“Bolashak” International Scholarship is a scholarship introduced by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for full-time training of citizens in the leading foreign higher education institutions so that they can get master's degrees, doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree, doctor's degree or residency training while working individuals whose job categories are determined by the Republican Committee for Training of Specialists Abroad can undergo internship in foreign organizations.
The scholarship was introduced in 1993 by the Order of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev. The “Bolashak” International Scholarship has become a kind of warranty for successful career and professional fulfillment of alumni.
Who can become a holder of “Bolashak” International Scholarship?
Any citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan applying for the following can become the program pasrticipant:
- getting master`s degree, doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree, doctor's degree;
- residency training;
- internship.
One should note that “Bolashak” International Scholarship is awarded once only for undergoing of internship, getting each degree (master`s degree, doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree, doctor's degree) or residency training.
Individuals who have not used a scholarship awarded previously and those who have not started training or internship have a single opportunity to participate in competition for “Bolashak” scholarship award provided that there is no debt owed to the Administrator.
In total, 1055 scholarships have been allocated for training under the Bolashak program in 2022. Among them, 555 scholarships are distributed among master's, residency, doctoral, internship programs in 7 categories. 500 scholarships have been allocated for the "Scientists" internship category.
Enrollment procedure under “Bolashak” program
1st stage. Determining a category for enrollment
Kazakhstani citizens can enroll for the following programs under “Bolashak” International Scholarship: master's degree program, residency, doctoral program or internship.
The following individuals can enroll for the above educational programs:
- civil servant for an internship;
- engineering and technical workers for an internship;
- self-admitted applicant for academic studies;
- applicant from rural localities;
- teachers of secondary, technical and vocational education organizations for internships;
- employees of the agro-industrial complex for an internship;
- employees of the sphere of culture, tourism and sports for an internship;
- employees of mass media for internships;
- medical workers for internships;
- medical workers for internships;
It should be noted that there are certain requirements for each category.
Candidates for a master`s degree
Requirements to candidates:
- an unconditional offer to academic studies (exception could be used for financial conditions) in a leading foreign higher educational institution included in the List of Recommended Universities;
- a valid official certificate on passing the state language exam with a result of at least level B1;
- an average score of a bachelor’s or specialist’s diploma is not taken into consideration.
Candidates from rural areas:
Requirements to candidates:
- residency in rural area for the last 3 (three) years and work in rural area for the past 2 (two) years;
- an average score of a bachelor`s/ specialist`s diploma of at least GPA 2.67 (out of 4.00/4.33) or 4.00 out of 5.00;
- a valid official certificate on passing the state language exam with a result of at least level B1;
- a valid official certificate of the passed exam in a foreign language with a result that meets the established minimum requirements;
- conformity of a specialty in a bachelor`s/ specialist`s diploma with the chosen specialty according to the list of related specialties.
Candidates for a doctor`s degree and residency training
Requirements to candidates:
- an unconditional offer to academic studies (exception could be used for financial conditions) in a foreign higher educational institution included in the List of Recommended Universities;
- a valid official certificate on passing the state language exam with a result of at least level B1;
- an average score of a bachelor’s or specialist’s diploma is not taken into consideration.
If you participate under “Internship” category
Requirements to candidates:
- an unconditional offer (exception could be used for financial conditions) from a foreign organization hosting the internship;
- total work experience of at least 3 (three) years, including the last 12 (twelve) months in the chosen field or specialization;
- a valid official certificate on passing the state language exam with a result of at least level B1;
- an average score of a bachelor’s or specialist’s diploma is not taken into consideration.
2nd stage. Preparing the required documents
Terms of documents acceptance and competition are approved by the Executive Body annually and published in mass media of the Republic of Kazakhstan distributed throughout the territory of the country 10 (ten) calendar days before the term of documents acceptance.
Candidates for enrollment should collect the following package of documents:
Candidates for a master`s degree:
- a completed application form;
- national ID and passport;
- a bachelor’s or specialist’s diploma with a transcript, while those who studied in a foreign educational organization should provide a certificate of recognition and/or nostrification of a document of education or another document of recognition of a document of education taking into account the peculiarities established by paragraph 8 of Article 39 of the Law;
- a valid official certificate on passing the state language exam;
- medical certificate of health status in the form 072/y for persons traveling abroad; copies of documents confirming unconditional enrollment for academic study (except for financial conditions), indicating the program, specialty, period of study, with notarized translations into the state or Russian languages;
- copies of documents confirming unconditional admission to academic studies (exception could be used for financial conditions) with indication of the program, specialty, period of study, including notarized translations into Kazakh or Russian;
- an official document on academic performance issued by a foreign higher education institution/certificate in the established form describing the specialty, course (year of study), providing information about the grading system used in this educational institution, as well as the average score of current academic performance in this educational institution with notarized translations into Kazakh or Russian, if available, for individuals studying at leading foreign higher education institutions included into the List.
Candidates for master`s degree from rural areas:
- a completed application form;
- national ID and passport;
- a bachelor’s or specialist’s diploma with a transcript, while those who studied in a foreign educational organization should provide a certificate of recognition and/or nostrification of a document of education or another document of recognition of a document of education taking into account the peculiarities established by paragraph 8 of Article 39 of the Law;
- documents confirming labour activities, as well as an extract on the transferred mandatory pension contributions for the last 2 (two) years of labour activity in rural area;
- a valid official certificate on passing the state language exam with a result of at least level B1;
- a valid official certificate on passing the exam in a foreign language with a result that meets the established minimum requirements;
- medical certificate of health status in form 072/y for persons traveling abroad;
- information on a candidate`s place of residence in rural area obtained by the Administrator from relevant state information systems and databases.
Candidates for doctor`s degree and residency training:
- a completed application form;
- national ID and passport;
- a bachelor’s or specialist’s diploma with a transcript, while those who studied in a foreign educational organization should provide a certificate of recognition and/or nostrification of a document of education or another document of recognition of a document of education taking into account the peculiarities established by paragraph 8 of Article 39 of the Law;
- a valid official certificate on passing the state language exam;
- medical certificate of health status in form 072/y for persons traveling abroad;
- copies of documents confirming unconditional admission to academic studies (exception could be used for financial conditions) with indication of the program, specialty, period of study, including notarized translations into Kazakh or Russian;
- an official document on academic performance issued by a foreign higher education institution/certificate in the established form describing the specialty, course (year of study), providing information about the grading system used in this educational institution, as well as the average score of current academic performance in this educational institution with notarized translations into Kazakh or Russian, if available, for individuals studying at leading foreign higher education institutions included into the List;
an individual study plan approved by the foreign higher educational institution, including prescribed deadlines that are set by this educational institution in order to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with notarized translation of study plan into Kazakh or Russian.
Candidates for internship:
- an application completed by an employer on an employee`s training with preserve of workplace;
- national ID and passport;
- a bachelor’s or specialist’s diploma with a transcript, while those who studied in a foreign educational organization should provide a certificate of recognition and/or nostrification of a document of education or another document of recognition of a document of education taking into account the peculiarities established by paragraph 8 of Article 39 of the Law;
- documents confirming the labour activity, as well as an extract on the transferred mandatory pension contributions for the period of labour required in accordance with these Rules;
- a valid official certificate in the established form on passing the exam in a foreign language if there is a requirement of a foreign organization accepting the internship with the result corresponding to the internship, as well as visa issuance if necessary;
- a valid official certificate on passing the state language exam;
- medical certificate of health status in form 072/y for persons traveling abroad;
- an unconditional offer (exception could be used for financial conditions) from a foreign organization hosting the internship, indicating terms and cost (with detailed calculations) with notarized translations into Kazakh or Russian;
- an internship program that is set up in accordance with the requirements of Executive Body and approved both by an organization that sends an individual and hosting organization.
Those who want to study under the “Bolashak” Program can submit the required documents via e-Gov Portal using the service called “Acceptance of documents for participation in competition for awarding of the “Bolashak” International Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan”.
Step 1.
Comply with requirements
Step 2.
Collect package of documents
Step 3.
Submit documents within the stated terms via e-Gov Portal
Step 4.
Undergo competitive selection consisting of 3 rounds:
1st round: Comprehensive testing;
2nd round: Personal interview with the members of Independent Expert Commission;
3rd round: Session of the Republican Committee for Training of Specialists Abroad
Step 5.
After getting a scholarship, a scholar or his/her trustee should contact Legal Service Department of “International Programs Center” JSC (hereinafter: the Company) within 90 calendar days from the moment of scholarship award and conclude a training contract with the Company as well as an indemnity contract. In case of failure to conclude the contracts within the terms, a scholar is deprived of the status of the international “Bolashak” scholarship holder.
