Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan: Programs, Strengths and Admission in Depth

What Nazarbayev University is

Nazarbayev University (NU) is a research-oriented university located in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. It is built on an English-medium, internationally modelled approach to higher education, with a curriculum and teaching style influenced by leading universities abroad.

For international students — including those from India — NU stands out in Central Asia because its degree programmes are taught in English and its faculty includes scholars trained at universities around the world. This makes it accessible to students who study in English but do not speak Kazakh or Russian.

The university describes itself as a research-led institution. Whatever you read elsewhere, treat the official site as the source of truth for what is offered today, since programmes and entry rules are updated over time — verify the current details on nu.edu.kz.

The schools and flagship faculties

Nazarbayev University is organised into several schools rather than traditional departments. These cover a broad span of fields, so applicants can find programmes in engineering, the sciences, medicine, business, public policy and education.

Its School of Medicine was the first in Kazakhstan to deliver all of its programmes in English, following a US-style curriculum. The School of Engineering and Digital Sciences focuses on project-based STEM learning, while the School of Sciences and Humanities runs a large number of research laboratories. The list of schools below reflects the university's own academics pages — confirm the current set and the programmes within each on nu.edu.kz.

• School of Engineering and Digital Sciences — STEM, project-based learning
• School of Sciences and Humanities — broad sciences plus research labs
• School of Medicine — English-medium, US-style curriculum
• School of Mining and Geosciences — mining, petroleum and geoscience
• Graduate School of Business, Graduate School of Public Policy and Graduate School of Education (postgraduate)
• Center for Preparatory Studies — a foundation year before degree study

The English-medium and research model

Two features define the NU experience: instruction in English and a strong research orientation. The Center for Preparatory Studies offers a foundation year for students who need to build their academic English and subject readiness before entering a degree.

Research is woven into teaching, with laboratories and research centres attached to the schools. For a student weighing a Central Asian destination, this combination — English degrees plus a research environment — is the university's clearest distinguishing strength.

Because the curriculum is taught in English, students do not need prior Kazakh or Russian, though learning some local language helps with daily life in Astana.

How admission works for international students

Admission requirements at Nazarbayev University are set by each individual school and published on the official website. Typically, applicants submit academic records, evidence of English proficiency, and any school-specific materials; some programmes route applicants through the foundation year first.

NU does not use a single national exam for entry the way some systems do — each school states what it expects. Always read the current admission page for your specific programme and intake rather than relying on general summaries.

• Check the official school page for your exact programme requirements
• Confirm the English-proficiency evidence accepted (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL)
• Note application windows and intake dates published officially
• Ask whether the Center for Preparatory Studies foundation year applies to you

Costs, scholarships and verifying claims

Tuition, living costs and any scholarship or funding schemes change from year to year and differ by programme, so this guide does not quote figures. The official website is the only reliable place to confirm current fees, funding and eligibility.

Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed admission, a guaranteed scholarship, or a fixed seat for a fee. Genuine admission and funding decisions are made by the university through its official process — verify everything on nu.edu.kz before paying anything to any third party.