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Doctor

A doctor is the person people turn to when they are scared, in pain or simply do not understand what is happening to their body. Doctors ask questions, examine patients, order tests and turn small clues into a clear picture. If you are curious about how the human body works and ready to take responsibility for other people's health, this could become your life's work.

Doctor

To be honest, the road into medicine is long. Training takes many years, and after that you keep learning new treatments throughout your career. On the bright side, there are many kinds of doctors: GPs, surgeons, pediatricians, cardiologists, dentists, psychiatrists. Some love working with their hands in the operating room, others prefer talking with patients and solving puzzling cases. Very different people find their place here.

What the job involves

  • Sees patients, asks about their symptoms and examines them
  • Orders lab tests and scans and reads the results
  • Makes a diagnosis and chooses a treatment
  • Keeps medical records and electronic patient files up to date
  • Monitors how the patient is doing and adjusts the treatment

Skills you need

  • Biology and chemistry knowledge

    You cannot understand any illness without knowing how cells, organs and medicines work.

  • Attention to detail

    One small detail in a complaint or a test result can change the whole diagnosis.

  • Staying calm under pressure

    Doctors often have to make quick, clear decisions when the situation is serious.

  • Communication

    You need to explain a diagnosis in plain words and support the patient's family.

  • Lifelong learning

    Medicine changes fast, so good doctors keep taking courses and reading new research.

Who it suits

Personality types

Strong intelligences

  • Logical-mathematical
  • Interpersonal
  • Naturalistic

UNT subjects to take

State grants 2026

Main competition, full-time study. Quotas and separate state orders can have lower scores. Check your chances

Where to study

In Kazakhstan, doctors are trained at medical universities such as Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University in Almaty, Astana Medical University and Karaganda Medical University. To apply, you take biology and chemistry as your profile subjects on the UNT. The core General Medicine program lasts about six years and includes hands-on practice in clinics.

After that, graduates who want to specialize, for example in surgery or cardiology, go on to residency: several more years of working in a hospital under experienced doctors. If you want to start earlier, you can first finish a medical college and work as a paramedic or nurse, but becoming a doctor still requires a university degree.

Outlook

Doctors are needed in every region of Kazakhstan: city polyclinics and hospitals, rural health posts, private clinics, ambulance services, sanatoriums and labs. Villages and small towns often struggle to find enough doctors. Experienced specialists also teach at medical universities, do research or open their own clinics.

Frequently asked questions

Which UNT subjects do I need to become a doctor?

Medical programs require biology and chemistry as profile subjects, plus the compulsory UNT subjects. The minimum score for medicine is usually higher than for many other fields, so it pays to start preparing early.

How many years does it take to become a doctor?

The core medical degree takes about six years. If you want a narrow specialty, residency adds several more years depending on the field.

Is medicine right for me if I am afraid of blood?

Not every doctor works with blood or surgery: psychiatrists, radiologists and lab diagnostics specialists are just a few examples. Many students also get used to it over time. Visit a medical university open day or try volunteering to see how you feel.

Is this career right for you?

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