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The program consists of comprehensive coursework and research activity. The courses are designed to enable students to acquire highly advanced and cutting-edge knowledge in Chemistry. Additional, flexible learning time allocated into their research program would enable them to attend specialized equipment training courses and gain practical skills in working with Nazarbayev University core facilities, essential for their research projects. After passing a comprehensive exam and Ph.D. proposal defense, students are required to develop and practice novel research within the area of Chemistry, or an interdisciplinary field related to Chemistry. Research components of the program and dissertation defense will be passed by each student to complete the program and graduate.

Ph.D. in Chemistry program is designed to prepare students to become independent, creative practitioners in Chemistry. The program provides an intensive training approach both in theory and experimentation that will enable students to be better equipped in their preparation for their different career paths in academia, research and development, science-based start-ups, and the industry. The Ph.D. in Chemistry program focuses on priority areas for Kazakhstan, serving as a foundation for future high-tech industries and knowledge-based economy. By completing the Ph.D. in Chemistry program, students will gain deep and systematic knowledge of the fundamental and advanced principles in chemistry, and develop the ability to identify, analyze, and provide solutions to a wide spectrum of scientific and technological problems in the 21st century and beyond, while fostering entrepreneurship. The graduates are expected to acquire advanced chemical, physical, mathematical, theoretical, and hands-on experiences in their relevant field of expertise.

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

An undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, to be determined by the Admissions Committee (Admission Committee is in charge to decide what discipline is relevant or not). During the application period, final-year students may submit their official current transcript for consideration. Applicants may be enrolled conditionally based on evidence from graduating from university the applicants have completed the educational program and the applicant expects formal issuance of the final transcript and/or diploma by a certain date. In that case, the decision on enrollment shall prescribe the period of time within which the applicants shall provide the necessary documents to the University.
Applicants who obtained their degree diplomas/certificates from foreign education institutions must request their official transcripts to be sent directly to the Admissions Department of the University. In exceptional cases that the foreign education institution does not provide such service, the transcript can be submitted to the Admissions Department directly by the applicant upon confirmation by the foreign education institution via corporate electronic mail. When applicants provide a certificate of nostrification of a diploma issued by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan or an apostilled document by a foreign educational institution, sending an official transcript directly to the University Admissions Department is not mandatory;

A minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 in their highest degree;

The absolute minimum requirement for English language proficiency test reports for admission to the Ph.D. in Chemistry program is:  

overall IELTS test score of 6.5 (with sub-score requirements no less than 6.0), or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website.

Applicants to the Program, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:

one of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication, academic instruction, and daily life;

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

the applicant is a graduate of the University.

An official electronic score report of a valid IELTS/TOEFL certificate from the Test Administrator and its scanned copy (if applicable) must be submitted;

Two confidential letters of recommendation in English (or with a notarized English translation). One of the two recommendations must be written by a current or previous employer or research supervisor. The second referee may be chosen at the applicant’s discretion;

A statement of purpose not exceeding 500 words, explaining the motivation to enroll in the Ph.D. program in Chemistry, and the tentative choice of the research subject;

Valid GRE Test Report (general test). An applicant must indicate University as a recipient when registering for the test. In case the applicant passed the test earlier, he/she can contact the test center and indicate Nazarbayev University as a recipient. Although an official GRE score is not an essential requirement, an applicant can enhance her/his application with a competitive GRE score;

The relevance of the academic and experiential background, and the equivalency and appropriateness of earlier degrees, will be determined by the Admissions Committee.

Application package checklist for the Ph.D. in Chemistry program

Completed application form for Ph.D. in Chemistry program;

Undergraduate and graduate degree diplomas/certificates with transcripts (with notarized English translation);

IELTS or TOEFL test report/certificate valid as of the date of online documents submission to the Ph.D. in Chemistry program. An applicant must indicate University as a recipient when registering for the test. In case the applicant passed the test earlier, he/she can contact the test center and indicate the University as a recipient. Applicants can provide an official electronic score report of valid Academic IELTS or TOEFL IBT certificates from the Test Administrator and its scanned copy;

Document confirming English as the language of instruction (only for applicants who earned their degree in a program that was taught in English and request an exemption from submitting IELTS or TOEFL);

Official copy of Passport/national ID (with notarized English translation);

GRE test reports/certificates (optional) valid as of the date of online documents submission to the Ph.D. in Physics program;

Two confidential letters of recommendation in English (with notarized English translation) written within the last 12 months (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy);

A statement of purpose not exceeding 500 words, explaining the motivation to enroll in the Ph.D. in Physics, and the tentative choice of the research subject;

Consent for Prospective Student’s/Student’s/Graduate’s personal data processing;

Applicants recommended for admission must provide hard copies of IELTS and GRE results (if applicable) as requested by the Admissions Department.

Admissions Option 2

Merit-based scholarships. Scholarships for International students are availa

Scholarships and Funding Option 2

Graduate Elective Course 3/ Technical Elective 1**

(*) Course may be waived for NU graduates and replaced by an elective course selected by the approval of the Department Chair.

(**) Technical Elective 1 can be a non-chemistry course selected from post-graduate elective courses offered at SSH (Biology, Physics, Mathematics), NUSOM (Biomed), SEDS (Chem. Eng.) subject to agreement with supervisors. "

Curriculum

In the industrial and academic environment in the positions of university faculty members, senior researchers, engineers, and product developers.

Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant positions are available

Career Opportunities

Gallery

2350 - 11 750 USD depending on a discount applied.

Program Tuition Fees Option 2

Facilities Option 1

Student Testimonials Option 1

Master

Natural Sciences

Chemistry

Located in Astana, Kazakhstan, in Central Asia, Nazarbayev University is a research university with growing international renown combining education and innovation on a state-of-the-art 21st-century campus. NU scholars conduct research in a variety of fields and bring the most ambitious projects to life. Research is supported by internal and external funds each year and carried out in modern laboratories. English is the language of instruction and research at Nazarbayev University, and admission and progression systems are entirely merit-based.

PhD in Chemistry

Introduction

Strategic partner

Admissions

Scholarships and Funding

Curriculum

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Career Opportunities

Gallery

Program Tuition Fee

Facilities

Student Testimonials

About the School

Questions