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ArmanEducation

Kazakhstan · Astana

Nazarbayev University (NU)

Fees, application dates, programmes and admission information for Nazarbayev University (NU) in Kazakhstan.

Consulting for this universityOfficial site

Key facts

City
Astana
Type
State (other ministry)
Founded
2010
Students
Not yet verified
Language of instruction
English (programme pages list Language: English)
International student fees
Tuition per academic year: Foundation Year USD 12,000; undergraduate USD 15,000; master's USD 16,000; doctoral USD 23,500; Doctor of Medicine USD 25,000 (USD 30,000 for non-residents); residency USD 11,200. The undergraduate page states the 2026/27 fee is the same for local and international students. Residents of Kazakhstan pay in tenge at an internal rate of 486 KZT per USD. 5% discount if the full annual fee is paid in one payment. Application fee 10,000 KZT (30,000 KZT in the last two weeks before the first deadline or in the extension period), non-refundable. The tuition-discount categories (75%, 50%, 25%) on the NU fees page are described for citizens of Kazakhstan only.Source
Application dates
Undergraduate/Foundation: rolling; 2026-27 mid-year intake window 18 Aug-28 Nov 2026 (IELTS/TOEFL by 28 Nov 2026). For 2027-28: international applicants from countries eligible for visa on arrival, Oct 2026-Aug 2027; applicants from countries needing a visa before entry - 'to be announced later'. Master's (2026 cycle, now past): fee-paying international applicants needing a pre-arrival visa 1 Jun 2026, others 24 Jul 2026; grants 13 Feb 2026. PhD (2026 cycle): 17 Jul 2026 (pre-arrival visa) / 24 Jul 2026. Check the portal for the 2027 cycle.Source

Admission and application

Tuition is quoted in USD. International pre-arrival-visa applicants have earlier deadlines (master's/PhD) or 'to be announced' windows (undergraduate 2027-28).

Language requirement: Undergraduate/Foundation: IELTS 6.0 overall with writing 6.0 and reading/listening/speaking 5.5, or equivalent TOEFL iBT; certificates must remain valid on 1 Aug 2027 for the 2027-28 intake; in-person tests only (IELTS One Skill Retake accepted). Foundation-year and master's minima are listed on the same site (partly truncated in the fetched copy).

  1. Create a personal account at admissions.nu.edu.kz and complete the application form in English.
  2. Upload certificate/transcript, passport or ID scan (eGov copies not accepted), 3x4 photo.
  3. Pay the application fee (10,000 KZT) online and submit; no changes after submission.
  4. Send an official IELTS/TOEFL report via the test administrator (IELTS code: NU, Admissions Office; TOEFL iBT code 6762) and upload a scan with the TRF number; online/home-edition tests are not accepted; no superscoring.
  5. Admissions Office reviews; NU assigns a visa/accommodation pathway for international students (see Visa and Accommodation page).

Programmes

BachelorEnglish

Bachelor of Business Administration in Eurasian Business (Joint Degree with HKUST)

4 years

USD 15,000 per year (undergraduate fee, NU fees page)

Deadline: Rolling for undergraduate; see applicationDeadlines

Source
MasterEnglish

Master of Science in Biomedicine (School of Medicine)

2 years

USD 16,000 per year (master's fee, NU fees page; programme-specific fee not verified)

Deadline: Master's 2026 cycle: 24 Jul 2026 (self-paid, no pre-arrival visa); 2027 dates not yet verified

Source
MasterEnglish

Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Eurasian Studies (Joint Degree with SOAS)

1 years

USD 16,000 per year (master's fee; joint-programme fee not verified)

Deadline: See master's deadlines on international admission page

Source
DoctoralEnglish

Ph.D. in Geosciences (School of Engineering)

4 years

USD 23,500 per year (doctoral fee)

Deadline: PhD 2026 cycle: 17 Jul 2026 (pre-arrival visa) / 24 Jul 2026

Source

Faculties and schools

Accommodation

Accommodation is stated to be guaranteed for international students. NU's own estimate of monthly cost of attendance is about USD 400: on-campus dining ~USD 300, dormitory ~USD 55, transport ~USD 15, laundry ~USD 8 (plus sports centre membership). New students are normally placed in 3-4 bed rooms, later in doubles.

Highlights

  • Faculty and students from over 60 countries (NU international admission page).
  • Joint degrees with SOAS University of London (MA Global Affairs and Eurasian Studies) and HKUST (BBA Eurasian Business; first two years at NU, last two at HKUST).
  • Application deadlines for international candidates can differ from those for Kazakhstan citizens.

Information on this page is compiled from official sources and was verified on the date shown. Fees, dates and visa rules change often; check official sources before applying. Empty fields have not been verified yet; ask our advisor for the current information.

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