Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR)
Nazarbayev University is ranked in the 376-400 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, placing it among the top 17.4% of universities worldwide. The ranking evaluates more than 2,200 institutions across over 100 countries and territories and is widely regarded as one of the most influential assessments of university performance globally.
Since entering the THE World University Rankings in the 2024 edition in the 501-600 band, NU has recorded two consecutive 100-place improvements, rising first to the 401-500 band in 2026 and now to the 376-400 band in 2027. This sustained progress reinforces NU’s position as the #1 university in Central Asia and the Caucasus and one of the leading universities in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
THE WUR uses a data-driven methodology with a strong focus on research, which aligns closely with NU’s research mission. The ranking draws on Elsevier research performance data, THE’s Academic Reputation Survey of active researchers, and data provided by universities on teaching, finances and international outlook.
Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026
Nazarbayev University is ranked joint 150th out of 929 universities from 36 countries and territories in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026.
The Asia University Rankings use the same 18 performance indicators as the THE World University Rankings, grouped into five areas – teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry (knowledge transfer) – with weightings recalibrated to reflect the priorities of Asian institutions.
Subject Rankings
Nazarbayev University is ranked in eight of the eleven subject tables of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 by subject., with 22 subjects ranked globally.
Education Studies remains NU’s strongest subject, in the 176–200 band. Medical and Health and Arts and Humanities have both advanced to the 301–400 band (up from 401–500 in 2025). Engineering and Social Sciences are ranked in the 401–500 band, Computer Science in the 501–600 band, and Business and Economics and Physical Sciences in the 601–800 band.
Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, 2026
| Subject | NU's Rank |
|---|---|
| Education Studies |
176–200 |
| Arts and Humanities History, Philosophy and Theology · Languages, Literature and Linguistics |
301–400 2025: 401–500 |
| Medical and Health Medicine and Dentistry · Other Health |
301–400 2025: 401–500 |
| Engineering Chemical Engineering · Civil Engineering · Electrical and Electronic Engineering · General Engineering · Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering |
401–500 |
| Social Sciences Politics and International Studies · Sociology |
401–500 |
| Computer Science |
501–600
|
| Business and Economics Accounting and Finance · Business and Management · Economics and Econometrics |
601-800 |
| Physical Sciences Chemistry · Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences · Mathematics and Statistics · Physics and Astronomy |
601-800 |
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 Degree Recognized in Saudi Arabia
Nazarbayev University (NU) diplomas have been officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia, effective February 2026. This recognition confirms that NU degrees meet the academic standards and quality assurance requirements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
NU Degree Recognized in Germany
The Federal Republic of Germany has officially recognized the institutional accreditation of Nazarbayev University (NU), following its accreditation by the UK-based Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). This recognition confirms that NU’s institutional accreditation is valid through July 20, 2030.
NU Degree Recognized in China
Nazarbayev University (NU) has officially received accreditation from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE), under the Chinese Ministry of Education.
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 Graduate School of Public Policy has achieved important milestones through the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA). In 2026, the PhD in Public Policy program received accreditation, while the Master in Public Administration and Master in Public Policy programs were reaccredited, following their initial accreditation in 2019.
The GSPP Master’s programs in Public Administration and Public Policy were successfully accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) in 2023.
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 and recently reaccredited (2026) 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”).
Seven academic programs received international accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET):
Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria:
- Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical & Computer Engineering;
- Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering;
Accredited by the by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science;
Accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission (ANSAC) of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria:
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry;
- Bachelor of Science in Physics;
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics;
- Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences.
For more details regarding the accredited programs, please follow this link.
The following programs are in preparation for the ABET accreditation:
- BSc in Mining and Minerals Engineering; BSc in Geology; BEng in: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Chemical and Materials Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering (SOE);
- BSc in Robotics Engineering (SCAI).
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
