Nazarbayev University (NU) has been awarded institutional accreditation following the International Quality Review (IQR) conducted by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), one of the world’s leading quality assurance bodies. This milestone confirms that NU meets rigorous international standards for educational quality and reflects the sustained dedication of the entire university community, DKNews.kz reports.
The QAA review assessed NU’s compliance with the 10 Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG, 2015), evaluating the effectiveness of institutional governance, academic quality assurance, student-centeredness, and academic integrity. NU successfully completed all stages of the review.
“This accreditation is an important external validation of NU’s commitment to global standards. It builds on our international standing and complements our growing list of program- and school-level accreditations,” said NU President, Professor Waqar Ahmad
“It reaffirms our position as a leading university, enhances the global recognition and value of a Nazarbayev University degree, and drives our continued focus on student success.”
This achievement comes at a meaningful time as NU celebrates its 15th anniversary. It marks the first time the University has undergone and successfully completed a whole-institution accreditation process. Looking ahead, we are preparing to add to our existing subject-level accreditations as part of our continuous quality enhancement strategy.
With this recognition, NU also celebrates its portfolio of over 70 globally benchmarked undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. These include world-class offerings in medicine, computer science, and mathematics, as well as strategically important disciplines such as mining, geosciences, and the physical sciences - all designed to meet Kazakhstan’s development priorities and align with global academic standards.
NU’s growing reputation continues to attract top student talent. In 2025, the University received more than 10,000 applications - a 34% increase from the previous year. Once they graduate, NU alumni enjoy one of the highest employability rates globally, with approximately 98% securing employment across diverse industries.
NU’s diverse and international faculty, representing over 60 countries, fosters a truly global learning environment. As part of its commitment to teaching excellence, NU partners with Advance HE, a UK-based organization dedicated to enhancing quality, leadership, and inclusivity in higher education. Through this partnership, four NU faculty members have already been awarded Senior or Principal Fellowship status, with around 40 more currently working toward Senior and Principal Fellowships.
As NU celebrates this milestone, the QAA accreditation reinforces its standing as a world-class university and paves the way for its next chapter of growth, innovation, and global impact.
