SAS offers Bachelor’s degree programmes across four majors at two residential campuses. The Naryn campus offers four-year programmes, entering students directly into the first year of their degree. The Khorog campus offers five-year programmes that begin with a Preparatory Year, including English, mathematics and science courses, designed to build the foundational skills that allow students to succeed in a rigorous, English-language academic environment to international standards. Programmes at both campuses have been developed in partnership with world-class institutions: the University of Toronto (Computer Science), the University of British Columbia (Earth and Environmental Sciences), the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the Stockholm School of Economics (Global Economics), and the University of Technology Sydney (Communications and Media).
UCA is committed to attracting the most talented individuals from its founding states and beyond, with merit-based admissions and a strong focus on academic integrity and critical thinking.
UCA graduates have been admitted – several on full scholarships – to internationally recognised universities including Brown University, Oxford, Brown, Duke, the University of Michigan, University of Toronto, Simon Fraser University and the National University of Singapore.
Whether you want to find ways to protect the unique resources of Central Asia and improve its environmental practices, or aspire to be the next passionate chronicler and storyteller of the region, an outstanding educational experience awaits you at the University of Central Asia (UCA).
Apply to UCAUCA’s five-year undergraduate programme begins with a Preparatory Programme that includes English, mathematics, and science courses designed to build foundational skills and knowledge that allows students to succeed in a rigorous, English-language academic environment with international standards.
At UCA, students have an opportunity to graduate with any of the four chosen majors. The language of instruction for undergraduate programmes is exclusively English. You can attend any of the University's two residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, or Khorog, Tajikistan, depending on the major you select. Through UCA’s Co-operative Education Programme, you will also have the opportunity to gain work experience through internships with leading companies.
In cases of exceptional academic and extra-curricular achievements, students may be eligible and recommended by the Selection Committee for direct enrolment to the Freshman year, provided they pass a pre-calculus test after admission.
As part of UCA’s structured five-year undergraduate programme, students complete an intensive, cross-disciplinary preparatory programme year, with liberal arts and prerequisite courses developed in partnership with Seneca College in Toronto, Canada.
UCA’s curriculum is developed in partnership with:
Students benefit from unprecedented access to research experts, facilities, and data from UCA's established research institutes and learning centres. These complement their academic programmes and provide them with unique learning and research opportunities; joint publications with leading scholars; preparation for graduate work; exposure to leading scholars from around the world; the use of scientific methods across disciplines; and knowledge creation.
UCA's Co-operative Education Programme is a work-integrated learning programme where students apply in-class learning to real-life professional experiences within their field of study across private, public, and community-based sectors. It offers paid and unpaid internships and prepares students for both academic and career success beyond the university’s walls. UCA's Co-op Programme has been developed in partnership with the University of Victoria, Canada.
The programme is mandatory for UCA undergraduate students. It is an innovative immersion initiative that creates opportunities for students to experience the working world, domestically and internationally, via structured job placements in three consecutive summers during their five-year university education. Learning takes place throughout the process, from seeking employment, to learning valuable interpersonal skills and on the job training, as well as participating in field studies and jointly conducting student development evaluations. Learn more about the programme.
"Pursuing a major at UCA is unforgettable. I had a remarkable opportunity to study at both campuses and learnt about the diverse cultures of Kyrgyzstan and Badakhshan. Over the summer, I had a wonderful internship working at USAID in Monitoring and Evaluation. I was exposed to the real world, and learnt a lot about business ethics, data science, and data collection."
Ozar Aini, Computer Science, Alumnus, Class of 2021
"Whilst the field is very vast, the CM programme at UCA allows you to gain skills across its many specters with a particular focus on your interest area. My favorite part about our flexible curriculum was that the course I was excited to take [Political Communication] was developed and incorporated by my request."
Suyuna Dadybaeva, Communications and Media, Alumna, Class of 2021
"The four remarkable years I spent at UCA transformed my understanding of the world. It enabled me to have an educated outlook on global issues. I believe that all the challenging yet rewarding experiences I had and the skills I acquired during this journey will help me take on any challenge in life with confidence."
Uzma Khan, Global Economics, Alumna, Class of 2021
"At UCA, I learned how nature and human beings are deeply inter-connected. Starting from the preparatory year, I gradually developed the understanding of how natural resources can be mobilized for easy access. UCA has laid a solid foundation to further develop my professional career."
Muybalikhon Jumakhonov, Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES), Alumnus, Class of 2021
