Language: English
Delivery mode: Full time, on-campus
Duration: 4 years
Total ECTS credit: 240
The Bachelor of Sciences (B.Sc.) in Biological Sciences program is taught in English and can be compared in scope and structure to available programs in internationally leading academic institutions. The amalgamation of Nazarbayev University's Undergraduate Core Curriculum Framework of (NU UCCF), disciplinary core curriculum with broad choice electives enables students to lay the foundation for careers in high demand for both existing as well as anticipated employment sectors in Kazakhstan.
The program's research-integrated teaching and student-centered learning opportunities offered in upper-level research-oriented and problem-based learning lectures and laboratory courses, or through participation in research projects in laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art instruments as part of Directed Research in Biology or a Honors Thesis sets it apart from biological sciences programs offered in the region.
Graduates of this program are expected to find many job opportunities in universities, pharmaceutical, biotechnological or biotechnology and agricultural companies, hospitals, and private, government and non-profit research institutions.
Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) of Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences Program:
1. Exhibit proficient theoretical knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills in biological and natural sciences to address both research and real- world
problems,
2. Build a foundation for leadership through strong interdisciplinary and collaborative skills,
3. Work independently or as a member of a team in a professional manner in industry, academia, or government within Kazakhstan or abroad.
4. Operate with professional values and recognize limitations of scientific processes.
- Integrate fundamental theoretical underpinnings and concepts when addressing both research and real-world problems in biological sciences.
- Apply scientific methods, including formulating a hypothesis, designing studies, laboratory-based techniques, and drawing conclusions to address both research and real-world problems in biological sciences.
- Evaluate biological data using mathematical and statistical techniques.
- Recognize the limitations of scientific processes including experimental and data-analytical methods when synthesizing biological knowledge.
- Critically analyse and discuss primary literature in biological sciences.
- Communicate clearly biological information in oral and written formats to both lay and scientific audiences applying for the latter scientific formats commonly used in biological sciences.
- Exercise ethical and professional conduct when conducting research in biological sciences.
The four-year 240 ECTS credit B.Sc. in Biological Sciences is a first cycle level 6 program designed according to the Bologna requirements. The curriculum of the program consists of three different types of courses:
- NU Undergraduate Core Curriculum Framework (UCCF) core courses (78 ECTS),
- Major required courses (132 ECTS)
- Discipline core courses (96 ECTS)
- Major (Biological Sciences) required electives with at least three at course code level 400 (36 ECTS),
- Technical electives, any letter-grade (A-F) courses outside Biological Sciences with one at course code level 300 or higher (18 ECTS), and
- Unrestricted electives (12 ECTS).
List of courses:
- History of Kazakhstan
- Kazakh language
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Writing and Communication
- Any SOC, PLS, ANT, or ECON course
- Calculus I
- Physics I for Scientists and Engineers with Laboratory
- Any Computer Science course except CSCI 100 and CSCI 101
- Critical Research Reasoning
- Any business course
- Bioethics
- General Chemistry I
- General Chemistry II
- General Chemistry I Laboratory
- Organic Chemistry I
- Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
- Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory, or Physics II for Scientist and Engineers with Laboratory, or Calculus II
- Applied Statistical Methods
- General Biology
- Modern Biology I
- Modern Biology I Laboratory
- Modern Biology II
- Modern Biology II Laboratory
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- Biochemistry I
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Introduction to Microbiology
- Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Six Major Elective courses
- Three Technical Elective courses
- Two General Elective courses
- Academia – Further education in graduate or doctoral schools of medical sciences, life sciences, or public health;
- Research or laboratory employee – Work as researchers, research assistants, or laboratory technician, biological technician, etc.
| Writing | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Overall |
Academic IELTS | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
TOEFL iBT | 21 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 60 |
Additional requirements:
- There is no minimum requirements for winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads for IELTS/TOEFL IBT;
- Superscoring does not apply to IELTS/TOEFL;
- IELTS Online or IELTS Indicator, TOEFL iBT Home Edition or TOEFL PDT are not considered;
- IELTS/TOEFL test certificates are considered valid if their results do not expire by the 1st of August of the relevant academic year to which Applicants are applying. Results of a test, taken before August 1, 2023, are not considered in the competition.
- Applicants recommended for admission to the Undergraduate program with IELTS certificates equal to 6.0 overall shall comply with certain conditions for study according to the internal documents of the University
Regular Requirement | Minimum Score | Notes |
English Proficiency Test | IELTS Overall: 6.0; 6.0 - Writing, 5.5 - Listening, Speaking, Reading TOEFL iBT Overall: 60; Writing: 21; Reading: 8; Speaking: 16; Listening: 7 | - Paid at your own expense - IELTS/TOEFL tests are considered without superscoring - IELTS/TOEFL tests must be taken in person at the test center (not remotely) - You can provide improved language test scores later. The deadline will be available on the website. |
GPA or equivalent** and/or UNT in English*** | GPA: 4.0 out of 5.0 UNT: 1. Mathematical literacy: 8 out of 10 2. Reading literacy: 8 out of 10 3. Overall: 85 | - Applicants recommended for admission to the undergraduate program shall comply with certain conditions for study according to the internal documents of the university. - **Other grading scales shall be converted to a GPA 5.0 scale for equivalency. - ***Only the last provided certificate before the deadline will be considered. Superscoring is not applicable. |
Minimum entry requirements for NUET applicants category
Exam |
|
NUET | 120 total score and 50,50 passing scores per subject (Mathematics, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving) for participation in the competition. Applicants with a minimum passing score can be considered for NUFYP program |
Interview | At the request of the School |
NUET (NU Entrance Test) – test that evaluates academic training for studying at the University
- NUET is held in 2 subject sections - Mathematics and Critical Thinking & Problem Solving.
- Number of questions – 60.
- Test content – multiple-choice questions.
- Test duration – 120 minutes. Minimum passing score – determined by the Admissions Committee
- Test results are available in 6 weeks in a Personal account.
- The number of tasks and duration of the entry examination are subject for change by Test administrators.
- Information about access to the entry examination is placed in the applicant’s Personal account.
- Applicants are informed about examination date and venue, information on format, as well as required documents and Rules of conduct during the examination via email one week prior to the exams.
- If a violation of rules or conditions of passing the test occurs, the applicant's results are cancelled. In this case, the applicant is excluded from the competition. Disqualified applicants will not be able to enroll to NU in the future.
- There is no appeal procedure.
- NUET for all applicants is free of charge
SAT/ACT applicants
Minimum entry requirements for SAT/ACT applicants category
Exam |
|
Digital SAT Reasoning Test** or ACT | Digital SAT Reasoning Test – 1240 OR ACT – 26 composite score |
Interview | At the request of the School |
*SAT/ACT certificates are considered without superscoring.
**Only Digital SAT test is considered in the competition.
IB Diploma holders*
Minimum entry requirements for IВ Diploma holders**
Diploma |
|
IB Diploma results | 30 total score and 4, 4, 5 for 3 subjects of HL |
Interview | At the request of the School |
**IB Diploma holders also may choose to participate in the competition by the one of the following categories: “SAT/ACT applicants” or “NUET applicants” or "Winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads (see the minimum requirements for these categories on the website)
A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders*
Minimum entry requirements for A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders**
Certificate |
|
A-level/NIS 12 Grade Certificate results | not less than ABB for any subjects |
Interview | At the request of the School |
**A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders also may choose to participate in the competition by the one of the following categories: “SAT/ACT applicants” or “NUET applicants” or "Winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads" (see the minimum requirements for these categories on the website).
Winners of International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads
List of International Subject Olympiads
- International Mathematics Olympiad – IMO
- International Physics Olympiad – IPHO
- International Chemistry Olympiad -IChO
- International Biology Olympiad IBO
- International Olympiad in Informatics – IOI
- International Zhautykov Olympiad in Mathematics, Physics and Informatics
- International Mendeleyev Chemistry Olympiad
- Republican Mathematics Olympiad
- Republican Physics Olympiad
- Republican Chemistry Olympiad
- Republican Biology Olympiad
- Republican Informatics Olympiad
*Applicants can apply with both Republican and International Olympiads
Minimum requirements for the winners of the International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads category
Type of Olympiad | Medal type | Interview |
Republic Olympiad | gold and silver medals (I, II place) for the current academic year | Required |
International Olympiad* | gold, silver and bronze medals (I, II, III place) for the last three years |
For all types of grants:
- Citizens of Kazakhstan: available until January 23, 2025, 2:00 P.M. (Astana time).
- International applicants: available until March 3, 2025, 2:00 P.M. (Astana time).
- Citizens of Kazakhstan: available until June 25, 2025, 2:00 P.M. (Astana time).
- International applicants from countries requiring a visa prior to arrival: available until March 27, 2025, 2:00 P.M. (Astana time).
- International applicants from countries eligible for visa issuance upon arrival: available until June 25, 2025, 2:00 P.M. (Astana time).
For all types of grants:
- Citizens of Kazakhstan: February 3, 2025
- International applicants: March 4, 2025
- Citizens of Kazakhstan: July 4, 2025
- Applicants from countries requiring a visa prior to arrival: March 31, 2025
- Applicants from countries eligible for visa issuance upon arrival: June 26, 2025
First day of classes: August 2025
The tuition fee for the undergraduate programs is $15,000 (7 665 000 KZT) for the 2025/2026 academic year for both local and international students.
To learn more about tuition fees please contact bursars_office@nu.edu.kz.
There are merit-based Abay Kunanbayev scholarships for top international applicants recommended for admission.
To learn more about financial aid and scholarship requirements, please visit nu.edu.kz
Go to the http://admissions.nu.edu.kz portal and press the “Sign Up” button and fill out the required information in English. Please select the undergraduate program during choosing the academic level.
After completing the application, confirm it by clicking on the link sent to your mailbox.
Be sure to read the instructions about the application procedure given in your personal account.
Applicants meeting the following eligibility criteria can take part in the competition:
1. Students in the final year of secondary education institutions, technical, vocational, post-secondary and higher education institutions;
2. Students studying in higher education institutions;
3. Graduates from secondary, post-secondary or higher education institutions.
Open the Foundation and Undergraduate Programs link at the “My Application Forms” page and fill out the Foundation and Undergraduate Application Form that includes a consent form for personal data processing. Make sure you have entered all the required information in the correct manner and press the “Upload” button.
1. a scanned copy of proof of your studies at a final grade/course with a photo (according to the template in a personal account in one of the languages) or a scanned version of a certificate/diploma with transcripts if you have already completed a relevant level of study.
2. a scanned copy of national ID card and/or passport. The copies from eGov or any other platforms/electronic services are not accepted. Important: to take the entry exam, an applicant must have an original of a passport or a national identity card that was uploaded to a personal account;
Upload a 3*4 photo for documents to the “Profile” section in your personal account.
The format of requested documents is available in the personal account.
The application fee is 10 000 tenge. The application fee is increased 3 times from the established amount when paid within the last two weeks before the first officially-approved deadline and during the extension period for accepting applications for participation in the admission process (30 000 tenge). The application fee is non-refundable, irrespective of the application outcome or payment errors.
If you don't have a personal card, you may use the card of another person.
After submission, applicants cannot make any changes in their applications and submitted documents.
The Admissions Department will check your application and contact you if there is an issue with the application or specify if some documents are missing and deadlines to submit them. Incomplete or incorrect (uncorrected) applications will not be considered in the competition.
- To send an official electronic report of valid IELTS/TOEFL certificate via the test administrator directly to NU;
- To upload its scanned copy and insert its TRF number to the “Upload IELTS/TOEFL results” section of a personal account. Applicants can submit any number of certificates for the competition, but the last certificate uploaded to their personal account will be considered.
Take care when entering information regarding codes for test certificate submission via the test administrator or the test center. See below:
- Code for IELTS: NU, Admissions Department
- Code for TOEFL iBT: 6762
- Minimum requirements for language test results are available in the “Entry examinations and requirements” section;
- Tests taken remotely, not in the Test Center, such as IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL PDT results are not considered in the competition;
- All provided certificates must be valid by August 1, 2025 - the beginning of the respective academic year.
- Deadline for submission of IELTS/TOEFL certificates is available in the “Important dates” section.
Please note that submission of IELTS/TOEFL certificates in the electronic database of NU is not within the competence of the university. You should independently contact the test center and make sure that your certificate has been sent. Please note that this action takes at least 7-10 working days. If the certificate is received after the deadline specified by the Admissions Department, results will not be considered in the competition.
Please keep in mind that sometimes letters from the university may go to the spam box.
- Check the admissions requirements
- Click Apply Now to go to the University's Admissions portal
- Create an account and choose your desired Academic level and program
- Complete the application form and attach required documents
- Pay an application fee and Finish the application process
Take the first step.
Fill out the form to start the conversation, and one of our program specialists will follow up with you directly. You'll also receive a link to download our guides and program information emails.