Doctoral programme is postgraduate education, educational programs of which are aimed at training personnel for scientific, pedagogical and (or) professional activities with conferment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), doctor in an area.

Acceptance of applications for doctoral programme in the organizations of higher and postgraduate study is carried out by the admissions committees of the organizations of higher and postgraduate study and (or) through the information system of the National Testing Center (app.testcenter.kz) within the following deadlines:

1) from July 3 to August 3 of a calendar year;

 2) from October 28 to November 10 of a calendar year.

 Entrance exams for groups of educational programs under the doctoral programme are held within the following deadlines:

1) from August 4 to August 20 of a calendar year;

2) from November 19 to December 11 of a calendar year.

When submitting documents, an applicant indicates one organization of higher and postgraduate study and a group of educational programs.

Admission to the doctoral programme is carried out within the following deadlines:

1) from August 15 to August 28 of a calendar year;

2) from December 26 to January 10 of a calendar year.

Individuals applying for doctoral programme submit the following package of documents:

1) an application in any form;

2) an educational certificate (original copy, when submitting documents to the admissions committee);

3) an ID document (required for identification);

4) an official certificate issued by the NTC on the successful completion of the state language (KAZTEST) examination, with the exception of foreign citizens;

5) a certificate confirming proficiency in a foreign language:

- for those entering the doctoral studies under the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme:

English language proficiency:

International English Language Tests System Academic (IELTS Academic), the threshold score of at least 5.0;

Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Program Internet-based Test (TOEFL IBT), the threshold score of at least 35;

Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Program (TOEFL ITP), the threshold score of at least 417;

TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication), the threshold score of at least 550;

Duolingo English Test, the threshold score of at least 80;

German language proficiency:

Deutsche Sprachpruefung fuer den Hochschulzugang Niveau B1 (DSH, Niveau B1) - not lower than B1 level;

TestDaF-Prufung Niveau B1 (TDF Niveau B1) - not lower than B1 level;

French language proficiency:

Test de Français International (TFI) – at least B1 level in reading and listening sections;

Diplome d'Etudes en Langue français (DELF) - at least B1 level;

Diplome Approfondi de Langue français (DALF) - at least B1 level;

Test de connaissance du français (TCF) – not lower than B1 level.

- for those entering the doctoral studies in a certain area:

International English Language Tests System Academic (IELTS Academic);

Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Programm Internet-based Test (TOEFL IBT);

Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Programm (TOEFL ITP);

TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication);

Duolingo English Test;

German language proficiency:

Deutsche Sprachpruеfung fuеr den Hochschulzugang Niveau В1 (DSH, Niveau В1);

TestDaF-Prufung Niveau В1 (TDF Niveau В1);

French language proficiency:

Test de Français International (TFI);

Diplome d’Etudes en Langue français (DELF);

Diplome Approfondi de Langue français (DALF);

Test de connaissance du français (TCF);

No certain level of the above certificates is requested from the applicants to the doctoral studies in a particular area.

6) a medical certificate in the 075/y form in electronic format approved by the Order No. KR DSM-175/2020.

In the event of restrictive measures, the imposition of a state of emergency, the occurrence of social, natural or man-made emergencies in a given area, a medical certificate will be issued directly to an educational organisation when these measures are lifted;

7) six photos (3x4 cm);

8) a document confirming employment, according to the Labour Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, except for foreign citizens;

9) a list of scientific publications for the last 3 calendar years (if available), a research plan and an essay;

10) the preliminary selection results (in the "Healthcare" education area).

The documents listed in sub-clauses 4), 5) and 8) are provided in originals and copies and after verification the originals are returned to an applicant.

Those who have the Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Program (TOEFL ITP) certificate take additional English proficiency testing before the start of the doctoral admission exam.

The number of tasks in an additional test is 100 questions. The maximum number of points is 100 points.

Additional test is scored as "pass" or "fail". You need to get a minimum of 75 points to receive the "Pass" score.

Additional testing is carried out by the NTC in organizations designated by an authorized body in the field of science and higher education.

Candidates will be notified of the date, time and location of the additional test via their personal account.

If an incomplete package of documents as referred to in this clause is submitted, the admissions committee will not accept any documents from an applicant.