Applicants must go through the online application to participate in the competition:
Step 1. Create your Personal account | Go to http://admissions.nu.edu.kz portal, 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 which 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 a Personal account. |
Step 4. Pay the application fee and submit application | To finalize the application process, please click on the "PAY AND SUBMIT APPLICATION" button on 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 is 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 there is no 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: - 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.
IELTS/TOEFL certificates are considered without superscoring. 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
Detailed Instruction on the provision of IELTS/TOEFL certificates is available in applicants’ Personal account. - 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. |
If you experience any difficulties with the application, send an email to info_admissions@nu.edu.kz. Do not forget to provide a detailed description of the problem, your IIN (for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan) and Applicant ID number.
Instructional video with a sample application form for the Undergraduate and Foundation programs
Watch the instructional video with an example of completing the application form for the undergraduate and NUFYP programs. Some details can differ from the last application version. Please note that personal details given in the application form are fictional.
Minimum requirements of language test results:
| | Writing | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Overall |
| Academic IELTS | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 18 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 46 |
Additional requirements:
- 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;
- IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL PDT results are not considered in the competition;
- IELTS/TOEFL tests must be taken in person at the Test Center (not remotely).
- IELTS/TOEFL certificates are considered without superscoring.
- Only applicants who provide IELTS/TOEFL results, which meet minimum requirements and within the specified deadline, can be allowed to take NUET exam (see below).
- Applicants who provide IELTS/TOEFL results that meet the minimum requirements within the prescribed period and are allowed to take the NUET exam can later provide additional IELTS/TOEFL results to improve the results of language tests. The deadline will be published in the “Important Dates" section.
**subject to change for 2025 intake
Regular Entry Requirements
| Minimum admission requirements for final High School/College GPA | |
| GPA or equivalent** and/or UNT in English*** | 3.5 out of 5.0 1. Mathematical literacy: 7 out of 10; 2. Reading literacy: 7 out of 10; 3. Overall: 75. |
*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 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 (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 – 120 in total for 2 subjects, while minimum passing score for each of the subjects shall not be less than 50. For example, 50 + 70 = 120 – is a minimum passing score in total.
- In case of applying for both Foundation program and Undergraduate programs according to the “NUET applicants” category, an applicant is invited to the test once and takes it 1 time. Therefore, it is important to indicate in the application form the same city for passing the test. Foundation and Undergraduate programs’ Admission Committees will consider the results of one exam.
- 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 approximately 5 days prior to the exams.
- Examination schedule is published in the “Important dates” section.
- If a violation of rules or conditions of passing the test occurs, the applicant's results are canceled . 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.
Minimum SAT/ACT* entry requirements for international applicants (NUFYP)
| Exam | |
| Digital SAT Reasoning Test** or ACT | Digital SAT Reasoning Test – 1140
OR ACT – 24 composite score |
| Interview | At the request of the School |
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.
Minimum requirements of language test results:
| | 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.
**subject to change for 2025 intake
Regular Entry Requirements
| Minimum admission requirements for final High School/College GPA | |
| GPA or equivalent** and/or UNT in English*** | 4.0 out of 5.0 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 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
| 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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There is no appeal procedure.
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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 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**
| Diploma | |
| IB Diploma results | 30 total score and 4, 4, 5 for 3 subjects of HL |
| Interview | At the request of the School |
*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**
| Certificate | |
| A-level/NIS 12 Grade Certificate results | not less than ABB for any subjects |
| Interview | At the request of the School |
*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
- 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
List of Republican Subject Olympiads of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- 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 |
Deadlines for online application:
Regular Entry (NUFYP and undergraduate programs):
| | Online Application Period | Provision of Test Results |
| Citizens of Kazakhstan | October 7 - June 12, 2025 (2 p.m. Astana time) | June 19, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Astana time) |
| International applicants from countries requiring a visa prior to arrival: | October 7 - March 27, 2025 (2 p.m. Astana time) | April 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Astana time) |
| International applications from countries eligible for visa issuance upon arrival: | October 7 - June 12, 2025 (2 p.m. Astana time) | June 19, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Astana time) |
Deadlines for financial aid and/or scholarships:
| Category | Online Application Period | Provision of Test Results |
| NUET Applicants (NUFYP and Undergraduate programs, including international) | October 7 – November 28, 2024 (2 p.m. Astana time) | IELTS/TOEFL: December 19, 2024 (11:59 p.m. Astana time) |
| International Applicants (Undergraduate programs only and International SAT/ACT applicants for NUFYP) | October 7 – March 13, 2025 (2 p.m. Astana time) | IELTS/TOEFL: April 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Astana time) |
| Other Categories (Undergraduate programs only): SAT/ACT applicants, IB Diploma holders, A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders, Winners of international/republican Olympiads | October 7 – March 27, 2025 (2 p.m. Astana time) | IELTS/TOEFL: April 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Astana time) SAT/ACT: April 7, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Astana time) Latest SAT: March 8, 2025 Latest ACT: February 8, 2025 |
Test results are mandatory to sent to the University address through the test administrator, using the NU Institutional Code:
Dates of NUET 2025:
| Date | City |
| February 9, 2025 | Astana Shymkent Kyzylorda Oskemen |
| February 16, 2025 | Astana Kostanay Semey Aktau Taldykorgan Petropavl |
| February 23, 2025 | Almaty Kokshetau Atyrau Oral |
| March 2, 2025 | Karagandy Pavlodar Taraz Turkistan Aktobe |
Deadline for provision of additional IELTS/TOEFL certificates in order to improve results of language tests (for applicants who have taken NUET exam): to be announced
Sending notifications about admission: May – July, 2025
Submission of hard copies of documents (upon request): June – July, 2025
Orientation week : to be announced
Start of classes : to be announced
Undergraduate Program with the start of the study in the Mid-year is an additional admission period in which applicants will be enrolled on a fee-paying basis for the Spring semester.
Applicants will participate in the undergraduate programs Mid-year Intake competition on a fee-paying basis following the standard selection process as the general admission process that is regulated by the Admission Policy and Procedures to the undergraduate programs. Students enrolled by this competition will begin their studies in the spring semester.
The following applicants can participate in the selection process:
- Applicants who have already graduated from secondary schools
- Current students of other universities
“NUET applicants” category will only be considered with NUET results obtained in the current calendar year.
To apply, you must create a Personal account at the admissions.nu.edu.kz.
Important: applicants applying and recommended for enrollment in the Spring semester of the undergraduate programs on a fee-paying basis do not participate in selection for awarding an educational grant “NU” and other grants.
Online application period:
- September 26 - November 29, 2024 (2 p.m. Astana time)
Deadline for submission of test results to NU:
- SAT/ACT and IELTS/TOEFL - November 29, 2024.
The test must be sent to the University address via the test administrator using the Institutional Code of NU.
- NU, Admissions Department – for IELTS
- 6762 – for TOEFL
- 7915 – for SAT
- 5521 – for ACT
Non-degree study (NDS) – an educational option allowing a student to study with no commitment to obtain a degree.
Students are entitled to all benefits available to University students in accordance with the conditions set by the University. The study plan fully corresponds to the Bachelor's degree programs, depending on the chosen major. However, the education is offered exclusively on a fee-paying basis. The cost varies depending on the number of credits (ECTS) of the courses chosen.
Students studying at this option can become a degree pursuing students upon meeting certain criteria according to the internal documents of the University.
To take part in the competition to NDS, applicants must apply to the Undergraduate program according to the Admission Policy and Procedures within the application period. At the same time, their results may not meet the entry requirements of the undergraduate program, but are not lower than the results indicated below:
- IELTS results with a total score of 6.5 or an equivalent TOEFL result - a total score of 79 (no minimum requirements for sections);
And also by a category:
- SAT/ACT applicants: Digital SAT - 1150, ACT - 23;
- A-level/NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders: BBB in any subjects;
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma holders: total score - 27 and 4, 4, 4 for three high level subjects
- UNT certificate in English: Mathematical literacy: 9,
Reading literacy: 9; - NUET - 110 (40,40).
- Applicants, who did not pass the previous stage of the competition, will not be allowed to participate in the next stage;
- At the third stage the Admission Committee composes the ranking of applicants based on the NUET and IELTS/TOEFL results. Based on the approved number of seats the Admission Committee recommends applicants for admission to the NU.
- Depending on the number of places allocated for NUFYP, applicants who meet the requirements will receive an admission offer to the NUFYP under the Grant according to their ranking. An official notification letter about the decision of the Admissions Committee is sent to these applicants. Applicants can also check their status in their Personal account.
- Applicants not recommended for admission under the Grant, but included in the ranking shall be put in a waiting list. In case of a vacant place in the list of applicants recommended for admission, applicants from the waiting list may be recommended by the Admission Committee for admission to study at the Center for Preparatory Studies. Applicants in the waiting list can also be offered an opportunity to participate in the competition for admission on a fee-paying basis with financial aid in accordance with the internal documents of the University.
- Successful completion of the admission stages does not guarantee admission to the Center for Preparatory Studies of the University.
Description of the status assigned to the applicant at every competition stage
All registered applicants can check the status of their application in the Personal account. Description of the status below is presented in the order of assignment to the applicant in the Personal account.
Application in processing. This is interim status, which means that the application is being processed. The Admissions Department will check the application package and inform the applicant on further steps, if necessary.
Needs to take NUET. This status is given to applicants before the NUET exam to notify them about the necessity to take the test. The invitation with instructions will be sent to the applicant's email about 5 days prior to the exam. The exam schedule is available in the “Important dates” section.
Not allowed to take NUET. The applicant was not allowed to take NUET exam due to non-compliance or violations of the competition conditions before the exam. He/she terminates the participation in the enrollment competition for the Foundation program, however he/she can still participate in the enrollment competition for the Undergraduate program in another category if meets the requirements
Passed NUET. Successfully passed the NUET and received passing scores.
Failed NUET. The applicant failed to score a required NUET passing mark. He/she terminates the participation in the enrollment competition.
Missed NUET. Didn't show up at the NUET exam. He/she terminates the participation in the enrollment competition.
Meeting entry examinations minimum requirements. Applicant’s documents and his/her scores meet the minimum entry requirements of the competition. Applicants with this status will be included into the final ranking and are advised to wait for a notification from the University. If he/she has high scores in the exams, then there is a high probability that he/she will soon receive an admission offer. If the scores are low, it is advised to wait for the next notification. If seats are vacated, admission offers can be sent.
Withdrawn. The applicant refused to participate in the admission competition at his/her own request. This status can be put down at any time from the beginning of the competition.
Withdrawn due to UG choice. The applicant was automatically excluded from the NUFYP competition due to the undergraduate admission offer acceptance. Applicant can be enrolled to one academic program and/or level of education only.
Recommended for admission to NUFYP. Recommended for enrollment by the decision of the Admissions Committee and will receive an admission offer with the conditions for enrollment.
Waiting list to NUFYP. Applicant is not included in the number of recipients of the invitation due to a low ranking. Nonetheless, there is a chance that offers may be sent if one of the previously recommended applicants refuses to enroll. In case there are no more vacant seats, the applicant will be rejected or can take part in the additional competition for a fee-paying NUFYP.
Accepted admission offer to NUFYP. Applicant accepted the admission offer within the specified period and submitted enrollment confirmation form and paid the guarantee fee. All payments are made in the applicant's Personal Account. Any incorrectly made payments are non-refundable. Follow the instructions to make the payment.
Further conditions for enrollment:
- Submission of the required documents.
- Signing the contract on educational services.
- Participation in the orientation week held by the Center for Preparatory Studies for newly arrived students.
Refused admission offer to NUFYP. Applicant filled out the form and indicated refusal from enrollment after receiving the admission offer or did not fulfill the conditions of enrollment
Refused in favor of UG. This status is available to the applicants applied both to NUFYP and Undergraduate programs. This status is given to the applicant who rejected to study in the NUFYP in favor of the Undergraduate program. It is given after the written refusal of the applicant to study at the NUFYP.
Rejected by the Admissions Committee. Rejected by the Admissions Committee due to the absence of vacant places for enrollment and based on the completion of the selection.
Did not submit the documents/Refused. The applicant did not provide the documents within the specified period. This means that the applicant refuses to study at the University.
Did not come to Orientation week/Refused. Failed to show up for Orientation Week, which means the applicant refuses to study at the University.
Enrolled to NUFYP. Applicant officially enrolled to the Foundation Year Program of the University by the Provost's decision. This status is given after registration of the Provost’s decision. This is a final status as an applicant before transition to a student status.
Disqualified. Disqualified due to violations of regulations and conditions in the exam or in the competition. For example, he/she cheated on an exam or provided deliberately false information.
Enrollment of the applicants to NU is implemented in the following sequence:
Recommendation for admission. Status of recommended applicants will be changed to “Recommended for admission to NUFYP”. In the “Admission results” section of Personal account applicants will see the Admission offer and Instructions for documents submission to University with deadlines and requirements.
Admission confirmation. Applicants recommended for admission by the Admission Committee shall sign Enrollment Confirmation Form and Form of Consent on Guarantee Fee Payment and pay the Guarantee Fee in the amount of 100 000 tenge in Personal account.
The Guarantee Fee will be returned to the admitted student after the following conditions are met:
1) Bilateral signing of the Agreement on Provision of Education Services at NU;
2) Participation in the Orientation week;
3) Student's completion of the first semester of classes with good academic standing.
Submission of documents and signing an agreement. The applicants shall submit required documents to NU departments within the dates indicated in the Admission offer. Therefore, please, make sure to read the Admission offer very carefully in order to meet the requirements and deadlines. All the hard and soft copies of documents should be submitted to the University within the deadlines. The applicants also sign an agreement with the Center for Preparatory studies.
Participation in an orientation week. Before the start of the classes, all invited applicants take part in an orientation week.
Enrollment. After fulfilling the above mentioned requirements, applicants are enrolled in the University. Enrollment of Applicants is legalized by the decision of the University Provost.
A package of documents for enrollment to the University to be submitted by the applicant to the Admissions Department will be indicated in the Instructions for documents submission.
If the original of the secondary school education diploma with transcript is not in Kazakh, Russian or English, it is required to provide a scanned version of a notarized translation of this document into English in addition. Failure to provide the required documents in time will result in the applicant's disqualification from further participation in the competition.
University has the right to request additional documents from foreign citizens or stateless individuals.
All documents submitted to NU are not subject to return. An exception is an official original of the secondary school (аттестат с приложением), technical, vocational, or post-secondary diploma (диплом с приложением) with transcript, which is returned after completion of studies or withdrawal from the University by the Office of the Registrar.
