Higher education in Kazakhstan and Great Britain

Higher education in Kazakhstan is comprised of higher secondary school, vocational training, and university education. Students enter higher education at 16 years of age. Depending on the course and the track chosen, they can remain in higher education for another 2 to 6 years. Whether general or vocational, higher secondary education is provided free of charge, as it is included in the budget allocated to education by the government. University education is partly funded by the government, although private universities charge full tuition fees.Higher education facilities in Kazakhstan:There are approximately 150 universities and higher education institutes spread throughout the country, although the capital, Almaty, has the highest concentration of facilities and also the most varied choice of subjects. Some of the most renowned universities include:
- Kazakhstan's National University, the oldest public university in Kazakhstan
- The Kazakh-American University, based in Almaty. This university was the first in the country to provide higher education based in the American educational model. All courses are taught in English and there are degrees available in technical subjects, the humanities, and economics. The university also offers an MBA programme and year abroad options
- The Eurasian National University in Astana, which offers Bacherlors, Masters, and PhD degrees and that is known for being a pioneer of academic mobility in Kazakhstan
- The University of Central Asia, an educational joint venture between Kazakhstan,Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

The academic year in Britain's universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of education is divided into 3 terms, which usually run from the beginning of October to the middle of December, the middle of January to the end of March, from the middle of April to the end of June or the beginning of July. There are 46 universities in Britain. The oldest and best-known universities are located in Oxford, Cambridge, London, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Southampton, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham. Good A-level results in at least 2 subjects are necessary to get a place at a university. However, good exam passes alone are not enough. Universities choose their students after interviews. For all British citizens a place at a university brings with it a grant from their local education authority. English universities greatly differ from each other. They differ in date of foundation, size, history, tradition, general organization, methods of instruction and way of student life. After three years of study a university graduate will leave with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, etc. Some courses, such as languages and medicine, may be one or two years longer. The degrees are awarded at public degree ceremonies. Later he/she may continue to take Master's Degree and then a Doctor's Degree.