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Admissions

all programs

UNDERGRADUATE

An undergraduate program is the first level of higher education. Undergraduate programs typically take 4 years.

The undergraduate programs of Nazarbayev University provide a deep understanding of academic and research principles. Modern equipment, innovative teaching methods and experienced faculty of Nazarbayev University provide world-class higher education.

Most of the students study under the state educational grant of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is also possible to enroll on a fee-paying basis  or other forms of funding

Admission to a fee-paying education is available to applicants who meet all admission requirements and are recommended for admission but due to low ranking didn’t receive any of the scholarship mentioned above. Number of seats for a fee-paying education is approved annually by the Nazarbayev University depending on the capacity of the Schools.

 

foundation-about
Programs
How to apply
Entry requirements
Mid-year Intake on a fee-paying basis
Important dates
List of documents to be submitted by applicants
Selection process and enrollment
Useful information and quick links
Glossary

STEP 1. Create your personal account

Register on www.admissions.nu.edu.kz portal to create a Personal Account. Read the instructions about the application procedure given in your Personal account.

STEP 2. Complete your Application Form and attach required documents

Fill out the application form and attach the required documents:

  1. Scanned copy of a National ID card or passport;
  2. Scanned copy of secondary school or higher education institution certificate (attestat/diploma) with final academic performance or certificate from the school (spravka) according to the sample in the personal account;
  3. Motivation letter in English;
  4. Valid copies of certificates. The results of standardized tests must be sent directly to the University through test administrators.

STEP 3. Pay an application fee

The application fee is paid online via your personal account with a bank card.
The amount to pay is 5 000 tenge. All application fees are non-refundable.

Step 4. Finish the registration process

Finish the registration process by pressing the “Submit application” button. After submission applicants can’t change their applications.

Step 5. Upload IELTS/TOEFL certificates

Upload IELTS/TOEFL certificates in your personal account in section "Upload IELTS/TOEFL" and fill up required information about the certificate.

Further steps

Check your e-mail for notifications from the NU Admissions Department and your personal account to learn about your application status.

If you experience any difficulties with the registration or online application, please contact info_admissions@nu.edu.kz. Refer to your IIN and/or Applicant ID while sending us your requests.

SAT/ACT applicants

Minimum entry requirements for SAT/ACT applicants category

 Schools/ Requirements School of Sciences and Humanities
School of Engineering and Digital Sciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Medicine
Science majors: Humanities majors:
IELTS or TOEFL IELTS – 6.5 overall (6.0 in each section)
OR
TOEFL iBT** – 79 (reading – 13, listening – 12, speaking – 18, writing – 21)
SAT Reasoning Test* or ACT SAT Reasoning Test – 1240 
OR
ACT – 26 composite score
Interview Not required At the request of the Admissions Committee Required

* The Nazarbayev University applies the Superscoring for SAT and ACT scores

**TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not considered

NUET applicants

Minimum entry requirements for NUET applicants category for all NU Schools

Schools/Requirements

School of Sciences and Humanities

School of Engineering and Digital Sciences

School of Mining and Geosciences

School of Medicine

Science majors

Humanities majors

IELTS/TOEFL

IELTS – 6.5 overall (6.0 in each section)

OR

TOEFL iBT* – 79 (reading – 13, listening – 12, speaking – 18, writing – 21)

NUET

130 minimum total score and  60,60 Minimum passing scores per subject (Mathematics, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving)

Interview

Not required

At the request of the Admissions Committee

Required

*TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not considered

NUET (Nazarbayev University Entrance Test) – test that evaluates academic training for studying at the University

  • NUET is held in 2 subject sections - Mathematics and Critical Thinking & Problem Solving.
  • Number of questions – 60.
  • Test content – multiple-choice questions.
  • Test duration – 120 minutes. Minimum passing score – 130 in total for 2 subjects, while minimum passing score for each of the subjects shall not be less than 60. 
  • Test results are available in 6 weeks in a Personal account.
  • The number of tasks and duration of the entry examination are subject for change by Test administrators.
  • Information about access to the entry examination is placed in the applicant’s Personal account.
  • Applicants are informed about examination date and venue, information on format , as well as required documents and Rules of conduct during the examination via email one week prior to the exams. 
  • Examination schedule is published in the “Important dates” section. 
  • If  a violation of rules or conditions of passing the test occurs, the applicant's results are cancelled. In this case, the applicant is excluded from the competition. Disqualified applicants will not be able to enroll to NU in the future. 
  • There is no appeal procedure.
  • NUET for all applicants is free of charge.

A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificates graduates

Minimum entry requirements for A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificates category*

   Schools/ Requirements
School of Sciences and Humanities
School of Engineering and Digital Sciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Medicine
IELTS or TOEFL IELTS – no less than 6.5 overall (6.0 in each sub-score)
OR
TOEFL iBT** – 79 (reading – 13, listening – 12, speaking – 18, writing – 21)
A-level/NIS 12 Grade Certificates

not less than ABB for any subjects

Interview Not required At the request of the Admissions Committee Required

*A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificates holders can also participate in the competition in the "SAT/ACT applicants" category with IELTS and SAT results (see the minimum requirements for this category on the website).         

**TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not considered

IB Diploma Programme graduates

Minimum entry requirements for IВ Diploma Programme category*

 Schools/ Requirements

School of Sciences and Humanities

School of Engineering and Digital Sciences

School of Mining and Geosciences

School of Medicine

IELTS or TOEFL

IELTS – 6.5 overall (6.0 in each section)
OR
TOEFL iBT** – 79 (reading – 13, listening – 12, speaking – 18, writing – 21)

IB DP

30 total score and
4, 4, 5 for 3 subjects of HL

Interview

Not required

At the request of the Admissions Committee

Required

* IB DP holders can also participate in the competition in the "SAT/ACT applicants" category with IELTS and SAT results (see the minimum requirements for this category on the website).

**TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not considered

Transfer Students

Minimum requirements for transfer students*

 Schools/ Requirements School of Sciences and Humanities
School of Engineering and Digital Sciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Medicine
Science majors: Humanities majors:
IELTS or TOEFL IELTS – 6.5 overall (6.0 in each section)
OR
TOEFL iBT*** – 79 (reading – 13, listening – 12, speaking – 18, writing – 21)
SAT Reasoning Test** or ACT SAT Reasoning Test – 1240 
OR
ACT – 26 composite score
GPA 2.75 out of 4.0
Interview Not required At the request of the Admissions Committee Required

Transfer credits of applicants who apply to Nazarbayev University, who are studying or completed undergraduate program are identified by the Admissions Committee. The maximum allowed number of transferable credits is 72 ECTS. Credits are transferred, but grades are not assigned to transferred courses. The grades received at the previous institution(s) will not be calculated into a student’s grade point average (GPA) or cumulative grade point average (CGPA) at the University

*Applicants/students who have successfully completed at least one academic year of an undergraduate program at a university with the English language as an official language of instruction and included in the list of top 200 universities according to the Times Higher Education World University or QS World University ranking at the time of application, are exempt from submitting SAT and IELTS/TOEFL results.

**The Nazarbayev University applies the Superscoring for SAT and ACT scores

***TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not considered 

Winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads

List of International Subject Olympiads

  • International Mathematics Olympiad – IMO
  • International Physics Olympiad – IPHO
  • International Chemistry Olympiad -IChO
  • International Biology Olympiad IBO
  • International Olympiad in Informatics – IOI
  • International Zhautykov Olympiad in Mathematics, Physics and Informatics
  • International Mendeleyev Chemistry Olympiad

List of Republican Subject Olympiads of the Republic of Kazakhstan

  • Republican Mathematics Olympiad
  • Republican Physics Olympiad
  • Republican Chemistry Olympiad
  • Republican Biology Olympiad
  • Republican Informatics Olympiad


Applicants can apply with both Republican and International Olympiads

Minimum requirements for the winners of the International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads category for all  Schools’ applicants

Type of Olympiad Medal type Minimum requirements for IELTS or TOEFL Interview with Admission Committee
Republic Olympiad gold and silver medals (I, II place) for the current academic year
IELTS/TOEFL is required, no minimum score*
Required
International Olympiad* gold, silver and bronze medals (I, II, III place) for the last three years

*IELTS or TOEFL iBT results are reviewed by the Admissions Committee individually, TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not considered

Undergraduate programs Mid-year Intake is a new admission period in which applicants will be enrolled on a fee-paying basis for the Spring semester. 

Applicants will participate in the undergraduate programs Mid-year Intake competition on a fee-paying basis following the standard selection process as the general admission process that is regulated by the Admission Policy and Procedures to the undergraduate programs. Students enrolled in this competition will begin their studies in the spring semester.

The following applicants can participate in the selection process:

  • applicants who have already graduated from secondary schools;
  • current students of other universities;

Applicant categories and admission requirements are indicated in the “Entry requirements” section.

“NUET applicants” category will only be considered with NUET results obtained in the same calendar year as the application.

To apply,  you must create a Personal account at admissions.nu.edu.kz. More details are available in the “How to apply” section. 

Important: Applicants applying and recommended for enrollment in the Spring semester of the undergraduate programs on a fee-paying basis do not participate in selection for awarding an educational grant “Nazarbayev University” and other scholarships.

Online application period: 

  • November 21 - December 5, 2022.

Deadline for submission of test results to NU:

  • SAT/ACT and IELTS/TOEFL - December 5, 2022.

The tests must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (via IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL
  • 7915 – for SAT
  • 5521 – for ACT 

         FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC KAZAKHSTAN:

SAT/ACT applicants

Online Application deadline: 

  • October 24, 2022 - April 17, 2023

Deadline for taking tests in test centers for undergraduate programs:

  • SAT  - June 3, 2023;
  • ACT - April 15, 2023.
  • IELTS/TOEFL - April 29, 2023.

The tests must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL iBT
  • 7915 – for SAT
  • 5521 – for ACT 

Sending notifications about admission: end of  June - beginning of August

Submission of hard copies of documents: at the request of NU, end of  June - beginning of August

Orientation week: August

Beginning of classes: August

A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate graduates

Online application deadline:

  • October 24, 2022, - April 17, 2023

Deadline for taking tests in test centers for undergraduate programs:

  • IELTS/TOEFL  - April 29, 2023;
  • A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate (submission of final results) - June 16, 2023.

The tests must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL iBT

Sending notifications about admission: end of  June - beginning of August

Submission of hard copies of documents: at the request of NU, end of  June - beginning of August

Orientation week: August

Beginning of classes: August

IB Diploma Programme graduates

Online application deadline:

  • October 24, 2022, - April 17, 2023

Deadline for taking tests in test centers for undergraduate programs:

  • IELTS/TOEFL - April 29, 2023

The tests must be sent to the University address via test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL  iBT

Sending notifications about admission: end of  June - beginning of August

Submission of hard copies of documents: at the request of NU, end of  June - beginning of August

Orientation week: August

Beginning of classes: August

Transfer students

Online application deadline:

  • October 24, 2022 - April 17, 2023

Deadline for taking tests in test centers for undergraduate programs:

  • SAT - June 3, 2023;
  • ACT - April 15, 2023;
  • IELTS/TOEFL - April 29, 2023.

The tests must be sent to the University address via test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL  iBT
  • 7915 – for SAT
  • 5521 – for ACT

Sending notifications about admission: end of  June - beginning of August

Submission of hard copies of documents: at the request of NU, end of  June - beginning of August

Orientation week: August

Beginning of classes: August

Winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads

Online application deadline:

  • October 24, 2022 - April 17, 2023

Deadline for taking tests in test centers for undergraduate programs:

  • IELTS/TOEFL - April 29, 2023.

The tests must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL  iBT

Sending notifications about admission: end of  June - beginning of August

Submission of hard copies of documents: at the request of NU, end of  June - beginning of August

Orientation week: August

Beginning of classes: August

NUET applicants

Online application deadline:

  • October 24, 2022 - December 29, 2022

Deadline for submitting test results:

  • IELTS/TOEFL - December 29, 2022
  • Deadline for provision of additional IELTS/TOEFL certificates in order to improve results of language exams (for applicants who successfully passed the NUET exam) - April 29, 2023

The tests must be sent to the University address via test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL  iBT

Preliminary NUET dates:

No. Exam dates Cities
1 February 19, 2023

Astana 

Almaty

2 February 26, 2023

Atyrau

Kokshetau

Semey

Taldykorgan

Shymkent

Karaganda

Uralsk

3 March 5, 2023

Aktobe

Pavlodar

Aktau

Petropavlovsk

Oskemen

Taraz

Kyzylorda

Kostanay

 

Sending notifications about admission: end of  June - beginning of August

 

Submission of hard copies of documents: at the request of NU, end of  June - beginning of August

Orientation week: August

Beginning of classes: August

Mid-year Intake. For citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and international applicants

Online Application deadline: 

  • November 21 - December 5, 2022

Deadline for submitting test results:

  • SAT/ACT and IELTS/TOEFL - December 5, 2022

The tests must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL  iBT
  • 7915 – for SAT
  • 5521 – for ACT 

Sending notifications about admission: December

Submission of hard copies of documents: at the request of NU, December

Beginning of classes: January 8, 2023. 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:

Online application and IELTS/TOEFL certificates submission deadline:

  • October 24, 2022, - March 9, 2023.

Deadline for taking tests at test centers for undergraduate programs:

  • SAT -  March 11, 2023;
  • ACT - February 11, 2023.

The tests must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.

  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL  iBT 
  • 7915 – for SAT
  • 5521 – for ACT 

Sending notifications about admission: April - May

Submission of hard copies of documents: at the request of NU, end of  June - beginning of August

Orientation week: August

Beginning of classes: August

SAT/ACT applicants

List of the documents for online registration

  • Application form;
  • Scan copy of passport or national ID, or birth certificate for applicants under the age of 16.
  • School graduates - scan notarized copy of a nationally recognized certificate stating completion of a secondary school or college with transcript or its foreign equivalent. Current final year student - a certificate from educational institution according to the sample in personal account;
  • Motivation letter in English;
  • A valid electronic SAT Reasoning Test certificate (must be valid and passed no more than 3 years ago at the moment of online document submission) or ACT certificate (electronic or paper versions (with the subsequent provision of an official electronic certificate, and sending electronic SAT / ACT results through the College Board/ACT). In case the applicant provides several valid SAT Reasoning Test certificates, the Superscoring will be applied (using the highest scores across all examination sections of the test to obtain the best score).  
  • A valid official electronic IELTS/TOEFL certificate (no more than 2 years from the date of issue of the document), valid at the time of document submission, with a subsequent obligation to send electronic IELTS/TOEFL results through IELTS/TOEFL VERIFICATION SERVICES.

All the documents above must be uploaded to the applicant’s personal account. In the absence or mismatch of one or more documents, the applicant is not allowed to participate in the competition.

APPLY

List of documents for applicants who successfully passed the competition.

  • The official original document and notarized copy of high school diploma with transcript or technical, vocational, or post-secondary (диплом) or higher education diploma, or bachelor or specialist diploma.

A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificates graduates

List of the documents for online registration

  • Application form;
  • Scan copy of passport or national ID, or birth certificate for applicants under the age of 16.
  • NIS graduates - scan notarized copy of the NIS Grade 12 Certificate with final grades and scan notarized copy of high school diploma with transcript; current final year student - a certificate from educational institution according to the sample in personal account of applicant;
  • A-level graduates - scan notarized copy of A-level Certificate, scan notarized copy of certificate stating completion of school;
  • Motivation letter in English;
  • Electronic copy of a nationally recognized certificate stating completion of school. Current final year student - a certificate from educational institution according to the sample in personal account;
  • A valid official electronic IELTS/TOEFL certificate (no more than 2 years from the date of issue of the document), valid at the time of document submission, with a subsequent obligation to send electronic IELTS/TOEFL results through IELTS/TOEFL VERIFICATION SERVICES.

All the documents above must be uploaded to the applicant’s personal account. In the absence or mismatch of one or more documents, the applicant is not allowed to participate in the competition.

APPLY

List of documents for applicants who successfully passed the competition.

  • The official original document and notarized copy of high school diploma with transcript or technical, vocational, or post-secondary (диплом) or higher education diploma, or bachelor or specialist diploma;
  • The official original document and notarized copy of NIS Grade 12 Certificate for NIS graduates;
  • The official original document and notarized copy of A-level Certificate for A-level graduates.

IB Diploma Programme graduates

List of the documents for online registration

  • Application form;
  • Scan copy of passport or national ID, or birth certificate for applicants under the age of 16.
  • IB Diploma Program graduates - scan notarized copy of IB Diploma Programme with transcript or predicted scores acknowledged by the school with obligation to submit the hard copy of the document in due time; current final year student - a certificate from an educational institution according to the sample in personal account;
  • Motivation letter in English;
  • A valid official electronic IELTS/TOEFL certificate (no more than 2 years from the date of issue of the document), valid at the time of document submission, with a subsequent obligation to send electronic IELTS/TOEFL results through IELTS/TOEFL VERIFICATION SERVICES.

All the documents above must be uploaded to the applicant’s personal account. In the absence or mismatch of one or more documents, the applicant is not allowed to participate in the competition.

APPLY

List of documents for applicants who successfully passed the competition.

  • The official original document and notarized copy of high school diploma with transcript or technical, vocational, or post-secondary (диплом) or higher education diploma, or bachelor or specialist diploma;
  • The official original document and notarized copy of IB Diploma Programme with transcript;

Transfer Students

List of the documents for online registration

  • Application form;
  • Scan copy of passport or national ID, or birth certificate for applicants under the age of 16;
  • School graduates - scan notarized copy of a nationally recognized certificate stating completion of a secondary school or college with transcript or its foreign equivalent. Current final year student - a certificate from educational institution according to the sample in personal account;
  • Motivation letter in English;
  • A valid electronic SAT Reasoning Test certificate (must be valid and passed no more than 3 years ago at the moment of online document submission) without a writting part or ACT certificate without writing (electronic or paper versions (with the subsequent provision of an official electronic certificate, and sending electronic SAT / ACT results through the College Board/ACT). In case the applicant provides several valid SAT Reasoning Test certificates, the Superscoring will be applied (using the highest scores across all examination sections of the test to obtain the best score).
  • A valid official electronic IELTS/TOEFL certificate (no more than 2 years from the date of issue of the document), valid at the time of document submission, with a subsequent obligation to send electronic IELTS/TOEFL results through IELTS/TOEFL VERIFICATION SERVICES.
  • Scan notarized copy of the transcript from the university attended in original language and English or academic reports with predicted scores acknowledged by the university attended;
  • An electronic copy of the course description of studied courses/subjects from the university attended in both English and original languages.

All the documents above must be uploaded to the applicant’s personal account. In the absence or mismatch of one or more documents, the applicant is not allowed to participate in the competition.

APPLY

List of documents for applicants who successfully passed the competition.

  • The official original document and notarized copy of high school diploma with a transcript or technical, vocational, or post-secondary (диплом) or higher education diploma, or bachelor or specialist diploma;
  • The hard copy of an official transcript from the University attended in original and English language;
  • Course description of studied courses/subjects in both English and original languages.

Winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads

List of the documents for online registration

  • Filled online Application form;
  • Scan copy of passport or national ID, or birth certificate for applicants under the age of 16.
  • School graduates - electronic copy of a nationally recognized certificate stating completion of a secondary school or college with transcript or its foreign equivalent. Current final year student - a certificate from educational institution according to the sample in personal account;
  • Motivation letter in English;
  • A valid official electronic IELTS/TOEFL certificate (no more than 2 years from the date of issue of the document), valid at the time of document submission, with a subsequent obligation to send electronic IELTS/TOEFL results through IELTS/TOEFL VERIFICATION SERVICES.
  • Scan copy of Diploma/Certificate of International and/or Republican Olympiad (only for International/Republic Olympiad winners of Olympiads listed at nu.edu.kz website).

All the documents above must be uploaded to the applicant’s personal account. In the absence or mismatch of one or more documents, the applicant is not allowed to participate in the competition.

APPLY

List of documents for applicants who successfully passed the competition.

  • The official original document and notarized copy of high school diploma with transcript or technical, vocational, or post-secondary (диплом) or higher education diploma, or bachelor or specialist diploma;
  • After an offer letter - Original copy of signed Enrollment Confirmation Form printed from your Personal Account;
  • After receiving an offer letter - Consent form on Guarantee fee payment printed from your Personal Account;
  • Notarized copy of Diploma/certificate of International and/or Republican Olympiad.

NUET applicants

List of the documents for online registration

  • Application form;
  • Scan copy of passport or national ID, or birth certificate for applicants under the age of 16.
  • School graduates -Scan notarized copy of nationally recognized certificate stating completion of a secondary school or college with transcript or its foreign equivalent.  Current final year student - a certificate from educational institution according to the sample in personal account;
  • Motivation letter in English;
  • A valid official electronic IELTS/TOEFL certificate (no more than 2 years from the date of issue of the document), valid at the time of document submission, with a subsequent obligation to send electronic IELTS/TOEFL results through IELTS/TOEFL VERIFICATION SERVICES.

All the documents above must be uploaded to the applicant’s personal account. In the absence or mismatch of one or more documents, the applicant is not allowed to participate in the competition.

APPLY

List of documents for applicants who successfully passed the competition.

  • The official original document and notarized copy of high school diploma with transcript or technical, vocational, or post-secondary (диплом) or higher education diploma, or bachelor or specialist diploma.
  • Applications are considered to be complete upon their online submission. All electronic copies of the required documents must be uploaded in “Personal Account”.
  • Applicants are responsible for ensuring the receipt of all required documents by the Admissions Department. Application documents are not the subject to be returned.
  • Nazarbayev University expects applicants to meet the minimum admission criteria but we do not guarantee admission to any applicant. The NU Admissions Committees make decisions on applicants based on a thorough evaluation of submitted applications, required documents, and test scores.
  • The applicants with the highest-ranking scores are offered admission. Once a decision is made by the Admissions Committee, the Admissions Department will notify the applicants via email. The applicants can check the status of their applications in their NU personal accounts.

Description of the status assigned to the applicant at every competition stage.

Status are placed in the order of assignment to the applicant in the Personal account.

Does not meet the entry requirements. The applicant does not meet the minimum requirements of the program, and is put down after checking the application forms and documents by the University's Admission's Department.

Withdrawn. The status is assigned to applicants who refused to participate in the competition for the undergraduate  program, before the decision of the Admissions Committee is released

Recommended for admission. The applicant is recommended for admission by the Admissions Committee and an admission offer will be sent.

Waiting list. The applicant is on the waiting list. This applicant meets the minimum requirements of the program, but they are at the bottom of the ranking. At the same time, there is a chance to get an offer to study if someone who earlier was recommended to study on a grant rejects the offer.  In case there are no vacant seats on state grants, applicants on the waiting list can be offered other types of NU grants if available or a fee-paying study.

Rejected by Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee rejected the applicant after reviewing his/her documents, without placing him/her on the waiting list or after closing of the competition.

Refused admission offer. The applicant was recommended for admission, but refused to study at NU.

Refused in favor of CPS. This status is available to the applicants applied both to NUFYP and undergraduate programs. The applicant rejected to study in the undergraduate program in favor of the NUFYP. This status if given after the written refusal of the applicant to study at the Undergraduate program or if the applicant was on the waiting list and before receiving the letter of invitation to the Undergraduate program, confirmed his admission to the NUFYP program. In this latter case, the offer letter is not sent.

Guarantee fee paid. The applicant was recommended for enrollment and paid the mandatory guarantee fee.

Accepted admission offer. The status is assigned to applicants who have received letters of invitation to study, agreed and fulfilled the conditions of the University - paid the guarantee fee and submitted the original documents for enrollment

Did not come to Orientation week/Refused. This status is given to applicants who have agreed to study, submitted the original documents, but did not participate in the Orientation Week of the School.  Applicants from the waiting list can be invited to the established vacant seats, if available.

Enrolled. The applicant is enrolled, the status is assigned after the decision of the Provost on enrollment, which designates that the applicant officially becomes a student of the University.

Enrolled conditionally. The applicant is enrolled with a condition to submit the original of the attestat before the specified deadline.

Did not submit the documents/refused. The applicant did not provide the originals of the documents within the specified period. This means that the applicant refuses to study at the University.

  • The applicants offered admission are required to formally accept or decline the University offer to study by sending the completed Enrollment Form. This will be available upon the acceptance of the admission offer you will need to pay an Enrollment Deposit, refunded only upon signing the Contract on Rendering Education Services with the University after matriculation.
  • All hard copies of the required documents must be delivered to the Admissions Department by the established deadline.

Please see the online application tips here.

Find proposed topics for your Motivation letter here.

Find sample of the Certificate (Spravka) here.

Information on standardized tests with links to preparation materials, schedule, registration, and getting results is shown below.

No Title  Preparation  Schedule  Registration  Results
1 SAT  Read more  Read more Read more Read more
Read more
Read more
2 ACT Read more Read more Read more Read more
3 IELTS Read more Read more Read more Read more
4 TOEFL iBT  Read more Read more Read more Read more


Below the important information that we hope will be useful to you.

No Main points Detailed information
1 Useful links To help to prepare for admission to Nazarbayev University, this site contains many useful links to courses, webinars, interviews, books and lectures.
2 Regulations Please find the Admission Policy and Procedures to the undergraduate program of the autonomous organization of education Nazarbayev University here.
3 Frequently Asked Questions You can find answers to frequently asked questions here.
4 Differences between Foundation and Undergraduate program For more information on the difference between Foundation and Undergraduate programs, follow the link.
5 Conditions To learn more about the conditions of the provision of education services in Nazarbayev University, click here.
6 Institutional Code The tests should be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of Nazarbayev University.
  • Nazarbayev University (through IELTS TRF Verification Service) – for IELTS
  • 6762 – for TOEFL
  • 7915 – for SAT
  • 5521 – for ACT with Writing Part

This section includes terms and definitions associated with the online application, examinations required for the competition and enrollment to undergraduate programs of the NU Schools.


A-level – (The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education) is the standard school-leaving qualification offered by educational institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, and is widely recognized in Europe, the USA, and also in many other parts of the world. A-levels are studied over a two-year period and are the standard entry qualification for assessing the suitability of applicants for academic courses in English, Welsh, and Northern Irish universities;


ACT (American College Testing) – is a standardized test for secondary school achievement and college admissions in the USA. The test has an optional 30 minutes long writing section (ACT with writing results);


Admissions Committee – an advisory and consultative body of the University established to implement arrangements for admission to the undergraduate programs of the University;


Admission period – a set of deadlines for applying to University, which includes the online registration, document review, evaluation processes, and enrollment;


Applicant – a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a foreign citizen, or a stateless individual taking part in the competition;
Application form – an application for admission to the undergraduate programs placed in the Personal account;


College – an educational institution in Kazakhstan that offers the educational curricula of general secondary, technical, and vocational education or post-secondary education;


ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) – a standardized system to compare students' academic performance at higher education institutions across European Union and its collaborative countries;


Enrollment confirmation form – a form filled and signed by applicants upon receipt of an offer letter to the undergraduate programs of the University, which is the reason for admission to, or exclusion from enrollment to the studies;


Enrollment deposit – a mandatory payment that secures the applicant’s place in an undergraduate program;


Guarantee fee – a mandatory payment that secures the applicant’s place in an undergraduate program. The amount of the guarantee fee is determined in accordance with the decision of the Managing Council of the University;


IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – a standardized English proficiency test administered by the British Council, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, and IDP Education Pty Ltd;


International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) – an intensive two-year international educational program that helps students enter undergraduate programs at universities directly;


NIS Grade 12 Certificate – certificate of the autonomous educational organization “Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools” on the completion of the integrated program in collaboration with Cambridge Assessment International Education awarded to students who passed exams of external summative evaluation upon completion of the 12th grade;


Personal account – an online service providing a personal space on the University's website upon registration;


QS World University rankings – the annual world university rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) which provides overall rankings as well as rankings for individual subjects;


SAT (SAT – Scholastic Aptitude Test or Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admissions in the USA. The SAT Reasoning Test consists of three sections: Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing. 


School – School of the University that offers undergraduate programs;


Superscoring – consideration of the highest section scores from two or more test certificates in order to obtain the best overall score;
Times Higher Education World University rankings – the annual world university rankings published by the British magazine Times Higher Education (THE) which provides both the overall and the subject rankings;


TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – a standardized English proficiency test developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) (Princeton, New Jersey, USA) in the format of TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) and TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test);


Transfer student – a student who has completed secondary level education and has completed at least one year in a tertiary college or university program in Kazakhstan or abroad and wishes to enroll in an undergraduate program at the University;


University Foundation Programme – a one-year preparatory program of the University that helps students enter undergraduate programs at universities directly;


University website – the University web resource is available at nu.edu.kz.


University - the autonomous organization of education "Nazarbayev University"