Admissions
How to apply?
Register on admissions.nu.edu.kz portal to create a Personal account.
Read the Instructions about the application procedure given in your Personal account.
Read the Instructions about the application procedure given in your Personal account.
- In your Personal account, go to the “My Application Forms” section and click on the link on Step 1. Complete the Application Form, including the Consent Form for personal data processing, and click “Upload”.
- Proceed to Step 2 to upload the required documents in the specific format.
- Upload a 3×4 photo to the “Profile” section.
- To finalize your application, click the “PAY AND SUBMIT APPLICATION” in the “My Application Forms” section of your Personal account. The application fee must be paid online using the only available payment options; no other payment methods are accepted.
- You may apply for 2 programs - Master's/PhD but if accepted into both, you must choose one.
- The regular application fee is 15,000 tenge, and the late application fee is 45,000 tenge. The late application period is considered to be the last two weeks before the initially established application deadline. The application fee is non-refundable, regardless of the application outcome or any payment errors.
- After submission, you cannot make any changes.
To provide your IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/GMAT certificates, follow these steps:
1. Electronic Submission:
You may be exempt from providing IELTS/TOEFL if:
1. Electronic Submission:
- Send the electronic results of your valid IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/GMAT certificates directly to NU through the Test Administrator.
- Upload a scanned copy of your IELTS/TOEFL certificate and enter its unique number in the “Upload IELTS/TOEFL results” section of your Personal account. You can upload multiple certificates, but only the most recent one will be considered.
- Upload a scanned copy of your GRE/GMAT certificate in the “My Application Forms” section (Step 2) when submitting your documents (if required).
- IELTS: NU
- TOEFL iBT: 6762
- GRE: 6496
- GMAT: H6M-R7-93
- NU is not responsible for submitting your test results. You must independently contact the Test Administrator (Test Center) to send your certificate. This process may take at least 7-10 working days.
- Results received after the deadline will not be considered.
- All certificates must be valid at the time of application submission.
- Detailed instructions for submitting IELTS/TOEFL certificates are available in your Personal account.
- IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and TOEFL PDT results are not accepted.
- Video instructions on how to upload your IELTS/TOEFL results can be found here.
You may be exempt from providing IELTS/TOEFL if:
- You earned a degree in a country where English is the official language.
- Your undergraduate or graduate degree was taught in English (confirming document required).
- You are a graduate of NU.
After you submit your online application form, an automatic email will be sent to your referees, asking them to submit a recommendation letter using the provided online form. Detailed instructions on how to submit recommendation letters are available in your Personal account.
Regularly check your email and Personal account for updates about your application status, and remember to check your spam folder, as emails from the University may end up there.
If invited, attend the interview with the Admissions Committee, which will be conducted in English.
If you have any issues with the application, email phd_admissions@nu.edu.kz with a detailed description of the problem, your IIN (for citizens of Kazakhstan) and your Applicant ID number.
Regularly check your email and Personal account for updates about your application status, and remember to check your spam folder, as emails from the University may end up there.
If invited, attend the interview with the Admissions Committee, which will be conducted in English.
If you have any issues with the application, email phd_admissions@nu.edu.kz with a detailed description of the problem, your IIN (for citizens of Kazakhstan) and your Applicant ID number.
Regular Admission Requirements*
To learn about admission with financial aid and scholarship requirements, please follow the link.
To learn about admission with financial aid and scholarship requirements, please follow the link.
PhD
Applicants are expected to have:
1
Undergraduate and master's degrees (or equivalents)
During the application period, final year master's students may submit an official transcript for current coursework for consideration;
Minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 in an applicant’s Master’s degree;
Minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 in an applicant’s Master’s degree;
2
High level of English proficiency
1. Overall IELTS test score of 6.5 (with sub-scores no less than 6.0) or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website.
TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
2. Applicants may be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
2. Applicants may be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
- One of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication and academic instruction;
- An undergraduate and/or graduate degree was earned in a program officially taught in English;
3
Strong reading, analytical, and mathematical skills
GRE or GMAT certificates valid as of date of online documents submission (recommended);
4
Statement of purpose
A high level motivation and a strong interest in the Program, as outlined in a statement of purpose.
5
Letters of recommendation
Two confidential letters of recommendation written within the last 12 months, including at least one academic reference, (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy). You can find the Instructions for submission of recommendation letters here.
6
CV
A CV up to 1 page.
PhD
Applicants are expected to have:
1
Undergraduate and Master's degrees (or equivalents)
During the application period, final year master's students may submit an official transcript for current coursework for consideration;
A minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 in an applicant’s Master’s degree. For PhD in Eurasian studies program, a competitive CGPA in an applicant’s Master’s degree.
A minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 in an applicant’s Master’s degree. For PhD in Eurasian studies program, a competitive CGPA in an applicant’s Master’s degree.
2
High level of English proficiency
1. Overall IELTS test score of 6.5 (with sub-scores no less than 6.0) or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website. For PhD in Eurasian Studies program, overall IELTS test score of 7.0 (with sub-scores no less than 6.0) or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website.
TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
2. Applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
2. Applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
- One of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country where English as the language of official communication and academic instruction;
- An undergraduate and/or graduate degree was earned in a program officially taught in English;
3
Strong reading, analytical, and mathematical skills
As demonstrated by GRE test (recommended);
4
Personal statement
A high level motivation and a strong interest in the Program, as outlined in a personal statement.
5
Strong academic writing ability
For PhD in Eurasian studies program only, strong academic writing ability as demonstrated in a writing sample (academic paper, essay, published article);
6
Research proposal
For PhD in Eurasian studies program only, relevant research interest and knowledge of research subject as demonstrated in a written research proposal.
7
Letters of recommendation
Two confidential letters of recommendation written within the last 12 months (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy). You can find the Instructions for submission of recommendation letters here;
8
CV
A CV up to 1 page.
PhD
Applicants are expected to have:
1
Undergraduate and Master's degrees or MD (or equivalents)
During the application period, final year master's students may submit an official transcript for current coursework for consideration;
2. Minimum CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 in applicant’s Master’s degree;
2. Minimum CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 in applicant’s Master’s degree;
2
High level of English proficiency
1. Overall IELTS test score of 6.5 (with sub-scores no less than 6.0) or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website.
TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
2. Applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
2. Applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
- One of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication and academic instruction;
- An undergraduate and/or graduate degree was earned in a program officially taught in English;
3
Project proposal
Relevant research interest and knowledge of the research subject, as demonstrated in a written Project proposal.
4
Letters of recommendation
Two confidential letters of recommendation in English (with notarized English translation) written within the last 12 months (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy). You can find the Instructions for submission of recommendation letters here;
5
CV
A CV up to 1 page
6
Medical certificate
075/у medical certificate (for Kazakhstani applicants) or a similar medical certificate indicating general health (for international applicants);
7
For Biomedical Sciences program
List of the applicant’s three preferred PhD projects (optional);
8
For Global Health program
List of graduate courses the applicant has taken in Epidemiology and Statistics.
Residency programs
There are two types of admission: Unconditional and Conditional
Unconditional admission
Applicants who qualify for unconditional admission are expected to have:
Applicants who qualify for unconditional admission are expected to have:
Conditional admission
The Admissions Committee will consider two categories of applicants for conditional admission:
The Admissions Committee will consider two categories of applicants for conditional admission:
- The NUSOM Admissions Committee will consider applicants recommended for admission by University Medical Center (UMC) Residency Admission Committee but the ultimate decision to admit these applicants is made by the NUSOM Admissions Committee.
- Applicants that qualify for unconditional admission but are not able to provide IFOM Basic Science Exam (BSE) or USMLE Step 1 test report due to force majeure or other circumstances making it impossible. In this case, the Admissions Committee is entitled to accept applicants’ documents for consideration without passing the tests. If such applicants are recommended for admission on a conditional basis, they will provide IFOM Basic Science Exam (BSE) or USMLE Step 1 test report during the first calendar year of enrollment.
1
- MD or an equivalent terminal medical degree (the highest-level medical qualification that provides eligibility for registration or certification to practice as an independent practitioner in the country), obtained from a recognized university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. During the application period, final year students may submit official current transcripts for consideration. Applicants recommended for admission must provide final transcript and diploma before the end of the Program’s enrollment term. Graduates of the University are enrolled based on the evidence of the final transcript confirming the degree completion followed by diploma submission within a month.
- MD or an equivalent terminal medical degree (the highest-level medical qualification that provides eligibility for registration or certification to practice as an independent practitioner in the country), obtained from a recognized university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. During the application period, final year students may submit official current transcripts for consideration. Applicants recommended for admission must provide final transcript and diploma before the end of the Program’s enrollment term. Graduates of the University are enrolled based on the evidence of the final transcript confirming the degree completion followed by diploma submission within a month.
2
- An overall IELTS test score of 7.0 or higher (with no sub-score less than 6.0 in each section), or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website;
- MD or equivalent terminal medical degree was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication, academic instruction, and daily life;
- MD or equivalent terminal medical degree was earned in a program officially taught in English;
- The applicant is a graduate of NU.
- An overall IELTS test score of 7.0 or higher (with no sub-score less than 6.0 in each section), or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website;
- MD or equivalent terminal medical degree was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication, academic instruction and daily life;
- MD or equivalent terminal medical degree was earned in a program officially taught in English;
- The applicant is a graduate of NU.
3
- IFOM Basic Science Exam (BSE) or USMLE Step 1 test report.
You may provide an IFOM Basic Science Exam (BSE) or USMLE Step 1 test report after receiving Conditional Admission during your first year of enrollment.
4
- A high level of motivation and a strong interest in the Program, as outlined in the personal statement.
- A high level of motivation and a strong interest in the Program, as outlined in the personal statement.
5
- Two confidential letters of recommendation written within the last 12 months from academic or clinical referees, preferably related to the specific residency program.
- Two confidential letters of recommendation written within the last 12 months from academic or clinical referees, preferably related to the specific residency program;
- Recommendation letter from University Medical Center (UMC).
PhD
Applicants are expected to have:
1
Undergraduate and Master's degrees (or equivalents)
Minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 in applicant’s Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees;
During the application period, final year students may submit the official transcript for current coursework for consideration
During the application period, final year students may submit the official transcript for current coursework for consideration
2
High level of English proficiency
- Overall IELTS test score of 6.5 (with sub-scores no less than 6.0) or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website. TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
- Applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
- One of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country where English is the language of official communication and academic instruction;
- An undergraduate and/or graduate degree was earned in a program officially taught in English;
3
Strong reading, analytical, and mathematical skills
As demonstrated by GRE or GMAT tests (optional);
4
Statement of purpose
A high level of motivation and a strong interest in the Program, as outlined in a statement of purpose.
5
Letters of recommendation
Two letters of recommendation written within the last 12 months (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy). You can find the Instructions for submission of recommendation letters here;
6
CV
A CV up to 1 page
PhD
Applicants are expected to have:
1
Undergraduate and Master's degrees (or equivalents)
A minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 in an applicant’s Master’s degree;
During the application period, final year master's students may submit an official transcript for current coursework consideration;
During the application period, final year master's students may submit an official transcript for current coursework consideration;
2
High level of English proficiency
- Overall IELTS test score of 6.5 (with sub-scores no less than 6.0) or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website. TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
- Applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
- One of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country where English is the language of official communication and academic instruction;
- An undergraduate and/or graduate degree was earned in a program officially taught in English;
3
Strong reading, analytical, and mathematical skills
Demonstrated by valid GMAT or GRE Test Reports (mandatory).
4
Statement of purpose
A high motivation and a strong interest in the Program as outlined in a personal statement;
5
Research proposal
Relevant research interest and knowledge of research subject as demonstrated in a written research proposal
6
Letters of recommendation
Two confidential letters of recommendation written within the last two years (to be provided by referees via University system or in scanned copy). You can find the Instructions for submission of recommendation letters here.
7
CV
A CV up to 1 page
PhD
Applicants are expected to have:
1
First or upper second class honors degree (or equivalent) or a Master’s degree or equivalent
A minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 in an applicant’s Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees;
A first or upper second class honors degree (or equivalent), or a Master’s degree (Cycle 2 or equivalent). Final year Master's students may submit an official current transcript for consideration during the application process.
A first or upper second class honors degree (or equivalent), or a Master’s degree (Cycle 2 or equivalent). Final year Master's students may submit an official current transcript for consideration during the application process.
2
High level of English proficiency
- Overall IELTS test score of 6.5 (with sub-scores no less than 6.0) or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website. TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online, and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted.
- Applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
- One of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country where English is the language of official communication and academic instruction;
- An undergraduate and/or graduate degree was earned in a program officially taught in English.
3
Work experience
At least three years of relevant work experience. Based on GSPP’s Admissions Committee discretion, applicants with work experience less than 3 years may also be considered if the applicant can demonstrate high academic performance.
4
Strong reading, analytical, and mathematical skills
As demonstrated by GRE or GMAT test (recommended).
5
Cover letter
A high motivation and a strong interest in the Program as outlined in a cover letter.
6
Research proposal
Relevant research interest and knowledge of research subject as demonstrated in a written research proposal.
7
Letters of recommendation
Two confidential letters of recommendation (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy after receiving an email request). You can find the Instructions for submission of recommendation letters here;
8
CV
A CV up to 1 page
PhD
Applicants are expected to have:
1
Undergraduate and Master's degrees (or equivalents)
Applicants should have a competitive CGPA in their Master’s degree.
Final year students may submit their official current transcript for consideration during the application process.
Final year students may submit their official current transcript for consideration during the application process.
2
High level of English proficiency.
- Overall IELTS test score of 7.0 (with sub-scores no less than 6.0) or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website. TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL PDT, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator results are not accepted;
- Applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
- One of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country where English is the language of official communication and academic instruction;
- An undergraduate and/or graduate degree was earned in a program officially taught in English;
3
Strong reading, analytical, and mathematical skills
As demonstrated by GRE test (recommended).
4
Work experience
Two years of work experience in a relevant field. At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, applicants with less than 2 years of work experience may also be considered
5
Statement of purpose
A high motivation and a strong interest in the Program as outlined in a personal statement.
6
Research proposal
Relevant research interest and knowledge of research subject as demonstrated in a written research proposal
7
Letters of recommendation
Three confidential letters of recommendation written within the last two years in English language (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy after receiving an email request). You can find the Instructions for submission of recommendation letters here;
8
CV
A CV up to 1 page
Important dates
- Important dates for those who are applying for the 2025-2026 academic yearOnline application deadlines for PhD programs:
International applicants: March 03, 2025, inclusive (2 pm Astana time)
Citizens of Kazakhstan: April 21, 2025, inclusive (2 pm Astana time) - The deadline for submission of IELTS/TOEFL, GRE/GMAT certificates:International applicants: March 17, 2025 (23:59 Astana time)
Citizens of Kazakhstan: May 05, 2025 (23:59 Astana time)
Tuition fees
- Doctoral ProgramsThe tuition fee for the Doctoral Programs is $23,500 (11,374,000 KZT) for the 2025/2026 academic year for both local and international students.
The residency program fee is $11,200 (5,420,800 KZT) for the 2025/2026 academic year for all students.
To learn more about tuition fees, please contact us at bursars_office@nu.edu.kz.
There are merit-based "Abay Kunanbayev" scholarships for top international applicants recommended for admission.
Contacts
- During the application process the Nazarbayev University Applicants Support Center is always ready to assist.
Email: info_admissions@nu.edu.kz
Phone Numbers: +7 (7172) 64 25 84; +7 (747) 094 02 30
Have more questions about admissions?
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