Full Scholarships
for Master's and Ph.D programs in Kazakhstan

“It is a very unique opportunity to study Central Asian history right at the region, while the language of instruction is English”

I studied International Relations in the US when I was an undergrad, but then I decided to really follow my wish to switch to History when I was in the last year of studying. I got to know about NU when I was searching for graduate programs in History with a focus on the region of Central Asia. It is a very unique opportunity to study Central Asian history right at the region, while the language of instruction is English, and I have always wanted to travel in Kazakhstan. I had read about the research interests of the professors and research projects of each current student at that time of Eurasian Studies program on the website, and all seemed to be very interesting.

My first year in Eurasian Studies program was very intensive, but highly rewarding at the same time. I really like our curriculum which gives us a good foundation for doing research in the first semester, enables us to explore courses in different fields starting from the second semester, and gives us a long-term working period for our thesis.

The professors are very knowledgeable and are always willing to help the students when they have questions. My supervisors have been constantly helping me with great effort in my process of doing research and drafting up for my thesis.
Besides, NU itself is a burgeoning university. There are always new facilities being built on campus. The students of NU are very intelligent, hard-working, friendly and active. I have made many friends not only with students within our program, but also students who have different majors. At first, I thought graduate students would be left out from activities on the campus, but actually I have joined student clubs and made friends with many undergrads as well.

I hope more international students will join the NU community to study here in the future!

“What attracted me the most was the partnerships NU had signed with leading global universities, in my case the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania.”

I heard about Nazarbayev University when it first opened. I had come to Kazakhstan before its opening and I could hear people in the country talking about a big education project, they meant NU. What attracted me the most was the partnerships NU had signed with leading global universities, because I thought that was going to give NU the support to run programs effectively and engage in interesting joint research projects.

During my studies I was dealing with professors from different countries, who shared different perspectives on the issues we care about, in my case education. I also enjoyed spending time in the NU library because not only was I able to find books in my field of research, but other useful resources like CDs, journals or newspapers.

The main reason I chose this program was the support it has from the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania. I think the chance we have at NU to exchange ideas or participate in joint projects is very important for the development of a solid research project.

Among the top positive things about studying at NU, I would highlight: firstly, the partnerships with other universities along with excellent professors; secondly, the research focus and; thirdly, the resources available for students including the library, dorms, canteens and sports facilities to mention some.

“I chose the MPP program because it offered scholarship opportunities, a well-known reputation of high-quality education and the expertise on Central Asian countries’ experience.”

Previously I was exceedingly interested in Economics as I worked for an NGO in my home country for several years. However, further on, my passion to be a civil servant in order to make positive changes and contribute to the development of the whole region started to prevail. So, I decided to continue my education. 

I knew that Nazarbayev University, a new university with high standards of education and great facilities, had been recently opened in a neighboring country. I started looking for suitable programs. Having critically analyzed curriculum and requirements, I chose the MPP program as my priority due to scholarship opportunities, a well-known reputation of high quality education and the expertise on Central Asian countries’ experience. I reckoned that it perfectly suited my research interests and profile. It was clear that the program was very competitive, with many students applying. Fortunately, my background in Economics from the international university, social activities and work experience helped me to believe in myself and apply to Nazarbayev University. Now I can say that NU has fascinating facilities to study and live, as well as diverse and qualified faculty members who are always ready to help.

I also have to mention MPP’s Singapore component program, which gave me a chance to familiarize myself with one of the world’s most effective governance systems. The MPP program assists me to achieve not only my educational goals, but also enriches my leadership skills that are critical for my future career path. Thank you, NU, for being my second home!

“What I valued most, especially during my first year in the university, is the hospitality of Kazakhstani people, as well as the willingness of the university staff to help foreign students in every aspect of their staying in Kazakhstan.”

Choosing university is an important and hard decision for everyone. I was considering a variety of universities, each of which had its own advantages and disadvantages. My final choice fell on Nazarbayev University, and I have never regretted since then. I had carefully examined all international universities in the post-Soviet region, and I came to the conclusion that the university in question is one of the best in the region. I was impressed by the background of professors who came from top institutions around the world. The ratio of students to professors is also noteworthy. The classes at NU are very small which gives a valuable opportunity to establish contacts with professors for further cooperation in research. At the same time, Kazakhstan was one of the few countries in the post-Soviet region that I have never been to. After looking at the pictures of Astana, and especially the campus of Nazarbayev University, I realized that I wanted to go there.

What I valued most, especially during my first year in the university, is the hospitality of Kazakhstani people, as well as the willingness of the university staff to help foreign students in every aspect of their staying in Kazakhstan. They give a sense that despite living in a foreign country, you can always count on the University’s help.

A variety of classes offered in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences gave me an opportunity to ‘grow’ in an academic sense. The knowledge that I acquired here helped me to apply for different conferences abroad and win scholarships as well.

Overall, there is a lot to say about Nazarbayev University, but why don’t you come and explore it yourself? I am sure you will not regret your decision.