Cardiff University in Wales has announced plans to open a new campus in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, later this year. The move represents a major step in the university’s global expansion and underscores its commitment to providing world-class education in Central Asia.
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Cardiff University Kazakhstan will begin offering programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business in 2025, with undergraduate programs to follow in 2026.
The Astana campus is being developed in partnership with the not-for-profit Public Foundation “Qualified Centre of Education” (QCEF).
To ensure broad access, the Kazakh government has pledged to provide up to 500 fully funded scholarships over the first three years of the campus’s operation. The initiative aims to make high-quality education accessible to talented students across Kazakhstan.
Once fully operational, the campus is expected to accommodate more than 2,500 students annually, contributing to the development of a skilled workforce and supporting economic growth in the region.
Cardiff University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, said: “We are excited about the opportunities that the Cardiff University Kazakhstan campus will create. It is clear from our extensive discussions with the Kazakh government, investors, and other stakeholders that this initiative will be truly reciprocal and mutually beneficial.”
