Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations
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
The Department of Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) offers a wide variety of courses aimed at studying political societies in Kazakhstan and around the world. A BA in PSIR provides you with a solid foundation for graduate study in the social sciences, and can prepare you for careers in such fields as public administration, social science research and data analysis, non-profit and international organizations, and diplomacy.
A Minor in Political Science and International Relations is also available.
Students can choose from a range of courses to tailor their education in accordance with their chosen path and its separate course requirements.
A Minor in Political Science and International Relations is also available.
Students can choose from a range of courses to tailor their education in accordance with their chosen path and its separate course requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) program offers a unique blend of required courses that give students an overview of international politics, domestic political structures, and the historical thought that led to the development of modern politics. This is combined with two courses in research that expose students to research skills that can be used in understanding the world around them. The remainder of the program is a flexible mix of courses that are offered on a regular basis that allows students the opportunity to explore topics that are of most interest to them.
The strength of the program is in the large number of scholars who are experts in the areas of Central Asia and its neighborhood as well as strong emphasis on international relations. The specialized training in political science is rounded out by the overall BA curriculum in SSH which ensures that our students take a mix of mathematics, science, history, philosophy, and other classes to give them a well-rounded liberal arts education.
On successful completion of the program, PSIR graduates will be able to:
The strength of the program is in the large number of scholars who are experts in the areas of Central Asia and its neighborhood as well as strong emphasis on international relations. The specialized training in political science is rounded out by the overall BA curriculum in SSH which ensures that our students take a mix of mathematics, science, history, philosophy, and other classes to give them a well-rounded liberal arts education.
On successful completion of the program, PSIR graduates will be able to:
- Knowledge: Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of core substantive areas of political societies, important contemporary political problems, and of key theoretical traditions in political science. Students are expected to accurately employ the central concepts in political science (state actors, political communities, power, legitimacy, coercion, democracy, etc.).
- Methods and Ethics: Acquire essential knowledge and skills in the ethical application of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, for example, statistical analysis, survey design, program evaluation, interviews, policy analysis, content analysis, and ethnography.
- Engaging with Scholarship: Understand, evaluate, and engage with empirical and theoretical findings concerning social practices, institutions, and structures – including the methods that are used, the assumptions that are embedded in the analysis, and the conclusions that are drawn.
- Practicing Political Science: Critically apply political science methods, theories, and perspectives to analyze political dynamics, actors, institutions, and structures. Students are expected to identify political problems using a political science lens, critically evaluate the effectiveness of state and non-state interventions, and apply evidence to justify alternative strategies.
- Self-Directed Learning: Demonstrate the ability to conduct politically informed research projects, beginning from the formation of a research question, progressing to the gathering and analysis of qualitative or quantitative data, and, using the insights of political science theory, generating a persuasive and socially important finding or conclusion.
Pathways through curriculum
Thematic Pathways
Our program offers a variety of courses that span in multiple sub-fields. Some of the subfields that our faculty specialize in include political economy, the politics of development, gender and sexuality, political sociology, social policy, electoral studies, the politics of race and ethnicity, and political philosophy. Some of the methods that faculty use include statistical analysis, interview analysis, ethnography, textual analysis, and policy analysis. In addition to a research focus on Kazakhstan, our professors' research is international in scope: Central Asia, the African continent, South Korea, Russia, to name a few.
For students interested in Applied Political Science
● Introduction to Political Science
● Quantitative Methods in Political Science
● Qualitative Methods in Political Science
● Experimental Political Science
For students interested in International Development
● International Organizations
● The politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
● Politics of Development
● United Nations
For students interested in Gender/Race/Class
● Nationalism and Multi-Ethnic Governance
● Memory Politics in East Asia
● The Politics of Immigration Control
● Feminist Political Theory
● Visual Politics
For students interested in Central Asia and Eurasia
● Introduction to the Politics of Central Asia
● Post-Soviet Public Policy
● International Relations of Eurasia
● Politics and Governance of Eurasia
● Political Islam in Eurasia
For students interested in Political Philosophy
● Major Political Thinkers: Machiavelli
● Ancient Political Theory
● Anarchy
● Just war Theory
● Immigration Theory
● Hannah Arendt on Power, Violence, and Revolution
Skills Pathways
In addition to a variety of sub-fields, our program helps students gain marketable skills.
Quantitative and Statistical Skills
● Quantitative Methods in Political Science
● Experimental Political Science
● Maximum Likelihood Models
Research Skills
● Qualitative Methods in Political Science
● Independent Research
● Text Analysis and Political Communication in the Information Age
● Research Practicum in PSIR
Critical Thinking about Contemporary Issues
● Political Violence
● Comparative Democratization
● Environmental Politics
● Politics of International Finance
● Negotiation, Cooperation and Strategy
● International Conflict Processes
● Politics of China
Our program offers a variety of courses that span in multiple sub-fields. Some of the subfields that our faculty specialize in include political economy, the politics of development, gender and sexuality, political sociology, social policy, electoral studies, the politics of race and ethnicity, and political philosophy. Some of the methods that faculty use include statistical analysis, interview analysis, ethnography, textual analysis, and policy analysis. In addition to a research focus on Kazakhstan, our professors' research is international in scope: Central Asia, the African continent, South Korea, Russia, to name a few.
For students interested in Applied Political Science
● Introduction to Political Science
● Quantitative Methods in Political Science
● Qualitative Methods in Political Science
● Experimental Political Science
For students interested in International Development
● International Organizations
● The politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
● Politics of Development
● United Nations
For students interested in Gender/Race/Class
● Nationalism and Multi-Ethnic Governance
● Memory Politics in East Asia
● The Politics of Immigration Control
● Feminist Political Theory
● Visual Politics
For students interested in Central Asia and Eurasia
● Introduction to the Politics of Central Asia
● Post-Soviet Public Policy
● International Relations of Eurasia
● Politics and Governance of Eurasia
● Political Islam in Eurasia
For students interested in Political Philosophy
● Major Political Thinkers: Machiavelli
● Ancient Political Theory
● Anarchy
● Just war Theory
● Immigration Theory
● Hannah Arendt on Power, Violence, and Revolution
Skills Pathways
In addition to a variety of sub-fields, our program helps students gain marketable skills.
Quantitative and Statistical Skills
● Quantitative Methods in Political Science
● Experimental Political Science
● Maximum Likelihood Models
Research Skills
● Qualitative Methods in Political Science
● Independent Research
● Text Analysis and Political Communication in the Information Age
● Research Practicum in PSIR
Critical Thinking about Contemporary Issues
● Political Violence
● Comparative Democratization
● Environmental Politics
● Politics of International Finance
● Negotiation, Cooperation and Strategy
● International Conflict Processes
● Politics of China
Students cannot declare PSIR as a major until the end of their 2nd semester. In their first year, students take general SSH courses for which they have the prerequisites, including History of Kazakhstan, and SSH 150 (Writing). In order to declare as a PSIR major, they must pass two of these following courses with a grade of “C“ or above by the end of their second semester at the SSH:
1. PLS 120 Introduction to Political Theory
2.PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics
3.PLS 150 Introduction to International Relations
In addition, the students MUST satisfy the GPA requirement of a minimum of 2.75 after two academic semesters. Having met these qualifications, the 1st year students are ranked according to the sum of their differential between their grades in the two above-mentioned courses with the average grade in each course, and top 80 of them are allowed to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations. If a student has taken the three above-mentioned courses, only the two highest grades will be used for the ranking. Students who are tied at the 80th position will be separated by their overall GPA. If a tie still persists after this stage, all students concerned will be allowed to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations.
For example: if a student received 90% in PLS 120, which had an average grade of 70, and 90% in PLS 140, which had an average grade of 60, the sum of their differential would be 90/70 + 90/60 = 2.786, and this score would be entered in the ranking. Please note that the passing grade for PLS 120, PLS 140 and PLS 150 courses is "C-".
If a second year student plans to major in Political Science and International Relations, he/she must pass the three following courses with a grade of “C“ or above by the end of the Fall semester of his/her second year:
1. PLS 120 Introduction to Political Theory
2. PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics
3. PLS 150 Introduction to International Relations
Moreover, this student MUST satisfy the GPA requirement of a minimum of 2.75. Having met these qualifications, students are ranked according to the sum of their differential between their grades in the three above-mentioned courses with the average grade in each course, and top 10 of them are allowed to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations. Students who are tied at the 10th position will be separated by their overall GPA. If a tie still persists after this stage, all students concerned will be allowed to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations. These concerned students can apply for admission into the program at the end of the Fall semester.
Additional seats may be provided to second year students meeting the requirements before the start of their third year in the eventuality of 2nd year Political Science and International Relations majors withdrawing from the program or if less than 10 second year students have been admitted to the major at the end of the previous Fall semester. If this is the case, students who wish to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations and who are meeting the minimal requirements will be ranked according to the above-mentioned ranking formula and will be granted admission to the major depending on the number of available seats.
For example: if 8 second year students have been admitted to the major at the end of the Fall semester and 5 second year major students are withdrawing from the program during their second year, the Department will accept up to 7 additional majors who are meeting the minimal requirements according to the above-mentioned ranking formula. On the other hand, if 10 second year students have been admitted to the major at the end of the Fall semester and no second year major students are withdrawing from the program during their second year, the Department will not accept new majors.
1. PLS 120 Introduction to Political Theory
2.PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics
3.PLS 150 Introduction to International Relations
In addition, the students MUST satisfy the GPA requirement of a minimum of 2.75 after two academic semesters. Having met these qualifications, the 1st year students are ranked according to the sum of their differential between their grades in the two above-mentioned courses with the average grade in each course, and top 80 of them are allowed to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations. If a student has taken the three above-mentioned courses, only the two highest grades will be used for the ranking. Students who are tied at the 80th position will be separated by their overall GPA. If a tie still persists after this stage, all students concerned will be allowed to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations.
For example: if a student received 90% in PLS 120, which had an average grade of 70, and 90% in PLS 140, which had an average grade of 60, the sum of their differential would be 90/70 + 90/60 = 2.786, and this score would be entered in the ranking. Please note that the passing grade for PLS 120, PLS 140 and PLS 150 courses is "C-".
If a second year student plans to major in Political Science and International Relations, he/she must pass the three following courses with a grade of “C“ or above by the end of the Fall semester of his/her second year:
1. PLS 120 Introduction to Political Theory
2. PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics
3. PLS 150 Introduction to International Relations
Moreover, this student MUST satisfy the GPA requirement of a minimum of 2.75. Having met these qualifications, students are ranked according to the sum of their differential between their grades in the three above-mentioned courses with the average grade in each course, and top 10 of them are allowed to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations. Students who are tied at the 10th position will be separated by their overall GPA. If a tie still persists after this stage, all students concerned will be allowed to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations. These concerned students can apply for admission into the program at the end of the Fall semester.
Additional seats may be provided to second year students meeting the requirements before the start of their third year in the eventuality of 2nd year Political Science and International Relations majors withdrawing from the program or if less than 10 second year students have been admitted to the major at the end of the previous Fall semester. If this is the case, students who wish to declare their major in Political Science and International Relations and who are meeting the minimal requirements will be ranked according to the above-mentioned ranking formula and will be granted admission to the major depending on the number of available seats.
For example: if 8 second year students have been admitted to the major at the end of the Fall semester and 5 second year major students are withdrawing from the program during their second year, the Department will accept up to 7 additional majors who are meeting the minimal requirements according to the above-mentioned ranking formula. On the other hand, if 10 second year students have been admitted to the major at the end of the Fall semester and no second year major students are withdrawing from the program during their second year, the Department will not accept new majors.
PLS 100: Introduction to the Politics of Central Asia
The course will introduce key concepts and theories in political science that will be useful for the study of Kazakhstani and Central Asian politics such as the state structure and legal and political systems. In particular, we will discuss the different aspects of contemporary politics such as institution-building, political economy, gender and religion, civil society dynamics, etc. The course will pay a special attention to the Soviet legacies to better understand the transition to independence and the countries’ institutional and nation-building processes. At the end of the class, students will be able to make a critical judgment on the evolution of Kazakhstani and Central Asian politics since independence and analyze current dynamics. The course will also propose a comparative perspective to highlight similar and different socio-political realities of Central Asian countries. The course will take the form of lectures but we will also dedicate the last 50 minutes of class time to discussions and/or exercises in small groups.
PLS 101: Introduction to Political Science
This course introduces the students to the main concepts and themes in political science. It does so by addressing the following questions: what politics is, how to study it, how to analyze political processes and outcomes, how to compare various political regimes, government institutions and procedures, and how to reach conclusions about which political developments and policies are good for Kazakhstan and the world as a whole.
PLS 120: Introduction to Political Theory
This course will give an overview of the main questions addressed in contemporary political theory and the best answers given to those questions. It will provide you with the background and skills needed to understand contemporary debates on issues such as liberal equality, citizenship, multiculturalism and feminism.
PLS 140: Introduction to Comparative Politics
This course introduces students to the field of Comparative Politics. It aims to provide students with factual knowledge about the political systems, processes and development of major countries including the US, UK, France, Russia, Iran, China and Mexico. Country studies will introduce students to important themes of Comparative Politics such as nationalism, institutional design, political economy and culture, etc. which will be used to analyze modern political strategies and pitfalls.
PLS 150: Introduction to International Relations
This course introduces students to the Political Science subfield of International Relations. The focus will be on major global issues that characterized contemporary international relations including globalization, international law, trade, underdevelopment, terrorism, and the environment. While there is a theoretical element to this course, our primary objective will be understanding these global issues as a precursor to other courses in International Relations.
PLS 210: Political Science Research Methods
This course aims to introduce students to the foundations of research design in political science. You will learn what kind of knowledge one can research in political science, how to come up with good empirical research questions, why a good theory is important, and how to plan an investigation of your research questions using different methods. Everything you will learn about how to write up a research design you will implement in your main assignment, which is writing a full-body research proposal. Besides the written work, you will also have two presentations briefly explaining the main points of your research proposal to your colleagues.
PLS 211: Quantitative Methods
Credible and competent decisions are based on statistical and strategic thinking. In this course statistical thinking abilities (identifying appropriate statistical techniques, computing required statistics, and interpreting the results) are balanced with well-developed strategic thinking skills. Within this general framework, students will study the theoretical foundations of quantitative methods and learn the applied techniques, through the use of Microsoft Excel.
PLS 315: Political Game Theory
Game Theory is the study of strategic interactions. It is a collection of techniques designed to model strategic interactions and formulate predicted outcomes. This class outlines this analytical method as it is used in social science, where it is particularly prominent in the fields of political science, international relations, economics, and public policy.
PLS 330: Politics and Governance of Eurasia
The Politics and Governance of Eurasia will be a comparative analysis of political institutions and public policy in the former Soviet countries of Eurasia. We will assess the political legacies of the Soviet system, address the challenges of current governance, and construct a comparative framework for explaining the different outcomes post-Soviet countries have experienced. Primary focus will be on Kazakhstan and neighboring countries.
PLS 370 Introduction to International Law
This is a survey course that focuses on interactions among the primary entities in the international system; namely, states, transnational/international actors, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations as governed by international law.
PLS 370: Politics, Law, and Society
This course examines how law intersects with politics and society; how, when, and why law works or fails to work in regulating social behavior, exercising social control, resolving disputes, and creating social change in Kazakhstan and countries around the world.
PLS 355: European Union - Institutions and Policies
European Union: Institutions and Policies is a 300-level undergraduate course whose core objective is to introduce students to one of the most advanced instances of regional integration, the European Union (EU). Students will get a chance to learn about the governance structure of the EU and its unique institutions and policies with the objective of applying that knowledge to the Kazakh experience of regional integration within the Eurasian Economic Union. Right from its inception, the Union attracted the attention of scholars from both Comparative Politics (CP) and International Relations (IR). In grappling to understand the nature of the emerging polity, the academic community appears divided on the question whether the EU’s sui generis nature necessitates the establishment of a distinct discipline or whether the established cannons of CP and IR are suitable for the subject matter. This course acknowledges that the uniqueness of the EU requires at least a paradigmatic shift within the existing disciplines of IR and CP. Undoubtedly, the EU project at the same time: a) shook the traditional analytical framework used by CP for assessing the political systems of nation-states because it drastically altered the domestic political game from a hierarchical ordering to a multi-level governance structure and b) challenged the IR’s foremost assumptions of sovereignty and autonomy. The course begins with an exploration of key historical developments in the European integration processes. It then proceeds to studying the political system of the European Union by examining in details its key institutions and their prerogatives and functions. We will cover the European Council, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice of the EU. The last section of topics is dedicated to examining the policy-making process and key policy areas such as the Single Market regulatory policies, the Economic and Monetary policies, foreign policy.
PLS 422: Just War Theory
Notwithstanding the development of supra-national structures of authority, such as the United Nations, war remains an inescapable reality of the international community. Despite the horrors involve in armed conflicts, philosophers and legal scholars believe that this sad reality can be constrained by ethical principles. The aim of this class is to examine the moral norms that should circumscribe war. It focuses more specifically on the moral conditions under which the use of violence is permitted (jus ad bellum), the ones that should regulate the conduct of a war (jus in bello) as well as principles that should lead to a just peace (jus post bellum). Moreover, this class will study the contemporary ethical issues that have arisen since the beginning of the 21st Century which are associated with the War on Terror and the development of technologies, such as drones and armed robot.
PLS 458: International Organizations
This course focuses on research in the area of international cooperation and international institutions. We will focus on how international organizations (IOs) institutionalize cooperation at the international level, including their creation, internal dynamics, and complicated relationship with state behavior in areas such as security, political economy, environment, and human rights. The first half of the course will focus on the theories of international cooperation (or lack thereof) and address questions such as: how do we define IOs; why do states create and join IOs; when and which issues are taken to IOs; what mechanisms can IOs use to influence state behavior; and do they achieve their stated goals. The second half of the course examines major IOs such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. We conclude the course with a brief discussion on the future of international cooperation.
PLS 445: Political Violence
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the various ways in which violence relates to the conduct of politics. Accordingly, this course will cover a range of topics such as (1) the formation of nation-states, (2) state failure, (3) civil wars and regional conflicts, (4) insurgency and counterinsurgency, (5) terrorism in the contemporary era, (6) military interventions, (7) civil society and state-initiated crackdowns, (8) ethnic conflict, (9) and genocide. In terms of assessment, since this is an upper level undergraduate course, I prefer writing assignments (several memos based on weekly readings), a research paper, and an oral presentation in class. I would like to cap enrollment in this course at approximately 24-28 students.
The course will introduce key concepts and theories in political science that will be useful for the study of Kazakhstani and Central Asian politics such as the state structure and legal and political systems. In particular, we will discuss the different aspects of contemporary politics such as institution-building, political economy, gender and religion, civil society dynamics, etc. The course will pay a special attention to the Soviet legacies to better understand the transition to independence and the countries’ institutional and nation-building processes. At the end of the class, students will be able to make a critical judgment on the evolution of Kazakhstani and Central Asian politics since independence and analyze current dynamics. The course will also propose a comparative perspective to highlight similar and different socio-political realities of Central Asian countries. The course will take the form of lectures but we will also dedicate the last 50 minutes of class time to discussions and/or exercises in small groups.
PLS 101: Introduction to Political Science
This course introduces the students to the main concepts and themes in political science. It does so by addressing the following questions: what politics is, how to study it, how to analyze political processes and outcomes, how to compare various political regimes, government institutions and procedures, and how to reach conclusions about which political developments and policies are good for Kazakhstan and the world as a whole.
PLS 120: Introduction to Political Theory
This course will give an overview of the main questions addressed in contemporary political theory and the best answers given to those questions. It will provide you with the background and skills needed to understand contemporary debates on issues such as liberal equality, citizenship, multiculturalism and feminism.
PLS 140: Introduction to Comparative Politics
This course introduces students to the field of Comparative Politics. It aims to provide students with factual knowledge about the political systems, processes and development of major countries including the US, UK, France, Russia, Iran, China and Mexico. Country studies will introduce students to important themes of Comparative Politics such as nationalism, institutional design, political economy and culture, etc. which will be used to analyze modern political strategies and pitfalls.
PLS 150: Introduction to International Relations
This course introduces students to the Political Science subfield of International Relations. The focus will be on major global issues that characterized contemporary international relations including globalization, international law, trade, underdevelopment, terrorism, and the environment. While there is a theoretical element to this course, our primary objective will be understanding these global issues as a precursor to other courses in International Relations.
PLS 210: Political Science Research Methods
This course aims to introduce students to the foundations of research design in political science. You will learn what kind of knowledge one can research in political science, how to come up with good empirical research questions, why a good theory is important, and how to plan an investigation of your research questions using different methods. Everything you will learn about how to write up a research design you will implement in your main assignment, which is writing a full-body research proposal. Besides the written work, you will also have two presentations briefly explaining the main points of your research proposal to your colleagues.
PLS 211: Quantitative Methods
Credible and competent decisions are based on statistical and strategic thinking. In this course statistical thinking abilities (identifying appropriate statistical techniques, computing required statistics, and interpreting the results) are balanced with well-developed strategic thinking skills. Within this general framework, students will study the theoretical foundations of quantitative methods and learn the applied techniques, through the use of Microsoft Excel.
PLS 315: Political Game Theory
Game Theory is the study of strategic interactions. It is a collection of techniques designed to model strategic interactions and formulate predicted outcomes. This class outlines this analytical method as it is used in social science, where it is particularly prominent in the fields of political science, international relations, economics, and public policy.
PLS 330: Politics and Governance of Eurasia
The Politics and Governance of Eurasia will be a comparative analysis of political institutions and public policy in the former Soviet countries of Eurasia. We will assess the political legacies of the Soviet system, address the challenges of current governance, and construct a comparative framework for explaining the different outcomes post-Soviet countries have experienced. Primary focus will be on Kazakhstan and neighboring countries.
PLS 370 Introduction to International Law
This is a survey course that focuses on interactions among the primary entities in the international system; namely, states, transnational/international actors, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations as governed by international law.
PLS 370: Politics, Law, and Society
This course examines how law intersects with politics and society; how, when, and why law works or fails to work in regulating social behavior, exercising social control, resolving disputes, and creating social change in Kazakhstan and countries around the world.
PLS 355: European Union - Institutions and Policies
European Union: Institutions and Policies is a 300-level undergraduate course whose core objective is to introduce students to one of the most advanced instances of regional integration, the European Union (EU). Students will get a chance to learn about the governance structure of the EU and its unique institutions and policies with the objective of applying that knowledge to the Kazakh experience of regional integration within the Eurasian Economic Union. Right from its inception, the Union attracted the attention of scholars from both Comparative Politics (CP) and International Relations (IR). In grappling to understand the nature of the emerging polity, the academic community appears divided on the question whether the EU’s sui generis nature necessitates the establishment of a distinct discipline or whether the established cannons of CP and IR are suitable for the subject matter. This course acknowledges that the uniqueness of the EU requires at least a paradigmatic shift within the existing disciplines of IR and CP. Undoubtedly, the EU project at the same time: a) shook the traditional analytical framework used by CP for assessing the political systems of nation-states because it drastically altered the domestic political game from a hierarchical ordering to a multi-level governance structure and b) challenged the IR’s foremost assumptions of sovereignty and autonomy. The course begins with an exploration of key historical developments in the European integration processes. It then proceeds to studying the political system of the European Union by examining in details its key institutions and their prerogatives and functions. We will cover the European Council, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice of the EU. The last section of topics is dedicated to examining the policy-making process and key policy areas such as the Single Market regulatory policies, the Economic and Monetary policies, foreign policy.
PLS 422: Just War Theory
Notwithstanding the development of supra-national structures of authority, such as the United Nations, war remains an inescapable reality of the international community. Despite the horrors involve in armed conflicts, philosophers and legal scholars believe that this sad reality can be constrained by ethical principles. The aim of this class is to examine the moral norms that should circumscribe war. It focuses more specifically on the moral conditions under which the use of violence is permitted (jus ad bellum), the ones that should regulate the conduct of a war (jus in bello) as well as principles that should lead to a just peace (jus post bellum). Moreover, this class will study the contemporary ethical issues that have arisen since the beginning of the 21st Century which are associated with the War on Terror and the development of technologies, such as drones and armed robot.
PLS 458: International Organizations
This course focuses on research in the area of international cooperation and international institutions. We will focus on how international organizations (IOs) institutionalize cooperation at the international level, including their creation, internal dynamics, and complicated relationship with state behavior in areas such as security, political economy, environment, and human rights. The first half of the course will focus on the theories of international cooperation (or lack thereof) and address questions such as: how do we define IOs; why do states create and join IOs; when and which issues are taken to IOs; what mechanisms can IOs use to influence state behavior; and do they achieve their stated goals. The second half of the course examines major IOs such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. We conclude the course with a brief discussion on the future of international cooperation.
PLS 445: Political Violence
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the various ways in which violence relates to the conduct of politics. Accordingly, this course will cover a range of topics such as (1) the formation of nation-states, (2) state failure, (3) civil wars and regional conflicts, (4) insurgency and counterinsurgency, (5) terrorism in the contemporary era, (6) military interventions, (7) civil society and state-initiated crackdowns, (8) ethnic conflict, (9) and genocide. In terms of assessment, since this is an upper level undergraduate course, I prefer writing assignments (several memos based on weekly readings), a research paper, and an oral presentation in class. I would like to cap enrollment in this course at approximately 24-28 students.
Careers in Political Science
Our PSIR students gain valuable transferable skills that help them pursue a variety of careers in the fields of education, business, government organizations, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, and more. Our program helps students develop communication, research, organizational, and problem-solving skills. In our classes students learn how to collect and critically analyze information using both quantitative(statistical analysis) and qualitative (in-depth interviews, ethnography, focus groups, textual analysis) methods. These skills can subsequently lead students to pursue careers in marketing, education, research, policy analysis, data analytics, counseling, journalism, social work, and more.
Our alumni work and study in the fields of public policy (Kazakhstan's Ministry of Economy, Office of the President), journalism (Astana Times, Vlast), Research (Paper Lab, KazISS), international relations (World Bank, AIFC) diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US embassy), administration and management (KPMG/KazMunaiGas), or pursue their PhD in some of the world's most prestigious universities (Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Penn State, London School of Economics).
Job Titles for PSIR Majors and MA graduates
Business and Industry
● business analyst
● consumer relations specialist
● human resources manager
● market analyst
● merchandiser/purchaser
● project manager
● social worker
● technical writer
● public relations manager
Government and International organizations
● employee specialist
● foreign service officer
● human rights officer
● legislative aide
● personnel coordinator
● program supervisor
● consultant
● research analyst
Education
● admissions counselor
● academic adviser
● outreach service specialist
● public health educator
● instructor
Research
● census researcher
● consumer researcher
● public policy expert
● data analyst
● interviewer
● market researcher
● social researcher
● statistician
Our alumni work and study in the fields of public policy (Kazakhstan's Ministry of Economy, Office of the President), journalism (Astana Times, Vlast), Research (Paper Lab, KazISS), international relations (World Bank, AIFC) diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US embassy), administration and management (KPMG/KazMunaiGas), or pursue their PhD in some of the world's most prestigious universities (Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Penn State, London School of Economics).
Job Titles for PSIR Majors and MA graduates
Business and Industry
● business analyst
● consumer relations specialist
● human resources manager
● market analyst
● merchandiser/purchaser
● project manager
● social worker
● technical writer
● public relations manager
Government and International organizations
● employee specialist
● foreign service officer
● human rights officer
● legislative aide
● personnel coordinator
● program supervisor
● consultant
● research analyst
Education
● admissions counselor
● academic adviser
● outreach service specialist
● public health educator
● instructor
Research
● census researcher
● consumer researcher
● public policy expert
● data analyst
● interviewer
● market researcher
● social researcher
● statistician
Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements of language test results:
Additional requirements:
| 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 Entry Requirements
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. |
Financial aid & scholarships
NUET applicants
Minimum entry requirements for NUET applicants category
NUET (NU Entrance Test) – test that evaluates academic training for studying at the University
SAT/ACT applicants
Minimum entry requirements for SAT/ACT applicants category
SAT/ACT test results are valid if their results do not expire by the 1st of August of the relevant academic year to which Applicants are applying. Within this admission competition, the SAT and ACT certificates expiration period is two years.
*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**
*Only IB Diploma holders who have the final results of IB Diploma by the deadline of application period can participate in the competition under this category (Within this admission competition, IB diploma expiration period is two years). Diplomas of 2023 and 2024 years are considered in the competition.
**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**
*Only A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders who have the final results of A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate by the deadline of application period can participate in the competition under this category (Within this admission competition, A-level and NIS grade 12 Certificate expiration period is two years). Certificates of 2023 and 2024 are considered in the competition.
**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
*Applicants can apply with both Republican and International Olympiads
Minimum requirements for the winners of the International or/and Republican Subject Olympiads category
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 |
Important dates for those who are applying for the 2025-2026 academic year
Online application deadlines for Masters programs:
For all types of grants:
For all types of grants:
First day of classes: August 2025
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
Tuition fees
Undergraduate Degree Programs
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
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
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.