An undergraduate program is the first level of higher education. Undergraduate programs typically take 4 years.
The undergraduate programs of NU provide a deep understanding of academic and research principles. Modern equipment, innovative teaching methods and experienced faculty of NU provide world-class higher education.
NU offers full funding and tuition-based study opportunities.
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 NU depending on the capacity of the Schools.
Undergraduate program offers the following majors:
NUET applicants, including international applicants - October 7 - November 28, 2024 (14:00 p.m. Astana time)
International applicants: October 7 - February 27, 2025 (14:00 p.m. Astana time)
Other categories: SAT/ACT applicants, IB Diploma holders, A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders, Winners of international and/or republican subject Olympiads - October 7 - March 27, 2025 (14:00 p.m. Astana time).
Provision IELTS/TOEFL results for NUET applicants - December 19, 2024 (23:59 Astana time).
Provision of IELTS/TOEFL results for international applicants - April 3, 2025 (23:59 Astana time).
Provision of IELTS/TOEFL results for other categories - April 3, 2025 (23:59 Astana time).
Test results are mandatory to sent to the University address through the test administrator, using the NU Institutional Code:
NU, Admissions Department (via IELTS TRF Verification Service) - for IELTS
6762 - for TOEFL iBT
Sending notifications of admission: May-August
Acceptance of documents on hard copies: upon request of NU, end of June - beginning of August
Orientation week: August
Start of classes: August
Deadline for taking tests in test centers:
SAT - March 9, 2024
ACT - February 24, 2024
Deadline for provision of SAT/ACT results - April 4, 2024.
The tests must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of NU.
7915 – for SAT
5521 – for ACT
Deadline for providing A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate:
A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate (deadline for submission of final results) - according to the schedule for online application
Deadline for providing IB diploma
IB Diploma (deadline for submission of final results) - according to the schedule for online application
Deadline for taking tests in test centers:
Deadline for provision of SAT/ACT results - April 4, 2024.
The tests must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of NU.
7915 – for SAT
5521 – for ACT
Sending notifications about admission: April - May
To participate in the competition the following steps must be completed:
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:
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STEP 3. Pay an application fee and Finish the registration process | To finalize the application process, please click on the "PAY AND SUBMIT APPLICATION" button on your Personal account under the "My Application Forms" section. The application fee shall be paid online through the payment options available in the Personal account. The use of other payment methods for the application fee is not acceptable. The application fee is paid online via your Personal account with a bank card. The amount to pay is 5 000 tenge. Please be kindly informed that the application fee increases 3 times its established amount for applicants who pay the application fee within the last two weeks before the first officially approved deadline and during the extension period for application for participation in the admissions process for the Undergraduate programs (except Bachelor in Nursing (2-year) program of the School of Medicine). The application fee is non-refundable, irrespective of the application outcome or payment errors. |
STEP 4. Upload IELTS/TOEFL results | Upload IELTS/TOEFL results/certificates in your Personal account in section "Upload IELTS/TOEFL results" and fill up required information about the certificate. |
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.
| IELTS or TOEFL | IELTS – 6.5 overall (6.0 in each section)
(There is no minimum requirements for winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads for IELTS/TOEFL IBT) |
*Superscoring does not apply to IELTS/TOEFL
**IELTS Online or IELTS Indicator, TOEFL iBT Home Edition or TOEFL PDT are not considered
***IELTS/TOEFL test certificates are considered valid if their results do not expire by the 1st of August of the relevant academic year to which Applicants are applying. Results of a test, taken before August 1, 2022, are not considered in the competition.
Minimum entry requirements for NUET applicants category
| Exam |
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| NUET | 120 total score and 50,50 passing scores per subject (Mathematics, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving) for participation in the competition. Applicants with a minimum passing score can be considered for NUFYP program |
| Interview | At the request of the Admissions Committee/School |
NUET (NU 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 – determined by the Admissions Committee
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.
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
Minimum entry requirements for SAT/ACT applicants category
| Exam |
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| Digital SAT Reasoning Test** or ACT | Digital SAT Reasoning Test – 1240 ACT – 26 composite score |
| Interview | At the request of the Admissions Committee/School |
SAT/ACT test results are valid if their results do not expire by the 1st of August of the relevant academic year to which Applicants are applying. Within this admission competition, the SAT and ACT certificates expiration period is two years.
*SAT/ACT certificates are considered without superscoring.
**Only digital SAT test is considered in the competition.
Minimum entry requirements for IВ Diploma holders**
| Diploma |
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| IB Diploma results | 30 total score and 4, 4, 5 for 3 subjects of HL |
| Interview | At the request of the Admissions Committee/School |
*Only IB Diploma holders who have the final results of IB Diploma by the deadline of application period can participate in the competition under this category (Within this admission competition, IB diploma expiration period is two years). Diplomas of 2022 and 2023 years are considered in the competition.
**IB Diploma holders also may choose to participate in the competition by the one of the following categories: “SAT/ACT applicants” or “NUET applicants” or "Winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads (see the minimum requirements for these categories on the website)
Minimum entry requirements for A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders**
| Certificate |
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| A-level/NIS 12 Grade Certificate results | not less than ABB for any subjects |
| Interview | At the request of the Admissions Committee/School |
*Only A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders who have the final results of A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate by the deadline of application period can participate in the competition under this category (Within this admission competition, A-level and NIS grade 12 Certificate expiration period is two years). Certificates of 2022 and 2023 are considered in the competition.
**A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders also may choose to participate in the competition by the one of the following categories: “SAT/ACT applicants” or “NUET applicants” or "Winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads" (see the minimum requirements for these categories on the website).
List of International Subject Olympiads
List of Republican Subject Olympiads of the Republic of Kazakhstan
*Applicants can apply with both Republican and International Olympiads
Minimum requirements for the winners of the International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads category
| Type of Olympiad | Medal type | Interview with Admissions Committee |
| Republic Olympiad | gold and silver medals (I, II place) for the current academic year | Required |
| International Olympiad* | gold, silver and bronze medals (I, II, III place) for the last three years |
Undergraduate program Mid-year Intake is an additional 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 by this competition will begin their studies in the spring semester.
The following applicants can participate in the selection process:
Applicants' categories and admission requirements are indicated in the “Entry requirements” section.
“NUET applicants” category will only be considered with NUET results obtained in the current calendar year.
To apply, you must create a Personal account at the 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 “NU” and other grants.
Online application period:
Deadline for submission of test results to NU:
The test must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the Institutional Code of NU.
Non-degree study (NDS) – an educational option allowing a student to study with no commitment to obtain a degree.
Students are entitled to all benefits available to University students in accordance with the conditions set by the University. The study plan fully corresponds to the Bachelor's degree programs, depending on the chosen major. However, the education is offered exclusively on a fee-paying basis. The cost varies depending on the number of credits (ECTS) of the courses chosen.
Students studying at this option can become a degree pursuing students upon meeting certain criteria according to the internal documents of the University.
To take part in the competition to NDS, applicants must apply to the Undergraduate program according to the Admission Policy and Procedures within the application period. At the same time, their results may not meet the entry requirements of the undergraduate program, but are not lower than the results indicated below:
And also by a category:
An application for participation in the competition is considered completed after it is filled out online, as well as the necessary electronic documents in the “Personal Account” are provided.
Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring that the Admissions Department receives all required documents. Applicants who falsify documents or violate test procedure requirements shall be disqualified from the admission competition or dismissed from the University in the case of fraudulent enrollment and are not allowed to apply to University programs of any level in the future.
NU's Admissions Committee reviews applicants who meet the minimum requirements of NUFYP and Undergraduate program, but does not guarantee admission. The Admissions Committee makes decisions about admission based on a thorough evaluation of applications, standardized test results and required documents. These applicants are sent an official letter of notification of the decision of the Admissions Committee by email. Applicants can also see their status in their “Personal Account”.
Applicants will be ranked according to the first choice major. The second choice major will be considered only upon request of the Admissions Committee. Based on the allocated number of seats for Undergraduate program, Applicants ranked highest will receive admission offers to the Undergraduate program under a Grant.
Eligible applicants who did not receive an offer under the Grant will be placed in a waitlist according to their ranking, and offered a grant as one becomes available. These Applicants on the waitlist will be given the opportunity for admission to an Undergraduate program on a fee-paying basis with financial aid opportunities according to the internal documents of the University. NUET Applicants recommended for admission to the Undergraduate program on a fee-paying basis can be enrolled to NUFYP under the Grant on their request in case of available seats. Applicants can be enrolled in only one academic program and/or level of education at a time.
Information about selection process and enrollment to NUFYP is available at the “Foundation program” page.
The Applicants recommended for enrollment are notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision and form of financing by the Admissions Department. The provisions for admission are indicated in the admission offer. Failure to meet the provisions for enrollment by the deadline indicated in the admission offer deprives an Applicant of his/her right to be enrolled to the program.
Description of the applicant's status at each stage of the competition.
Statuses are posted in the order they are displayed in the applicant’s 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 applications and documents by the University's Admissions Department.
Withdrawn. The status is assigned to applicants who refused to participate in the competition for the undergraduate program or NUFYP, before the decision of the Admissions Committee is released.
Recommended for admission. The applicant is recommended for admission to the undergraduate program or NUFYP 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 admission offer 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 with financial aid.
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 to the undergraduate program or NUFYP, but refused to study at the University.
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 under “NUET applicants” category. This status is given after the written refusal of the applicant to study at the Undergraduate program.
Guarantee fee paid. The applicant was recommended for enrollment to the undergraduate program or NUFYP and paid the mandatory guarantee fee. All payments are made in the applicant's Personal Account. Any incorrectly made payments are non-refundable. Follow the instructions to make the payment.
The Guarantee Fee will be returned to the admitted student after the following conditions are met:
1) Bilateral signing of the Agreement on Provision of Education Services at NU;
2) Participation in the Orientation week;
3) Student's completion of the first semester of classes with good academic standing.
Accepted admission offer. The status is assigned to applicants who have received an admission offer to the undergraduate program or NUFYP, agreed for enrollment and fulfilled the conditions of the University - paid the guarantee fee and submitted the original documents for enrollment.
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.
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. 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.
Applicants recommended by the Admissions Committee for enrollment and who have received admission offers are officially notified of acceptance or refusal of enrollment at the University by signing the appropriate form in a Personal account. Applicants who accepted the admission offer within the prescribed period pay a guarantee fee, which will be returned only after signing an agreement on the provision of educational services with the University. All payments are made in the applicant's Personal Account. Any incorrectly made payments are non-refundable. Follow the instructions to make the payment.
Applicants who have paid the guarantee fee provide to the University Admissions Department within the established time frame original documents of graduating from high school, technical, vocational or post-secondary education with a transcript or its international equivalent.
Please see the online application tips here.
Find proposed topics for your Motivation letter here.
Find sample of the Certificate (Spravka) here.
Below the important information that we hope will be useful to you.
| Main points | Detailed information |
| Useful links | To help to prepare for admission to NU, this website contains many useful links to courses, webinars, interviews, books and lectures. You can also find information on standardized tests with links to preparation materials, schedule, registration, and standardized test results. |
| Video instructions | Please find the video instruction for submitting an online application for the Undergraduate program here. Please find the video instruction for downloading IELTS/TOEFL results here. |
| Regulations | Find Admission Policy and Procedures for 2024-2025 academic year here. |
| Frequently Asked Questions | You can find answers to frequently asked questions here. |
| Differences between Foundation and Undergraduate program | For more information on the difference between Foundation and Undergraduate programs, follow the link. |
| Terms for provision of education services | To learn more about the Terms for provision of education services at NU, click here. |
| Institutional Code | The tests should be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the code (Institutional Code) of NU.
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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) - 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 application, 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 - a form located in the Personal account for applying to the Undergraduate program;
College – an educational institution in Kazakhstan that offers the educational curricula of general secondary, technical, and vocational education or post-secondary education;
Digital SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test or Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admissions in the USA. The Digital SAT consists of two sections: Mathematics section and Reading and writing section;
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;
Foundation Program– a one-year preparatory program that helps students enter undergraduate programs at universities;
Guarantee fee – a mandatory payment for applicants who received the offer that secures the applicant’s place in an undergraduate program;
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) – an intensive two-year international educational program that helps students enter undergraduate programs at universities directly;
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;
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;
School – School of the University that offers undergraduate programs;
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);
University - the autonomous organization of education NU;
University website – the University web resource is available at www.nu.edu.kz.