Nazarbayev University English Requirements
Kazakhstan
Nazarbayev University (NU) is an English-medium research university located in Astana, Kazakhstan, ranked in the top 23% of the world's best research universities and in the Caucasus and Central Asia region in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. It offers Foundation, undergraduate, master's, PhD, and medical residency programs across seven schools, with all instruction in English except for the Executive MBA which provides simultaneous Russian interpretation.
Quick answer
Nazarbayev University accepts IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT for international admission. Undergraduate applicants typically need IELTS Academic 6.
Undergraduate requirements
The university-wide standard for first-year international applicants.
| Duolingo English Test | Unknown | |
| TOEFL iBT | No published minimum | |
| IELTS Academic | 6 | R 5.5 · W 6 · S 5.5 · L 5.5 |
| PTE Academic | Unknown | |
| Cambridge English | Unknown |
Graduate requirements
The university-wide standard for graduate and postgraduate international applicants. Individual programs may require higher scores.
| Duolingo English Test | Unknown | |
| TOEFL iBT | No published minimum | |
| IELTS Academic | 6 | R 5.5 · W 6 · S 5.5 · L 5.5 |
| PTE Academic | Unknown | |
| Cambridge English | Unknown |
Sources: nu.edu.kz/admissions/how-to-apply/masters/reg… ↗nu.edu.kz/admissions/how-to-apply/doctoral_pr… ↗
Already have a score?
Convert your score across DET, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE to see how it compares to Nazarbayev University's requirement.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS Academic score do I need for Nazarbayev University?+
Undergraduate admission to Nazarbayev University requires IELTS Academic 6 or higher. Graduate programs may require more, depending on the program.
Preparing for one of these tests?
Arno gives you unlimited AI-scored practice for the Duolingo English Test, PTE, and TOEFL, with instant feedback on every answer.
Start practicing freeRequirements are read from Nazarbayev University's own admissions pages and refreshed regularly. Admission requirements change between cycles. Always confirm on the university's admissions page before applying.