In response to enquiries from parents and prospective students, Nazarbayev University (NU) explains how educational grants are allocated to students of its Foundation Year Program (NUFYP).
NUFYP is a one-year academic preparation programme designed for school graduates who need an additional year of study to strengthen their academic skills and improve their English language proficiency.
Completing NUFYP does not automatically guarantee admission to NU undergraduate programmes. This is not a new requirement: neither the offer letter nor the agreement signed by students enrolled in the programme provides for automatic admission to undergraduate studies.
NUFYP graduates may choose to continue their education at NU or apply to other higher education institutions. Upon completing the programme, they receive a certificate that can be submitted as part of applications to international universities requiring 12 years of pre-university education. Each university independently decides whether to recognise the certificate in accordance with its own admission requirements.
How educational grants are allocated
The review of the grant allocation procedure was prompted by a significant increase in interest in direct admission to undergraduate programmes. Over the past three years, the number of applications from candidates applying directly to undergraduate programmes has increased by 40%, while the number of state-funded educational grants has remained unchanged.
In these circumstances, the University has revised its grant allocation mechanism to ensure a more balanced and equitable process for all applicants, including those applying directly to undergraduate programmes.
Previously, the admission rules allowed applicants to receive an offer of admission with grant funding without undergoing a competitive ranking process, provided they met the established academic requirements.
It is important, however, to distinguish between an educational grant and a state-funded educational grant. In the University’s admission rules, the term “grant” refers to designated funding provided from various sources to cover tuition fees. Therefore, not all grants are equivalent to state-funded educational grants.
Under Article 9(2) of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Status of Nazarbayev University, Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools and the Nazarbayev Fund”, the University independently determines its procedures for organising educational activities, managing education quality, conducting educational monitoring and admitting students, in accordance with its Charter. Furthermore, under Article 12-1(3) and (4) of the Law, the University independently awards educational grants and manages the funds allocated to them, including their distribution and redistribution among students, in accordance with its Charter and internal regulations.
On 11 March 2026, the University approved a revised version of the Admission Rules and Procedures for NUFYP and undergraduate programmes. One of the key changes was the introduction of a competitive ranking system for grant allocation, within the number of places allocated to each academic programme. The minimum academic requirements for NUFYP students, however, remained unchanged.
It is worth noting that when applications opened for NUFYP and undergraduate programmes in late September 2025, the University did not yet have information on the number of applicants to NUFYP. The first figures became available only in March 2026.
According to the University’s statistics, the number of applications to NUFYP and undergraduate programmes increased by 14% compared with the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, NUFYP enrolment grew by 16%.
Detailed statistics are available on the University’s website.
Demand for both NUFYP and undergraduate programmes continues to grow. The competition for state-funded grants among NUFYP graduates is currently two applicants per place, compared with ten applicants per place among those applying directly to undergraduate programmes.
Given the limited availability of financial support, applicants have also been offered alternative options for entering undergraduate programmes, including fee-paying admission.
The University would also like to clarify that the revised rules do not introduce an overall limit of 400 places, as mentioned in enquiries received from parents. The final number of state-funded educational grants is determined after the admission campaign begins, taking into account the level of funding allocated under the state educational order.
Admission to an academic programme and the award of a state-funded educational grant are two separate procedures, each with its own criteria.
Meeting the minimum admission requirements makes an applicant eligible to participate in the competition but does not guarantee a state-funded grant. Grants are awarded competitively, taking into account applicants’ academic performance, the established selection criteria and the amount of available state funding.
As the academic year has only just begun, students’ academic performance will become clear closer to the end of the year. For context, up to 20% of students leave their programmes each year due to academic difficulties or choose to continue their education at other universities. At this stage, the most important priority for NUFYP students is to maintain strong academic performance.
NU understands the concerns of parents and prospective students regarding access to state-funded education and is committed to providing clear and transparent information about its admission policies.
In this regard, the University has sent an official letter to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan explaining the current admission procedures for undergraduate programmes and the allocation of educational grants.
The University has already held meetings with students and plans to organise a separate information session for parents of NUFYP students and applicants to undergraduate programmes. During the meeting, University representatives will explain the changes to the admission rules, the competitive grant allocation process and the available financial support options, as well as answer participants’ questions.
The University will also consider possible mechanisms for providing financial support to students who meet the academic requirements for admission to undergraduate programmes, taking into account the University’s priorities, available resources and established decision-making procedures.
NU remains open to constructive dialogue with parents and prospective students. The University is committed to ensuring that everyone considering further study has access to complete and reliable information to make an informed decision about their education.
