Applying from Central Asia: programmes and practical tips

Students and young professionals from Central Asia are eligible for more international programmes than many of them realise. Some are open to every nationality, others were designed specifically for the region or for a few countries in it. This guide groups the main options and adds practical advice for applicants from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Eligibility differs by country and changes over time, so always confirm it on the official page of each programme.

Pages by country

Our pages by nationality list programmes that name your country among the eligible countries:

• Tajikistan: scholarships, fellowships, internships
• Uzbekistan: scholarships, fellowships, internships
• Kyrgyzstan: scholarships, fellowships, internships
• Kazakhstan: scholarships, fellowships
• Turkmenistan: scholarships, fellowships

Programmes open to all nationalities are not repeated on these pages, so also browse the full scholarship list.

Programmes designed for the region or a few countries

• JDS (Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship). Funded by the Government of Japan, JDS supports young government officials and others in public service from selected countries to study for a master's degree in Japan. Several Central Asian countries take part; see our pages for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Eligibility depends on your employer and field.
• OSCE Academy in Bishkek. The Academy offers master's programmes in politics, security and related fields, with scholarships for students from Central Asia and neighbouring countries. See the OSCE Academy programme page.
• Nazarbayev University. The university in Astana offers English-taught master's programmes with financial support; see Nazarbayev University master's programmes.
• Russian government quota. Russia funds places at its universities for foreign citizens, including from Central Asia, through a quota system. See the quota programme page.

Global programmes open to Central Asian citizens

• **Chevening** for a one-year master's in the UK. Check that your country is on the current list of eligible countries; read our Chevening guide.
• **Türkiye Scholarships**, open to almost all nationalities; read our Türkiye Bursları guide.
• **Stipendium Hungaricum**, for citizens of countries with a sending partner; check the partner list and read our Stipendium Hungaricum guide.
• **MEXT**, the Japanese government scholarship, usually through the Japanese embassy in your country (embassy recommendation) or through a Japanese university.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, open to applicants worldwide; read our Erasmus Mundus guide.

Several countries in the region also run national programmes that fund their own citizens to study abroad, such as Bolashak in Kazakhstan and the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation in Uzbekistan. Their conditions, including obligations to work in the country after graduation, are set nationally; read them on the official sites.

Practical tips

Spell your name the same way everywhere. Names transliterated from Cyrillic often appear in several spellings across the passport, diploma and transcripts. Use the spelling in your international passport and ask translators to follow it. Differences can delay admission and visas.

Prepare documents early. Translations, notarised copies and apostilles take time. Our document checklist explains each step.

Plan your English proof. Test centres may be available only in larger cities, and dates fill up. Check whether your programme accepts an online test or a medium of instruction letter before you book; read our guide on English tests and waivers.

Check how you will pay fees. Test fees, application fees for some universities and visa fees often require an international bank card. Arrange one in advance.

Prepare for online interviews. Many interviews take place by video. Test your connection, camera and microphone, find a quiet room and have a backup, such as mobile data.

Allow time for visas. Not every country has an embassy or visa centre in every Central Asian capital. You may need to apply in a neighbouring country, which adds travel time and cost. Check the embassy's instructions as soon as you are selected.

Use the regional and alumni networks. Alumni of programmes such as Chevening, JDS and Erasmus Mundus are active in the region and often share advice. Ask them about the interview and life in the host country, but never pay anyone for "help" with an application to a free programme; see how to spot scams.

A plan for the year

• Spring and summer: choose programmes, check eligibility, take an English test, prepare documents.
• Autumn and winter: most application windows open and close in this period for programmes starting the following autumn.
• Spring of the following year: interviews and results.

Use our closing soon page to see the next deadlines, and how to find and choose a scholarship to build your shortlist.