Admissions

The list of programs (majors) is available via thislinkin the “Programs” section. Before starting the online application process for undergraduate programs, please have a look at the list of majors offered by Nazarbayev University Schools as the entry requirements depend on the chosen school and category.

To participate in the competition, an applicant should complete the following:

Yes, an applicant can choose two schools and majors. However, applicants who have indicated the school as the second choice are considered only at the request of the school.

The decision about considering the second choice of an applicant is taken by the school. The priority is given to an applicant’s first choice of the major.

Yes, it is possible, but only after a year of study and with the official permission of the dean of the school the applicant would like to transfer to.

Nazarbayev University, like all educational institutions in Kazakhstan, follows the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In accordance with paragraph 17 of Article 47 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Education,” citizens of Kazakhstan who received education at the expense of the state grant are required to work for at least three years after completing their studies.

The category of an applicant is determined by the educational institution where he/she studies or graduated, or by his/her achievements which will be considered during the application-processing period.

No, it is not. An applicant can choose only one category.

The grants are not allocated by categories. All applicants are considered equally, regardless of the chosen category. Priority is not given to any of the categories. For instance, high results for the NIS Grade 12 Certificate are evaluated the same as a high score for the SAT, according to the evaluation methodology.

Yes, it is possible. However, the transfer of credits is identified by the school. The maximum allowed number of transferable credits is 72 ECTS.

If students have voluntarily withdrawn for reasons other than disciplinary, two specific conditions apply:

When applying to Nazarbayev University, UNT scores in English are considered only for the standard admission. Minimum requirements are specified in the regular admission section. These requirements are not considered in the competition for financial aid and/or scholarships.

Detailed information about applicants’ categories, required exams and minimum passing scores can be foundherein the section “Entry requirements by categories.” All exams/tests are taken by applicants independently at their own expense, except the NUET exam.

The NUET exam will be held in 18 cities of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Yes, the category can be changed within the deadlines set by the Admissions Department. To change your category, please write to undergraduate_admissions@nu.edu.kz, stating your NU applicant ID. In addition, applicants under the NUET applicants’ category will receive requirements for the category change.

The Admissions Committee considers and evaluates all subjects. The priority and relevance of the subjects are considered depending on the chosen school. You can learn about the statistics about the average score of enrolled applicants under the NIS Grade 12 Certificatehere.

Yes, he/she will be considered an eligible applicant since the minimum requirement to take part in the competition is to have at least A, B, B in any three subjects.

Admission to Nazarbayev University is merit-based. Thus, the entry requirements for the programs are the same for all candidates, regardless of their citizenship and depend on the program you are applying for.

Nazarbayev University offers the “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship for international candidates, who successfully go through the selection process and are recommended for admission by the Admissions Committee of the respective program. This scholarship covers the tuition fee, basic medical insurance and the monthly stipend.

In addition to “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship international candidates, who are recommended for admission, are also eligible for the partial scholarships of the University based on their citizenship. The citizenship-based scholarships cover from 50 to 90% of the tuition fee.

In order to be considered for the “Abay Kunanbayev” or the citizenship-based scholarships of the University, international candidates should apply to the program/s of their interest, go through the selection process and be recommended for admission by the Admissions Committee of the respective program.

International candidates only have to apply to the programs of their interest. There is no need to submit any other additional documents in order to be considered for the scholarships. In case of a positive decision of the Admissions Committee, the Admissions Department will take the issue of awarding the scholarships to international candidates to  the respective body of the University for consideration.

There is no need to come to Kazakhstan just for the interview. Candidates, residing outside of Kazakhstan, may have an interview via Skype or via any other Internet resources. This information will be provided to you by the School representative.

Yes, the University provides international students with rooms in its dormitories on campus.

The monthly stipend is the same for all students of the University regardless of their citizenship.

International students are allowed to work on campus up to 10 hours per week with the permission of their Schools.

More FAQ for international students

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.

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:A motivation letter in which you disclose your reasons for applying to a particular major and the implications of that choice for your development;A transcript and grades in subjects relevant to your chosen major;letters of recommendation that show previous experience and accomplishments;results of an interview with the Admissions Committee.Some programs require GRE, GMAT, ALEKS, and work experience in addition to the above. School of Medicine programs have specific exam requirements.

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.

Master’s programs: Please follow thelinkto see the deadlines for Master’s programs.PhD programs: Please follow thelinkto see the deadlines for PhD programs.

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:Your academic skills. The academic requirements will consider whether you can successfully complete your program of study and handle the academic requirements your chosen program of study.Competitiveness. Admissions Committee members will assess your ability to compete with other applicants.Your priorities. Often applicants apply to more than one institution or program at a time. The Admissions Committee may ask which university or program you would like to choose. They may also ask about your subject area and any relevant disclosures you have made in your application.Whether you are able to make a contribution to the University. It is very essential that students take an active part in the life of the University and contribute as much as possible to its development.Potential. It is also important for Admissions Committee members to know whether you will be a good student in the future and stay interested in the  chosen profession, and what motivates you to succeed in your studies.As you can see, the topics in the interview correspond closely with your motivation letter.

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.

Type of studyProgramDuration of studyMaster’s programsMaster of Business Administration16 monthsMaster of Science in Finance16 monthsMaster in Public Administration18 monthsExecutive Master of Business  Administration20 monthsDoctor of Medicine4 yearsOther programs2 yearsPhD programsAll programs4 yearsResidencyPathological anatomy3 yearsPediatricsFamily medicineInternal MedicinePsychiatryAnesthesiology and Intensive Care4 yearsObstetrics and GynecologyOphthalmologyGeneral Surgery5 yearsOrthopedics and TraumatologyRadiologyUrology

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.”

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.

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.

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.

All admissions decision letters will be emailed. The period of sending notifications about admission will be available in the “Important dates” section ofmaster’sanddoctoral degree programs.

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 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 theGraduate School of Business.

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 programsGraduate School of Educationadmissions.gse@nu.edu.kzGraduate School of Businessadmissions.gsb@nu.edu.kzGraduate School of Public Policygspp_admissions@nu.edu.kzSchool of Sciences and Humanitiesadmissions.ssh@nu.edu.kzSchool of Engineering and Digital Sciencesadmissions.seds@nu.edu.kzSchool of Medicineadmissions.nusom@nu.edu.kzSchool of Mining and Geosciencesadmissions.smg@nu.edu.kzResidency / PhD programsphd_admissions@nu.edu.kz

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

To submit an IELTS/TOEFL certificate, applicants must meet the following requirements:Send the official electronic results of  IELTS/TOEFL certificate through the Test Administrator directly to Nazarbayev University;To type the certificate’s number to a special field in the “Upload IELTS/TOEFL results” section of your NU Personal account. Test results will automatically be filled. If details do not appear automatically, you have one of the following errors: 1) official electronic results that were not received by NU from the test administrator, 2) a mistake in the application, 3) a mistake in the certificate.Then upload a scanned copy of the certificate to this section. You can submit any number of certificates for the competition, but only the last certificate uploaded in your personal account will be considered. Important: It is not necessary to send a scanned copy of the certificate to the e-mail address of the University and a paper version by mail.Detailed Instructionabout 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 thewebsite.

You should upload your certificate in your personal account under the «UPLOAD IELTS/TOEFL RESULTS» section based on theinstructions, completing the same steps indicated in the answer above.

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 ofmaster’sanddoctoraldegree programs. The  certificates will not be accepted after the deadline. In that case, your application will be found as ineligible and will be rejected.

Yes, it is accepted. You must submit your final test results before the deadline for accepting IELTS/TOEFL certificates.

Nazarbayev University codes to send the test results:IELTS – Nazarbayev University (Admissions Department)TOEFL – 6762GRE – 6496GMAT – H6m-R7-93

IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online, TOEFL PDT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition results are not accepted.

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.

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.

The 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.

You can familiarize yourself with the test format as well as take a trial ALEKS test onwww.aleks.comor receive a monthly subscription onhttp://www.aleks.com/buy_aleks_now.

The 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.

MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test. This is an exam for those who wish to study at a medical faculty of educational institutions. The 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 FormatThe test consists of four parts:Biological and biochemical foundations of living systemsChemical and physical foundations of biological systemsPsychological, social and biological foundations of behaviorCritical analysis and reasoningMCAT AssessmentWhen taking 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 for MCATPayment 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 foundhere.

The MCAT exam can only be taken abroad. You need to register on the websiteaamc.orgto choose the country and the date for the exam. Please note that the result must be provided to Nazarbayev University before the application deadline for the Doctor of Medicine program.

The USMLE is taken for admission to the Residency program(only Step 1 is taken).The USMLE Step 1is 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 in the European Union. USMLE evaluates a physician’s ability to apply in practice the knowledge, concepts, and principles learned, as well as demonstrating basic patient-care skills.350 questions/7 hours + 45-minute breakAverage question lenght: from 60 to 70 wordsThe list of certified centers is available on thePrometric website.

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 for 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 a 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 for the Residency program. USMLE Step 1 can be an alternative for IFOM.

There are no minimum requirements for theGRE,GMAT, andALEKStests.Detailed information can be found here about theGREandGMAT.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.

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.

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 two 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 seven days to prepare the letter.

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.

In order to determine your research area, please visit the website of the respective School and 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 about how to prepare a strong research proposal.

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 websiteopen.nu.edu.kz, you can find resources that give recommendations about how to prepare a strong motivation letter. Depending on the program, the required length might be no more than one page or up to 500 words.

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:employment record;employment contract with an employer’s mark on the date and reason for its termination;extracts from the acts of the employer confirming the start and termination of employment relations based on the conclusion and termination of the employment contract;extracts from salary payment statements to employees;records (list of information about the work of the employee), signed by the employer, duly stamped and notarized;extracts from the unified pension savings Fund about mandatory pension contributions;information from the State social insurance Fund about social contributions made;an archived certificate containing the information about an employee’s employment history.

A 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.

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.

200,000 tenge – for Master’s students123,122 tenge – for students of the Residency program240,000 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.

Participation in the orientation week is a mandatory requirement for your enrollment in Nazarbayev University.

The information about discounts (financial aid) can be received by contacting the Bursar’s Office atbursars_office@nu.edu.kz.

You can contact the Department of Student Services -student_housing@nu.edu.kz

You can find this information in the Statistics section -master’s,PhD.

A withdrawn student can apply for admission to Nazarbayev University only after one year after the date of expulsion. For readmission 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 readmission procedure can be considered within five years after the date of withdrawal from the University. Those withdrawn from Zero Year of Graduate Programs are not considered for readmission.

Nazarbayev University, as all educational establishments in Kazakhstan, abides by the laws 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 thelink.

The guarantee fee is 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.