FAQ

1.Is the PhD program taught in Kazakh or Russian?

No. The PhD program is taught  in English.

2. Are entrance examinations or a comprehensive test required for admission?

Comprehensive test scores are not considered for admission to UMC.

Applicants must submit a standardized English language proficiency test score (IELTS/TOEFL), unless they have previously completed a degree taught in English.

For PhD admission, the Admissions Committee evaluates the complete application package, considering all components:

• Statement of Purpose (500 words)
• Research Proposal (2,000 words)
• Academic transcript with grades in relevant subjects
• Two letters of recommendation (issued within the last 12 months)
• Letter of acceptance from a prospective supervisor
• Supporting documents (if applicable): grants, awards, conference participation, publications
• Interview performance

3. What is the application process?

1. Review the admission requirements and prepare the required documents.
2. Register on the online portal admissions.umc.org.kz within the stated deadlines and upload your documents.
3. Attend an interview with the Admissions Committee (conducted in English).

4.When can I apply, and what are the deadlines?

PhD application deadlines are available in https://umc.org.kz/en/phd-program/admissions/

5. Is an IELTS certificate required at the application stage?

Yes, an IELTS certificate must be submitted as part of your application.

6. How is the interview conducted? What should I expect and how should I prepare?

The interview is held online or offline in English, and lasts at least 20 minutes. It typically covers:

• Your academic background and readiness for the program
• How your profile compares to other applicants
• Your personal goals and priorities
• Your knowledge of the medical field and the content of your Statement of Purpose
• Your motivation and potential for doctoral-level research

7. How long is the PhD program?

3 years.

8. When will I find out if I’ve been admitted?

Admission decisions will be sent to your email address, also you can check your application status online at admissions.umc.org.kz.

9. How do I choose a research topic?

We recommend visiting the UMC website (PhD program), checking faculty profiles and areas of research interest, then selecting a topic that aligns with them.

10. Are there specific requirements for the Statement of Purpose?

There are no fixed requirements, the content is up to you. Guidance is available on the website. The recommended length is up to one page, or approximately 500 words.

11. Is a notarized translation of documents required?

If a document already contains an English version, no translation is needed. Otherwise, a notarized translation is required.

12. Is the application fee refundable?

No. The application fee is non-refundable.

13. How can I check my application status?

Your application status will be available at admissions.umc.org.kz, go to the “Search Your Application” section, enter your IIN or passport number, and you will be able to check your status online. The final decision will also be sent to your email.

14. What should I do if I encounter an error during the application process?

Please send an email to phdadmissions@umc.org.kz  describing the issue, and include your IIN (for citizens of Kazakhstan) or passport number and your Applicant ID.

15. How many supervisors are assigned to a PhD student?

PhD students are supervised by at least two supervisors appointed from among holders of Doctor of Science, Candidate of Science, or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, one of whom must be an academic from a foreign university.

16. What are the requirements for the local and international supervisors of a PhD student?

Requirements for the Local Supervisor

1. Supervisory responsibility for doctoral dissertations is assigned to full-time faculty and staff of UMC who hold:
   1. a degree of Doctor of Science, Candidate of Science, or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD);
   2. at least three years of research and teaching experience;
   3. 5 (five) academic publications in field-relevant journals included in the KOKSON List of Scientific Publications, and at least 1 (one) article in an internationally peer-reviewed journal with an impact factor listed in JCR, or indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Science Citation Index, or Arts and Humanities Citation Index in Web of Science Core Collection, or with a CiteScore percentile of at least 35, or an H-index of 2 (two) or higher.
2. The local supervisor must be familiar with and conduct their supervisory activities in accordance with:
   1. the Laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Education” and “On Science and Technological Policy”;
   2. the Anti-Corruption Standard for Transparency and Openness in Higher and/or Postgraduate Education Institutions;
   3. the State Educational Standards of Postgraduate Education and other regulatory acts governing higher and postgraduate education in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3. The local supervisor must:
   1. be knowledgeable about the priority areas of scientific development in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
   2. be familiar with modern research methods and the latest global advances in their field;
   3. possess skills in conducting theoretical and experimental research;
   4. have proficiency in modern IT tools and software used for statistical data processing and analysis;
   5. have sufficient command of a foreign language to prepare academic publications, maintain scholarly contacts, and correspond independently with the student’s international supervisor;
   6. be fully proficient in the language of instruction in which the doctoral student writes their dissertation (English).

Requirements for the International Supervisor

1. International supervisors for PhD students are appointed from among leading academics at foreign universities and research institutions that are partner organizations of UMC under cooperation agreements.
2. Academics from CIS partner universities or research institutions who have prior experience working at a foreign institution that confers PhD degrees may also be appointed as international supervisors, provided they have supervised graduates at the Master’s and/or Candidate of Science level.
3. A person appointed as an international supervisor must have:
   1. a PhD, Doctor of Science, or equivalent degree in a field relevant to the student’s dissertation research;
   2. scholarly publications related to the student’s dissertation topic, including articles in internationally peer-reviewed journals indexed in Web of Science and Scopus;
   3. a permanent position at a foreign university or research institution that is actively engaged in research in the student’s area of specialization, and demonstrated experience in doctoral supervision.