Non-formal education

SmartStart: KAFU is a university education program for 11th-grade students that allows them to begin studying first-year university courses while still attending school.

Throughout their 11th-grade year, participants study general education courses from the university’s first-year curriculum alongside their regular school studies. Classes take place twice a week, from November to May. The program comprises a total of 38 credits.

After graduating from school and enrolling at Kazakhstan-American Free University (KAFU) on a tuition-paying basis, SmartStart: KAFU participants can continue their studies directly from the second year, as the first-year courses completed through the program will be credited toward their degree.

The program allows school students to become familiar with the university learning environment in advance, complete part of the academic curriculum, and reduce the time required to study after admission.

The learning format depends on the student’s place of residence:

• Students from urban schools attend classes in person at the university.
• Students from rural schools study online.

How to Join SmartStart: KAFU

To participate in the program, students must:

1. Be enrolled in the 11th grade of a general education school.
2. Submit an application to participate in the SmartStart: KAFU program.
3. Complete the enrollment process and sign an agreement.
4. Complete the first-year university courses from November to May.
5. Take the Unified National Testing (UNT) after completing the 11th grade.
6. Achieve the required minimum score for university admission.
7. Enroll at KAFU on a tuition-paying basis. Once admitted, the first-year courses completed through SmartStart: KAFU will be credited, allowing students to continue their studies from the second year.

Note: The program is not available to applicants seeking admission to the degree programs 6B01703 “Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages” and 6B02301 “Translation Studies,” or to the American Program.