PhD program in Eurasian Studies at Nazarbayev University is the first interdisciplinary, English-medium doctoral program in the Humanities and Social Sciences in Central Asia. It is designed according to the highest international standards and taught by highly-qualified faculty, but at the same time is adapted to the educational, social and intellectual environment of Kazakhstan and the wider region.

Our program combines a core curriculum of key concepts in the humanities and social sciences, practical training in necessary writing and research techniques and ethics, and rigorous subject-specific training across at least two disciplines. Students have the space, time and flexibility they need to write a doctoral thesis that makes an original contribution to the field. Funding opportunities for research abroad and co-supervision by NU and non-NU experts enables our students to develop a truly international profile.

We train students to become versatile and internationally competitive scholars on the Eurasian region. Graduates from this doctoral program share a range of qualities and abilities, as well as field-specific skills that make them both “interdisciplinary” and “flexible.” Truly interdisciplinary research demonstrates a solid grounding in one discipline and sufficiently deep training in one or more others, which enables the scholar to build real bridges between various disciplines. Graduates of this program combine strong disciplinary and interdisciplinary training with a first-hand knowledge of the region, a command of the primary and secondary sources consistent with world-class scholarship on this region of the world, knowledge of requisite research languages and excellent academic English

Applicants applying to the Ph.D in Eurasian studies are expected to have:

1) an undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, to be determined by the Admissions Committee (Admission Committee is in charge to decide what discipline is relevant or not);

2) a competitive CGPA in applicant’s Master’s (or equivalent) degree. If applicant has more than one Master’s or another terminal degree, then they should submit the most relevant document;

3) the required level of English proficiency;

4) strong reading, analytical, and mathematical skills (as appropriate to the focus of the applicant’s research) as demonstrated by GRE test (recommended);

5) high motivation and strong interest in the Program as outlined in a personal statement;

6) strong reading, analytical and mathematical skills as demonstrated by GRE test (optional). Although an official GRE score is not an essential requirement, an applicant can enhance her/his application with a competitive GRE score;

7) relevant research interest and knowledge of research subject (including appropriate disciplinary training and research language preparation) as demonstrated in a written research proposal;

8) a curriculum vitae (up to two A4 pages);

The absolute minimum requirement for English language proficiency test reports for admission to the Program is: overall IELTS (except IELTS Online) test score of 7.0 (with at least 6.0 in each subscore), or the equivalent TOEFL (except TOEFL Home Edition) score as posted on the ETS website.

The absolute minimum requirement for English language proficiency test report for admission to Zero Year of Graduate Programs is an overall IELTS (except IELTS Online) test score of 6.0, only one out of four subscores can be at least 5.5, other subscores must be at least 6.0, or the equivalent TOEFL (except TOEFL Home Edition) scores as posted on the ETS website.

Applicants to the Program, 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;

– a Master’s degree or equivalent was earned in a program which was officially taught in English;

– the applicant is a graduate of University.

Application package checklist for the Ph.D in Eurasian studies program:

1) complete Application form for Ph.D. Program;

2) scanned copy of official degree diplomas/certificates with transcripts;

3) scanned copy of document confirming English as the language of instruction (only for applicants who earned their degree in a program which was taught in English and request an exemption from submitting IELTS (except IELTS Online) or TOEFL (except TOEFL Home Edition));

4) scanned copy of Passport/national ID (international applicants must provide a scanned copy of passport);

5) scanned copy of official document confirming name change (if applicable);

6) scanned copy of a curriculum vitae (up to two A4 pages);

7) minimum 2 (two) confidential letters of recommendation written within the last 12 months (to be provided by referees via University system or in scanned copy);

8) personal statement (250-500 words) outlining the applicant’s prior educational career, statement of his/her interest in the Program, his/her long-term career goals, and how the program would help her or him to achieve these goals;

9); research proposal (1500-2000 words) outlining the research topic the applicant would like to pursue in the Program

10) writing sample (academic paper, essay, published article), that demonstrates the candidate’s ability in academic writing;

11) verified score report of valid Academic IELTS (except IELTS Online) or TOEFL (except TOEFL Home Edition) test certificate downloaded from the Test Administrator system and its scanned copy. The last IELTS (except IELTS Online)/TOEFL (except TOEFL Home Edition) certificate submitted to the Personal account will be considered in the admission competition. IELTS (except IELTS Online) or TOEFL (except TOEFL Home Edition) certificate valid (no more than 2 years) as of date of online documents submission. An applicant must indicate the Nazarbayev University as a recipient when registering for the test. In case if the applicant passed the test earlier, he/she can contact the test center and indicate the University as a recipient;

12) verified score report of valid GRE test certificate valid as of date of online documents submission and its scanned copy (optional). An applicant must indicate Nazarbayev University as a recipient when registering for the test. In case the applicant passed the test earlier, he/she can contact the test center and indicate the Nazarbayev University as a recipient.

4 years

– Academia
– Research
– Government
– International organizations

Core Modules:
Introduction to Eurasia
Critical Issues in Eurasian Studies
Proseminar in Eurasian Humanities OR Proseminar in Eurasian Social Sciences
Dissertation Research I
Dissertation Research II

Elective Modules:
Discipline 1 Elective A
Advanced Academic Writing
Discipline 1 Elective B
Discipline 2 Elective A
Open Elective 1
Doctoral Seminar in Eurasian Studies I
Discipline 2 Elective B
Discipline 1 or 2 Elective C
Open Elective 2
Doctoral Seminar in Eurasian Studies II
Open Elective 3

**Ample funding is available for local and international students, with the majority receiving a full scholarship and stipend.**

To get more details follow the link: https://nu.edu.kz/admissions/formoffinance

Doctoral students are given the opportunity to work at NU as a Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) or research assistants (RAs).

Application periods for Ph.D. programs:

for International applicants: March 4, 2024 inclusive

for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan: April 22, 2024 inclusive

The final deadline for submission of IELTS/TOEFL, GRE certificates
• for International applicants: March 18, 2024 inclusive
• for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan May 6, 2024 inclusive

  The start of orientation week: August, 2024

  First day of classes: August, 2024