Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Campus: Astana, Kazakhstan, NU School of Medicine building

Language: English

Delivery mode: Full-time, on-campus

Duration: 2 years

Total ECTS credit: 120

General information

The Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology Program is based on international standards and designed for graduates of biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, and other health-related programs. Graduates from other streams will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.


The program will enable students to gain broad exposure to a wide range of basic pharmacology and toxicology research as well as the application of principles of pharmacology in clinical research to connect the gap between basic and clinical pharmacology. Also, they will be trained on different aspects of toxicology in the preclinical stage such as improved drug discovery and development, and at the clinical stage including monitoring and identifying drug-drug interactions and pharmacovigilance.


The Masters of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Nazarbayev University School of Medicine (NU SOM) will enable students to gain broad exposure to important and medically-related aspects of therapeutic research. The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the nature and actions of commonly used therapeutics.


The program will introduce students to a wide range of basic pharmacology and toxicology research as well as the application of principles of pharmacology in clinical research to connect the gap between basic and clinical pharmacology. Furthermore, students will be trained on different aspects of toxicology in the preclinical stage such as improved drug discovery and development, and at the clinical stage including monitoring and identifying drug-drug interactions and pharmacovigilance.


This program is taught over two years and designed for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners, as well as graduates of biosciences related fields. The first year will cover the core materials of Pharmacology/ Toxicology using lectures, tutorials, and workshops designed to facilitate the acquisition of the theoretical knowledge in Pharmacology and Toxicology. The second year of the program will be a research focused year. The first half of the second year of the course will focus on theoretical knowledge of research with emphasis on scientific critical appraisal and scientific writing. The second part of the final year will be a hypothesis-driven research project. Also, to provide students with curricular flexibly, a number of different elective courses will be available to choose from. Students will have the liberty of choosing any of the elective courses provided at NU SOM or any equivalent course from other Schools at NU.


The program prepares graduates for further study at a PhD degree level or may seek careers in clinical trials, research, medical affairs, or pharmaceutical industry. Assessment will be carried out through a variety of different methods including: course assignments, written exams, presentations, and a research project followed by a thesis and a viva voce exam.


The Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology is the first of its kind in the republic of Kazakhstan as there is currently no available Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology programs in the country. NU SOM provides a high quality education in a research environment that will allow students to improve their professional career and contribute to the growth and development of the pharmaceutical and medicinal sectors in Kazakhstan.


Career and Educational Opportunities After Graduation

Graduates from this program can undertake further study at a Ph.D. level in Kazakhstan or abroad. Others may seek careers in clinical trials, research, or the pharmaceutical industry around the world. Additional career options include regulatory affairs officers, patent lawyers, and medical sales representatives.

Program aims

Program aims are:

  • To enable the acquisition of skills, competence and knowledge of the advancing field of Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • To encourage Pharmacological innovation to improve disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment
  • To improve knoweldge and practice of medication use and safety.

Curriculum

The Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology (MPToX) aims to teach students different aspects of molecular, cellular, and systemic Pharmacology and Toxicology. Students will gain advanced knowledge of the effects of drugs, poisons, chemicals, and environmental toxins on human health. The Program is a 2-year full-time program divided into four semesters that offers a mix of coursework and research components.

Year 1: Fall Semester

Year 1: Spring Semester

Year 2: Fall Semester

Year 2: Spring Semester

Course descriptions

Program learning outcomes

On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Analyze the principles of pharmacology and toxicology as well as the mechanism of action and use of commonly used drugs.
  • Apply relevant knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology including drug toxicity and drug-drug interaction in research and practice
  • Apply critical thinking and analytical skills to research problems in pharmacology and toxicology.
  • Communicate and disseminate complex scientific information
  • Perform scientific research in full accordance with ethical and professional standards.

Career opportunities

Graduates from this program can undertake further study at a Ph.D. level in Kazakhstan or abroad. Others may seek careers in clinical trials, research, or the pharmaceutical industry around the world. Additional career options include regulatory affairs officers, patent attorney lawyers, scientific writers and medical sales representatives. Also, the highly needed training course in pharmacology and toxicology will provide students with the opportunities that the pharmaceutical industry has to offer. In order to prepare students for such opportunities and to provide them with a head start, we will aim to introduce students to local pharmaceutical companies including site visits and invitations to experts in the area to deliver specialized lectures as well as research collaboration. Incorporating this component in the course will allow students to know the different options that exist for pharmacologists and toxicologists and also to encourage students to appreciate and consider innovation and translation of research into profitable entities, early in their careers.

Faculty

Entry requirements

Applicants to the Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology program are expected to have:

Regular Requirement
Details

Undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline;

Graduate degree (if applicable)

During the application period, final year students may submit official transcripts for current coursework for consideration. Applicants recommended for admission must provide final transcripts and diplomas before the end of the Programs’ enrollment term. Graduates of the University may be enrolled based on evidence of their final transcript confirming degree completion, with diploma submission required within a month;


  • Applicants may be enrolled conditionally based on evidence from their graduating university confirming program completion and that the applicant expects the formal issuance of the final transcript and/or diploma by a certain date. In that case, the decision on enrollment shall prescribe the period within which the applicant must provide the necessary documents to the University;
  • A minimum CGPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 (or equivalent) on the applicant’s degree (bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. if the program uses a GPA approach);

High level of English proficiency.

1. The absolute minimum requirement for English language proficiency test reports for admission to the Program is an Academic IELTS – overall 6.0 (writing 6.0, reading 5.5, listening 5.5, speaking 5.5) or the equivalent TOEFL score (except Home edition) as posted on the ETS website;

2. Applicants to the Program, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, may be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:

  • One of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country where English is the language of official communication, academic instruction, and daily life;
  • An undergraduate or graduate degree was earned in a program that was officially taught in English;
  • The applicant is a graduate of NU.

Strong reading, analytical, and mathematical skills

As demonstrated by GRE or GMAT (optional). Although an official GRE/GMAT score is not an essential requirement, an applicant can enhance their application with a competitive GRE/GMAT score;

Statement of purpose

A high level of motivation and a strong interest in the Program, as outlined in the statement of purpose;

Letters of recommendation

Two confidential letters of recommendation;

For Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology program only:

Evidence of any professional and/or voluntary experiences related to biological and/or medical research (optional). Although this is not an essential requirement, an applicant can enhance their application with such evidence.

Important dates

Online application deadlines for those who are applying for the 2025-2026 academic year

  • Citizens of Kazakhstan: available until June 25, 2025, 14:00 (Astana time).
  • International applicants from countries requiring a visa prior to arrival: available until March 27, 2025, 14:00 (Astana time).
  • International applicants from countries eligible for visa issuance upon arrival: available until June 25, 2025, 14:00 (Astana time).

The deadline for submission of IELTS/TOEFL, GRE/GMAT certificates:

  • Citizens of Kazakhstan: July 4, 2025, 11:59 P.M. (Astana time).
  • International applicants from countries requiring a visa prior to arrival: March 31, 2025.
  • International applicants from countries eligible for visa issuance upon arrival: June 26, 2025.

First day of classes: August 2025

Tuition fee

The tuition fee for Master’s Degree Program is $16,000 (8 176 000 KZT) per one academic year for both local and international students.


To learn more about tuition fees, please contact us at bursars_office@nu.edu.kz.

How to apply

Entry requirements

Candidates applying to the Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology are expected to have:

  • an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. During the application period, final-year students may submit official current transcripts for consideration. Applicants recommended for admission must provide final transcripts and diplomas before the end of the programs’ enrollment term. Graduates of the university are enrolled based on the evidence of the final transcript, confirming the degree completion followed by diploma submission within a month;
  • graduate degree (if applicable);
  • Applicants may be enrolled conditionally based on evidence from their graduation from a university, that the applicants have completed the educational program and the applicant expects formal issuance of final transcript and/or diploma by a certain date. In that case, the decision about enrollment shall prescribe the period of time within which the applicant shall provide the necessary documents to the university;
  • a minimum CGPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 or equivalent on the applicant’s degree (bachelor's, master or Ph.D. (if masters and Ph.D. have adopted a GPA approach);
  • the required level of English language proficiency;
  • strong reading, analytical and mathematical skills as demonstrated by GRE or GMAT test (optional). Although an official GRE/GMAT score is not an essential requirement, an applicant can enhance his/her application with a competitive GRE/GMAT score;
  • high level of motivation and a strong interest in the program outlined in the statement of purpose;
  • 2 (two) confidential letters of recommendation;
  • For Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology program only: Evidence of any professional and/or voluntary experiences related to biological and/or medical research (optional). Although this is not an essential requirement, an applicant can enhance his/her application with such evidence.

The required level of English proficiency:

1. The absolute minimum requirement for English language proficiency test reports for admission to the program is an academic IELTS – overall 6.0 (writing 6.0, reading 5.5, listening 5.5, speaking 5.5) or the equivalent TOEFL score (except the home edition) as posted on the ETS website;

2. Applicants to the program, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:

  • one of their earlier academic degrees was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication, academic instruction, and daily life;
  • an undergraduate or graduate degree was earned in a program that was officially taught in English;
  • the applicant is a graduate of NU.

Important dates

Online application deadlines for Masters programs:

  • Citizens of Kazakhstan: available until January 23, 2025, 2:00 P.M. (Astana time).
  • International applicants: available until March 3, 2025, 2:00 P.M. (Astana time).

Deadline for submission of IELTS/TOEFL, GRE/GMAT certificates:

  • Citizens of Kazakhstan: February 3, 2025
  • International applicants: March 4, 2025

The start of orientation week (for newly enrolled students): August 2025

First day of classes: August 2025

List of documents to be submitted by the applicants

All submitted documents shall be in English or with notarized English translation:

  • Complete application form;
  • National ID or passport;
  • Official document confirming name changes (if applicable);
  • Degree diplomas with transcripts;
  • An official electronic IELTS/TOEFL certificate (except Home edition) (valid at the time of document submission) sent to the University through IELTS/TOEFL VERIFICATION SERVICES. Code for IELTS: NU. Code for TOEFL: 6762
  • Document confirming English as the language of instruction (only for applicants who earned their degree in a program which was taught in English and request an exemption from submitting IELTS or TOEFL);
  • GRE/GMAT test certificates valid as of the date of online documents submission (optional);
  • Two confidential letters of recommendation written within the last 12 month (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy). You can find the Instruction for submission of recommendation letters here;
  • Statement of purpose of 500 words or less;
  • 075у medical certificate (for Kazakhstani applicants) or a similar medical certificate with indication of general health (for international applicants);
  • A document stating the presence or absence of a criminal record;
  • Consent of the applicant/student to the processing of personal data;
  • For Master of Pharmacology and Toxicology program only: Evidence of any professional and/or voluntary experiences related to biological and/or medical research shown in a CV, recommendation letter or in any other document (optional).
  • The Admissions Committee and/or Admissions Department may request additional documents when necessary.

How to apply

Status assigned to the candidate

All registered candidates 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 candidate in the Personal account.


Application in processing. This is interim status, which means that the application is being processed. Admissions Committee will evaluate the application and inform the candidate on further steps/stages. Notification on final results will be sent to your email address.


Does not meet entry requirements. The status is assigned to the candidates who do not meet the minimum entry requirements. It is given after checking the application forms and the documents by the Admissions Department.


Disqualified. The status is assigned to candidates who are disqualified for gross violations of the conditions of the competition. For example, provided deliberately false information.


Rejected by Admissions Committee. At one of the competition stages, the Admissions Committee decided to reject the candidate’s application.


Transfer to another program. At the stage of an application screening the Admissions Committee has decided to recommend the candidate for consideration by the Admissions Committee of another program within the same School.


Pending. Candidate’s application is pending.


Waiting list. The Admissions Committee has finished reviewing the candidate’s application and made a decision to put you on a waiting list. Such candidates should expect notification from the University, as there is a possibility that if other candidates reject to study, they may be sent an invitation letter to study.


Recommended for admission to program. Admissions Committee has decided to recommend candidate for the program without going through the Zero Year of Graduate programs.


Recommended for conditional admission. The Admissions Committee has decided to recommend a candidate for the conditional admission with a requirement to fulfill the condition by the deadline specified in the notification.


Withdrawn. Candidate decided to withdraw from the competition.


Accepted Program admission offer. The status is assigned to candidates who received offer letter, signed Enrollment confirmation form and fulfilled all the сonditions of the University indicated in the offer letter.


Refused admission offer. The candidate was recommended for admission, but refused to study.


Refused in favor of another NU program. The status is applicable for those candidates, who applied for several graduate programs at NU. The status is assigned when the candidate chooses another program.


Deferred. The status is assigned to candidates who were accepted for the program, but decided to postpone their studies until the next year.


Did not submit the documents/Refused. The status assigned to candidates who did not provide originals of the documents by the stated deadline, which means that the candidate refuses to study at University.


Did not come to Orientation week/Refused. The status is assigned to candidates who accepted the offer letter, provided hard copies of documents, but did not participate in Orientation week. The vacant place, if available, can be offered to the candidates in the Waiting list.


Enrolled to program. The status is assigned to candidates who enrolled to the main program by the Decision of the Provost. Candidate officially became a student.

What do our alumni say
  • Kamila Khikhmetova
    Alumna, Class of 2024
    What I liked the most were the friendly atmosphere in the classroom, amazing professors and group mates. The most useful and perhaps the hardest thing at the same time was the laboratory component of our studies, there was a huge increase in knowledge and skills that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.
  • Islana Ginayatova
    Alumna, Class of 2024
    MPTOX program provided a solid academic foundation, with courses that were both interesting and relevant. I particularly appreciated the deep dive into molecular pathways, which significantly enhanced my understanding of their impact on cells and organisms. The faculty were supportive, with a positive and respectful attitude that created a good learning environment. The final semester's lab work was highly valuable and I learned a lot.
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