Graduate School of Public Policy

Admission requirements

1. an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. The relevancy of a discipline is confirmed by the Admissions Committee. During the application period, final-year students may submit official current transcript for consideration. Applicants recommended for admission must provide final transcripts and diplomas before the end of the Program’s enrollment term.
2. the required level of English proficiency: Academic IELTS – overall 6.0 (writing 6.0, reading 5.5, listening 5.5, speaking 5.5) or the equivalent TOEFL score (except Home edition) as posted on the ETS website; applicants to the Program, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if: one of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication, academic instruction and daily life; an undergraduate or graduate degree was earned in a program which was officially taught in English. The absolute minimum requirement of the number of subjects taught in English is 70 % out of 100% for applicants who earned their degree in English according to official confirmation by a university of study; the applicant is a graduate of the autonomous organization of education Nazarbayev University.
3. strong reading, analytical and mathematical skills as demonstrated by GRE or GMAT test (optional). Although an official GRE/GMAT test is not an essential requirement, an applicant can enhance her/his application with a competitive GRE/GMAT score at the discretion of the Admissions Committee
4. at least 3 (three) years of relevant work experience; based on the School’s Admissions Committee discretion, applicants with less work experience may also be considered if the applicant’s minimum CGPA is not less than 2.5 out of 4.0 or its equivalent.

List of the applicants’ documents for online application:

1. completed Application form for the Program;
2. scanned copy of a national ID and/or passport (if applicable) for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
3. scanned copy of a passport for international applicants;
4. curriculum vitae;
5. scanned copy of degree diplomas with transcripts
6. verified score report of Academic IELTS (except IELTS Online test) or TOEFL IBT (except Home Edition) certificates
7. scanned copy of documented proof of work experience
8. 2 (two) letters of recommendation (to be provided by referees via University system or in a scanned copy);
9. verified score report of valid GMAT or GRE test certificate valid as of date of online documents submission and its scanned copy (optional)