Are there any master’s or PhD programs at Nazarbayev University taught in Kazakh or Russian?
No, there aren’t. All master’s and PhD programs are taught in English with the exception of the Executive MBA program which is taught in English but provides simultaneous interpretation into Russian.
Do I have to take any entrance exams or comprehensive tests to apply to graduate programs?
The results of comprehensive testing are not considered for admission to Nazarbayev University.
All programs require an English-language proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL) if the applicant has not previously studied in English.
In general, for admission to graduate programs, the Admissions Committee of the respective program reviews the applicant's application package, taking into account all elements of the application:
Some programs require GRE, GMAT, ALEKS, and work experience in addition to the above. School of Medicine programs have specific exam requirements.
What is the sequence of actions for applicants who wish to enter Graduate programs?
Select a master’s or PhD program. You can simultaneously apply to two master’s and/or PhD programs at a maximum. If an applicant receives an offer from both programs, he/she needs to choose one of them.
Research the entry requirements of programs and prepare all documents for the online application package.
Register online on the portal before due dates for the selected program and upload all necessary documents.
Successfully pass the interview with the Admissions Committee, if invited. Interviews are held in English.
To successfully enroll, you must complete an orientation week and sign a contract with the School you enrolled in.
How is the interview performed? What questions are asked? What do you need to prepare for?
Interviews are conducted online or offline in the English language, lasting 15 minutes or more.
Each Admissions Committee develops its own evaluation methodology. Therefore, the questions may vary depending on the program. In the interview, members of the University Admissions Committee may ask questions to check the following:
As you can see, the topics in the interview correspond closely with your motivation letter.
I want to apply for a master's/doctoral program. Does my chosen program necessarily have to match my previous bachelor's/master's degree, or can I choose another major?
Your previous degree is not required to match the program you are applying for at Nazarbayev University. However, applicants are expected to outline their high motivation and strong interest in the program in the statement of purpose and in the interview.
How long is the duration for master's degree, residency, and PhD studies?
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Type of study |
Program |
Duration of study |
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Master's programs |
Master of Business Administration |
16 months |
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Master of Science in Finance |
16 months |
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Master in Public Administration |
18 months |
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Executive Master of Business Administration |
20 months |
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Doctor of Medicine |
4 years |
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Other programs |
2 years |
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PhD programs |
All programs |
4 years |
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Residency
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Pathological anatomy |
3 years |
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Pediatrics |
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Family medicine |
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Internal Medicine |
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Psychiatry |
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Anesthesiology and Intensive Care |
4 years |
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Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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Ophthalmology |
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General Surgery |
5 years |
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Orthopedics and Traumatology |
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Radiology |
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Urology |
If I am currently pursuing an internship under the Bolashak program, but have not received a degree from this program, can I qualify for studying with the grant?
Yes. The state educational grant is awarded to individuals who have not previously obtained a degree of the appropriate level of education in Kazakhstan under the state educational order and/or abroad under the international scholarship "Bolashak."
Does Nazarbayev University offer programs on a fee-paying basis?
Yes, Nazarbayev University offers programs on a fee-paying basis. For more information about fee-paying basis options, please refer to the "Fees and Funding" section.
How to transfer to NU for a master's/doctoral degree program? Is it possible to transfer from another university?
It is not possible to transfer at the graduate level. However, you can transfer your credits at the discretion of the School you are applying for. You can contact your School of study about this matter.
Can I transfer my credits if I am studying or have already completed my master’s/PhD program?
You can transfer your credits at the discretion of the School you are applying for. You can contact your School of study about this matter.
When will admission decisions be made?
All admissions decision letters will be emailed. The period of sending notifications about admission will be available in the “Important dates” section of master's and doctoral degree programs.
Are there any master’s programs that I can combine with my full-time work?
There are several programs at Nazarbayev University that you can pursue while working full-time:
Master of Science in Educational Leadership (module-based);
Master in Public Administration (with classes on weekends);
Online Master in Public Administration (with online classes);
Master of Business Administration (with online classes on weekdays and offline classes on weekends);
Executive Master of Business Administration (with classes on weekends).
All other programs are full-time and do not allow combining with full-time employment.
If I have already received a master’s/PhD degree at another Kazakhstani university under the state scholarship, can I enter Nazarbayev University at the same program level?
If you have already received a master’s/PhD degree under the state scholarship, you cannot receive the same degree under the state scholarship again, unfortunately. This applies to the holders of the “Bolashak” scholarship as well. In such cases and in case of the successful outcome of the competition, you can enter the program on a fee-paying basis or search for sponsors for financial aid.
It is worth noting that for the applicants of the “Master of Science in Finance” program the scholarships are given by the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan. More information is available on the website of the Graduate School of Business.
What do I do if there was an error during the application?
In case of problems with submitting an application, please send a request to the emails according to the table below, specifying the IIN (for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan) and the number assigned in the personal account — the applicant ID.
Master's programs |
Graduate School of Education |
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Graduate School of Business |
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Graduate School of Public Policy |
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School of Sciences and Humanities |
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School of Engineering and Digital Sciences |
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School of Medicine |
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School of Mining and Geosciences |
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Residency / PhD programs |
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Can I apply for several master’s/PhD programs at the same time?
You can simultaneously apply to two master’s and/or PhD programs at a maximum. If an applicant receives an offer to both programs, he/she needs to choose one of them.
How can I check my application status?
Your application status will be displayed in your personal account, under the “Admission Results” section. As for the final decision of the Admissions Committee, it will be sent to your email address, indicated during the registration, based on the results of the competitive selection.
If I am a final-year student, can I apply for a program with no diploma of higher education?
If you are a final-year student, you can submit an official current transcript prepared by the office of the registrar of your university with subsequent provision of the diploma of higher education and final transcript.
Is the amount of the registration fee during the application process to the master's / PhD programs of Nazarbayev University refundable, if the applicant was not enrolled in the master's / PhD program?
This amount is non-refundable. The application fee shall be paid only online in your personal account. The payment of the application fee by transferring money through a bank is not acceptable. Applicants can apply for no more than two master's / Ph.D. programs at Nazarbayev University. In this regard, please do not make the payment more than two times.
Is it mandatory to do a notarized translation of documents into English?
If a document includes the English version, then the notarized translation is not needed. In other cases, notarized English translations are mandatory since most of the Admissions Committee members are foreign individuals who do not know Russian or Kazakh.
How can I calculate my GPA correctly?
You can calculate your GPA using a 4-point system with the help of online resources or specify your GPA as indicated in your transcript. In any case, an Admission Department staff member will recalculate it.
More information about IELTS/TOEFL. How to order an IELTS/TOEFL? Why can IELTS/TOEFL not be found in the database?
To submit an IELTS/TOEFL certificate, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Detailed Instruction about the provision of IELTS/TOEFL certificates is available in the "Upload IELTS/TOEFL results" section of applicants’ personal accounts.
IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL PDT results are not considered in the competition.
All certificates must be valid at the time of application. The certificate is valid for two years.
All certificates provided must be valid at the time of submission of documents.
Please note that submission of IELTS/TOEFL certificates in the database of Nazarbayev University is not within the purview of the University. You should independently contact the test center and make sure that your certificate has been sent. Please note that this action takes at least 7-10 working days. If the certificate is received after the deadline, specified by the Admissions Department, results will not be considered in the competition.
The deadline for the IELTS/TOEFL certificate is available on the website.
Where should I send certificates if I improved my IELTS/TOEFL results before the application is closed?
You should upload your certificate in your Personal account under the «UPLOAD IELTS/TOEFL RESULTS» section based on the Instructions, completing the same steps indicated in the answer above.
May I provide IELTS/TOEFL results after the application deadline?
Online application deadlines and certificate submission dates may vary. You will need to upload your certificate in your Personal account by the deadline for the IELTS/TOEFL results submission Language certificates submission deadlines will be available under the “Important dates” section of Master's and Doctoral degree programs. The certificates will not be accepted after the deadline. In that case, your application will be found as ineligible and will be rejected.
Is the IELTS one skill retake exam result accepted?
Yes, it is accepted. You must submit your final test results before the deadline for accepting IELTS/TOEFL certificates.
What are the codes for sending IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/GMAT test results?
Nazarbayev University codes to send the test results:
What type of English language certificates are not accepted?
IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online, TOEFL PDT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition results are not accepted.
Is it enough to provide a scanned version of the IELTS/TOEFL certificate in the Personal account?
No, it is not. You will need to order the electronic results of the IELTS/TOEFL, which must be sent to Nazarbayev University by the test administrator directly. For detailed information, contact the exam administrator.
What should I do if my certificate is not found in the database when I enter the TRF number?
You should check the correctness of all the data entered (name, passport details in the application form, and TRF number/Appointment number) or contact the test administrator to send the electronic version of the IELTS/TOEFL certificate to the address of Nazarbayev University.
What is the ALEKS test?
ALEKS test is an exam to determine the level of basic mathematical skills for business. It uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a candidate knows and doesn't know in a course.
Can I find out more about the ALEKS test format?
You can familiarize yourself with the test format as well as take a trial ALEKS test on www.aleks.com or receive a monthly subscription on http://www.aleks.com/buy_aleks_now.
Is the ALEKS test for the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Finance and Master of Engineering Management programs fee-paying?
ALEKS test is included in the application fee. In case of retaking, the cost will be 10 000 tenge.
Retaking the ALEKS test is impossible for the Master of Engineering Management program.
What is МСАТ exam and who is required to take it?
MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test. This is an exam for those who wish to study at a medical faculty of educational institutions. MCAT is a standardized test with multiple choice of questions that assesses the skills of a future student, that is: the ability to solve complex problems, critical thinking and knowledge of the natural and social sciences, biology and other subjects that serve as a prerequisite for studying medicine.
MCAT Format
The test consists of four parts:
MCAT Assessment
When compiling the MCAT, a student can score from 1 to 15 points in each of the four parts of the test. The final result is the total score of all parts of the MCAT.
Results are known after 30-35 days after the test. A student can find out this information on the official MCAT website by visiting the “Get Your Test Scores” section.
Registration and payment of MCAT
Payment for the test ranges from 305 to 355 dollars, depending on whether you have registered in advance, or at the last moment. Materials for self-preparation for the MCAT test can be found here.
Where can I take the MCAT exam?
MCAT exam can be taken only abroad. You need to register on the website aamc.org to choose the country and the date of the exam. Please note that the result must be provided to Nazarbayev University before the application deadline for the Doctor of Medicine program.
What is the USMLE exam and who is required to take it?
USMLE is taken for admission to the Residency program (only Step 1 is taken).
USMLE Step 1 is a computer-based exam with a choice of proposed answers that tests the knowledge of subjects studied during the first two courses of a Medical University in the United States and most countries of the European Union. USMLE evaluates a physician’s ability to apply in practice the knowledge, concepts, and principles, as well as demonstrating basic patient care skills.
The list of certified centers is available on Prometric website.
What is an IFOM exam and who is required to take it?
The IFOM exam was developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) to assess students' knowledge of the basic and clinical disciplines, which are key disciplines to the implementation of the basic functions of a physician during patient care. The exam includes 160 questions with several possible answers, most of which are presented in the style of clinical vignette to assess the ability of subjects not only to recall but also to apply basic knowledge of medical science in the following areas: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Histology, Cell biology, Microbiology, Organ systems, Pathology, Pharmacology and Physiology.
This exam is one of the admission requirements to the Residency program. USMLE Step 1 can be an alternative for IFOM.
What are the minimum requirements for the GRE, GMAT, and ALEKS and where do I take them?
There are no minimum requirements for the GRE, GMAT, and ALEKS tests.
Detailed information can be found on GRE, GMAT.
The ALEKS test is taken at Nazarbayev University or online (depending on the School). An invitation to take the exam is sent by the Secretary of the Admissions Committee. Applicants have the option of choosing a test day from a list of approved dates.
The Master of Engineering Management program has a fixed date and is approved by the School.
Who can be my referee?
The referees can be persons related to you in the academic field – professors, supervisors, teachers, deans, i.e. those who know or knew you as a student, as well as persons from your professional field – employers, colleagues, strategic partners, etc.
What is the procedure of submitting reference letters?
As soon as you press the “PAY AND SUBMIT APPLICATION” button having completed the online application, a link will be automatically sent to referees’ email addresses provided in your application form. This link enables referees to submit reference letters through 2 options.
Option 1 – a referee sends the reference letter to Nazarbayev University from his/her corporate/institutional email address. Your referee should fill out the electronic reference form using the link that he/she received to the email address.
Option 2 – is used when the referee does not have a corporate/institutional email address. In this case, the referee should prepare the letter on the letterhead of the organization that he/she represents with the date and outgoing number of the letter. The letter then is scanned and uploaded through the link he/she received to the email address. Referees are given 7 days to prepare the letter.
In case my referee refuses to provide a reference letter, can I indicate another referee?
In this case, you will need to send a message to the email address indicated in the upper right corner of your application form. Please write the other referee's information with the referee's name, email address, title, organization, and phone number and the Admissions Department staff will replace the information in your application form.
How do I choose a research topic to enter a PhD program? How can I find out if there are research areas at the University that I want to study during my PhD program?
In order to determine your research area, please visit the website of the respective School, look through the faculty profiles and their research interests to understand what interests you the most out of the given research areas. Based on that, you can develop your own topic. Also, there are plenty of opportunities to attend online lectures and sessions of the School faculty, open house days held throughout the year, which will help you receive answers to your questions on how to prepare a strong research proposal.
Do you have any requirements for the content of the motivation letter?
There are no special requirements for the content of the letter. The entire content of the letter is your authentic project. There are many resources on the Internet, including on the website open.nu.edu.kz, you can find resources that give recommendations on how to prepare a strong motivation letter. Depending on the program the required length might be not more than 1 page or up to 500 words.
How can I confirm my work experience?
If work experience is an additional requirement for the program, you can provide your CV. However, if work experience is a mandatory requirement, then you will need to submit official documents. In accordance with the Labor Сode of the Republic of Kazakhstan, any of the following documents can be provided as confirmation of the work experience:
What Diploma is necessary to apply for Residency Programs?
Doctor of Medicine Diploma or an equivalent medical degree (the highest level of medical qualification providing the right to receive registration or certification to practice as an independent medical doctor in the country) is needed, obtained at a recognized university in accordance with the World Directory of Medical Schools.
Is basic medical education necessary to apply for the Master of Public Health program?
Basic medical education is not mandatory for the Master of Public Health program. However, applicants are expected to have high motivation and a strong interest in the program as outlined in a motivation letter.
What is the amount of the monthly stipend for Masters` and PhD students?
200 000 tenge – for Master’s students
123 122 tenge - for students of the Residency program
240 000 tenge – for PhD students*
*PhD students can also work as research assistants (RA) and graduate teaching assistants (GTA) with a monthly salary starting from $600 depending on the program.
Is the orientation week mandatory to attend?
Participation in the orientation week is a mandatory requirement for your enrollment in Nazarbayev University.
Are there any discounts offered to students admitted on a fee-paying basis?
The information on discounts (financial aid) can be received by contacting the Bursar’s Office at bursars_office@nu.edu.kz.
Where can I find information about the dormitory?
You can contact the Department of Student Services - student_housing@nu.edu.kz
How many students were enrolled in master's and doctoral studies in previous years?
What about those who studied at NU in the Master's/Doctoral program and withdrew? Are there any restrictions on re-entry?
A withdrawn student can apply for admission to Nazarbayev University only after 1 year from the date of expulsion. For re-admission to the same program with the acceptance of disciplines previously taken at Nazarbayev University, it is necessary to contact the Office of the Registrar - registrar@nu.edu.kz. The re-admission procedure can be considered within 5 years after the date of withdrawal from the University. Those withdrawn from Zero Year of Graduate Programs are not considered for re-admission.
Is there any work obligation after the completion of a Master's/Residency/PhD program? What requirements and conditions are provided?
Nazarbayev University, as all educational establishments in Kazakhstan, abides by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In accordance with clause 17 of Section 47 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On education", citizens of Kazakhstan who have received education at the expense of a state grant are required to work for at least three years after completing their studies.
For more detailed information, please follow the link.
What is the guarantee fee and what is the amount of the refundable mandatory Guarantee fee?
Guarantee fee – a mandatory payment that secures the applicant’s place in Graduate programs.
In case of acceptance of the admission offer, applicants must pay a mandatory refundable Guarantee fee in the amount of 100 000 (one hundred thousand) tenge.
What are the conditions for the refund of the mandatory Guarantee fee?
To return the mandatory Guarantee fee in case of completion of the following cumulative conditions:
1) bilateral signing of the Agreement on Provision of Education Services at Nazarbayev University;
2) student’s participation in Orientation week;
3) student's completion of the first semester of classes with good academic standing.
This guarantee fee can be refunded without completion of the above-mentioned conditions in case of the death of an applicant/student before the second semester of the program.
The guarantee fee is refunded in the second semester of the program via money transfer to the students' bank cards, which will be issued by the University.
