Learn more about our schools
At Nazarbayev University, eight schools offer students limitless opportunities to explore diverse fields of academia and collaborate in research aimed at addressing pressing global issues. NU’s academic and research programs are developed in partnership with leading universities ranked among the world’s top 30 higher education institutions.
Center for Preparatory Studies
NU Center for Preparatory Studies (NU CPS) prepares students for study at NU and also for Universities overseas. Our Foundation Year Program is accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP) and is recognized by top universities in the UK and around the world.
Graduate School of Business
NU’s Graduate School of Business (NU GSB) is committed to shaping future leaders by providing relevant and practical master’s level courses for business professionals who want to transform the global marketplace.
GSB related organizations
NURCE
The Nazarbayev University’s Research Centre for Entrepreneurship (NURCE) is a new research centre within the Graduate School of Business at Nazarbayev University. NURCE aspires to become a leading centre of research excellence in the field of entrepreneurship.
School of Sciences and Humanities
The academic staff at NU’s School of Sciences and Humanities (NU SSH) comprises scholars with doctoral degrees from leading universities around the world. We also have researchers involved in various studies, and our scientists in the natural sciences conduct research in about 90 laboratories. Some of our faculty members even specialize in Eurasian studies.
SSH related organizations
NLA
The National Laboratory Astana (NLA) conducts research in various fields, including medicine, healthcare, energy, materials science, and green energy. It has state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment, and collaborates with universities and research institutions around the world.
ECL
The Energetic Cosmos Laboratory (ECL) is a leading astrophysics research center established in 2017 by Nobel Laureate George Smoot. ECL’s mission is to study fundamental questions in physics and astrophysics while fostering technical expertise and driving innovation at NU.
National Conservation Initiative
The CF “National Conservation Initiative” was established by in 2012. The main goal of the fund is to implement conservation projects related to environmental protection, sustainable development and climate change, preservation of biodiversity and historical and cultural heritage.
NAC
The National Analytical Center (NAC) is Kazakhstan’s leading think tank, based in Nazarbayev University, specializing in applied research and strategic analysis to support evidence-based decision-making by leveraging accurate data, advanced modeling, and a deep understanding of domestic and international politics, economics, and society.
School of Mining and Geosciences
NU SMG was established in 2016, and currently runs programs in mining engineering, petroleum engineering, and geoscience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The mission of the School is to educate tomorrow’s Earth Science leaders for Kazakhstan, the region, and the world. NU SMG aims at expanding and developing knowledge and technology through teaching and research with the vision to be recognized by our peers as a national and international leader in earth science education and research.
School of Medicine
NU’s School of Medicine (NUSOM) is the first school in Kazakhstan’s history to offer all of its programs in English, following a U.S.-style curriculum by collaborating with expert medical clinicians and biomedical scientists recruited from the global healthcare network. NUSOM was created to enhance the quality of medical education in the Republic of Kazakhstan and generate a transformative health care system that meets the challenges of health care reform in Kazakhstan.
NUSOM related organizations
UMC
“University Medical Center” Corporate Fund (UMC) is part of the integrated academic healthcare system of Nazarbayev University, established based on international standards and the experience of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM) and its medical center (UPMC).
NU Biomedical Research Center
NU Biomedical Research Center was established in 2025. Covering more than 5,600 square meters, the center is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for biomedical and preclinical research. It features a platform for studies in genomics, molecular biology, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and translational medicine.
Graduate School of Education
Established in 2012, NU’s Graduate School of Education (NU GSE) upholds the school’s mission of becoming an influential, world-class graduate school of education. The school aspires to revolutionize educational thinking, policy, and practice at all educational levels through a curriculum that combines research, quality teaching, and persuasive argument.
GSE related organizations
CARCEIT
CARCEIT is a dynamic education research center aspiring to be the leading hub for education research in Central Asia. Its mission is to contribute to global knowledge and theory, influence education policy, leadership, and practices, and foster a regional education research community and culture through grant offering.
Graduate School of Public Policy
Established in 2012, the goal of NU’s Graduate School of Public Policy (NU GSPP) is to become the number one school of public policy in Central Asia. The school’s curriculum is designed to address key policy and governance challenges facing Kazakhstan and Central Asia. This ensures graduates are competent leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle issues and improve the quality of life of the people in the entire region.
GSPP related organizations
NAC
NAC’s structural divisions specialize in the study of socio-economic processes in the regions of Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries, as well as in developing policy recommendations to improve the effectiveness of public administration.
School of Engineering and Digital Sciences
NU’s School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (NU SEDS) has designed all of its programs to revolutionize the traditional engineering and science learning environment of lectures and laboratories to include modern components that engage students in project-based exercises in critical thinking. As world-class leaders in STEM education, all NU SEDS graduates enter the global marketplace as highly skilled experts in their chosen field of study. Our graduates go on to become innovators who overcome the obstacles in Central Asia and Eurasia’s advanced technology industries. The SEDS promotes a mission of utilizing advanced technologies and research to shape student expertise and train them in critical thinking and inventive design.
SEDS related organizations
ISSAI
Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) was founded in September 2019 to serve as the driver of research and innovation in the digital sphere of Kazakhstan with the focus on AI research. It conducts interdisciplinary research on machine intelligence for solving real-world problems of industry and society.
Center for Energy and New Materials Science
Center for Energy and New Materials Science focuses on developing advanced energy solutions in collaboration with Kazakhstani and international partners. The Center aims to become a leading hub in Central Asia for physics, chemistry, materials science, and IT applied to clean, efficient energy and sustainable resource use.
