting practical training.

(v) Payment of Fee: While ‘contractors’ collect the fee from students, it is advisable to pay the fee directly to the University. Where the fee is paid through the ‘contractor’, students must insist, as and when the fee is paid, for a proper receipt issued by the university to ensure that their fee has been deposited with the university.

(vi) Hostel facilities

Students must check in advance if the hostel facilities are available or not at the university. Recently, many Indian students pursuing medicine at the Kazakh National Medical University in Almaty have been denied hostel facilities by the university and asked to look for alternate accommodations on their own. This has put the affected students under severe hardship. 

Contact details :

I. Contact details of the officer in the Embassy/Consulate handling student-related matters.

Shri Vijay Singh, Second Secretary (Edu)&HOC
Email: hoc.astana@mea.gov.in
Telephone : +7 7172 925700

IV. Travel Advisory

Indian students are required to get themselves registered with local migration police within five calendar days of their first arrival in the country, every time they visit Kazakhstan. It may be noted that even if the registration is delayed by one day, the immigration authorities may detain or penalize the Indian student.

Currency of Kazakhstan (Tenge) and foreign currency cash - equivalent to up to 3,000 US Dollars is allowed to be carried without written declarations. If students bring cash in dollars or any other acceptable foreign currency which is more than US$ 3000 equivalent, it is advisable to get it declared in customs.

V. Useful links are given below:

1. http://www.mzsr.gov.kz/en/node/327627
   (Ministry of Health and Social Development)
2.  https://kaznmu.kz/eng/memo-rules-admission-foreign-students/
   (S.AsphendiarovKazakh National Medical University, Almaty)
3. https://semeymedicaluniversity.kz/en/admission/for-foreign-students/
   (Semey State Medical University, East Kazakhstan region)
4. www.cism-edu.kz
   (Caspian International School of Medicine, Almaty)
5.  http://www.qmu.kz/en/education
   (NAO “Medical University of Karaganda”, Karaganda)
6.  http://www.amu.kz/en/info/applicants/for-foreign-citizens.php
   (Astana Medical University, Nur-Sultan)
7.  https://zkgmu.kz/en/for-entrants/1720-admission-of-foreign-citizens-to-west-kazakhstan-marat-ospanov-state-medical-university
   (West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov State Medical University, Aktobe)
8.  http://medkrmu.kz/en/#
   (Kazakh-Russian Medical University, Almaty)
9.  http://skmakazakhstan.com/
   (South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent)
10.  http://www.kgu.kz/en/node/1159
    (Kokshetau State University named after Shokan Ualikhanov, Kokshetau)
11.  http://www.nkzu.kz/page/view?id=1565
    (M.Kozybayev North Kazakhstan university, Petropavl)
12.  https://welcome.kaznu.kz/en/welcome/foreign
    (Kazakh National University named by Al-Farabi, Almaty)
13.  https://www.imsedu.kz
    (International Medical School, University Of International Business, Almaty)

Source: Kazakhstan Indian Embassy