Applicants to doctoral programs are advised to consult the admissions office of the higher education institution (HEI) prior to submitting their application for participation in the doctoral entrance examination.

(For more details, please visit: https://testcenter.kz/ru/postupayushchim-v-doktoranturu/priem-dokumentov-dlya-uchastiya-vo-vstupitelnom-ekzamene-v-doktoranturu/)

The admissions office of the HEI is responsible for:
  1. Providing consultations to applicants regarding the selection of the group of postgraduate educational programs;
  2. Familiarizing applicants with the procedure of the entrance examination;
  3. Organizing the acceptance and verification of applicants’ documents.

In accordance with the Standard Rules for Admission to Educational Organizations Implementing Postgraduate Education Programs, approved by Order No. 600 of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated October 31, 2018, applications for admission to doctoral programs at higher education institutions (HEIs) are accepted by the admissions committees of HEIs and through the information system of the National Testing Center.

When submitting an application, the applicant must indicate one HEI and one group of educational programs.

 

Application submission periods:
  • from July 3 to August 3 of the calendar year;
  • from October 28 to November 10 of the calendar year.

 

Entrance examinations are conducted within the following periods:
  • from August 4 to August 20 of the calendar year;
  • from November 19 to December 11 of the calendar year.

The certificate of the entrance examination conducted from August 4 to August 20 is valid until December 1 of the current calendar year.

The certificate of the entrance examination conducted from November 18 to December 11 is valid until March 1 of the following calendar year.

 

Enrollment in doctoral programs is carried out within the following periods:
  • from August 15 to August 28 of the calendar year;
  • from December 26 to January 10 of the calendar year.

 

Application Submission Procedure for Participation in the Comprehensive Testing (CT)
  • Visit the website app.testcenter.kz or download the UTO.KZ mobile application (via App Store or Google Play) and select the interface language.
  • Register in the application submission system using your email address (be sure to confirm your email via the message received from the National Testing Center).
  • Log in to the system using your username and password (do not delete the email containing your login credentials).
  • Enter your IIN and click the “Search” button (full name will be filled in automatically), then provide your contact phone number.
  • Go to the “Submit Application” section and select “Postgraduate Education (Doctoral Studies)”.
  • Choose the required type of examination.
  • Complete all required registration details.
  • Review and confirm your familiarization with the rules for conducting the entrance examination.
  • Review and confirm your acceptance of the public offer (terms and conditions).
  • Select a payment method and pay the examination fee.
  • After successfully completing all steps, the message “Application submitted successfully!” will be displayed.

 

Procedure for Editing a Submitted Application

If an applicant needs to make changes to a submitted application (such as changing the test city, the group of educational programs, or the language of the examination), they are allowed to do so until the application submission deadline (until August 3 or November 10).

After the application period closes, the selected group of educational programs cannot be changed.

 

Steps to edit an application:
  • Log in to your personal account;
  • Go to the “My History” section;
  • Open the application and click the “Edit Application” button;
  • Make the necessary changes;
  • After editing, click the “Save” button.

 

Procedure for Deleting a Submitted Application

In case an applicant decides to withdraw from participation in the entrance examination before the application deadline, they must delete their application through their personal account (until August 3 or November 10).

 

Steps to delete an application:
  • Log in to your personal account;
  • Go to the “My History” section;
  • Open the application and click the “Delete Application” button;
  • Confirm the deletion of the application.

 

List of Documents Required for Admission to Doctoral Studies

Applicants to doctoral programs must submit the following set of documents:

1. An application in free form;

2. A document on higher education (original, to be submitted to the admissions office);

3. An identity document (required for identification purposes);

4. An official certificate confirming proficiency in the state language (KAZTEST), issued by the National Testing Center (NCT), except for foreign citizens;

5. A certificate confirming proficiency in a foreign language:

For applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program:

English language proficiency:

  • International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic) – minimum score of 5.0;
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) – minimum score of 35;
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Program (TOEFL ITP) – minimum score of 417;
  • Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) – minimum score of 550;
  • Duolingo English Test – minimum score of 80.

German language proficiency:

  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, Level B1) – not lower than B1;
  • TestDaF (TDF, Level B1) – not lower than B1.

French language proficiency:

  • Test de Français International (TFI) – not lower than B1 in reading and listening sections;
  • Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française (DELF) – not lower than B1;
  • Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française (DALF) – not lower than B1;
  • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) – not lower than B1.

 

Additional Requirements and Documents for Admission to Doctoral Studies

Applicants must also comply with the following requirements and provide additional documents:

Applicants holding a Test of English as a Foreign Language Institutional Testing Program (TOEFL ITP) certificate are required to take additional English language testing prior to the doctoral entrance examination.

The authenticity and validity period of the submitted certificates are verified by the admissions committees of higher education institutions (HEIs).

6. A medical certificate in electronic format (form 075/u), approved by Order No. ҚР ДСМ-175/2020 of the Acting Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated October 30, 2020, “On approval of forms of medical records documentation and instructions for their completion” (registered in the Register of State Registration of Regulatory Legal Acts under No. 21579).

In cases of restrictive measures, a state of emergency, or emergency situations of social, natural, or man-made nature in a specific territory, the medical certificate shall be submitted directly to the educational institution once such measures are lifted;

7. A digital photograph sized 3×4 cm;

8. A copy of the employment record book, certified by the HR department (with an official stamp);

9. A list of scientific publications for the last 3 calendar years (if available);

10. A research proposal (research plan);

11. An essay;

12. For professional doctoral programs – a letter of recommendation from enterprises or organizations.

 

Final Assessment and Payment Procedure for Doctoral Admission (Professional Doctorate Program)

The final assessment for admission to a professional doctoral program is determined as the total score obtained by summing the results of:

  • the interview;
  • answers to examination questions relevant to the educational program group profile;
  • the presence of a letter of recommendation from enterprises or organizations.

 

Payment for Participation in the Entrance Examination

Payment for participation in the entrance examination must be completed during the online application submission within one hour.

Payment methods:

  • Via the Kaspi.kz mobile application by scanning a QR code;
  • Online payment using a bank card (Visa, MasterCard).
Date of last changes:
29.07.2026