STRIVING FOR THE BEST: THE RESULTS OF THE NEW RANKING OF THE BEST UNIVERSITIES IN ASIA 2025 – QS ASIA UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2025
The ranking of the best universities in the world – QS World University Rankings was first published in 2004, Kazakhstani universities have been participating in this ranking since 2011.
The international rating agency Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is the compiler of the following ratings:
ranking of the best universities in the world – QS World University Rankings
subject rankings of the best universities in the world – QS World University Rankings by Subject
ranking of the best universities in the world in the field of achieving sustainable development goals – QS Sustainability Rankings
regional rankings of the best universities QS University Rankings by Region (Europe, Latin America, Asia, Arab region)
ranking of the best student cities in the world – QS Best Student Cities
ranking of the best MBA and Master's degree programs – QS MBA and Masters Rankings
the QS Stars program.
The number of Kazakhstani universities in the flagship ranking of the best universities in the world – QS World University Rankings has more than doubled over the past four years, and has increased one and a half times over the past three years: from 14 to 21 universities.
In the subject rankings, the number of Kazakhstani universities has increased fourfold in four years (from 2 universities to 8 universities).
A special place is occupied by the ranking of the best universities in the world in the field of achieving sustainable development goals – QS Sustainability Rankings, in the latest issue of which 12 Kazakhstani universities debuted at once, showing the most convincing results on the indicator "Management Model".
The number of Kazakhstani universities participating in the QS Stars program has increased to 23 over the past three years. This program provides new opportunities for the country's leading universities to attract talented students and teachers from foreign countries, thanks to the results of an independent audit that identifies the specific strengths of each university: from reputation and scientific performance to inclusivity and contribution to sustainable development.
In September 2024, the ratings of the best MBA programs were published – QS Global MBA Rankings, in which, for the first time since 2016, the presence of Kazakhstani universities increased from one to three.
Kazakhstan is also represented in the ranking of the best student cities in the world – QS Best Student Cities Rankings, which already includes two cities of the country: Astana and Almaty.
In the last two of the above ratings – QS Global MBA Rankings and QS Best Student Cities Rankings – only Kazakhstan is represented from Central Asian countries.
The new edition of the Asian ranking includes 985 universities from 25 countries and territories. The universities of India, China, Japan and South Korea are the most competitive for Kazakhstani universities.
The new issue is marked by the impressive dynamics of the positions of Kazakhstani higher education institutions participating in the rating, almost two thirds of which improved their last year's results.
The new ranking of the best universities in Asia in 2025 – QS Asia University Rankings 2025 includes 35 Kazakhstani universities, which is an absolute record of the country's higher education in its entire history.
Kazakh universities in the top 500 of the ranking of the best universities in Asia in 2025 –
QS Asia University Rankings 2025
2025 year 2024 year of higher education
29 29 Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
65 71 L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University
89 105 Satbayev University
131 146 Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University
138 144 Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University
149 155 Kazakh National Agrarian Research University
167 206 Karaganda University named after academician E.A. Buketov
193 203 International Kazakh-Turkish University named after Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
230 261-270 Kazakh-British Technical University
264 251-260 Karaganda Technical University named after Abylkas Saginov
269 301-350 KIMEP University
281 351-400 Kazakh Agrotechnical University named after Saken Seifullin
288 301-350 D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University
305 351-400 Abylai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages
345 501-550 Narkhoz University
345 351-400 Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov
354 291-300 Almaty University of Technology
441-450 601-650 Toraighyrov University
451-460 601-650 Yessenov University
461-470 551-600 Suleiman Demirel University
501-520 601-650 Shakarim University
521-540 601-650 North Kazakhstan University named after Manash Kozybayev
521-540 501-550 West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University named after Zhangir Khan
541-560 601-650 Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University
601-620 601-650 M.H. Dulati Taraz Regional University
621-640 501-550 Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University
641-660 601-650 Aktobe Regional University named after K. Zhubanov
701-750 651-700 Zhetysu University named after Ilyas Zhansugurov
701-750 601-650 Karaganda Industrial University
701-750 651-700 Pavlodar Pedagogical University
751-800 801+ International University of Information Technology
751-800 701-750 Turan University
801-850 801+ Innovative Eurasian University
801-850 - Kazakh National Women's Pedagogical University
Ben Souter, Senior Vice President of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, notes: "Kazakhstan's strengthening position in the ranking of the best universities in Asia – QS Asia University Rankings reflects its commitment to meeting the highest standards of higher education and increasing international recognition. This year, the positive dynamics achieved is characterized by an improvement in the positions of almost two thirds of the universities of Kazakhstan included in the rating, and an increase in the number of Kazakhstani universities in the top hundred of the rating from two to three. Such impressive results were made possible by the high quality of the educational environment, which allows for more personalized approaches to teaching and learning, and the continued growth of reputational indicators."
22 Kazakhstani universities are improving their positions, three universities retain their positions, one university – the Kazakh National Women's Pedagogical University – returns to the ranking after a one-year break.
Three leading universities of the country appear in the top hundred of the rating, which, along with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and L.N.Gumilev Eurasian National University, now includes Satbayev University, which is located on the 89th line.
Kazakhstan is significantly increasing its reputation indicators: 77% of Kazakhstani universities participating in the rating improved their Academic reputation results and 89% – their Reputation among employers.
Sergey Khristolyubov, Regional Director of QS, adds: "The number of Kazakhstani universities in the ranking of the best universities in Asia – QS Asia University Rankings has increased to 35. This is an absolute record in the history of higher education in the country. It is extremely important to note that, compared with last year, the average values of the calculated indicators of Kazakhstani universities participating in the rating increased for each indicator of the methodology, which indicates systematic work to improve the global competitiveness of Kazakhstani universities, affecting a number of key areas. Finally, this year, the share of publications by Kazakhstani authors in journals of the first and second quartile exceeded 70% for the first time, reflecting the increased impact of scientific research and the increased effectiveness of publication strategies of educational institutions and scientific organizations in Kazakhstan. One of the main opportunities for further promotion of Kazakhstani universities in the rankings remains the involvement of teachers and staff in scientific research through the creation of tangible and intangible incentives and the development of academic writing skills."
Thus, the reputation of Kazakhstani universities in international academic and employer communities continues to strengthen. The high quality of the educational environment remains the main competitive advantage of Kazakhstani universities participating in the rating, as evidenced by their results on the indicator of the ratio of the number of teachers and students.
The main opportunity for further promotion of Kazakhstani universities in the ranking remains participation in international scientific collaborations, increasing scientific productivity and expanding influence on the modern scientific agenda.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/sci/press/news/details/878515