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NUFYP program

Program Overview

Nazarbayev University Foundation Year Program is a one-year, academic preparatory program designed to help students gain academic knowledge while developing study skills and the maturity required to commence successful undergraduate study at NU. Students will enlarge their educational background, enhance their study strategies, and improve academic skills. They will also foster life skills, such as, working with integrity, developing time management, and practicing goal-oriented decision making.

In NUFYP the students focus on English for Academic Purposes, Mathematics, and Leadership—academic skills and personal development.

NUFYP Program

The Program that puts you on the fast track to university success!

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NUFYP duration

Duration of the program is one academic year
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Regular Entry Requirements

English Language Requirement
IELTS: 5.5
Writing & Reading: 5.5
Listening & Speaking: 5.0
or TOEFL iBT equivalent

Applicants must provide one of the following:
NUET
120 out of 240
Minimum 50 points per subject: Mathematics / Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Digital SAT / ACT
Digital SAT: 1140
ACT: 24
GPA or equivalent
3.5 out of 5.0
UNT in English
Overall: 75
Mathematical Literacy: 7 out of 10
Reading Literacy: 7 out of 10

Detailed Admission Requirements
Financial Aid and Scholarships
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Program outcome

The Program provides intensive personal development, study skills, mathematics, and academic language proficiency preparation for the undergraduate programs of Nazarbayev University.

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Mission

The mission of NUFYP is to prepare students to become independent learners who are proficient in English, qualified in mathematics, and equipped with transferable study skills in order to competently continue their education in undergraduate degree programs at NU.

NUFYP Program Learning Outcomes

1) Critically analyze and evaluate arguments, assumptions, and concepts from appropriate-level academic texts, presentations, and group discussions.

2) Express and support opinions and ideas clearly and respectfully in spoken and written English.

3) Solve quantitative problems appropriate for beginning undergraduate studies.

4) Practice academic integrity and know how to ask for academic support.

5) Apply decision-making principles and exercise judicious time management in pursuit of academic plans and personal goals.

6) Contribute to team projects employing interpersonal and leadership skills.

Student Support

Each year NUFYP organizes a Student Council which provides advice to CPS leadership, encourages and helps students with their academic studies, and arranges social events.

NUFYP students are encouraged to utilize NU’s Library, Sports Center, Health, Counseling, and Career and Advising resources according to the academic and personal needs of the individual student.

NUFYP has a Senior Teaching Fellow for Student Advising and a Student Affairs Manager both of whom work in conjunction with faculty and staff to fully support students’ academic progress and adjustment to NU life.

Course Outline

Here you can download Foundations of Leadership course outline.

Learning Outcomes of the Foundations of Leadership course

By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

● Read an article or text and demonstrate understanding by writing a short summary

or response and engaging in class discussions.

● Use appropriate written and oral communications in English in classroom activities

and in faculty interactions.

● Practice academic integrity.

● Select and use a time management tool to plan academic and extracurricular

activities, manage a class schedule, and meet assignment deadlines.

● Maintain a reflective journal chronicling academic and personal development.

● Demonstrate knowledge of where and how to receive assistance for academic and

personal support.

Teaching and Assessment statement

Teaching overview

The Foundations of Leadership course is designed to equip students with essential

personal and academic skills to develop into successful university students who are

ready for fulfilling lives and careers. The course is structured to foster both theoretical

understanding and hands-on experience, ensuring rigorous assessment throughout the

course.

Our teaching methodology is a blend of flipped learning, lectures and seminars to

provide a comprehensive learning experience. Flipped learning and lectures are

designed to introduce students to key relevant concepts, theories, and models. These

sessions are foundational, offering the necessary academic knowledge relevant to the

field of leadership and academic progress. Seminars, on the other hand, are more

interactive and practice-oriented. They focus on the development of academic and

leadership skills crucial for students’ overall progress. During seminars, students

engage in peer/group discussions, case studies, presentations and other activities that

enhance their academic competencies and leadership skills. Academic integrity is a vital

part of the course and we ensure that students understand the importance of honesty,

responsibility and ethical behavior in their academic work and student projects.

Assessment overview

Assessments in this course are designed to evaluate both theoretical knowledge and

practical skills, ensuring a well-rounded approach to learning. Students are assessed

through various methods, including academic exams, quizzes, written assignments,

reflective journal entries, and the submission of group projects. Detailed instructions and

rubrics for each assessment task are provided well in advance, allowing students to

understand expectations and prepare accordingly. Additionally, active participation in all

course activities is essential for students to achieve full marks and demonstrate their

engagement with the material.

In the Foundations of Leadership course, students are offered a variety of experiential
learning opportunities that go beyond traditional classroom activities. These
opportunities are designed to apply leadership theories and concepts to real-world
contexts and enhance students` personal and academic growth.

Student Projects: As part of the course, students work on projects that address social
issues within the community. These projects often involve collaboration with external
organizations, such as education centers, shelters, clinics, and orphanages, where
students participate in activities like organizing donation drives, raising awareness, and
providing hands-on assistance. This practical application of leadership not only benefits
the community but also allows students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and
teamwork skills.

Guest Interviews: During their projects, students have the opportunity to interview
selected experts in various fields. These interviews provide valuable insights into
different leadership styles and practices, enabling students to connect course concepts
with real-life leadership experiences. Engaging with professionals also allows students
to expand their network and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and
opportunities in their fields of interest.

Guest Lectures: Throughout the course, with the support of Leadership Instructors,
students organize various guest lectures delivered by industry professionals and
leadership experts. These guest speakers bring diverse perspectives and real-world
insights that complement the theoretical knowledge covered in class. They provide
students with a broader understanding of leadership in different contexts and industries,
helping them connect course material with practical applications. These lectures also
offer a platform for students to ask questions, seek advice, and network with
professionals who can inspire their leadership journey.

Site Visits: Students are encouraged to visit relevant sites, such as education and
community centers, clinics, shelters etc., to gain firsthand experience of the
environments they are aiming to improve. These visits help students contextualize their
projects and better understand the impact of their work. Additionally, site visits offer a
unique learning opportunity where students can observe leadership in action and reflect
on their own leadership development.

Public Speaking Practice Through Filming: During their projects, with the support of
their Leadership Instructors students also work on filming their presentations. This
activity allows them to practice public speaking in front of a camera, using different
types of technology, honing their communication and presentation skills. The
opportunity to engage in presenting and reviewing/editing their recordings enables
students to critically assess and improve their delivery, technical skills, enhancing their
confidence and effectiveness as public speakers.

These hands-on learning opportunities are integral to the course, providing students
with the chance to apply their knowledge, develop leadership competencies, and make
a positive impact on society. By participating in these activities, students gain practical
experience that complements their academic learning and prepares them for future
academic studies and leadership roles.

Accredited status
Since 2019, NU has been an institutional member of BALEAP. In February 2020, the "English for Academic Purposes" course of NU's Foundation Year Program was first accredited by the association. It's noteworthy that NU is the first university in the CIS countries to receive this accreditation, confirming the high quality of the Center for Preparatory Studies' Foundation Year Program.

Course Outline

Here you can download the EAP course outline.

Academic Writing
FEAP 020 Academic Writing aims to prepare students for the academic writing
demands of undergraduate study. Key skills in Semester Two include forming and
expressing arguments using academic conventions.

Academic Writing Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding
When students have successfully completed (FEAP 020) Academic Writing, they will
have knowledge and understanding of:

Academic integrity especially with respect to plagiarism and collusion.
Developing and writing academic arguments.

Academic Skills
When students have successfully completed (FEAP 020) Academic Writing, they will
be able to:

Locate relevant and appropriate academic sources.
Plan a secondary research paper at according to specific
guidelines.
Follow a referencing system to cite sources and create a reference list.
Paraphrase and summarise the work of others.
Critically evaluate sources and draw conclusions from them.
Synthesise information from multiple sources for use as supporting evidence.
Form and express arguments following academic conventions.
Communicate specialist information effectively in writing to educated non-specialist audiences.
Use feedback effectively to modify written work.
Work independently on a research project.
Use appropriate lexis and grammatical structures to communicate an academic argument.

Academic Reading
(FEAP 020) Academic Reading aims to prepare students for the academic reading
demands of undergraduate study. Key skills developed in Semester Two include
identifying the author’s tone and making inferences, as well as critical evaluation of a
text.

Academic Reading Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding
When students have successfully completed (FEAP 020) Academic Reading, they will
have knowledge and understanding of:

A range of reading strategies to read a variety of texts for various purposes.
A broad academic reading vocabulary to enable students to read with a greater degree of independence.

Academic Skills
When students have successfully completed (FEAP 020) Academic Reading, they will
be able to:

Skim and scan academic materials to develop a sense of a text’s scope and emerging meaning.
Determine the author`s purpose, intended audience, and tone.
Recognise and understand a work’s thesis and the methods of organisation used to support the thesis.
Critically evaluate the evidence presented in a text.
Display an understanding of the text by answering comprehension questions about the relationship between sentences, references, details of the text, and inferences which can be made from the text.
Identify key vocabulary in a text and use strategies to determine the meaning of the vocabulary in context.

Academic Listening and Speaking
(FEAP 020) Academic Listening and Speaking aims to develop the core skills needed as
an undergraduate. In this regard, students focus on listening and notetaking
strategies, and in this semester, give an oral defence of a research paper.

Academic Listening Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding
When students have successfully completed the (FEAP 020) Academic Listening,
they will have basic knowledge and understanding of:

A range of listening and notetaking strategies to listen and record information from a wide range of text types.
How to critically discuss ideas delivered in academic contexts through various media.

Academic Skills
When students have successfully completed (FEAP 020) Academic Listening, they
will be able to:

Use background knowledge to predict the content of listening texts.
Listen, take notes and review them more effectively in academic contexts.
Summarise and paraphrase the ideas of lectures into coherent and well- developed notes.
Recognise lecture language that signals citations, definitions, emphasis, and digressions.
Recognise a speaker’s tone and critically evaluate ideas presented in academic lectures.
Use details, word choice and tone to draw conclusions about the intended message.
Communicate their ideas effectively in an academic setting.
Lead and take part in discussions and debates more effectively.

Research Project Viva
The Viva provides the opportunity for students to discuss their Research Project at
length with two tutors. The student first provides a short summary of three to four
minutes of their Research Project, before engaging in a 15-minute discussion of the
research process and the contents of their Research Project.

Viva Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding
When students have successfully completed the Viva examination they will have
basic knowledge and understanding of:

How to describe their work in an academic setting.
How to engage in academic discussion about their work.

Academic Skills
When students have successfully completed the Viva examination they will be able
to:

Give a short oral summary of an academic project following academic conventions
Summarise and paraphrase evidence from sources to defend an argument.
Use appropriate lexis, pronunciation features, and grammatical structures to communicate an academic argument..
Display an understanding of their research, sources, and the research process by responding appropriately to questions.
Refer appropriately to sources following academic conventions.