Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR)
Nazarbayev University (NU) is ranked in the top 23% of international research universities according to the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR). THE WUR is globally recognized as the leading ranking table of university performance.
NU has advanced into the 401–500 band, confirming its status as the #1 university in Central Asia and among the leading institutions in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). THE WUR uses a data-driven methodology that comprehensively evaluates university performance, with a strong focus on research, which aligns particularly well with NU’s research mission. THE WUR uses Elsevier research performance data, reputation data based on peer reviews of active researchers, and self-reported financial and international outlook data to calculate teaching and research scores.
Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025
Nazarbayev University has been ranked 150th out of 853 institutions in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025. These rankings apply the same rigorous methodology as the THE World University Rankings, adapted to reflect the unique characteristics of Asian universities. Institutions are assessed across core missions – teaching quality, research output, knowledge transfer, and international outlook – to ensure fair and comprehensive comparisons.Subject Rankings
Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, 2025
| Subject | NU's Rank |
|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities | 401-500 |
| History, Philosophy and Theology | |
| Language, Literature, Linguistics | |
| Business and Economics | 601-800 |
| Accountancy and Finance | |
| Business and Management | |
| Economics and Econometrics | |
| Medical and Health | 401-500 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | |
| Other Health Sciences | |
| Computer Science | 501-600 |
| Education Studies | 176-200 |
| Life Sciences | 601-800 |
| Biological Sciences |
| Subject | NU's Rank |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 401-500 |
| Chemical Engineering | |
| Civil Engineering | |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering | |
| General Engineering | |
| Mechanical Engineering | |
| Physical Sciences | 601-800 |
| Chemistry | |
| Geology, Environment, Earth and Marine Science | |
| Mathematics | |
| Physics and Astronomy | |
| Social Sciences | 401-500 |
| Communication and Media | |
| Politics and International Relations | |
| Sociology |
Nazarbayev University is the only institution from Central Asia that was eligible for inclusion in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, commissioned by the Shanghai Ranking. | Subject | 2025 GRAS Rank |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | 301-400 |
| Telecommunication Engineering | 301-400 |
| Education | 401-500 |
Leiden University Ranking 2025
Nazarbayev University stands as the leading institution in Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region in the internationally respected Leiden University Ranking 2025, which focuses exclusively on research excellence. In the Open Edition of the Leiden Rankings, Biomedical and Health Sciences subject is ranked 39-44 range globally. This is based on the proportion of publications among the top 10% most cited worldwide (the scientific impact indicator). NU’s strong performance spans all our disciplines. In the Traditional Edition, NU ranks 199 globally for Social Sciences and Humanities and 483 for Mathematics and Computer Science. Physical Sciences and Engineering also feature in the rankings. The Leiden Ranking, developed by the University of Leiden, is known for its research data-driven methodology, providing an even playing field to young and old institutions. Unlike other university rankings, it focuses solely on research performance by evaluating universities on scientific impact, international collaboration, open-access publishing, and gender diversity in authorship, without relying on reputation surveys or teaching metrics.
Nazarbayev University has been awarded institutional accreditation following a rigorous International Quality Review (IQR) conducted by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
This milestone confirms NU’s adherence to the highest international standards for quality and governance in higher education. It strengthens the university’s standing as a leading institution and reinforces the global recognition and value of a Nazarbayev University degree.
The accreditation is valid for a period of five years. The IQR Report, which highlights examples of good practice and outlines recommendations for enhancement, is available on the QAA website. NU has developed a comprehensive action plan to address the recommendations and uphold its exemplary practices.
The certificate of accreditation may be accessed via this link.
For inquiries related to accreditation or requests to use the accreditation badge, please contact the Strategy and Delivery Office at strategy@nu.edu.kz.
NU was engaged in the Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP) of the European University Association (EUA) between 2017 and 2020 to obtain an independent external review of its academic quality, research, and strategic management practices.
NU successfully completed the initial and follow-up phases of the external evaluation and continues its efforts at self-improvement. Please read relevant reports on the IEP EUA website.
NU strives to achieve internationally-recognized academic excellence, and prioritize program accreditation through external bodies of the highest repute.
The English for Academic Purposes program of the Centre for Preparatory Studies was accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP) in 2020 and reaccredited in 2024. NU is the first university in the CIS countries to gain BALEAP accreditation.
The Graduate School of Business is pursuing the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. The Full-Time and Executive MBA programs were accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA). AACSB and AMBA are two of the three main global accreditation bodies in business education (the “triple crown”).
- BEng in Electrical & Computer Engineering; BSc in Computer Science (SEDS);
- BSc in Petroleum Engineering (SMG);
- BSc in: Physics; Chemistry; Mathematics; Biological Sciences (SSH).
- BEng in: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Chemical and Materials Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering; BSc in Robotics Engineering (SEDS);
- BSc in Mining Engineering and BSc in Geology (SMG).
The School of Medicine’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) program was successfully accredited by the Eurasian Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Health Care (ECAQA) in April 2024. This is a full, five-year international accreditation by an accrediting body recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). It confirms that the MD program meets rigorous standards of quality and excellence in medical education.
In December 2025, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program was accredited by the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA) for six years confirming its adherence to internationally recognized standards in public health education (certificate).
- MA in Multilingual Education;
- MSc in Educational Leadership;
- PhD in Education
