Nazarbayev University (NU) is an autonomous research university in Astana, opened in 2010.[1] It is an English-medium institution.[2] On its own website it cites a Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 band of 376–400; a QS World University Rankings 2027 position could not be confirmed.[3][4]
NU publishes tuition in US dollars for one academic year: $12,000 for the foundation year, $15,000 for undergraduate programmes, $16,000 for master’s and $23,500 for doctoral programmes. Doctor of Medicine costs $25,000 for residents and $30,000 for non-residents.[5] Undergraduate applicants need IELTS 6.0 overall (or an equivalent test) plus one of several academic results.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | Nazarbayev University (Назарбаев Университет) |
| Location | Astana, Kazakhstan (53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue)[7] |
| Type | Autonomous research university (Wikipedia lists it as public)[2] |
| Founded | 2010; opened in June 2010 after being announced in 2006; autonomous status by law in 2011[1] |
| Students | 6,396 full-time equivalent (THE 2027 data as listed by xuanxiao.org); Wikipedia gives about 7,089[4] |
| Schools | Medicine; Mining and Geosciences; Engineering and Digital Sciences; Sciences and Humanities; Graduate Schools of Public Policy, Education and Business[1] |
| Language of teaching | English (English-medium institution)[2] |
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | 376–400 (the university’s own claim: top 17.4 %)[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed (aggregator lists NU as not ranked)[4] |
| QS Asia 2027 | 139th, up from 201st[8] |
| Tuition, undergraduate | $15,000 per academic year (one fee for all applicants; the page shows no year label)[5] |
| Tuition, master’s / doctoral | $16,000 / $23,500 per academic year[5] |
| English requirement, undergraduate | IELTS 6.0 overall (Writing 6.0, other parts 5.5) or equivalent TOEFL[6] |
| Official website | nu.edu.kz |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About Nazarbayev University
Nazarbayev University was announced in 2006 and opened in June 2010. A law of 2011 gave it autonomous status as the country’s first global-level research university.[1] The School of Medicine opened in 2015, the first PhD graduates were conferred in 2017, and in 2019 the undergraduate schools were restructured into Engineering and Digital Sciences and Sciences and Humanities.[1]
The university also has a School of Mining and Geosciences and graduate schools of Public Policy, Education and Business.[1] Wikipedia describes it as a public, autonomous research university and an English-medium institution with international faculty and staff.[2] Its campus address is 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue in Astana.[7]
How is Nazarbayev University ranked?
NU’s own achievements page cites the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027 band of 376–400, which it describes as the top 17.4 % of universities. The same page shows a banner with “top 23 %”, so the university’s own wording is not consistent.[3] The previous bands it lists are 401–500 (2026) and 501–600 (2024).[3]
QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026): we could not confirm a position for Nazarbayev University. The aggregator xuanxiao.org lists it as not ranked in the QS world table, and the national press coverage we read names other Kazakh universities only. In the separate regional QS Asia 2027 table, published in November 2026, NU is reported at 139th, up from 201st.[4][8] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
See the Kazakhstan ranking for how NU compares with the other universities in the country.
What can you study at Nazarbayev University?
Teaching is organised in these schools:[1]
- School of Engineering and Digital Sciences and School of Sciences and Humanities (undergraduate schools created by the 2019 restructuring).
- School of Mining and Geosciences and School of Medicine (opened 2015).
- Graduate Schools of Public Policy, Education and Business.
Entry levels are the Foundation Year Programme, undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes, plus Doctor of Medicine and residency.[5] The Graduate School of Business publishes its fees separately on its own site.[5]
How much does Nazarbayev University cost?
| Programme | Tuition per academic year (USD) |
|---|---|
| Foundation Year Programme | $12,000 |
| Undergraduate | $15,000 |
| Master’s | $16,000 |
| Doctoral | $23,500 |
| Doctor of Medicine | $25,000 (residents) · $30,000 (non-residents) |
| Residency | $11,200 |
These are the amounts on NU’s fees page. The page shows no update date or academic-year label, so confirm the current figure before you budget.[5] Apart from Doctor of Medicine, the page does not set separate fees for Kazakh citizens and international students; for residents of Kazakhstan, payment is processed in tenge at an internal rate of 486 KZT per US dollar.[5]
Scholarships and discounts
International applicants can be recommended by their school’s admissions committee for the merit-based Abay Kunanbayev Scholarship, which covers tuition, medical insurance and a monthly stipend.[9] NU also lists 200 PhD scholarships.[9] The other discounts on the fees page are for Kazakhstan citizens or specific groups: 75 % for socially vulnerable categories, 25 % for winners of named olympiads, 25 % for second and later children from one family, 50 % for staff of Kazakhstan government bodies, and 5 % for paying a full year in one payment.[5] State grants for citizens are not described on the pages we read.
Undergraduate applicants also pay an online application fee of 10,000 KZT.[6] For rent and living costs in Astana, see our Kazakhstan guide.
How do you apply to Nazarbayev University?
NU’s international admission page describes four steps:[9]
- Submit the online application and upload the supporting documents at admissions.nu.edu.kz: transcripts, recommendation letters, proof of English proficiency and a passport copy.
- The admissions committee of each school assesses eligible candidates and shortlists them for interview.
- Shortlisted candidates take an interview by video call or in person.
- Selected candidates are told by email and find their offer letter in their personal account.
For undergraduate entry you create an account in English, fill in the form, upload a school certificate or diploma with transcripts, a scan of your passport or ID (eGov copies are not accepted), and a 3×4 photo, pay the 10,000 KZT fee and submit. Send the official English test result after submitting.[6] Applicants from countries that need a visa before arrival have a separate timeline.[6] Accommodation is stated to be guaranteed for international students.[6]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year. Check the current round on NU’s admissions pages.
Which English level do you need?
| Entry | IELTS minimum | Academic result (one of) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 overall (Writing 6.0; Reading, Listening, Speaking 5.5); 5.5 overall may be considered conditionally | GPA 4.0/5.0; UNT in English 85; digital SAT 1240 or ACT 26; IB Diploma 27 points; A-level or NIS Grade 12 not below BBB |
| Foundation (NUFYP) | 5.5 overall (Writing and Reading 5.5; Listening and Speaking 5.0); 5.0 overall may be considered conditionally | GPA 3.5/5.0; UNT in English 75; digital SAT 1140 or ACT 24 |
An equivalent TOEFL score is accepted. IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and ACT must be taken in person; online and home editions are not accepted, and certificates must stay valid until at least 1 August 2027.[6] The NU Entrance Test (NUET) is not listed for regular entry; it appears only for the fee-paying mid-year intake.[6] The page lists the same academic requirements for international applicants.[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Nazarbayev University for international students?
Is Nazarbayev University ranked by QS?
Are there scholarships for international students at Nazarbayev University?
What English score do I need to apply?
For undergraduate entry NU asks for IELTS 6.0 overall (Writing 6.0, other parts 5.5) or an equivalent TOEFL score. The foundation year asks for 5.5 overall.[6]
More about studying in Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Kazakhstan
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
- L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
- Kazakh-British Technical University
- Satbayev University
Sources
[1] Nazarbayev University: History of the University (page without a date)
[2] Wikipedia: Nazarbayev University (type, language of instruction and student numbers (secondary source))
[3] Nazarbayev University: University Achievements (page without a date; cites THE 2027)
[4] xuanxiao.org: Nazarbayev University (ranking aggregator) (page lists QS World as not ranked, THE 2027 data; aggregator, page without a date)
[5] Nazarbayev University: Fees and Financial Support (page without a date)
[6] Nazarbayev University: Foundation and Undergraduate regular admissions (page without an update date; latest dated item on the page is 12 Oct 2026)
[7] Nazarbayev University: Home page (page without a date; address, rankings claim)
[8] The Astana Times: Kazakhstan Retains Central Asia’s Top University Rankings as Nazarbayev University Climbs 62 Places (article of 3 Nov 2026 on QS Asia 2027)
[9] Nazarbayev University: International Admission, general information (page without a date; refers to 2026 intakes)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.