Campus: Astana, Kazakhstan, NU School of Medicine building

Language: English

Delivery mode: Full-time, on-campus

Duration: 2 years

Total ECTS credit: 120

The focus of the Master's program in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation will be to deliver a curriculum that is compliant with international standards and trains health professionals in evidence-based practice. The program will therefore produce graduates who will be able to deliver services in diverse areas of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at par with international standards of care.

The Master's program in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation is designed for those who have completed an undergraduate degree in clinical or basic science (with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 based on a 4.0 scale or equivalent).

The structure of the Master in Sports and Rehabilitation program is set out to begin with the basics of human body functions, including metabolism and nutrition, as it related to exercise and fitness. The program imparts knowledge about the mechanics of the human body during exercise and injury. Students will be stimulated to think about the application of this knowledge towards improving athletic performance and rehabilitating an injury.

Program aims:

• Using world-class facilities in NU Athletic Center, train skilled academics and professionals in the field of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at a level of competence at par with international standards;
• With the help of a research-focused curriculum, promote critical and innovative thinking in the areas of exercise technology and injury rehabilitation;
• Elevate the professional standard of care in Sports Medicine and Injury Rehabilitation in Kazakhstan.

The Sports and Rehabilitation program graduates will be eligible to apply for a Ph.D. in Kazakhstan or abroad. The graduates will be able to work in the following areas:

• Rehabilitation
• Physiotherapy
• Sports training
• Fitness and strength consultation
• Physical education

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

• Apply knowledge of musculoskeletal physiology, metabolism, biomechanics, exercise physiology, injury prevention, psychology, and nutrition to Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
• Apply this knowledge to design exercise regimes to achieve optimal athletic performance.
• Strategize the best methods for the rehabilitation of injuries.
• Apply critical and analytical skills to research problems in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
• Analyze and communicate complex scientific information as it relates to Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
• Conduct scientific research in full accordance with ethical and professional standards.

Our program provides the graduates with many options either to continue their education both locally and internationally or get employed at different biomedical institutions:

• Research – Work in international laboratories and translational research centers studying molecular medicine.
• Health Service – Work in diagnostic laboratories and research units in hospitals or work as research associates developing biomedical innovations.
• Education – enter relevant PhD programs both at local universities in Kazakhstan and worldwide.

For example, graduates of the MMM program historically are very successful in entering PhD programs at various universities in Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and the US.

Possible future employers are:

• Universities and Research Institutes around the world
• Pharmaceutical and Biomedical industry (Pfizer, Merck, Sanofi, Roche, etc.)
• Translational centres
• Government
• Diagnostic laboratories

STEP 1. Create your personal account

Register on www.admissions.nu.edu.kz portal to create a Personal Account. Read the instructions about the application procedure given in your Personal account.

STEP 2. Complete your Application Form and attach the required documents

Fill out the application form and attach the required documents:

1. Scanned copy of a National ID card or passport;
2. Scanned copy of secondary school or higher education institution certificate (attestat/diploma) with final academic performance or certificate from the school (spravka) according to the sample in the personal account;
3. Motivation letter in English;
4. Valid copies of certificates. The results of standardized tests must be sent directly to the University through test administrators.

STEP 3. Pay an application fee

The application fee is paid online via your personal account with a bank card.

The application fee is 10 000 tenge and it is increased 3 times from the established amount when paid within the last two weeks before the first officially approved deadline and/or during the extension period for accepting applications for participation in the admission process. This amount is non-refundable.

Step 4. Finish the registration process

Finish the registration process by pressing the “Submit application” button. After submission applicants can’t change their applications.

Step 5. Upload IELTS/TOEFL certificates

Upload IELTS/TOEFL certificates in your personal account in the section "Upload IELTS/TOEFL" and fill up the required information about the certificate.

Further steps

Check your e-mail for notifications from the NU Admissions Department and your personal account to learn about your application status.

If you experience any difficulties with the registration or online application, please contact info_admissions@nu.edu.kz. Refer to your IIN and/or Applicant ID while sending us your requests.

Candidates applying to the Master in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation program are expected to have:

• an undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and a/or graduate degree (if applicable) 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;
• Candidates may be enrolled conditionally based on evidence from graduating university that the candidates have completed the educational program and the candidate expects formal issuance of final transcript and/or diploma by a certain date. In that case, the decision on enrollment shall prescribe the period of time within which the candidate shall provide the necessary documents to the University;
• a minimum CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 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 and Master in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation programs 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 overall IELTS test score of 6.5 or higher (with no sub-score less than 6.0 in each section) or the equivalent TOEFL score (except Home edition) as posted on the ETS website;

2. The absolute minimum requirement for an English language proficiency test report for admission to Nazarbayev University Zero Year of Master’s Programs is an overall IELTS test score of 5.5, with no more than one sub-score of 5.0, or the equivalent TOEFL scores (except Home edition) as posted in on the ETS website.

3. 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 Nazarbayev University.

• 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: Nazarbayev University. 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);
• Statement of purpose of 500 words or less;
• 075у medical certificate (for Kazakhstani candidates) or a similar medical certificate with indication of general health (for international candidates);
• A document stating the presence or absence of a criminal record;
• Consent of the candidate/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.

Important dates for those who are applying for the 2024-2025 academic year:

Deadline for online application:

• for International applicants – February 29, 2024 (13:00 / 01:00 p.m. Astana time);
• for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan – April 18, 2024 (13:00 Astana time).

Submission of IELTS/TOEFL results:

• for International applicants – March 15, 2024;
• for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan – May 3, 2024.

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 Zero Year of Graduate programs. The Admissions Committee has decided to recommend the candidate for the Zero Year of Graduate program. “Zero Year of Graduate programs” is a two-semester full-time program for candidates, who do not meet the language requirements for direct admission to Master’s programs, with intensive language, academic and research preparation for Master’s programs.

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.

Accepted Zero Year of Graduate programs admission offer. The status is assigned to candidates who received offer letter to Zero Year of Graduate program, 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.

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