FAQs
KIMEP was established in January 1992 by a decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
What is KIMEP’s mission?
KIMEP’s mission is to develop well-educated citizens and to improve the quality of life in Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region through teaching, learning, the advancement of knowledge in the fields of business administration and social sciences, and community service. In addition, KIMEP aspires to serve the international community by welcoming foreign students to study and by developing extensive international linkages. To fulfill this mission we offer graduate and undergraduate degree programs at the highest level of international educational standards in business, economics, finance, accounting, public administration, political science, international relations, journalism and mass communication to outstanding students, who will become equals to graduates of universities anywhere in the world. We seek to select students from among those who demonstrate leadership, talent and language abilities, irrespective of their financial means, gender or ethnic origin, or any other subjective criteria.
Who is the President of KIMEP?
The President of KIMEP is US scholar Dr. Chan Young Bang, an expert in Macro- and Microeconomics and the Economy of post-Soviet countries. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Colorado and has lectured at UCLA and the Universities of Nevada, Colorado, and San Francisco. In 1991 Dr. Bang worked as Chief Economic Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on issues of transition to a market economy. Concurrently to this he was Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Economic Council under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2003 Dr. Bang was awarded the ‘Order of Dostyk’ in acknowledgement of his contribution to establishing KIMEP.
What is the difference between KIMEP and other Kazakhstani universities?
KIMEP provides education to international standards and unmatched opportunities to launch a career. Classes are taught in English by professors and lecturers from 25 different countries. They hold Ph.D. and masters degrees from well-known universities all over the world. The curriculum at KIMEP is based on the US system. There is no similar institute in the Central Asian Region. The institute is run in an open and transparent manner: the management policies in effect at KIMEP do not allow a student to receive a grade which he/she does not deserve, and make it impossible to enter KIMEP with the help of friends, relations or other personal contacts. KIMEP is the only institution of higher education in Kazakhstan to have been awarded the prestigious ‘Platinum Tarlan’ award, the highest level of the independent national ‘Tarlan’ prize. KIMEP won the award in the ‘Enlightenment’ category in 2004.
Is KIMEP a private or a state institution?
Until the middle of 2004 KIMEP was a state-owned institution, although it was not financed from the state budget. In July 2004, following a Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the institute was reorganized into a non-profit joint-stock company with the state owning a portion of its capital. This helps to ensure the financial stability of the Institute by allowing it to attract additional investments.
Do KIMEP and its academic programs have licenses and are they attested in Kazakhstan?
KIMEP has an unlimited license to carry out educational activity in Kazakhstan. In addition to this, all academic programs passed state re-attestation in April 2008, and have licenses from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The only exception are new programs that need to be attested after running for a specific period of time in the way prescribed by Kazakhstani legislation.
Is KIMEP internationally accredited?
A KIMEP diploma is acknowledged abroad de facto. KIMEP was the first institution of higher education in Central Asia to be accepted as a full member of AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) APSA (the American Political Science Association) and NASPAA (the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration) – the most prestigious organizations in the world in their spheres. Recently KIMEP was approved to apply for candidacy for accreditation with the Commission of Institutions of Higher Education by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. This agency has accredited such universities as Harvard, Yale and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Will I be able to get a good job after graduating from KIMEP?
KIMEP graduates are extremely competitive on the labor market, and are readily offered prestigious jobs in leading local and international companies. KIMEP graduates are employed in many different spheres, occupying high level positions in business, international organizations, the diplomatic service, state agencies and academic institutions. According to a survey conducted among graduates who graduated during the last three years, 95% of them found employment within three months of graduating. Many students find work while they are still studying at KIMEP.
Many foreign companies operating in Kazakhstan choose to employ KIMEP graduates due to the international standard of their education and their English skills.
KIMEP’s career and employment center works in close cooperation with students, KIMEP graduates and the business community of Kazakhstan to help students to develop their career skills and ensure that KIMEP students and graduates are placed in prestigious positions in leading companies.
What is the annual number of students enrolled in KIMEP?
KIMEP is one of the most popular institutions of higher education in Kazakhstan. In 2008-2009, 2,971 students were enrolled: 2,413 to bachelor programs and 378 to masters programs. In addition to this, more than one thousand people took a range of different short-term professional education workshops and programs from the College of Continuing Education.
What is the composition of KIMEP’s faculty?
KIMEP’s faculty is composed of professors from 25 countries. They hold degrees from prestigious institutions including Stanford, Harvard, McGill University, Columbia University, the University of California, the London School of Economics, Glasgow University, Brunel University, and Carleton University, and have vast academic experience. Sixty-three percent of KIMEP’s full-time faculty have western Ph.D.s. No other institution of higher education in the CIS can boast such a high concentration of western Ph.D. holders on its faculty.
Does KIMEP hold entrance examinations outside Almaty?
Yes. Admission is competitive and based on the results of these examinations.
TUITION FEES AND FINANCIAL AID
Does KIMEP allocate financial aid to students?
Yes. In the 2007-2008 academic year KIMEP, whose academic grants program is the largest and best-developed in Kazakhstan, allocated more than $1,5 million in financial aid to students. One in five students who received financial aid were allocated a 100% scholarship or tuition waiver, a figure which represents nearly 200 students, or 4% of the total student population. KIMEP is continuously working to increase the various grants and scholarships students receive from sponsors and foundations.
Financial aid is allocated based on individual students’ financial situations and academic performance and the financial situation of the Institute. Discounts and privileges are given in the form of a full or partial tuition waver, often with the provision that the student takes a mandatory internship in the academic and administrative departments of KIMEP.
Can KIMEP change tuition fees?
KIMEP reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in response to economic and other factors.
How do I pay tuition?
Tuition may be paid in advance or in up to six installments per academic year. An early payment discount is offered for students who pay for a whole year’s tuition in advance. Payments may be made in cash at the cashier’s office, online via the homebank.kz financial portal or by wire transfer to KIMEP’s bank account.
ACADEMICS
What is the language of instruction at KIMEP?
All instruction at KIMEP is in English. For this reason, all applicants take an additional entrance exam to assess their proficiency in English. Once students are admitted they also take compulsory intensive English courses to further improve their language skills. Some applicants are not required to sit the English exam.
Does KIMEP allow students to take academic leave?
Yes, for a period of one year.
After studying at KIMEP, can students transfer to a foreign university and continue their education abroad?
Yes. KIMEP is recognized abroad and has similar academic programs and curriculum. It also uses similar principles to organize the academic process and uses the credit system of education.
KIMEP operates a range of student and faculty exchange programs with 43 leading foreign universities worldwide, including Dickinson University, the University of San Francisco, the University of Northern Colorado (USA), the Yencheping Jonkoping International School of Business (Sweden), the University of Schmalkalden (Germany), and Sumyung University (South Korea), among others.
A number of our students have transferred to foreign universities where their credits were counted. At least twenty KIMEP masters graduates have been admitted to post-graduate studies at foreign institutions.
More than three hundred international students currently study at KIMEP. They hail from 31 countries, including the USA, the UK, Germany, Russia, China, Poland, Turkey, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Korea, all the Central Asian countries, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Do graduates of bachelors programs at KIMEP have any advantages when entering graduate programs?
Yes, they do. When entering graduate programs at KIMEP, graduates of bachelors programs who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher are not required to sit the entrance examinations.
In addition to this, if any of the classes required for the master’s program were taken by the student during their undergraduate studies and passed with a good grade, they may be counted towards the credit requirements of their masters degree.
In 2005, 2006 and 2007, more than 300 graduates of KIMEP’s undergraduate used these privileges to enter graduate programs at KIMEP. Since some of the classes taken at the undergraduate level can be counted towards the credit requirements of their master’s program, many of these students are able to complete master program faster than other students.
What Colleges and Departments exist at KIMEP?
There are currently three colleges and three other academic departments operating at KIMEP:
· The Bang College of Business is made up of four departments offering degrees in Business Administration with specializations in Finance, Accounting, Management and Marketing, and Operations Management and Information Systems.
· The College of Social Sciences is made up of four departments, offering degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication, Political Science and International Relations, Economics, and Public Administration.
· The Language center offers a Masters program in Teaching English to Speakers of Foreign Languages and non-degree courses in a variety of world languages including English and Russian.
· The School of General Education offers a variety of courses in different fields, ensuring that undergraduate students receive a broad knowledge base as part of their degree course.
· The School of Law offers a minor in law for undergraduate students and, pending licensing, will offer an LLM in International Business Law starting in Spring 2009.
What full time programs does KIMEP offer?
KIMEP offers the following bachelors and masters programs
Bachelors programs:
· Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting;
· Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Relations;
· Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Administration;
· Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science and International Relations;
· Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Masters programs:
· Master of Business Administration;
· Master of Business Administration for Executives;
· Master of Arts in Economics;
· Master of Public Administration;
· Master of International Relations;
· Master of Arts in International Journalism and Mass Communications;
· Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages;
· Master of Laws in International Business Law.
In addition to the programs listed above, KIMEP offers a joint Master of Arts in Economics program with the University of San Francisco.
All programs allow students to choose specializations in particular areas of their subject.
Does KIMEP offer doctoral programs?
Yes. A Doctor of Business Administration program was launched in the spring of 2006. The program focuses on training its students to design and carry out original research, and helps them to develop an unrivalled inter disciplinary understanding of their subject, which will allow them to take leading positions in academic and business circles.
What is the best way to prepare for entry to KIMEP?
The best way to prepare for entry is to enroll in KIMEP’s preparatory courses. The preparatory courses are specially designed to prepare students for KIMEP’s stringent entrance requirements, ensuring the highest possible chance of admission and successful further study.
Special attention is paid to the study of English, since all classes are taught in English. By the start of the academic year, students’ level of English will be sufficient to listen to lectures, participate in class activities, and read and write fluently.
What is the credit system in practice at KIMEP?
In 2000 KIMEP became the first institution of higher education in Kazakhstan to implement the US-style credit system of education, where each class on the curriculum is valued at a certain number of credits – from one to three. A credit is a tentative academic unit.
To obtain a graduate or undergraduate degree, a student needs to earn a specific number of credits. The number of credits allocated to each class is taken into account when calculating a student’s grade point average (GPA).
The credit system provides students with considerable academic freedom when choosing their classes, schedules and instructors.
KIMEP has developed and operates an online registration system that provides the required support for the credit system. Students also benefit from a well-developed academic advising system.
What is the duration of study on graduate and undergraduate programs?
The normal duration of an undergraduate program is five years, and the normal duration of a graduate program is two years. However, the credit system allows students to take fewer classes per semester should they wish. In this case they will study for a longer period of time. This period may not exceed ten years for bachelors programs and five years for masters programs.
Is it possible to graduate faster?
Yes. The credit system allows students to graduate faster. Students are allowed to take a maximum of six classes in each of the fall and spring semesters. In addition to this, KIMEP has two summer semesters, during each of which students can take up to two classes per each semester.
Is it possible to take a few classes I am interested in without having to complete a bachelor or masters degree?
Yes. In this case you will receive a transcript that will indicate the classes you have taken and the grades and number of credits you have obtained.
How can I tell what year a student is studying in?
For undergraduate students, the year of study is determined by the number of credits earned, in accordance with the table below:
0 – 30 credits 1st year student
31 – 60 credits 2nd year student
61 – 90 credits 3rd year student
91 credits and more 4th year student
What is the grading system in operation at KIMEP?
KIMEP has adopted both a numeric and a letter-based grading system to evaluate students’ performance.
The final grade for any subject is composed out of a number of interim grades received by students during their study. Each interim grade contributes to the final grade. A student’s GPA is determined from the results of all the classes they have taken. A student’s GPA is taken into consideration when allocating financial aid in the form of grants or discounts for tuition.
Can undergraduate students transfer from one program to another?
Yes. Undergraduate students in good academic standing can transfer between programs within the first year of their studies.
Why doesn’t KIMEP have students’ record books like other universities in Kazakhstan?
KIMEP has adopted an international system in which a student’s grades are transferred by their instructors to an automatic registration system that coordinates all student data, including classes taken, schedule, grades, number of credits earned, and payment information. If a student is expelled or transferred or graduates from KIMEP, they will receive a transcript indicating all the classes they have taken, the grades they received, the number of credits they have earned and their GPA.
Does KIMEP monitor attendance?
Attending classes is the individual responsibility of each student. Attendance is considered an important part of academic performance and makes up a certain percentage of the total grade for every subject.
What is the academic advising system in operation at KIMEP?
KIMEP operates a well-developed academic advising system for all students. Academic advising is a continuous process throughout a student’s studies at KIMEP and requires constant coordination between the student and their academic advisor.
The academic advising system at KIMEP is made up of two parts:
1. Academic advising for newly admitted undergraduate students;
2. Academic advising for students who have successfully completed their first year of studies.
Newly admitted undergraduate students receive academic consultations at a specially established Academic Advising Center for Freshmen, where students can get answers to questions related to academic matters including class selection, academic requirements, the electronic registration system, and any other related issues.
After successfully completing their first year of studies, a student is assigned an academic advisor from among the instructors on their program. From this point on, all questions regarding choice of specialization, selection of required classes, and career choices are discussed at personal meetings between a student and their academic advisor.
KIMEP has also created academic advising centers at the Bang College of Business and the College of Social Sciences where students in any year of their studies can receive help and advice.
What types of programs are offered by the College of Continuing Education?
The College of Continuing Education offers programs to prepare students to sit university entrance exams and to be successful in their university studies. It also provides certificate programs for working professionals hoping to hone specific business skills and increase the contribution they make to their organization and distance learning programs.
STUDENT LIFE
Does KIMEP provide military training for students who are citizens of Kazakhstan?
Yes. Military training is provided through the military department of the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogic University, the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, the Ryskulov Kazakh Economic University and the Satpayev Kazakh National Technical University. Students who follow the military training program are excused military service for the period of their studies. The training lasts five semesters.
Does KIMEP provide accommodation for students?
Yes. KIMEP has a student dormitory, which is conveniently situated on campus. Dormitory places are one of the types of financial support offered to students. Places are allocated in line with KIMEP’s policy on financial support and dormitory residency. Orphans, disabled students, recipients of financial aid, international students and Kazakhstani students not normally resident in Almaty are given priority. Rent is paid as a 100% prepayment for each semester. The cost of a dormitory place in the 2008-2009 academic year ranged from 9,273 to 14,322 tenge per month, depending on the condition of the room.
For additional information about the dormitory, please contact the Director of the KIMEP dormitory at +7 (727) 237 47 71 /2 or by email at zulfiyat@kimep.kz.
KIMEP also assists students with finding an apartment to rent or share with other students. For more information regarding renting apartments, KIMEP students can call +7 (727) 237 47 73 or email housedep@kimep.kz.
What are KIMEP’s facilities like?
KIMEP is located on a modern campus in the center of Almaty, the largest city of Kazakhstan and its financial capital. The campus boasts state-of-the-art academic buildings and classrooms, 18 computer labs, and a large number of lecture halls equipped with multimedia equipment. It also has Internet access, Wi-Fi, a comfortable dormitory, a medical center, two student cafeterias, two coffee shops, a student center, a book shop and sports complex. In 2006 KIMEP finished construction of a new library. This is a modern facility that is home to a collection of more than 90 000 publications in English, Russian and Kazakh. The library also has periodicals and subscriptions to nine international e-resource databases. It is the largest automated library of educational literature in English in Kazakhstan. In 2008 KIMEP completed a new academic building with a total area of 5,350 square meters. This new facility contains 21 classrooms and a total of over 1000 seats, and represents another world-class addition to KIMEP’s campus.
What else does KIMEP offer its students besides academics?
KIMEP believes that personal development that occurs outside the classroom is as important as what is learned inside the classroom. Everyone will find something interesting to do. Regular events include an annual student initiation party, student festivals, exhibitions of students’ artwork, poetry and music nights, theatre productions, discos, Miss and Mister KIMEP competitions, Show Time, KVN, advertising festivals, student organizations fairs, film screenings, guest lectures from distinguished politicians, scholars and businessmen from different countries, debating clubs, and sports competitions. The student government provides students with a voice to represent their interests to the administration of the Institute. Students also publish student newspapers – The KIMEP Times, K-Wall and the KIMEP Pie magazine.
Does KIMEP have a medical center?
Yes. The center is located on campus and is equipped with all the required facilities and medication. The full-time staff of doctors and nurses provides medical help, including emergency help, to students and faculty.
What sports facilities does KIMEP have?
KIMEP has a sports complex that combines a large indoor hall for basketball and volleyball, two gyms, and a floodlit all-weather soccer pitch. There are also facilities for table tennis and chess.
Teams from KIMEP regularly compete in local, regional, and international competitions in various sports, and can also play in several internal leagues. KIMEP boasts Kazakhstan’s only university American football team, the Titans.
What kind of catering services are provided for students?
A student cafeteria, the KIMEP Grill, opened in 2002. The menu is diverse and affordable, and includes dishes from a range of different national cuisines. At the cozy Black&Brown coffee shop you can chat with friends or read the news while sipping a cup of real coffee. In addition to these options there is a canteen in the dormitory and a range of vending machines on campus offering snacks and hot and cold drinks.
How does KIMEP ensure students’ safety on campus?
KIMEP’s campus is guarded 24/7 by a dedicated security team. Security personnel also provide extra security during different student, educational, sports and entertainment events. All buildings on campus are equipped with CCTV surveillance and fire alarms. The new library has an automatic fire-extinguisher system.
Where can I get more information about KIMEP?
For more information please contact the Admission Office.
