KazNU Academic Calendar

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, operates on a semester-based academic calendar, which is typical for many universities in the region. The academic year is generally divided into two main semesters: the fall semester, which usually begins in early September and concludes in late December, and the spring semester, running from late January or early February to late May or early June. This structure includes periods for mid-term and final examinations, as well as designated breaks for national holidays and seasonal vacations. A unique feature of the university’s calendar is its alignment with significant cultural and public holidays in Kazakhstan, such as Nauryz (Kazakh New Year) in March, which often results in extended breaks for students and faculty.

• Fall Semester Start: September 1, 2025 – Classes typically commence on this date, marking the beginning of the academic year.
• Mid-Term Exams (Fall): Mid-October 2025 – A week-long period for assessments and evaluations.
• Winter Break: December 25, 2025, to January 10, 2026 – Includes celebrations for New Year and Independence Day (December 16).
• Spring Semester Start: February 1, 2026 – Classes resume after the winter break.
• Nauryz Holiday Break: March 21–23, 2026 – A short break for the traditional Kazakh New Year.
• Final Exams (Spring): Late May to early June 2026 – End-of-year assessments.
• Commencement Ceremony: Mid-June 2026 – Graduation events for completing students.

• Application Opening Date: January 15, 2025 – Applications for undergraduate programs (Class of 2030) typically open for both domestic and international students.
• Early Admission Deadline: April 1, 2025 – For applicants seeking priority consideration; decisions often released by mid-May.
• Regular Admission Deadline: June 15, 2025 – Final deadline for most undergraduate programs; decisions expected by late July.
• Entrance Exam Period: July 1–15, 2025 – Required for many programs, especially for domestic students under the Unified National Testing (UNT) system.
• Financial Aid Application Deadline: July 30, 2025 – For scholarships and grants, with notifications typically sent alongside admission decisions.
• Enrollment Confirmation: August 15, 2025 – Deadline to accept offers and submit required documents, with special considerations for international students regarding visa processing.

The academic calendar at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University aligns closely with national norms in Kazakhstan, incorporating breaks for significant public holidays like Independence Day and Nauryz, which reflect the country’s cultural heritage. This structure offers some flexibility for international students, as the university provides support for visa processing and orientation programs timed with semester starts. However, prospective students should note that exact dates for academic and admissions events may vary slightly year to year, and the university’s schedule often accommodates research-intensive periods for upper-level students. Since specific calendar details for 2025–2026 are not yet publicly confirmed, the above dates are estimates based on typical cycles and historical patterns at the university.