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The program requires a full-time dedication of the students and is expected to be completed in 4 years of studies, considered as 48 consecutive months, comprised of 8 regular (fall and spring) semesters and 4 summer terms. The minimum possible duration of the program is four academic years (8 regular semesters plus their 4 summer terms). Extensions beyond 4 years, for up to a maximum of total program duration of 6 years, require approval of the DGPC.
By the completion of the PhD program, students will be capable of designing and conducting independent, innovative, original and high-quality research related to a variety of topics in mechanical engineering. In addition, program graduates will be prepared for working in industrial and academic environment in the positions of university faculty members, senior researchers, engineers and product developers.
(*) Course may be waived for NU graduates and replaced by a Level-8 course (core or elective) selected by the student’s supervisory committee and approved by the corresponding departmental committee. (**) All participating schools and departments with EQF Level-8 courses
Year 2: Spring Semester
Year 2: Summer Semester
Year 3: Fall Semester
Year 3: Spring Semester
Year 3: Summer Semester
Year 4: Fall Semester
(*) 0 ECTS if thesis is not completed/defended
Year 4: Spring Semester
(*) 0 ECTS if thesis is not completed/defended
Year 4: Summer Semester
(#If not submitted/defended the following semester follows) (*) 0 ECTS if thesis is not completed/defended
Research Methods&Ethics
Course description: The course will facilitate the understanding of research planning and development, while enhancing the PhD student skills for reading, interpreting, writing and presenting his/her scientific and technical ideas to the peer community. The course will also deliver theory and examples of a variety of research methods and ethical principles associated to them.
Thesis Research
Course description: This course is designed to monitor progress and develop understandings, skills, and outlooks to conduct original, independent research at the PhD level. The student will develop (with the advisor’s guidance) a research plan at the beginning of the semester that will state a research problem/question/hypothesis, its background, outline a research strategy and experimental approach, method of data collection, interpretation and validation, and method of communication of the project results to others. The research plan is used as the basis for assessment of the student’s research progress.
Current Research Literature
Course description: This course is designed to provide students a directed focus on preparing a literature review on the topic of their interest in coordination with a faculty supervisor. The students are expected to develop a comprehensive review of the state of art and identify the major gaps in the field of research. They also develop critical assessment and comparison of the past literature, and present the work in the form of the term paper.
Admission to Nazarbayev University programs is based on the principle of meritocracy, which implies the selection of applicants on the basis of their academic achievements, providing everyone with equal opportunities at admission, and facilitating the selection of the most promising and talented students without the influence of external factors. Thus, the requirements for admission to the programs of Nazarbayev University are the same for all applicants regardless of citizenship, social status, the status of the educational organization, the graduate of which the applicant is, etc. The duration of PhD degree programs in the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences is 4 years.
More details on Regular admissions are available on the NU website.
To learn more about financial aid and scholarship requirements, please visit the following link.
For detailed information on the application process for the specific graduate program you are interested in, please refer to the guide linked below.