International School Admissions in Astana: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Quick answer: How do international school admissions work in Astana? International schools in Astana, such as QSI, Haileybury and Miras, admit pupils year-round when places allow, with the main intake in late August. Families submit an online form, passports, two years of reports and vaccination records, then the child sits English and maths assessments. Application and enrolment fees add roughly USD 300 to 3,000 on top of tuition.

Last reviewed: September 2026 by Catherine from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Astana has grown from a regional town into a capital of more than a million people in barely three decades, and its international school sector has grown with it. Diplomats, energy companies, the Astana International Financial Centre and a steady flow of returning Kazakh families all compete for a limited number of English-language places. This guide takes you through international school admissions in Astana for 2026, with the steps, documents and timelines that make the process smoother.

Astana in context

The city has changed name several times. It was renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019 and returned to the name Astana in September 2022, so you may still see older documents and school websites that use Nur-Sultan. Most international schools are on the Left Bank, the newer part of the city around the government quarter and Expo district, while some are on the older Right Bank near the Esil river.

Winters are long and very cold, with temperatures regularly below minus 20 degrees Celsius. That makes the school run a real consideration: schools with their own bus service, or those close to where you live, save a lot of time and stress between November and March.

A hard fact worth knowing: since 1 March 2024 the whole of Kazakhstan has used a single time zone, UTC+5. Astana moved its clocks back one hour, which means darker afternoons in winter and brighter school mornings. It also means Astana now shares the same time as Almaty, which simplifies life for families who split time between the two cities.

Curricula on offer

British curriculum: Haileybury Astana follows the English system up to IGCSE and A levels.
American curriculum: QSI International School of Astana uses a US-based programme in English.
International Baccalaureate: offered by Miras International School, alongside Kazakh and Russian language teaching.
Kazakhstan's trilingual programme: Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools teach in Kazakh, Russian and English with selective entry.
Cambridge-based private schools: several newer schools offer Cambridge programmes at lower fees.

Schools to include in your applications

These schools have verified profiles on International School Advisor, where you can compare curricula, reviews and contact details.

Haileybury Astana

Haileybury Astana Haileybury Astana is linked to the historic English school of the same name and teaches the British curriculum from early years to A levels. Assessments are rigorous at secondary entry, and some year groups have waiting lists.

QSI International School of Astana

QSI International School of Astana QSI follows an American-style programme with mastery-based learning and serves many diplomatic families. It often has more flexibility for mid-year arrivals than larger schools.

Miras International School Astana

Miras International School Astana Miras offers the IB and teaches Kazakh and Russian alongside English, which appeals to families who want their children to connect with local languages.

Nazarbayev Intellectual School

Nazarbayev Intellectual School A network of selective state schools for gifted pupils, teaching in three languages. Entry is by competitive examination and mainly aimed at Kazakhstani citizens, so check eligibility first.

Spectrum International School

Spectrum International School Spectrum offers a Cambridge-based programme and is worth comparing with the larger schools on price and class sizes.

The admissions process step by step

1. Enquire and visit. Contact schools as soon as your move is likely. Most will arrange a campus tour or a video call, and some let children spend a trial day in class.

2. Submit the application. Expect an online form, copies of passports for the child and parents, the last two years of school reports, a vaccination record and any educational or medical reports that affect learning. A non-refundable application fee is usually due at this point.

3. Assessment. Children from about age six sit English and maths tests, sometimes with a reasoning test. Pupils with limited English may still be admitted with language support, depending on age and school capacity.

4. Interview and references. Secondary schools usually interview pupils and request a confidential reference from the current school.

5. Offer and enrolment. After an offer, you pay an enrolment fee or deposit to secure the place, and the first term's tuition is invoiced before the start date.

Fees and one-off costs in Astana

Figures are indicative for 2026 and 2027. Some schools quote in US dollars, others in tenge. Confirm current amounts directly.

Application fee: roughly USD 100 to 500.
Enrolment fee or deposit: roughly USD 200 to 2,500, sometimes refundable.
Annual tuition at premium international schools: roughly USD 15,000 to 35,000.
Annual tuition at Cambridge-based private schools: roughly USD 5,000 to 12,000.
Extras: bus, lunch, uniform, trips, and IGCSE, A level or IB exam fees.

Because the tenge has moved a lot against the dollar in recent years, ask whether fees quoted in tenge are fixed for the full year and whether dollar-priced schools accept payment in local currency. Employers often pay schools directly, so check what the school needs from your company and when invoices are issued.

Practical tips for Astana families

Apply before you arrive. Most admissions steps can be done remotely. Securing a place before signing a lease lets you choose housing near the school, which matters a lot in winter.

Prepare apostilled documents. Birth certificates and some school records may need an apostille and a notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian for residency and local registration. Start this in your home country, where it is usually quicker.

Ask about language support. Children arriving with little English often catch up quickly with good support. Ask how many hours of English as an additional language the school offers and whether it costs extra.

Think about the long term. If you may later move to Almaty or abroad, a curriculum that exists in both places, such as British or IB, keeps transitions simple.

See how Astana schools rank

Compare reviews, curricula and fees for schools in the capital in our ranking of the best schools in Astana.

More guides to schools in Astana

Frequently asked questions

When does the school year start in Astana?

Kazakh state schools start on 1 September. International schools in Astana usually start in mid or late August and finish in June. Most accept applications throughout the year and admit mid-year if a place is free, but applying between January and April gives the best chance for an August start.

What tests do international schools in Astana use for admission?

Most schools assess English and mathematics, and some add a reasoning test for older pupils. Younger children are usually observed in class or during play. Secondary applicants are often interviewed and asked for a reference from their current school. Results help with class placement and language support as well as admission.

How much are application and enrolment fees in Astana?

For 2026, application fees at international schools in Astana are roughly USD 100 to 500, and enrolment fees or deposits range from about USD 200 to 2,500. Premium schools charge annual tuition of roughly USD 15,000 to 35,000. Check what is refundable if your move is cancelled.