NU and the pandemic: changes in admissions process

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a new challenge for the entire world, as it has affected all spheres of human life, including education.

NU was forced to make important decisions related to admissions procedures literally ‘on the go’. The challenge was to remain faithful to the  fundamental principles that are key to admission and study at NU: openness, transparency and integrity.

 “We had to rethink the admission requirements for standardized tests. Given the situation with COVID-19, since 2020, administrators of international standardized tests – SAT, IELTS, GRE, TOEFL have temporarily suspended exams, while also considering changing the test formats. Sometimes the tests were canceled not by the administrator, but by the centres that are licensed to conduct these tests for applicants,” said Aizhamal Zhazykpayeva, Director of the NU Admissions Department.

Foundation programme applicants who were applying for the 2021-2022 academic year were allowed to take the Duolingo English Test at the expense of the university. Also, the NUFYPET subject exam was conducted online for the first time, which allowed applicants to take the test remotely, from home, regardless of what region or country they live in.

The changes also affected admission to Bachelor degree programmes. The NU Admissions Committee decided to conduct the ALEKS PPL test for those applicants who were unable to provide a SAT/ACT certificate. The ALEKS PPL test will also be considered for applicants who apply to the paid Foundation programme.

In addition, to ensure the safety of applicants during the pandemic, NU is taking measures to improve and automate other admissions related processes. For example, it is no longer necessary to provide hard copies of test certificates. The results are verified by the university through the electronic system of test administrators. All interviews for candidates for bachelor’s, master’s, residency and doctoral programmes are now also conducted online.