The National University of Mongolia (NUM) is a public university in Ulaanbaatar. It was founded on 5 October 1942 and is described by Wikipedia as a public university whose first name was Choibalsan State University.[1] Its own site calls it the oldest university in Mongolia.[2] Times Higher Education lists about 17,000 students, 6% of them international, and places NUM in the 2001+ band of its 2027 world ranking.[3]
The university’s current admissions pages list international tuition of 10,500,000 MNT a year for a bachelor’s, 10,360,000 MNT for a master’s and 11,200,000 MNT for a doctorate; the page names no academic year.[4] Degree programmes are taught mainly in Mongolian, so applicants need intermediate Mongolian or higher, unless the programme is taught in English.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | National University of Mongolia (Монгол Улсын Их Сургууль)[2] |
| Location | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (Ikh Surguuliin gudamj 1, P.O. Box 46A/523, 14201 Ulaanbaatar)[6] |
| Type | Public university[1] |
| Founded | 5 October 1942, first named Choibalsan State University[1] |
| Units | Graduate School; Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Law, Political Science, International Relations and Public Administration, Information Technology and Electronics, and Engineering and Technology; Science and Technology Park; a school in Zavkhan province; Eastern and Western regional branches[6] |
| Research | 48 research units, 5 start-up companies and ₮6.8 billion in research funding[6] |
| International partners | More than 220 universities and organisations[7] |
| Students (Times Higher Education profile) | 17,178, of which 6% international[3] |
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 | 2001+ band[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Could not be confirmed |
| Language of teaching | Mainly Mongolian; degree applicants need intermediate Mongolian or higher unless the programme is taught in English[5] |
| Tuition, international students (year not stated) | 10,500,000 MNT bachelor’s · 10,360,000 MNT master’s · 11,200,000 MNT doctorate[4] |
| Application fee | 130,300 MNT or 50 USD[8] |
| Official website | num.edu.mn |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 10 November 2026.
About the National University of Mongolia
The National University of Mongolia was founded on 5 October 1942 and was first named Choibalsan State University.[1] Its main campus is in Ulaanbaatar, with branches in Uliastai and Erdenet according to Wikipedia; the university’s own site lists a school in Zavkhan province and Eastern and Western regional branches.[1][6]
On its English site NUM lists a Graduate School, schools for arts and sciences, business, law, political science and public administration, information technology and electronics, and engineering and technology, plus a science and technology park.[6] It reports more than 220 international university and organisation partners and says that more than 70 students and staff have taken part in Erasmus Mundus programmes since 2009.[7]
The university says it helped to found six other Mongolian universities, among them the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology and the University of the Humanities.[7]
How is the National University of Mongolia ranked?
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, NUM is in the 2001+ band.[3] The same profile lists 17,178 students and 6% international students.[3]
We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position: QS blocks automated access to its tables and none of the pages we read states one. The university’s Strategic Plan 2016–2024 set the goal of ranking among Asia’s top 100 universities by 2024.[7] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one band as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the National University of Mongolia?
NUM teaches at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level, and also runs non-degree programmes such as a Mongolian language preparatory course, exchange programmes, internships and summer school.[5] The units listed on its English site are:[6]
- Graduate School
- School of Arts and Sciences
- Business School
- School of Law
- School of Political Science, International Relations and Public Administration
- School of Information Technology and Electronics
- School of Engineering and Technology
The admissions page links to separate course lists for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study but does not say which programmes are taught in English.[8] Ask the school before you apply.
How much does the National University of Mongolia cost?
| Level | Current admissions page (MNT per year) | Older student page (MNT per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 10,500,000 | 7,035,000 |
| Master’s | 10,360,000 | 7,296,000 |
| Doctorate | 11,200,000 | 7,920,400 |
| Mongolian language course | 9,187,500 | 6,840,000 |
The first column comes from the international admissions pages on num.edu.mn, which show a 2026 copyright line.[4][8] The second comes from the student site student.num.edu.mn, whose footer says 2022.[9] Neither page names an academic year, and the two do not agree, so we treat the newer page as the current price list and advise you to confirm the amount with NUM before paying.
Other costs
The registration (application) fee is 130,300 MNT or 50 USD.[8] Dormitory rates on the current page are 356,500 MNT a month for a single room, 178,200 for a double and 120,700 for a triple room.[4] The older page lists 310,000, 155,000 and 105,000 MNT.[9] You must show a financial guarantee that covers one year of tuition and dormitory fees.[5]
Exchange students from partner universities have tuition waived under bilateral agreements, according to the older page.[9] For living costs in the country, see our Mongolia guide.
How do you apply to the National University of Mongolia?
International applicants register online at registration.num.edu.mn; if needed, the application form and documents can also be sent by email to foreignadmission@num.edu.mn.[5] The regulation in force since 1 March 2025 lists these documents:[5]
- Diploma and transcript of the previous level, with certified Mongolian translation if in another language
- A passport valid for at least six months
- A financial guarantee covering one year of tuition and dormitory fees
- For master’s and doctoral applicants, a statement of purpose and a recommendation letter from a professor or advisor
- A language certificate (Mongolian or English), and a 3 × 4 cm photo taken within six months
The admissions page also asks for a medical form, a test result and a chest X-ray taken within six months.[8] After the document check, qualified applicants take an online entrance examination, and admitted students receive an admission letter by email or post.[5]
We give no deadlines because they change each year. Note that the regulation says applications are accepted twice a year and that late applications are refused, while the admissions page says bachelor’s intake is in the fall only; check the current dates before you start.[5][8]
Which language level do you need?
For degree programmes taught in Mongolian you need intermediate Mongolian or higher. Accepted proof is a certificate from NUM’s Mongolian Language Preparatory Program (average GPA of 2.8 or higher from the intermediate level) or a valid score of M3 or higher on the Test of Mongolian as a Foreign Language (TOMFL).[5] Applicants who lack the level can enrol in the preparatory programme first.[5]
For degree programmes taught in English, Mongolian is not required, but the programme may ask for an English certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS.[5] Graduate applicants can also qualify with TOEFL iBT 60 or IELTS 5.5 before the professional entrance exam.[5] The admissions page says that without a certificate you take a Mongolian language test.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the National University of Mongolia public or private?
It is a public university.[1]
How much does the National University of Mongolia cost for international students?
Do I need to speak Mongolian to study at NUM?
How do I apply as an international student?
How is the National University of Mongolia ranked?
It is in the 2001+ band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.[3] We could not confirm a QS 2027 position.
More about studying in Mongolia
- Mongolia: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Mongolia
- Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences
- Mongolian University of Science and Technology
- University of the Humanities
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: National University of Mongolia (history and type; page last edited 8 Oct 2026)
[2] National University of Mongolia: Official homepage (Mongolian) (page without a date; footer 2026)
[3] Times Higher Education: National University of Mongolia (page without a date; shows the World University Rankings 2027 band)
[4] National University of Mongolia: International students, scholarships and fees (page without a date; footer 2026)
[5] National University of Mongolia: Regulation on the Admission of International Students (annex to Rector’s order A/128 of 19 March 2025, in force from 1 March 2025)
[6] National University of Mongolia: Official English homepage (page without a date; footer 2026)
[7] National University of Mongolia: About NUM (page without a date; footer 2026)
[8] National University of Mongolia: Admission for international students (page without a date; footer 2026)
[9] National University of Mongolia student site: Admission and aid (page without a date; footer 2022, so older than the pages above)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.