The Kyrgyzstan Study Abroad Market
In this Market Report on Kyrgyzstan we will cover socio-economics, educational and mobility trends.The Kyrgyz Republic is a lower-middle-income country of 6.6 million people. It is rich in natural resources, including minerals and has a significant agriculture sector. The country is investing heavily in hydroelectricity production, and tourism. Kyrgyzstan has a GDP of 8,5 billion USD. This is comparable to countries like Kosovo and Tajikistan.
Education expenditure is 15,7% of GDP. Expenditure of higher education is 3,03%.
After years of political unrest, Kyrgyzstan has introduced a parliamentary constitution with elaborate checks and balances, making the Kyrgyz Republic the only Central Asian country in which the president is limited to a single term.
According to the World Bank: ‘in order to realize the country’s potential, economic activities need to be diversified through increased private sector development and improved occupational skills and productivity in the young labor force.’ Education plays an important role in this transition. The government pursues a 3 pillar plan that 1) ensures the sustainable development of the education system, 2) focuses on equality of access and 3) improve quality of educational services. The digitalization of education is a key driver according to the education minister Gulmira Kudaiberdieva. All this and more in the Market Report on Kyrgyzstan.
Quick facts
Population: 6,6 million (2020)
Education: 9 years compulsory
Academic year: September – August
Secondary education
Starting age: 11
Duration: 7 years (5 years lower secondary, 2 years upper secondary school)
Enrollment numbers: 660,000
Higher education
Duration: 4 (Bachelor) – 2 years (Master), 3 years (PhD)
Enrollment numbers: 232,000 (2019)
Tertiary enrollment rate: 43%
Universities/ Institutions: 64. 32 state/public, 32 private
Kyrgyzstan education system (source: world education news and reviews)
Higher Education system
Currently, Kyrgyzstan is operating parallel systems of high education, one based on the European model and the other on the old Soviet model. While many institutions are now using the ECTS credit system, few are issuing the Diploma Supplement. The following qualifications are delivered by higher education institutions in Kyrgyzstan:
- Bachelor (bakalavr): the duration of study is four years. There are no three-year degrees offered. Admission is based on the diploma of completion of secondary school education.
- Diploma of Specialist: this is a holdover qualification from the Soviet era and the duration of study is five years (six in medical fields and architecture). Like the bachelor, admission is based on the secondary school diploma. Study time is quantified in hours rather than credits.
- Master (magistr): the duration of study is two years, with admission based on the bakalavr.
- Candidate of Science: the duration of study is three years and ECTS credits are not applicable to this research degree. Admission is based on the diploma of specialist or magistr.
- Doctor of Philosophy: the duration of study is two to three years and admission is based on the diploma of specialist or magistr.
- Doctor of Science: a high level research degree based on the completion of the candidate of science or PhD, requiring at least three years of research-based study.
Latest Kyrgyzstan higher education study abroad stats
At this point a total number of 13,307 students from Kyrgyzstan are studying abroad (for or as part of a degree in higher education), according to UNESCO. These are the most important study abroad destinations for Kyrgyzstani students:
IB Schools in Kyrgyzstan
- Bishkek International School – Bishkek – http://www.bis.kg/school/
- Oxford International school – Bishkek – https://www.oxford.kg/
Silk Road International School – Bishkek – http://www.sris.edu.kg/
Upcoming Education Fairs in Kyrgyzstan
Scholarships for Kyrgyzstani students
Canon Foundation Research Fellowship – https://www.canonfoundation.org/
Erasmus Mundus (Medical Master Studies) – https://www.innovativemedicine.eu/application-and-admission/application-procedure
GoEuro European Study Abroad Scholarship – https://www.omio.com/travel/study-abroad
Trendhim Scholarship – https://www.trendhim.co.uk/csr/trendhim-scholarship
Alimardan bay Topchubashov Scholarship – https://www.ada.edu.az/
Jean Monet Scholarship Program – http://www.european-funding-guide.eu/scholarship/12197-jean-monnet-scholarship-programme
Japan WorldBank Graduate Scholarships – https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships
