Funding opportunities to study at Nazarbayev University
Applicants/candidates are awarded with scholarships based on the established admission criteria and in accordance with the decision of the Admissions Committees. Admission to Nazarbayev University is merit-based. Distribution of all types of scholarships is carried out based on the competition.
Government funding
The Nazarbayev University educational grant (Government-funded scholarship) is available for most of the applicants/candidates. 98% of Nazarbayev University students are funded by the Government which covers full tuition fees for most of the programs. The governmental scholarship provides a monthly stipend, basic medical insurance and guaranteed compensation money for travel in accordance with the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Government-funded scholarship is not offered to applicants who previously received the same degree under the state educational order or under the Bolashak international scholarship. This scholarship is also not available for the applicants who previously studied at Nazarbayev University and had been dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The number of grants is annually approved by the Governmental Decree of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Other scholarships funded by Nazarbayev University
“Ybyray Altynsarin” scholarship
“Ybyray Altynsarin” scholarship is named after the most prominent Kazakh educator of the late 19th century – Ybyray Altynsarin (1841–1889). Y.Altynsarin opened numerous Kazakh-Russian boarding schools, technical schools and schools for girls. He is also credited with authoring the first Kazakh grammar book and the first Kazakh-Russian newspaper.
This scholarship is provided for socially vulnerable applicants/candidates who meet all admission requirements and have been recommended for admission, but due to low ranking and limited number of state grants couldn’t receive the governmental scholarship. In order to apply for the “Ybyray Altynsarin” scholarship applicants/candidates should meet one or several of the following criteria:
- orphans or individuals left without care of parents; ;
- disabled individuals of group I, II and III;
- individuals from large families;
- individuals with one or both parents with disabilities of group I, II and III;
The scholarship is financed by Nazarbayev University and covers the tuition fee only, a monthly stipend or compensation for travel are not provided. The scholarship is provided for an entire period of the specified program. Number of scholarships is annually approved by Nazarbayev University.
Vacant government-funded scholarship, if available, can be re-distributed among holders of “Ybyray Altynsarin” scholarship.
“Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship
“Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship is named after Abay Kunanbayev (1845-1904) a Kazakh poet, a great thinker, composer, philosopher, the founder of the Kazakh written literature. This scholarship is specifically designed and awarded to foreign citizens and persons without citizenship. The applicants/candidates must be recommended for admission by the Admissions Committee of the respective program.
This scholarship is funded by Nazarbayev University and covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend and basic medical insurance. The scholarship is provided for an entire period of the specified program. Number of scholarships is annually approved by Nazarbayev University.
Vacant government-funded scholarship, if available, can be re-distributed among holders of “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship, if a scholarship holder receives a citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Fee-paying education and partial scholarships
Admission to a fee-paying education is available to applicants/candidates who meet all admission requirements, are recommended for admission but due to low ranking didn’t receive any of the scholarships mentioned above. Number of seats for a fee-paying education is approved annually by the Nazarbayev University depending on the capacity of the Schools.
The fees for tuition are indicated in the corresponding section of the program/specialty on the website of the Schools of the University. Certain categories of Nazarbayev University Foundation Year Program (NUFYP), undergraduate and graduate programs (except the programs of Graduate School of Business), enrolled on a fee-paying basis can be provided with a scholarship, which covers from 50% to 100% of the tuition costs (partial scholarship):
For Kazakhstani citizens
No. | Categories of candidates | Program of study |
1 | Orphans or individuals left without the care of parents | Foundation, undergraduate programs |
2 | Individuals with 1,2,3 categories disabilities | Foundation, undergraduate programs, мaster programs |
3 | Individuals from large families, or families with four or more children living together, under the age of 23 years | Foundation, undergraduate programs, мaster programs |
4 | Individuals with one or both parents with disabilities of 1, 2, 3 categories | Foundation, undergraduate programs, мaster programs |
5 | Foundation and undergraduate program students | Foundation, undergraduate programs |
6 | Acting civil and public servants of the Republic of Kazakhstan | Master programs |
7 | Master and NUZYP program students | Master programs |
For international candidates
No. | Categories of candidates |
1 | Citizens from low income and lower-middle-income countries by the current World Bank classification* |
2 | Citizens from upper-middle-income countries by the current World Bank classification* |
3 | Citizens from high-income countries by the current World Bank classification* |
*list of counties according to the World Bank classification: https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups
For more information regarding partial scholarships please refer to Bursar’s office:
Phone: +7 (7172) 70 66 20, 70 60 32, 70 91 99, 70 60 86, 70 90 27
Email: bursars_office@old.nu.edu.kz
Office 5034 Block C2
53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave.