Academics
The Middlebury Program in Astana is designed for undergraduate students seeking an academic experience in English in Kazakhstan. Students will study in English alongside international and Kazakhstani peers at a world-class university while getting a deeper understanding of Kazakhstan’s rich nomadic heritage, vibrant culture, and dynamic modern capital.
Program Structure
Students on the program will take three electives at Nazarbayev University as well as an introductory Russian or Kazakh language course.
Nazarbayev University
Nazarbayev University (NU) is a premier autonomous research university, established in 2010. The university operates entirely in English and ranks as the top university in Central Asia and the Caucasus. NU offers high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. programs across a wide range of disciplines. Its academic community includes both international and local faculty, and its programs have been developed with the participation of leading universities and academic institutions from around the world.
As Kazakhstan’s flagship academic and research institution, NU is distinguished by its commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and integration into the global scientific community. The university combines Kazakhstan’s national identity and cultural heritage with internationally recognized educational models and research practices.
NU’s undergraduate strengths are particularly notable in engineering, computer science, and the social sciences, with several programs benefiting from international partnerships and collaborations.
Course lists and requirements will be updated for the 2027-2028 academic year. For reference, please see the courses for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Top Academic Fields and Programs
Economics and Finance
Economics is among the top majors at NU. There is a wide range of core and elective courses, such as Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, and Economic Statistics. There are also a number of courses on Finance, including Quantitative Finance.
Engineering & Robotics
The School of Engineering and Digital Sciences offers programs such as Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Robotics and Mechatronics. These programs combine rigorous academic training with hands-on learning and modern laboratory facilities.
Computer Science & Information Technology
Computer science is one of NU’s high-demand areas, offering students opportunities to develop strong technical foundations and prepare for careers in the global technology sector.
Mining and Geosciences
Such disciplines as Geology, Geomechanics, Mining Geotechnical Engineering, Mineral Processing, Rock Breakage, Mineralogy and Petrology, and Sustainability in Mining are in high demand among students at NU.
Political Science & International Relations
Located within the School of Sciences and Humanities, this field provides students with opportunities to explore international affairs, public policy, governance, and the political and social dynamics of Central Asia and Eurasia.
Social Sciences and Humanities
There are a number of outstanding courses in World Literature and Linguistics.
Students may choose courses in Turkic Studies, a unique feature program of the university, as NU is one of the major world centers for Turkology. Other subjects within history include History of Eurasia, History of Central Asia (Silk Road States), European History, and Soviet History.
The Sociology and Anthropology Departments provide a strong foundation in research methods and are considered to be the best among the academia of Kazakhstan.
STEM disciplines like Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics are widely presented in the curriculum of the university, and students can gain and apply their knowledge through theoretical coursework and practical labs and fieldtrips.
