In 2025, the FIBAA Accreditation and Certification Committee granted SDU University institutional accreditation and awarded it the FIBAA Quality Seal for a period of six years, confirming that the quality of its educational services fully complies with European and international standards.
FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation) is a globally recognized organization that conducts a comprehensive evaluation of higher education institutions in key areas such as strategic management, academic freedom, curriculum content and quality, human resources, research activities, and student-centered learning.
FIBAA accreditation demonstrates the high level of trust in SDU University as an international partner and highlights the university’s commitment to continuous improvement in the quality of its educational, research, and administrative processes.
At the national and international levels, ASIIN is recognized as a leader in the accreditation processes of study programs in engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, as well as in medicine and economics. ASIIN certified engineering degrees are recognized in the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other countries and their graduates are qualified to work as engineers in the aforementioned countries.
International accreditation affirms the high quality of SDU University’s Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences study programs and their compliance with global standards. In particular, the “Mathematics“ program at all academic levels (bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD) and the undergraduate program “Mathematics and Computer Modeling“ have received unconditional ASIIN accreditation for a six-year period, confirming their academic excellence, international relevance, and global recognition of graduates’ qualifications.
ACQUIN is an accreditation agency composed of higher education institutions from Germany and abroad, along with professional and trade associations, working to ensure the quality, transparency, and comparability of undergraduate and graduate programs across all disciplines through objective and inclusive procedures involving academic, professional, and student representatives.
Three study programs of SDU University’s Faculty of Education and Humanities—”Two Foreign Languages” (undergraduate and graduate) and “Translation Studies” (undergraduate)—were unconditionally accredited for eight years, reflecting their academic excellence and full alignment with international quality standards.
Programme accreditation according to FIBAA quality standards is designed for public or private, state-recognised higher education institutions offering undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs, and seeking accreditation in line with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG) and the principles of the Bologna Declaration.
The seven bachelor’s degree study programs offered by SDU’s Business School and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences — Economics, Management, Finance, Accounting and Audit, Digital Marketing, Applied Law, and International Law — were successfully accredited by FIBAA for a period of six years.
ABET is a recognized global accreditation agency representing a federation of 35 professional and technical societies in the fields of applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. Its accreditation process ensures that academic programs meet the quality standards essential for graduates to enter the global workforce.
SDU University is currently undergoing the ABET accreditation process for two of its study programs: Computer Science and Information Systems. Achieving ABET accreditation confirms that these undergraduate programs meet international standards of quality and relevance to industry expectations. Recognized worldwide as the benchmark for STEM education, ABET accreditation strengthens graduates’ employability and ensures that they are well-prepared for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR) is a recognized accreditation agency registered in EQAR. As a full member of ENQA, IAAR conducts program (specialized) accreditation across various fields, evaluating the quality of study programs based on national and international standards, including the ESG. Accreditation confirms that programs meet labor market needs, ensure high-quality learning outcomes, and prepare graduates for professional and lifelong success.
SDU University has successfully undergone program accreditation by IAAR for a total of 40 study programs from all faculties. In 2022, 27 study programs were accredited for a five-year period (2022–2027), and an additional 2 programs received extended accreditation until 2029. In 2023, 2 more joint programs were accredited for the period 2023–2028, followed by 9 programs accredited in 2024, valid through 2029. These programs represent a broad spectrum of academic disciplines across the university, demonstrating SDU’s institutional commitment to high-quality education in alignment with national and international standards.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a globally recognized professional accounting body that offers the ACCA certification to individuals who successfully complete its qualification program. ACCA is respected and acknowledged worldwide, with over 227,000 members and 544,000 students in more than 176 countries.
Professionals certified by ACCA are in high demand across various sectors, including public practice, corporate finance, banking, consulting, and the public sector.
SDU University is currently undergoing the accreditation process for its academic programs in Finance, Accounting, and Auditing.
Having an ACCA certification gives SDU students the opportunity to become well-rounded professionals in the field of accounting, offering global recognition, career advancement opportunities, and a comprehensive set of skills that are valuable across many sectors in the financial and accounting industry.
SDU University has received Cisco Program Certification — a prestigious recognition in the field of IT infrastructure and networking.
This certification provides SDU students with access to a wide range of resources, advanced learning materials, best practices, as well as participation in Cisco’s Partner Program for education and the global network of Cisco Networking Academy institutions.
ISO/IEC 27001 — Information Security Management
In 2025 SDU University has successfully achieved certification in compliance with the international standard ISO/IEC 27001:2022 — a prestigious recognition in the field of information security and digital risk management. The standard defines requirements for the establishment, implementation, and continual improvement of an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
The certification confirms the university’s adherence to high international standards of information security in the following areas: development and provision of educational services for study programs, development of curricula, and delivery of telecommunications services for online learning via voice, text, and video.
ISO/IEC 27001 supports the protection of the university’s information assets, increases transparency of processes, fosters a culture of cybersecurity, and enhances trust among academic and industry partners. This is a significant step toward building a secure and modern digital educational environment at SDU University.
Link to the certificate
ISO 9001-2016 – Quality Management Systems
Since 2004, SDU University has incorporated the principles and requirements of the international ISO 9001 standard into its educational Quality Management System (QMS). The adoption of this Quality Management System reflects a strategic commitment to enhancing process efficiency, boosting institutional performance, and supporting the university’s long-term sustainable development.
The QMS encompasses all key areas of university operations, including academic, research, and administrative activities. To maintain system effectiveness, regular internal audits are conducted, along with external certification audits, which allow for timely identification of areas for improvement and continuous enhancement of processes.
Maintaining and developing the QMS contributes to strengthening a culture of quality, increasing transparency in management, and building trust among all stakeholders. SDU University is consistently working to improve the quality of its educational services, creating a modern academic environment that meets labor market demands and international education standards, where every student has opportunities for holistic development, academic mobility, and professional growth.
Link to the certificate
SDU University is honored to be recognized in both international world university rankings and national rankings of study programs, reflecting its academic excellence, research innovation, global engagement, contribution to sustainable development, and strong commitment to student success.
International Rankings
Over the years, SDU has consistently ranked among the top higher education institutions in Kazakhstan, earning its reputation worldwide as a forward-thinking university that prepares students for global challenges.
International university rankings such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking, and others serve as globally recognized benchmarks for assessing the quality and performance of higher education institutions. These rankings evaluate universities based on a range of indicators, including academic and employer reputation, research impact, teaching quality, international collaboration, and contributions to sustainable development.
SDU University takes part in these international assessments, demonstrating its growing presence and competitiveness on the global higher education landscape.
National Rankings
According to the Atameken ranking methodology, 49% of the overall score is based on graduates’ career prospects, including employment rate and median salary. Another 24% reflects the quality of educational programs, 16% accounts for student achievements, and the remaining 11% covers institution-wide indicators.
In terms of overall performance, SDU University demonstrates several notable strengths. One of the key advantages is the high quality of incoming students, with an average Unified National Testing (UNT) score of 100, compared to 63 at other private universities. Additionally, 100% of SDU’s undergraduate programs hold international accreditation, and the graduate employment rate reaches 90%, significantly exceeding the 73% average across other private institutions in Kazakhstan.
In total, 19 undergraduate programs from SDU University were evaluated in the 2024 Atameken ranking. Among them, 12 programs ranked in the Top 5, including Physics-Informatics (1st), Chemistry-Biology (2nd), Kazakh Language and Literature (3rd), and Marketing, International Law, Computer Science, and Mathematical and Computer Modeling (all ranked 4th). Additionally, Two Foreign Languages, Law, Mathematics (pedagogy), Information Systems, and Accounting and Auditing were placed 5th. Five programs ranked in the Top 10: Mathematics (6th), Finance, Economics, Journalism (all 7th), and Management (10th). Two programs were outside the Top 10: International Relations (13th) and Translation Studies (14th).
The results are available by clicking here: OP Atameken Rankings
The Academic Integrity League is a national association of higher and postgraduate education institutions in Kazakhstan committed to improving education quality through the promotion and enforcement of ten core principles of academic integrity, including fairness, responsibility, transparency, plagiarism prevention, and mutual accountability among students and staff.
Since 2018, SDU University has been a member of the Academic Integrity League. This membership reinforces the university’s commitment to upholding an open and transparent operational model, dedicated to achieving the highest standards of quality in education.
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) operates under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, mobilizing the world’s largest knowledge network to drive action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
SDSN Kazakhstan is a national network under UN SDSN aiming to conduct research to support the development of sustainable pathways in Kazakhstan. Since 2022, SDU University has been a member of the SDSN Kazakhstan, actively contributing to the advancement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ASIIN Global University Network of Excellence (AGUNE) is an international network of ASIIN-accredited institutions committed to promoting global visibility, high-quality standards in education and quality assurance, and continuous exchange, uniting diverse universities and programs across disciplines and formats under the leadership and expertise of ASIIN.
SDU University is honored to be a founding member of the AGUNE since 2023. This prestigious network brings together top-tier institutions from around the world, fostering collaboration to drive innovation, enhance academic standards, and promote excellence in higher education.
The Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) is an association of 70+ schools of business from leading universities around the world. We collaborate to provide outstanding, internationally-oriented business education that prepares students to succeed in the global economy.
Since 2019, SDU University has been a member of the NIBS, strengthening its commitment to internationalization, enhancing the quality of business education, and expanding opportunities for academic collaboration and global student engagement.
The European Law Institute (ELI) is an independent, democratic, membership-based organisation of distinguished founding. It was established as an ‘Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif’ (AISBL) under Belgian law on 1 June 2011. Inspired by the activities of the American Law Institute (ALI), established in 1923, ELI serves a similar purpose within the European legal context, focusing on European legal development in a global context.
Since 2023, SDU University has been a member of the ELI. This membership highlights SDU’s commitment to advancing legal research, promoting innovation in law, and fostering international collaboration to enhance the development of European legal systems and principles.
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