How to Get a German Degree While Studying in Kazakhstan

A German degree without moving to Germany: how is that possible?

Just a few years ago, there was essentially one route: collect the required documents, learn German, apply to a German university and move abroad immediately after school. For a 17-year-old graduate, that is a major step, and for parents, it often means significant expenses.

Since September 2024, students from Kazakhstan have had another option. The Anhalt University of Applied Sciences branch in Almaty was opened jointly with Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the German government.

Students study in Almaty, follow a German curriculum, are taught by lecturers from Germany and graduate with a degree from a German public university. Let’s look at how the system works in practice and what applicants need to do.

Which university stands behind the degree?

Hochschule Anhalt is a public university of applied sciences in Germany. It ranks among the top 10 German universities for applied research and has more than 7,000 students from over 100 countries.

The key word here is “applied”. At universities of applied sciences, theory is closely connected with practice: laboratories, projects and compulsory internships. If you want to understand the difference in more detail, we have a separate guide to the university of applied sciences format.

The Almaty branch is neither a partnership programme nor a franchise. It is a division of the German university itself, so students are enrolled within the Hochschule Anhalt system.

What study options are available and how are they different?

There are two formats, and they should not be confused: they have different programmes, requirements and final degrees.

The first option is suitable for students who want a full university experience in Almaty and are interested in engineering. The second may suit those interested in business or logistics who are ready to study in a hybrid format.

What do you need to apply for the engineering programmes?

The requirements are specific, and you can check whether you meet them before submitting your documents.

UNT. The required subject combination is physics and mathematics. To compete for a state grant, you need 70 points or more. The threshold for paid admission is lower, starting from 50 points, but applicants must also take the university’s internal physics and mathematics examination.

English. A confirmed B2 level is required. IELTS Academic with a score of at least 5.5, TOEFL iBT with at least 69, or the university’s internal examination is accepted.

Documents. Certificate of secondary education, UNT certificate, proof of English proficiency, identity document, photographs and medical certificate. The full list of documents and application procedure are available in the admission rules.

Students from other cities are provided with accommodation in a dormitory, which removes one of the main concerns for families living outside Almaty.

What if you do not have an IELTS certificate?

This is one of the most common concerns among applicants, and there is a solution. The university conducts its own written examination based on the DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, standard.

The exam consists of three 25-minute sections: a multiple-choice test on globalisation, a reading comprehension task and a short essay. It is held offline and free of charge, usually in June.

You can register in advance using the English exam registration form. Dates are announced to participants separately, so it is a good idea to follow the website news in spring.

An important detail for grant applicants: if you indicate Anhalt International University when applying for a state grant, you need to complete the language certificate verification in advance.

Is German required?

Not for admission. All programmes are taught in English, and German is not required at the application stage.

However, German is included in the curriculum and is studied alongside the main subjects. This creates an interesting opportunity: once a student reaches B2 level, they can transfer directly to a German university and continue their studies in any semester.

In other words, German is not simply a formal requirement. It can become a real tool for further education. Once you reach B2, the option of continuing your studies in Germany opens up. If you do not reach that level, you can simply complete your studies in Almaty and still receive a German degree.

How much does tuition cost?

For students admitted with a state grant, tuition is free. Grants are allocated by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the number of grants may vary from year to year.

Tuition-based study costs 4.4 million tenge per year. For the International Business and Logistics Management programmes, the first 20 students receive a discount of up to 10% for the entire period of study.

For comparison, studying in Germany involves more than just a semester contribution. Students also need to cover accommodation, insurance and food and provide proof of sufficient funds through a blocked account. Studying in Almaty removes a significant part of these expenses.

What happens during the studies?

The programme is designed as four years of full-time study. Starting from the third year, students undertake internships in Kazakhstan and Germany, including at German engineering companies.

The university signs agreements with employers. One example of a partner is Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. German industrial companies visit the campus to meet students, while the university regularly announces new opportunities for internships and practical training at German companies.

Classes are taught by lecturers from Germany. For students, this means not only adapting to a different level of academic requirements, but also gaining experience of working in an international environment from the very first year.

What does a German degree provide after graduation?

There are three major benefits.

A degree from a German public university is recognised in Europe without additional nostrification. The Kazakh degree remains valid for the local market, so graduates are not tied to one country.

A degree from Anhalt University provides a preferential basis for obtaining a work visa for subsequent employment in Germany. This is not a guarantee of employment, but it can make the path to working in Germany more direct than for someone without a German education.

And the third benefit is less obvious. Four years of studying in English with German lecturers and completing internships creates a CV that can look different to employers from that of a standard university graduate.

Who is this path suitable for, and who may find it less suitable?

It may be worth considering if you:

1. 1 want a German degree but are not ready to move abroad immediately after school;
2. 2 are choosing an engineering field and are confident in physics and mathematics;
3. 3 are ready to study in English while learning German;
4. 4 are considering working or continuing your education in Europe;
5. 5 want to reduce the costs of the first years of studying abroad.

It may be less suitable if you are looking for fundamental academic training and a research career. A university of applied sciences focuses education on practical skills, so a traditional research university may be a more natural environment for someone planning an academic career.

Where should you start right now?

The process is straightforward. Check the admission requirements, choose a programme, prepare your documents and take the language test. After that comes the admission campaign, with studies beginning in September.

The most important things to resolve in advance are your UNT subject combination and your English proficiency. Everything else can be handled along the way.

Check the admission requirements and study programmes on the branch website and contact the admissions office at +7 707 837 33 77 for details.