Graduate Schools of Business
Высшая Школа Бизнеса
Жоғары Бизнес Мектебі
PhD in Business Administration
Homepage → Academic programs → PhD in Business Administration
PhD in Business Administration Program is designed for students who aspire to become faculty members at leading academic institutions or conduct business research in relevant organizations.
PhD in Business Administration Program is designed for students who aspire to become faculty members at leading academic institutions or conduct business research in relevant organizations.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Application process steps
1. Create personal account on admissions.nu.edu.kz;
2. Fill out the online application form and upload required documents;
3. Take the GMAT/GRE test;
GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam
GRE: https://www.ets.org/gre.html
4. Take IELTS/TOEFL test;
IELTS: https://ielts.org/
TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
5. Submit application;
6. Pass through a personal interview;
7. Wait for the results!
2. Fill out the online application form and upload required documents;
3. Take the GMAT/GRE test;
GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam
GRE: https://www.ets.org/gre.html
4. Take IELTS/TOEFL test;
IELTS: https://ielts.org/
TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
5. Submit application;
6. Pass through a personal interview;
7. Wait for the results!
| ONLINE CONSULTATION |
Application periods
For international students
For local students
Registration periods
November 2024 - March 3, 2025
(14:00 Astana time)
(14:00 Astana time)
November 2024 - April 21, 2025
(14:00 Astana time)
(14:00 Astana time)
We are pleased to announce that the online application period for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open!
Please note that application fee is 15,000 KZT and 45,000 KZT when paid within the last two weeks before the officially approved deadline and/or during the extension period for accepting applications for participation in the admission process. This amount is non-refundable.
Please note that at the time of submitting the completed application form, all supporting documents must be uploaded to the candidate's personal account.
After the submission of the application before a certain period, the extension of the deadlines for the provision of supporting documents for this period is not expected. An incomplete package of documents uploaded to the online system before the completion of the registration will be checked for compliance with the competitive selection requirements and may not be accepted for consideration by the selection committee.
Please note that application fee is 15,000 KZT and 45,000 KZT when paid within the last two weeks before the officially approved deadline and/or during the extension period for accepting applications for participation in the admission process. This amount is non-refundable.
Please note that at the time of submitting the completed application form, all supporting documents must be uploaded to the candidate's personal account.
After the submission of the application before a certain period, the extension of the deadlines for the provision of supporting documents for this period is not expected. An incomplete package of documents uploaded to the online system before the completion of the registration will be checked for compliance with the competitive selection requirements and may not be accepted for consideration by the selection committee.
Applicants applying to the PhD program must submit the following documents
- National ID or passport;
- Notarized copy of the candidate's identity card or passport;
- Notarized copy of Bachelor’s diploma or equivalent;
- Notarized copy of Master’s degree or equivalent and/or PhD degree diploma or equivalent. Master’s degree/PhD degree should be in a relevant discipline with a transcript including a notarized English translation. Applicants who obtained Bachelor’s and/or Master’s and/or PhD degree diplomas from foreign educational institutions must request their official transcript(s) to be sent directly to the Graduate School of Business;
- CGPA of at least 2.75 (out of 4.0) in applicant’s Master’s degrees (or equivalent);
- Valid GMAT or GRE Test Report. Candidates are expected to have strong reading, analytical and mathematical skills as demonstrated by GRE/GMAT test reports/certificates;
- Scanned notarized copy of Labor card with English translation or another documented proof of work experience (if any);
- Valid English Language Proficiency Tests Report (IELTS or TOEFL, except TOEFL Home Edition);
- CV/resume in English;
- Personal statement (300-500 words);
- Preliminary research proposal (1500-2000 words);
- Two confidential letters of recommendation.
The absolute minimum requirement for English language proficiency test reports for admission to the Program is an overall IELTS test score of 6.5, with sub-score requirements no less than 6.0, or the equivalent TOEFL (except Home Edition) score as posted on the ETS website.
Applicants at the discretion of the Admissions Committee can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
Applicants 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;
- An undergraduate and/or graduate degree was earned in a program which was officially taught in English. Applicants must provide an official document confirming English as the language of instruction;
- The applicant is a graduate of the University.
GRE/GMAT scores on all sections of the examination will be considered in an applicant’s profile. There is no minimum required scores. GMAT/GRE scores are valid for five years and must be taken before submitting your application.
Personal statement (300-500 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.
Preliminary research proposal (1500-2000 words) outlining the research topic the applicant would like to pursue in the Program.
FAQ
Full package of documents is accepted online. Applicants must register on the admission portal admissions.nu.edu.kz. Detailed instructions provided in the admissions section.
Yes. You will be asked to pay an application fee at the time of submission.
The application fee is KZT 10,000 for local applicants.
The fee can be paid online by credit card. Cash is not accepted. Your payment is non-refundable, even if you withdraw the application or if the application is denied. The fee can be applied only to the admission term indicated on your submitted application.
The application fee is KZT 10,000 for local applicants.
The fee can be paid online by credit card. Cash is not accepted. Your payment is non-refundable, even if you withdraw the application or if the application is denied. The fee can be applied only to the admission term indicated on your submitted application.
- A duly completed online application form (https://admissions.nu.edu.kz)
- Scanned copy of a national ID or passport.
- Scanned copy of official document confirming name change (if applicable).
- Scanned copy of official degree diplomas/certificates with transcripts.
- Verified score report of valid Academic IELTS or TOEFL certificate.
- Verified score report of valid GMAT or GRE test certificate valid as of date of online documents submission and its scanned copy.
- Scanned notarized copy of Labor card with English translation or another documented proof of work experience.
- Two (2) confidential letters of recommendation written within the last two years (to be provided by referees via University system).
- Personal statement (300-500 words).
- Preliminary research proposal (1500-2000 words).
- CV/resume.