MNU PhD Doctoral Program
The PhD programs at MNU offer comprehensive academic, methodological, and research training, with a focus on advanced study in specialised scientific disciplines. They are designed to prepare highly qualified professionals for careers in higher and postgraduate education systems, as well as in research.
The programs include international internships, training sessions, and consultations with renowned foreign scholars and professors.
Advantages of Studying at MNU
Evening Classes
Provide the opportunity to pursue both work and study simultaneously.
International Professional Certifications
MNU Master’s programs provide professional training for globally recognised certifications such as CFA, GARP, ACCA, CIMA, IHRCI, and ICAEW.
Academic Mobility and Erasmus+
MNU offers opportunities to gain international academic experience through partnerships with over 95 universities in 30 countries.
International Accreditations
MNU is the first university in Central Asia to receive accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA, UK). The university is also accredited by FIBAA, ACCA, CFA Institute, CIMA, IQAA, IHRCI, DAAD, GARP, ICAEW Chartered Accountants, and Association of MBAs.
Among the institutions evaluated by QAA are the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, King’s College London, and other leading universities worldwide.
Doctoral Programs
MNU Law School
3 years of study
The program aims to prepare highly qualified academic staff in the field of national law, equipped to carry out independent research and contribute significantly to the advancement of science within the Republic.
Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
Quantative Research Methods
Advanced Publishing
Language of instruction: Russian
International School of Economics
3 years of study
The PhD program in Economics is aimed at developing in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical research skills to shape future professional researchers with an emphasis on empirical research in economics for both academic and research careers. Graduates of the program will be able to work in academia, international and local research institutions, and government agencies.
An Introduction to the Philosophy of Social Sciences
Causal Inference and Quasi-Experimental Research
Causal Inference and Quasi-Experimental Research
Language of instruction: English
Scientific Internship
Scientific Foundation
Doctoral students, as part of their research activities, are required to complete a scientific internship at foreign educational and research institutions once during the entire period of study, for a minimum of 30 calendar days. The purpose of the internship is to strengthen the scientific foundation of the PhD dissertation, receive guidance from international experts, and access resources in leading academic libraries worldwide.
The host institution for the internship
The host institution for the internship must align with the scientific focus of the educational program, the topic of the PhD dissertation, and the affiliation of the foreign academic advisor.
Internship programs
Internship programs are carried out under agreements between the University and its foreign partner universities, as well as memoranda with foreign academic advisors. The School is responsible for the administrative support of the internship, including travel orders and financial documentation.
Admission Process for Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Submission of applications for doctoral studies with a complete set of documents
Passing the doctoral entrance examination
Submit the documents to the admissions committee
Application submission deadlines
Applications for doctoral studies at higher and postgraduate educational institutions are submitted to the admissions committees of those institutions or through the NTC online information system
Summer admission
Winter admission
*Applications for doctoral studies at higher and postgraduate educational institutions are submitted to the admissions committees of those institutions or through the NTC online information system app.testcenter.kz
Admission Requirements
When applying, candidates may select only one educational institution and one group of educational programs (GEP).
The electronic entrance exam certificate is verified via the NTC website.
*The entrance exam certificate issued during the period from August 4 to August 20 is valid until December 1 of the current calendar year
*The entrance exam certificate issued during the period from November 18 to December 11 is valid until March 1 of the following calendar year.
Admission Stages
Get a passing score
The additional test consists of 100 questions.
The passing score is 75 points.
The entrance examination consists of the following sections:
Interview with the applicant conducted by the institution’s examination board – 30 points
Essay submission – 20 points
Exam questions related to the profile of the selected GEP – 50 points
THE ENTRANCE EXAM TAKES 3 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES (210 MINUTES), INCLUDING:
Interview — 20 minutes
The interview evaluates the applicant's professional and personal competencies and their potential for conducting independent research.
It is conducted remotely via videoconferencing
The recording is archived for at least three years.
The interview is formally documented and signed by the chairperson, members, and secretary of the examination board.
If the applicant fails to attend, they receive 0 points, and a corresponding protocol is prepared and signed by the chair, members, and secretary of the examination committee.
For writing the essay and examination questions on the GEP profile — 190 minutes (3 hours 10 minutes)
Questions
Document Submission
Document package for admission to the doctoral program
Applicants for doctoral studies should submit the following set of documents:
Free-form application
Academic credentials (original, to be submitted to the admissions committee)
Identification document (required for identity verification)
Official certificate of passing the state language exam (KAZTEST), issued by the NTC (not required for foreign citizens)
Certificate confirming proficiency in a foreign language
Medical certificate (Form 075/y)
Six photographs (3x4 cm)
Document confirming employment, in accordance with the Labour Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (not required for foreign citizens)
List of scientific publications from the past 3 calendar years (if available), research plan, and essay
Receipt of payment of the Admission fee
Document Submission Requirements
The documents listed in points 4), 5), and 8) must be submitted in both original and copy. Originals will be returned to the applicant after verification.
If the list of documents specified in this paragraph is incomplete, the admissions committee will not accept the applicant’s documents.
Certificate of Foreign Language Proficiency
English
*Persons who have the certificate of Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Programm (TOEFL ITP) take additional English proficiency testing before the start of the doctoral entrance exam.
IELTS Academic
International English Language Tests System Academic (IELTS Academic) minimum score of 5.0;
TOEFL iBT
Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Programm Internet-based Test (TOEFL IBT) minimum score of 35;
TOEFL ITP
Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Programm (TOEFL ITP) minimum score of 417;
TOEIC
Test of English for International Communication minimum score of 550;
Duolingo English Test
Duolingo English Test minimum score of 80;
German:
DSH
Deutsche Sprachpruеfung fuеr den Hochschulzugang Niveau В1 Minimum B1 level
TestDaF
TestDaF-Prufung Niveau В1 Minimum B1 level
French:
TFI
Test de Français International™ (TFI) - minimum level B1 in reading and listening sections
DELF
Diplome d'Etudes en Langue francaise Minimum B1 level
DALF
Diplome Approfondi de Langue francaise Minimum B1 level
TCF
Test de connaissance du francaise Minimum B1 level
Admission Process for International Applicants
International applicants are admitted to Master’s programs based on an interview
The interview is conducted online and held in the language of the chosen educational program.
Upon successful completion of the interview, the applicant becomes eligible to prepare and submit the required documents to the Admissions Office.
The Application Package for International Applicants
Passport
Higher education diploma (original)
Apostille / legalization of the education document (depending on the country of issuance, provided by the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice)
Certificate of no criminal record
A document confirming employment
Interview record
Six 3×4 photographs
Admissions committee protocol
Motivation letter
List of scientific publications for the last 3 years (if any), research plan and essay
Notarized translation of passport into Kazakh or Russian (3 copies)
Notarized translation of education documents into Kazakh or Russian (2 copies)
Medical certificate form 075/u (original)
Chest X-ray / fluorography (original)
Recognition of education documents (certificate)
Receipt for payment of the one-time admission fee
Certificate of Foreign Language Proficiency
English
*Persons who have the certificate of Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Programm (TOEFL ITP) take additional English proficiency testing before the start of the doctoral entrance exam.
The entrance examination consists of the following sections:
IELTS Academic
International English Language Tests System Academic (IELTS Academic) minimum score of 5.0;
TOEFL iBT
Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Programm Internet-based Test (TOEFL IBT) minimum score of 35;
TOEFL ITP
Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Programm (TOEFL ITP) minimum score of 417;
TOEIC
Test of English for International Communication minimum score of 550;
Duolingo English Test
Duolingo English Test minimum score of 80;
German:
The entrance examination consists of the following sections:
DSH
Deutsche Sprachpruеfung fuеr den Hochschulzugang Niveau В1 Minimum B1 level
TestDaF
TestDaF-Prufung Niveau В1 Minimum B1 level
French:
The entrance examination consists of the following sections:
TFI
Test de Français International™ (TFI) - minimum level B1 in reading and listening sections
DELF
Diplome d'Etudes en Langue francaise Minimum B1 level
DALF
Diplome Approfondi de Langue francaise Minimum B1 level
TCF
Test de connaissance du francaise Minimum B1 level