NAZARBAYEV UNIVERSITY
International Students
Join a world-class university in the heart of Eurasia, with a global community of staff and students from over 50 countries.
Top 17%
of universities worldwide (THE 2027)
#1
in Central Asia
Top 11%
of universities in Asia
Why NU?
01
Global partnerships
Global partnerships and academic mobility with leading universities around the world.
02
Taught in English
NU is an international, English-speaking research university.
03
World-class research
Specialized laboratories where students take part in real research.
04
Housing guaranteed
Accommodation is guaranteed for international students. All academic buildings are connected by warm skywalks.
05
Student life
A modern athletic complex with an Olympic swimming pool and a climbing wall, plus many clubs and events.
06
Where graduates go
Our graduates work at top companies and continue their studies at Ivy League schools.
YOUR COUNTRY
Find information for your country
Entry requirements, visa information and upcoming NU events for applicants from your country.
Don't see your country? Ask us › PROGRAMS
Explore programs
All programs are taught in English. Choose a field to see what you can study.
Computer Science
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Natural and Physical Sciences
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Medicine and Health
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Business and Economics
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Social Sciences and Humanities
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Education
View programs ›Foundation Year (NUFYP)
Not ready for a bachelor's yet? A one-year intensive program that prepares you for NU's bachelor's programs.
BEFORE YOU APPLY 
Everything you need to know
How to apply
Four steps from application to offer letter.
Read more › Tuition fees and costs
What you pay for tuition and what life on campus costs.
Read more › Visa and immigration
Which document you need and what happens when you arrive.
Read more › Campus life and housing
Where you will live and what campus offers.
Read more ›How to apply
1. Online application: fill in the form and upload your documents.
2. Shortlisting: the admissions committee of your school reviews your application.
3. Interview: shortlisted candidates have a video call or face-to-face interview.
4. Results: you receive the decision by email and your offer letter in your personal account.
The application fee for Foundation and Bachelor's programs is 10,000 tenge (30,000 tenge in the last two weeks before the first deadline).
Tuition fees and costs
Tuition fees per year
Foundation Year Program (NUFYP) - 12,000
Bachelor's programs - 15,000
Master's programs - 16,000 (Graduate School of Business programs have their own fees)
PhD programs - 23,500
Doctor of Medicine - 30,000 for non-residents
Cost of living on campus
About USD 400 per month, depending on your lifestyle. Accommodation is guaranteed for international students.
On-campus dining ~300
Dormitory ~55
Transportation ~15
Laundry ~8
Sports center ~10
Additional medical insurance ~5
Visa and immigration
All international students need a student visa (category C9) or a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) to study in Kazakhstan. Citizens of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan get a TRP. Students from other countries get a C9 visa. Both are issued for one year, allow multiple entries and are renewed every year. You apply only after you are admitted, and NU prepares the documents you need.
When you arrive
• Your passport must be valid for the whole period of your studies.
• NU notifies the migration police about your arrival within three days. You do not need to go there yourself.
• Visit the Department of Internationalization (Block 1, office 1.248D) in your first days. They help you get your IIN (individual number), complete fingerprint registration and finish your documents.
Campus life and housing
• Accommodation on campus is guaranteed for international students. More than 80% of NU students live on campus.
• NU has 9 residential halls. First-year students live in rooms for three or four people, and from the second year in double rooms.
• Rooms are furnished with beds, desks, closets and Wi-Fi. Every floor has a shared kitchen.
• The halls have laundry rooms, study rooms, a medical office, mini markets and canteens. Reception and security work 24/7.
• A modern athletic complex with an Olympic swimming pool and a climbing wall, and student clubs and events all year.
CALENDAR
Meet NU in your country
Our international team visits schools and education fairs around the world. Find an event near you and register.
Yes. NU is an international, English-speaking research university, and all programs are taught in English.
IELTS or TOEFL, taken in person at a test center. Online versions are not accepted. If you have studied at least one semester at a university where teaching is in English, you may not need a test.
Applications for Foundation and Bachelor's programs for 2027 are open from October 2026. Deadlines for Master's and PhD programs will be announced. Leave your details and we will let you know.
Yes, you need a student visa (C9) or a Temporary Residence Permit, depending on your country. NU prepares the documents after you are admitted.
Yes. Accommodation on campus is guaranteed for international students and costs about USD 55 per month.
About USD 400 per month on campus, including food, dormitory, transport and sports.
Every international applicant is considered automatically. Top candidates are recommended for the scholarship by the admissions committee of their school. Ask our team about your chances through the form.
Yes, if your university is an NU partner. Your home university nominates you. Deadlines are 30 April for the fall semester and 30 September for the spring semester.
SCHOLARSHIP
Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship
A merit-based scholarship for top international applicants recommended for admission. It covers your tuition, medical insurance and a monthly stipend for the whole length of your program. You do not need to apply separately: every international applicant is considered automatically.
Tuition 
Medical insurance 
Monthly stipend | Program | Tuition covered per year | Total for the program |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year (NUFYP) | USD 12,000 | USD 12,000 (1 year) |
| Bachelor's | USD 15,000 | USD 60,000 (4 years) |
| Master's | USD 16,000 | Depends on program length |
| PhD | USD 23,500 | Depends on program length |
| Doctor of Medicine | USD 30,000 | Depends on program length |