Karaganda Medical University — MBBS Fees & Admission 2026-27

Karaganda Medical University at a glance

• Location: Karaganda, Kazakhstan
• Established: 1950
• University Type: Public / Government
• Popular Course: Higher education, 6B101 Healthcare
• Course Duration: 7 Years (5 + 2 internship, per the price list)
• Medium: English or Russian (one non-resident price list covers both)
• Intake: Documents by 15 August; enrolment order 30 September
• Tuition 2026-27: US$4,675 in year 1, then US$4,250 to US$3,800
• Entrance Exam: Testing in maths, chemistry, biology and English grammar

About Karaganda Medical University

Karaganda Medical University (NJSC “Karaganda Medical University”, qmu.edu.kz — the institution formerly called Karaganda State Medical University) is a state medical university in Karaganda. It is unusual among Kazakh universities in pricing foreign students in US dollars, year by year: its approved 2026-2027 price list for non-residents from the far abroad sets US$4,675 for year one, US$4,250 for year two, US$4,100 for years three and four, US$4,000 for year five, then US$3,800 and US$4,250 for the two internship years — seven years in all. Admission is by written testing and an online interview in English, and the university states that documents must be submitted by the applicant in person, with no agents or intermediaries.

Course structure, recognition and admission requirements are set by the university and by the regulator in its own country, and should be confirmed in writing for your intake year before you apply.

Why choose Karaganda Medical University?

Karaganda State Medical University provides an ideal combination of academic prestige, practical medical training, and affordable living. Key advantages include:

• Established Public Institution: Founded in 1950, KSMU brings over seven decades of experience in higher medical education and research.
• Global Licensure Approvals: Course structure, recognition and admission requirements are set by the university and by the regulator in its own country, and should be confirmed in writing for your intake year before you apply.
• An English-Language Route: The entrance testing includes English grammar and the interview is held in English, and the non-resident price list covers English or Russian instruction — confirm in writing that your whole course is taught in English.
• Tuition Published in US Dollars, Year by Year: The Board of Directors approves a price list for non-residents from the far abroad that gives a separate dollar figure for each of the seven years, plus a per-credit rate — so you can budget the whole course from an official document.
• Advanced Learning Infrastructure: Features modern diagnostic labs, spacious lecture auditoriums, digital library networks, and specialized clinical simulation centers.
• Dormitory Rates Published Too: The university's separate 2026-2027 price list sets the cost of a bed in each of its seven student dormitories, from 30,000 to 45,000 tenge a month.

MBBS course overview

Karaganda Medical University's International Medical Faculty runs the higher-education programme in the 6B101 Healthcare field for foreign students.

The university's own price list runs to seven years: five academic years followed by two internship years, each priced separately.

• Degree: Higher education in the 6B101 Healthcare field (Высшее образование, 6B101 — Здравоохранение)
• Duration: 7 Years (5 academic years + 2 internship years, per the 2026-2027 price list)
• Medium of instruction: English or Russian — the non-resident price list covers both; confirm your track in writing
• Intake: Documents by 15 August; enrolment order issued 30 September

Year-wise curriculum

• 1st Year: Human Anatomy, Biophysics, General Biochemistry, Cytology, Histology, Medical Biology
• 2nd Year: Human Physiology, Pathology, Medical Microbiology, Parasitology, Immunology, General Pharmacology
• 3rd Year: Pathomorphology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Preventive Medicine, Anesthesiology, General Surgery
• 4th Year: Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Diagnostic Radiology, Radiotherapy, Dermatology
• 5th Year: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), Psychiatry, Traumatology
• 6th-7th Year (Internship): Compulsory Clinical Rotational Internship across Emergency Care, Clinical Surgery, Pediatrics, and Outpatient Care

Courses offered

• Higher education, 6B101 Healthcare (for non-resident students) — 7 Years (5 + 2 internship)
• Master's, doctoral and residency programmes — See the university's separate price lists
• School of Nursing Education — See the university's separate price list

Karaganda Medical University fee structure

The university prices non-resident students in US dollars and sets a different figure for each year of the course:

Source: “Price list for paid educational services for non-residents from the far abroad with English/Russian language of instruction for the 2026-2027 academic year”, approved by decision of the Board of Directors of NJSC “Karaganda Medical University”, protocol No. 19 of 28 May 2026, published in the paid-services section of qmu.edu.kz. The seven listed years total US$29,175. Hostel rates come from the university's separate price list for paid services for 2026-2027, approved by Board decision protocol No. 17 of 17 June 2026: per bed per month, 40,000 tenge in Dormitory No. 1, 30,000 in No. 2, 35,000 in No. 3, 30,000 in No. 4, 45,000 in No. 5, 35,000 in No. 6 and 30,000 in No. 7 (higher-comfort rooms cost more). Tuition excludes accommodation, medical insurance, the visa and temporary-residence permit, medical checks, notarised translations and travel. Enrolment requires 50% prepayment of tuition. No official rupee figure exists; any rupee amount is approximate and moves with the dollar rate on the day you pay.

• 1st year (2026-27): US$4,675 (US$78 per credit) — hostel 30,000-45,000 tenge / month
• 2nd year: US$4,250 (US$71 per credit) — hostel 30,000-45,000 tenge / month
• 3rd year: US$4,100 (US$68 per credit) — hostel 30,000-45,000 tenge / month
• 4th year: US$4,100 (US$68 per credit) — hostel 30,000-45,000 tenge / month
• 5th year: US$4,000 (US$67 per credit) — hostel 30,000-45,000 tenge / month
• 6th year (internship): US$3,800 (US$63 per credit) — hostel 30,000-45,000 tenge / month
• 7th year (internship): US$4,250 (US$71 per credit) — hostel 30,000-45,000 tenge / month

Eligibility criteria

Indian and international candidates seeking admission to KSMU must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Academic Qualification: Minimum 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in 10+2 / Senior Secondary
• NEET Requirement: NMC rules require Indian students to have qualified in NEET-UG before starting a medical course abroad if they intend to register in India. The university's published admission page does not list NEET among its own requirements — ask whether it wants the scorecard as well
• Entrance Testing: Written testing in mathematics, chemistry, biology and English grammar, followed by an online interview in English
• Minimum Age: Must reach at least 17 years of age on or before December 31st of the entry year
• Education Documents: Documents in a foreign language need a notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian, and the education document must be recognised under Kazakh law
• Apply in Person: The university states that documents are submitted only by the applicant in person, and that intermediaries, agents and third parties are not permitted

Admission process 2026

The admission process at Karaganda State Medical University follows a transparent step-by-step procedure:

• Submit your documents by 15 August. Indian citizens submit them in person to the university's visiting representative in Jaipur, Rajasthan; applicants from other countries submit online to the responsible secretary of the admissions committee. The university states that agents and intermediaries are not allowed.
• Sit the entrance testing on 21 August in mathematics, chemistry, biology and English grammar.
• Take the online interview in English on 25 August.
• Results are announced on 28 August.
• Pay 50% of the tuition by 4 September and hand in the original documents by 17 September.
• Arrive at the university by 27 September; the enrolment order is issued on 30 September.
• On arrival, report to the passport and visa control specialist at the International Medical Faculty (room 110) to register your visa and temporary residence permit.

Documents required

Mandatory documents needed for admission and visa processing at KSMU:

• Application form (Annex 1 on the university's admission page)
• Copy of your passport
• Secondary education document
• Notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian of any document in a foreign language
• Recognition of the education document under the procedure set by Kazakh law
• Copy of your medical insurance (the original is shown for checking) — needed for the temporary residence permit
• Fingerprinting certificate and the university's petition, for the visa and temporary residence permit
• NEET-UG scorecard — needed for registration in India later; ask whether the university also requires it

Hostel & accommodation

KSMU provides secure and well-maintained hostel accommodations tailored for international students:

• Cost per bed (2026-27): Dormitory No. 1 40,000 tenge a month; No. 2 30,000; No. 3 35,000; No. 4 30,000; No. 5 45,000; No. 6 35,000; No. 7 30,000
• Higher-comfort rooms: Rooms 103-110 in Dormitory No. 1 are 120,000 tenge a month per bed; the two-room 101/102 is 300,000 tenge a month
• Source: Price list for paid services of NJSC “Karaganda Medical University” for 2026-2027, approved by Board decision protocol No. 17 of 17 June 2026
• Room Arrangements: Shared rooms; confirm occupancy and what is included for your dormitory
• Dining & Mess: Campus canteens; confirm whether Indian meals are available before you rely on it

Clinical training

Hands-on clinical exposure is a core pillar of medical education at Karaganda State Medical University:

• Clinical rotations conducted across KSMU-affiliated municipal hospitals and regional medical centers.
• Supervised diagnostic practice and real patient interaction guided by experienced professors and senior doctors.
• Practical experience across core clinical specialties including Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Anesthesiology.
• A 1-year clinical internship designed to build practical independence prior to global practice.

Recognition & accreditation

The National Medical Commission states that it "does not endorse any list of Foreign Medical Institutions/ Universities for MBBS or equivalent course", so no foreign medical university is "NMC approved". What decides your eligibility to register in India is the course you take. Verify the following directly with the university, in writing:

• Accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan
• Eligible for international medical licensing examinations including NEXT, USMLE, and PLAB
• Check the course against the NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021 — at least 54 months of study, a 12-month internship at the same institution, and English as the medium of instruction throughout.
• Confirm the university is registered with the body competent to grant a licence to practise medicine in its own country, on the same terms as that country's own graduates.
• Look the university up yourself in the World Directory of Medical Schools (wdoms.org). A listing records that a school exists — it is not an accreditation, a recognition or an endorsement.

Career opportunities

Graduates of KSMU benefit from versatile international career pathways in medicine:

• Qualified to sit for the NEXT / FMGE licensing examinations to practice in India.
• Eligible to apply for global postgraduate residency exams such as USMLE (USA) and PLAB (UK).
• Career prospects across public health institutions, private clinical centers, and medical research facilities worldwide.

Student life

Campus life at KSMU in Karaganda is vibrant, supportive, and active:

• Welcoming international student community representing multiple foreign nations.
• Active student organizations, medical societies, and academic research clubs.
• On-campus athletic amenities, including fully equipped gymnasiums, sports halls, and outdoor playgrounds.
• Regular cultural events, student festivals, and national holiday celebrations organized on campus.

Karaganda Medical University (KSMU) — frequently asked questions

Is Karaganda State Medical University recognized by the NMC?

No foreign medical university holds "NMC approved" status — the National Medical Commission states that it "does not endorse any list of Foreign Medical Institutions/ Universities for MBBS or equivalent course". What decides whether you can register to practise in India is whether your course meets the NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021 — at least 54 months of study, a 12-month internship at the same institution and English as the medium of instruction — followed by the screening examination and a further 12 months of supervised internship in India. Confirm the current position with the university in writing before you apply.

What is the MBBS fee at Karaganda Medical University in 2026-27?

The approved price list for non-residents from the far abroad sets US$4,675 for year one, US$4,250 for year two, US$4,100 for years three and four, US$4,000 for year five, US$3,800 for the sixth year (internship) and US$4,250 for the seventh year (internship). It also gives per-credit rates from US$63 to US$78. Across the seven years that totals US$29,175.

What is not included in the tuition fee?

Accommodation, medical insurance, the visa and temporary residence permit, medical checks, fingerprinting, notarised translations, recognition of your school certificate and travel. Enrolment also requires 50% prepayment of the tuition, by 4 September on the published timetable.

How long is the course at Karaganda Medical University?

Seven years. The university's own price list for foreign students prices five academic years and then two internship years (courses six and seven) separately. Confirm the structure in writing, especially if you need the course to meet the NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations.

What is the admission process and timetable?

Documents are due by 15 August. Testing in mathematics, chemistry, biology and English grammar is on 21 August, the online interview in English is on 25 August, and results are announced on 28 August. You then pay 50% of the tuition by 4 September, submit the originals by 17 September, arrive by 27 September, and the enrolment order is issued on 30 September.

Can I apply through an agent?

No. The university states that documents are submitted only by the applicant in person and that the participation of intermediaries, agents or third parties is not permitted. Indian citizens submit in person to the university's visiting representative in Jaipur, Rajasthan; applicants from other countries submit online to the responsible secretary of the admissions committee.

Is there an entrance exam?

Yes. Admission for foreign citizens is on a paid basis by the results of entrance testing and an online interview. The testing covers mathematics, chemistry, biology and English grammar, and the interview is conducted in English.

Is NEET required for Indian students at Karaganda Medical University?

NMC rules require Indian students to have qualified in NEET-UG before starting a medical course abroad if they want to register in India afterwards. The university's published admission page for foreign applicants sets out its testing and document list and does not mention NEET, so ask the admissions committee whether it requires the scorecard as well.

What documents are required?

The application form published as Annex 1 on the university's admission page, a copy of your passport, your secondary education document, a notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian of anything in a foreign language, and recognition of the education document under Kazakh law. For the visa and temporary residence permit you will also need medical insurance, a fingerprinting certificate and a petition from the university.

How much is the hostel at Karaganda Medical University?

The university's 2026-2027 price list for paid services sets the cost per bed per month at 40,000 tenge in Dormitory No. 1, 30,000 in No. 2, 35,000 in No. 3, 30,000 in No. 4, 45,000 in No. 5, 35,000 in No. 6 and 30,000 in No. 7. Higher-comfort rooms in Dormitory No. 1 cost 120,000 tenge a month per bed, and the two-room 101/102 is 300,000 tenge a month.

Is it still called Karaganda State Medical University?

No. Its current name is Karaganda Medical University (NJSC), and its old domain kgmu.kz now redirects to qmu.edu.kz. Use the current name when you apply, and check any document or agent listing that still uses the old one.