International analytics agency QS Quacquarelli Symonds has released the QS Asia University Rankings 2027. Kazakhstan retained its lead among Central Asian countries and was the only country in the region with three universities in the top 100. The ranking includes 51 universities from Kazakhstan, seven more than last year.
The ranking covers 1,722 universities from 26 countries and territories in Asia. Kazakhstan placed 10th in the region by the number of universities represented. Over the past three years, the number of Kazakh universities in the ranking rose from 34 to 51, with seven making their debut.
Three Kazakh institutions made the top 100: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University at 46th, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University at 62nd and Satbayev University at 89th. NU climbed 62 places to 139th. Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University rose 64 places to 618th.
Kazakh universities recorded strong results for the quality of the learning environment, academic mobility and international cooperation. Their average scores exceeded Asia-wide averages in seven of the ranking’s 11 indicators.
Kazakhstan’s average score for the share of outgoing exchange students was 58.8, compared with 22.6 for Asia. Kazakh universities averaged 52 points for faculty-to-student ratio, against the regional average of 34.6. Their employer reputation score was 38.8, above the Asian average of 24.9.
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University ranked 12th in Asia in both faculty-to-student ratio and the share of outgoing exchange students. For the latter indicator, Academician Ye.A. Buketov Karaganda National Research University improved from 29th to 18th place.
NU placed 24th for its international research network and 26th for the share of international faculty. Satbayev University ranked 34th on the latter indicator, while Al-Farabi Kazakh National University rose from 52nd to 40th. Ten Kazakh universities made the top 100 for faculty-to-student ratio, six for outgoing exchange students and seven for international faculty.
The share of international faculty improved at 48% of Kazakh universities, while 39% raised their faculty-to-student ratio results. The opening of more than 30 branches of foreign universities in Kazakhstan is creating additional opportunities to develop academic programs, mobility and international links.
QS Quacquarelli Symonds Senior Vice President Ben Sowter said Kazakhstan continued to hold a leading position in Central Asia. He said NU’s entry into Asia’s top 200 highlights the importance of supporting research and internationalisation. A key challenge, he added, is to increase the international impact of research alongside science funding.
QS Quacquarelli Symonds Regional Director Sergey Khristolyubov said the ranking included 51 universities from 19 cities in Kazakhstan. He also pointed to Almaty and Astana improving their positions in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking, saying this reflected Kazakhstan’s growing international recognition as a regional education hub. QS Asia University Rankings assesses universities using 11 indicators, including academic reputation, employer recognition, learning environment, research performance, international cooperation and academic mobility.
