Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics at Nazarbayev University is a four-year, 242 ECTS research-intensive doctoral programme designed to prepare independent researchers, university educators and advanced mathematical professionals.

The programme combines a focused foundation in advanced mathematics and research methodology with extensive independent doctoral research. Its curriculum places research at the centre of the doctoral experience, with 204 ECTS dedicated to the Doctoral Thesis, enabling students to develop an original contribution to mathematical knowledge.

Students are trained by highly qualified, internationally experienced faculty and are exposed to advanced and interdisciplinary research connecting mathematics with areas such as engineering, computer science, probability and statistics, mathematical finance, optimization, machine learning and computational science. The programme aims not only to advance fundamental mathematical research but also to bridge mathematics with engineering and other disciplines.

Through advanced coursework, individual supervision, research seminars, scientific writing, teaching experience and doctoral thesis research, students develop the ability to independently identify significant research problems, critically evaluate scientific literature, design rigorous research, communicate their findings and contribute original knowledge to their field.
General information
  • Campus: Astana, Kazakhstan
  • Language: English
  • Delivery mode: Full-time, on-campus
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Total ECTS credits: 242
Program Aims
  1. To produce a new breed and future generation of mathematics-based researchers, teachers, and professionals, who can self-learn and promote excellence.
  2. To facilitate fundamental research activities, increase research productivity and impact, and, hence, promote the scholarship of the mathematics faculty, with the support from graduate students.
  3. To foster interdisciplinary research within the Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, and beyond.
  4. To bridge the gaps between mathematical sciences, engineering, and other areas.
  5. To provide instructions on more focused areas required by advanced mathematicians and by non-mathematical graduate programs.
Key Advantages
  • Research-Intensive Doctoral Training
    Develop the expertise to design and conduct independent, rigorous and original mathematical research. The programme places research at its core, with 204 ECTS dedicated to the Doctoral Thesis, allowing students to focus extensively on developing a significant contribution to their chosen field.
    1
  • Advanced Pure & Applied Mathematics
    Pursue advanced study and research across a broad spectrum of mathematics, including analysis, partial differential equations, algebra, topology, probability, stochastic processes, statistical learning, optimization, mathematical finance, numerical methods and interdisciplinary applications. Faculty expertise also connects mathematics with machine learning, theoretical computer science, mathematical biology and engineering.
    2
  • Flexible Research-Aligned Electives
    Shape your doctoral studies around your research interests. Students select two advanced Level-8 electives, with options ranging from Functional Analysis and Abstract Algebra to Statistical Learning, Probability Theory, Mathematical Finance, Operations Research and advanced numerical methods. Elective selection is aligned with the student's research topic and supervisory guidance.
    3
  • Individual Academic Supervision
    Work closely with a primary supervisor and co-supervisor throughout your doctoral research. The co-supervisor may come from Mathematics, another department or school at NU, or another university in Kazakhstan, providing complementary expertise for interdisciplinary research. Students and supervisors also establish an Advisory Committee to support progress toward the dissertation.
    4
  • Research, Conferences & International Networking
    Build your international research profile through conference participation, publications, academic networking and opportunities for research internships abroad. Faculty and thesis committee members also support students in defining research and career goals and preparing for professional and academic opportunities.
    5
  • Publication & Academic Career Development
    Develop a strong scholarly profile through research publications, presentations, peer review and university-level teaching. Students complete two Graduate Teaching Assistant appointments, and before submitting the thesis for examination must provide evidence of at least one original research paper published, accepted or in press in a Q1/Q2 journal indexed in Scopus and/or Web of Science.
    6
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the contemporary research literature in Mathematics, to a level allowing effective professional communication with international peers.
  2. Critically evaluate all major types of research in Mathematics.
  3. Identify appropriate research topics in mathematics, and formulate a reasonable estimate of their level of difficulty.
  4. Plan, conduct, analyze and communicate research in writing and verbally independently.
  5. Make an original contribution to the knowledge in their area of specialization.
  6. Explain their research and research findings to others both orally and in written form.
  7. Articulate in detail how their research relates to the broader field of knowledge in their discipline.
  8. Disseminate their research findings and to develop their academic/scholarly career through presentations, publications, and national and international networking.
  9. Skillfully teach in mathematics at the university level in English.
What Will You Learn?
  • Independent Mathematical Research Design & Methodology
    Learn to identify significant mathematical research problems, formulate research questions, select appropriate methodologies, construct rigorous arguments and conduct original independent research leading to new knowledge.
  • Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature
    Develop the ability to systematically review, analyse and critically evaluate contemporary mathematical research, identify research gaps and position your own work within the broader international research landscape.
  • Advanced Mathematical Theory & Proof
    Develop rigorous mathematical reasoning through advanced study of areas such as real and functional analysis, algebra, differential equations, probability and other specialized mathematical topics, strengthening your ability to construct proofs and solve complex theoretical problems.
  • Computational, Statistical & Applied Mathematics
    Depending on your specialization, develop expertise in statistical learning, advanced statistical programming, numerical methods, optimization, mathematical finance and computational approaches to mathematical problems.
  • Scientific Communication, Ethics & Publication
    Learn to communicate advanced research through scientific papers, presentations, research reports and a doctoral dissertation while applying ethical principles relating to research practice, data management, intellectual property, plagiarism and scientific integrity.
  • University Teaching & Academic Development
    Develop experience in teaching mathematics at university level in English, communicating complex mathematical concepts and building an academic profile through publications, presentations and national and international research networks. The programme learning outcomes explicitly include university-level mathematics teaching.
Research Areas
Analysis & Partial Differential Equations
Harmonic analysis, functional analysis, nonlinear and advanced partial differential equations, spectral methods and related areas.
Algebra, Topology & Mathematical Structures
Abstract and commutative algebra, representation theory, low-dimensional topology, symplectic topology and related mathematical structures.
Probability, Stochastic Processes & Mathematical Physics
Probability theory, stochastic processes, applied probability and connections between probability and mathematical physics.
Optimization, Operations Research & Mathematical Finance
Optimal control, deterministic and stochastic optimization, operations research, stochastic calculus, mathematical finance and quantitative modelling.
Statistical Learning, Machine Learning & Theoretical Computing
Statistical learning, machine-learning theory, mathematical foundations of AI, theoretical computer science and computational approaches to data-driven problems.
Dynamical Systems, Mathematical Biology & Computational Mathematics
Differential equations, dynamical systems, chaos, mathematical biology, neural networks, numerical methods, computational modelling and applications in science and engineering.
Curriculum
Electives
  • MATH 702 – Functional Analysis with Applications
    MATH 711 – Abstract Algebra
    MATH 721 – Nonlinear Differential Equations with Applications
    MATH 722 – Advanced Partial Differential Equations
    MATH 740 – Advanced Statistical Learning
  • MATH 742 – Advanced Statistical Programming
    MATH 751 – Probability Theory
    MATH 761 – Mathematical Finance
    MATH 771 – Operations Research
    MATH 776 – Advanced Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
Core modules
The list of core modules
Elective Courses
Where do our graduates work?
  • Career opportunities
    • University Faculty / Assistant Professor
    • Postdoctoral Researcher
    • Research Mathematician / Mathematical Scientist
    • Quantitative Researcher / Quantitative Analyst
    • Data Scientist / Statistical Scientist
    • Machine Learning / AI Researcher
    • Operations Research / Optimization Scientist
    • Mathematical Finance / Risk Modelling Specialist
    • Computational Scientist / Numerical Analyst
    • Research & Development Specialist
    • Government / Public-Sector Research Specialist
    • Technology & Innovation Specialist
  • Industries & Sectors
    • Universities & Higher Education
    • Research Institutes & R&D Laboratories
    • Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
    • Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
    • Technology & Software
    • Engineering & Computational Modelling
    • Consulting & Advanced Analytics
    • Government & Public-Sector Research
    • Innovation & Technology Start-ups
    • International Research Organizations
Admissions & Apply now

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53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave
Astana city, Republic of Kazakhstan