Astana, KazakhstanOtherQS World University Rankings: not ranked or not verifiednu.edu.kz(opens in a new tab)
From the recorded data below · USD figures are approximate
Counselor view: Competitive. Clear academic minimums (GPA 4.0/5.0 or SAT 1240) and IELTS 6.0; selective, with interviews. General guidance only, not an admission prediction.
Nazarbayev University is Kazakhstan's flagship research university in Astana, founded in 2010 with an autonomous status and partnerships with universities such as Cambridge, Duke and the National University of Singapore. All teaching is in English. It offers bachelor's degrees in engineering, computer science, robotics, the natural sciences, economics, business, political science and nursing, plus a one-year Foundation Year Program for students who need preparation. Tuition is USD 15,000 a year, and top international candidates can receive the Abai Scholarship. Applications are rolling, and on-campus housing is guaranteed for international students. It is close to Mongolia, and Kazakh is widely spoken in Astana.
Advice from our counselors
Nazarbayev University is a strong regional option for Mongolian students, especially from Bayan-Ölgii: Astana is close, Kazakh is widely spoken and all teaching is in English. Admission needs IELTS 6.0 (writing 6.0) taken in a test centre plus one academic route: a school GPA of at least 4.0 out of 5.0 after conversion, or a Digital SAT of 1240. Shortlisted students are interviewed. Tuition is USD 15,000 a year, so the Abai Scholarship is essential for most families, but it is limited to top candidates. Applications are rolling from October 2026, so apply early, and check whether Mongolian citizens fall in the visa-on-arrival group. Pay the fee before the last two weeks, when it triples. Below these levels, the Foundation Year is the alternative.
| Program | Degree | Language | Duration | Tuition / year | Program requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in NursingMedicine & Health Sciences | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | $15,000 | 2026/27 tuition. |
| Bachelor of Arts in EconomicsEconomics & Finance | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | $15,000 | 2026/27 tuition. |
| Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International RelationsInternational Relations & Political Science | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | $15,000 | 2026/27 tuition. |
| Bachelor of Business AdministrationBusiness & Management | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | $15,000 | 2026/27 tuition. |
| Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Computer EngineeringEngineering | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | $15,000 | 2026/27 tuition. |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer ScienceComputer Science & IT | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | $15,000 | 2026/27 tuition. School of Engineering and Digital Sciences. |
| Bachelor of Science in MathematicsMathematics & Statistics | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | $15,000 | 2026/27 tuition. |
| Bachelor of Science in Robotics EngineeringEngineering | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | $15,000 | 2026/27 tuition. |
| Foundation Year Program (NUFYP) | Bachelor's | English | 1 years | $12,000 | 2026/27 tuition. IELTS 5.5 or SAT 1140 / ACT 24. |
Rolling Admission
2027-2028 rolling admission (Kazakhstan citizens and visa-on-arrival countries) · Opened October 2026; runs until August 2027. Dates for applicants from countries needing a visa before entry will be announced. Fee triples in the last two weeks before the deadline.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
All amounts are per academic year in USD.
Abai (Abay Kunanbayev) Scholarship: merit-based award for top international candidates recommended by each school's admissions committee, covering tuition, medical insurance and a monthly stipend (amount not published). No separate application published; ask international.admissions@nu.edu.kz. Kazakh government grants are for Kazakhstan citizens; ethnic Kazakhs from Mongolia should ask about their eligibility separately.
Maximum recorded tuition scholarship: 100% of tuition (living allowances not included)
Profile last updated 2 Nov 2026. This profile has not yet been verified. Always confirm on the official website before applying.