REQUIREMENTS:

  1. first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) or a Master’s degree or equivalent (cycle 2). The relevance of the academic and experiential background, and the equivalency and appropriateness of earlier degrees, will be determined by the Admissions Committee.
  2. a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of a 4.00 or equivalent on applicant’s Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees.
  3. at least 3 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 has demonstrated high academic performance as decided by the Admissions Committee.
  4. strong reading, analytical and mathematical skills as demonstrated by GRE or GMAT test (optional). Although an official GRE or GMAT score is not an essential requirement, an applicant can enhance her/his application with a competitive GRE or GMAT score.
  5. the required level of English proficiency: the absolute minimum requirement for English language proficiency for admission to the Program is an overall IELTS test score of 6.5, with sub-score requirements no less than 6.0, or the equivalent TOEFL iBT score as posted on the ETS website;  
  •       applicants 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.

 

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST:

  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. Degree diplomas (Bachelor’s and Master’s or equivalents) with transcripts. During the application period, final year students may upload the official current transcript for consideration;
  5. An official electronic IELTS/TOEFL certificate (valid at the time of document submission) sent to the University through IELTS/TOEFL VERIFICATION SERVICES. Code for IELTS: Nazarbayev University. Code for TOEFL: 6762;
  6. Document confirming English as the language of instruction (only for candidates who earned their degree in a program which was taught in English and request an exemption from submitting IELTS or TOEFL). Candidates should provide a detailed certificate/reference from the university indicating the number and list of subjects completed in English;
  7. Documented proof of work experience (if applicable);
  8. GRE/GMAT certificate valid as of the date of online documents submission (if any);
  9. Cover letter explaining the motivation to enroll in the Program (500 words);
  10. Two confidential letters of recommendation (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy after receiving an email request);
  11. Preliminary research proposal (maximum 2000 words).

 

IMPORTANT DATES :

  • Application periods for the 2025-2026 academic year for PhD program: 

           for International applicants from November, 2024 – February, 2025;

           for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan from November, 2024 – April, 2025;

  • The final deadline for submission of IELTS/TOEFL, GRE/GMAT certificates: 

           for International applicants – March, 2025 ;

           for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan – May, 2025;

  • The start of orientation week (for newly enrolled students): to be announced
  • First day of classes: to be announced