Bachelor of Science in Physics
Campus: Astana, Kazakhstan
Language: English
Delivery mode: Full time, on-campus
Duration: 4 years
Total ECTS credit: 240
Language: English
Delivery mode: Full time, on-campus
Duration: 4 years
Total ECTS credit: 240
Program Overview
Nazarbayev University Physics program is designed utilizing the recommendations and guidelines by relevant professional organizations such as the American Physics Society (APS), the UK Institute of Physics (IoP), the ABET Accreditation and several universities’ physics departments, and submitted for quality review and approval by the SSH Curriculum Committee. The program structure is in compliance with the general criteria as established under the European Consortium for Accreditation guidelines (otherwise known as the “Bologna Accords”), adopted by the Republic of Kazakhstan, where students are required to spend between 1500-1800 hour workload per academic year.
Our graduates with a BSc in Physics degree from NU School of Sciences and Humanities are prepared for careers and graduate studies in the physical sciences and engineering in the country and abroad. Additionally, we expose our students to working environments through academic and industrial research to become graduates primed for careers and opportunities that require them to work among teams and exhibit sound communication skills.
Students will develop comprehensive understanding of the fundamental laws of physics, abstract reasoning ability and creative scientific approach supplemented by mathematical, computational and experimental skills. Students are also expected to develop a mature understanding of their personal strengths and interests in physics research and beyond.
Our graduates with a BSc in Physics degree from NU School of Sciences and Humanities are prepared for careers and graduate studies in the physical sciences and engineering in the country and abroad. Additionally, we expose our students to working environments through academic and industrial research to become graduates primed for careers and opportunities that require them to work among teams and exhibit sound communication skills.
Students will develop comprehensive understanding of the fundamental laws of physics, abstract reasoning ability and creative scientific approach supplemented by mathematical, computational and experimental skills. Students are also expected to develop a mature understanding of their personal strengths and interests in physics research and beyond.
Program Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the program students will acquire:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and fundamental laws of physics to describe the physical world.
- An ability to formulate a physical process, procedure or program to meet desired needs.
- An ability to develop and conduct physical experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of physical solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.
Program Educational Objectives
Within three to five years after graduation, our graduates from the NU BSc in Physics Program will aspire to…
- Lead a successful career as scientifically and technologically well-informed and ethical graduate students, researchers, educators, academics, and entrepreneurs
- Contribute to technological growth, establishment of a knowledge-based economy, development of policies and decision-making in government agencies and public service in Kazakhstan
- Dedicate themselves to lifelong learning and continuing professional development to meet complex and rapidly evolving technological and societal challenges in the country and Internationally
Research-intensive Physics Program
Our undergraduate program is designed to immerse students in the world of cutting-edge research, providing a solid foundation for future careers, in science and in industry.
Key features:
a) Research-intensive curriculum. Our students have the opportunity to enroll in courses that span theoretical, computational, and experimental physics, that will constitute the background for their future careers
b) Hands-on experience. Our students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in state-of-the-art laboratories and research projects
c) Elective Courses in Specialized Fields. In the final year, students can choose elective courses that allow them to explore various specialized areas of physics. These electives offer opportunities to delve into:
This approach ensures students receive a comprehensive education while having the flexibility to pursue their specific interests within the overarching program.
Key features:
a) Research-intensive curriculum. Our students have the opportunity to enroll in courses that span theoretical, computational, and experimental physics, that will constitute the background for their future careers
b) Hands-on experience. Our students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in state-of-the-art laboratories and research projects
c) Elective Courses in Specialized Fields. In the final year, students can choose elective courses that allow them to explore various specialized areas of physics. These electives offer opportunities to delve into:
- Theoretical, computational, and observational astrophysics.
- Experimental research on innovative nano- and meta-materials.
- Theoretical and experimental investigations in nonlinear optics, lasers, accelerators, and molecular physics.
This approach ensures students receive a comprehensive education while having the flexibility to pursue their specific interests within the overarching program.
Сurriculum for Students
The curriculum of the Bachelor of Science in Physics program at Nazarbayev University provides enrolled students with an extensive understanding of the fundamental laws of physics. Students also learn to maximize their abstract reasoning skills and the particulars of creative science using mathematical, computational, and experimental approaches.
Download Program Outline here
Download Program Outline here
Careers in Physics
The Program will prepare students for national and international careers and/or graduate studies in diverse areas of physical sciences and engineering. Additional outcomes preparing students for modern science and technology careers will include the ability to work effectively within a team, strong scientific communication skills, and exposure to academic and/or industrial research environments.
Equipped with a robust foundation in research-intensive physics and a diverse skill set, our graduates emerge as versatile problem solvers ready to excel in a multitude of fields. Below is a non-exhaustive list of possibilities showcasing the transferable nature of the skills developed in our program. Physics opens doors to countless career paths and opportunities:
● Research and development in natural sciences and engineering (NSE)
● Astronomy and Space Science
● Aerospace and Defense
● Geophysics and Seismology
● Climate and Meteorology
● Oil and Gas
● Water Resources management
● Hazardous waste management
● Mining
● Finance and Banking
● Telecommunications
● Big data
● Biotechnology
● High-performance computing
● Nuclear Energy
Equipped with a robust foundation in research-intensive physics and a diverse skill set, our graduates emerge as versatile problem solvers ready to excel in a multitude of fields. Below is a non-exhaustive list of possibilities showcasing the transferable nature of the skills developed in our program. Physics opens doors to countless career paths and opportunities:
● Research and development in natural sciences and engineering (NSE)
● Astronomy and Space Science
● Aerospace and Defense
● Geophysics and Seismology
● Climate and Meteorology
● Oil and Gas
● Water Resources management
● Hazardous waste management
● Mining
● Finance and Banking
● Telecommunications
● Big data
● Biotechnology
● High-performance computing
● Nuclear Energy
Got Interested? Check Useful Information Below
- Entry RequirementsCheck the regular admission requirements and important dates for your program.
See requirements → - Tuition FeesSee the program tuition fee and what it covers.
View fees → - Financial AidExplore financial aid and merit-based scholarships available to applicants.
Explore financial aid →
How to Apply?
Applicants must go through the online application to participate in the competition:
Step 1. Create your Personal Account
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.
Step 2. Fill out the application form
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.
Step 3. Submit the required documents
After filling out the application form, you are required to upload to your personal account:
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.
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.
Step 4. Pay the application fee and submit the application
To finalize the application process, please click on the "PAY AND SUBMIT APPLICATION" button in your personal account under the "My Application Forms" section. The application fee shall be paid online through the payment options available in the personal account. The use of other payment methods for the application fee are not acceptable.
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 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.
Step 5. Submit IELTS/TOEFL certificate (only after paying the application fee and submitting the application)
In order to provide IELTS/TOEFL certificates, applicants should fulfill the following requirements:
Take care when entering information regarding codes for test certificate submission via the test administrator or the test center. See below:
- 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.
Further steps
Please check your email 1-2 weeks before the NUET exam – the information about the upcoming exam date, time and venue along with exam rules will be sent there.
Please keep in mind that sometimes letters from the university may go to the spam box.
Apply Now
Follow our step-by-step process to complete your online application.
- 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.