Uniting Mountain Societies Through Global Excellence
University of Central Asia
UCA is Central Asia's newest and most innovative university. We are looking for leaders. We want students who excel at academics and are passionate about learning both inside and outside the classroom. We are interested in who you are and in your potential to make a difference in your community and the world.
"By creating intellectual space and resources, this University will help turn the mountains that divide the nations and territories of Central Asia into the links that unite its peoples and economies in a shared endeavour to improve their future well-being."
– UCA Chancellor,
His Highness the Aga Khan
– UCA Chancellor,
His Highness the Aga Khan
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What is UCA?
UCA is Central Asia's newest and most innovative university.
UCA is:
UCA is:
- Central Asia's first regional university with three residential campuses in three countries.
- Designed to provide a high quality education based on international partnerships, committed and qualified faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.
- Committed to fostering international standards and Central Asian talent.
- A fully residential, English-language educational experience.
- A mountain research university located in and focussed on mountain communities of the region.
- A public-private partnership between the governments of Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan and His Highness the Aga Khan.
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Why are UCA Campuses Located in Naryn, Khorog & Tekeli?
A Full University Experience:
A university education is not simply about enrolling in and attending classes. The best universities in the world offer a fully residential experience in which you live with fellow students and your faculty in a learning environment that begins when you wake up and ends when you go to sleep.
Unlocking the Potential of Central Asia's Mountains:
Central Asia's mountains are the region's biggest challenge and certainly, its biggest asset. UCA is committed to helping young Central Asians get an education that will enable them to develop innovative ideas to sustainably unlock the potential of the region's mountains and create value for generations to come. By locating our campuses in mountain communities, UCA will be at the centre of an intellectual and economic transformation driven by graduates who will convert the region's many challenges into key assets and make Central Asia a vibrant and developed region.
A university education is not simply about enrolling in and attending classes. The best universities in the world offer a fully residential experience in which you live with fellow students and your faculty in a learning environment that begins when you wake up and ends when you go to sleep.
Unlocking the Potential of Central Asia's Mountains:
Central Asia's mountains are the region's biggest challenge and certainly, its biggest asset. UCA is committed to helping young Central Asians get an education that will enable them to develop innovative ideas to sustainably unlock the potential of the region's mountains and create value for generations to come. By locating our campuses in mountain communities, UCA will be at the centre of an intellectual and economic transformation driven by graduates who will convert the region's many challenges into key assets and make Central Asia a vibrant and developed region.
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Why Choose UCA?
UCA offers the best and brightest of Central Asia a unique educational opportunity:
- Global Curriculum Development Partners
- English Language Education
- World-class liberal arts and discipline based learning
- An undergraduate degree qualifying you for top graduate programmes
- Highly Ranked Global Faculty
- Relevant majors and minors ensuring you are industry ready
- Projects and internships giving you the equivalent of one full year of work experience
- State-of-the-art Facilities
- Vibrant campus and residential communities
- Generous financial aid and scholarships.
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Student Life & Facilities
UCA's first campus will open in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic in September 2016, followed by campuses in Khorog, Tajikistan (2017) and Tekeli, Kazakhstan (anticipated in 2019).
UCA's Naryn Campus is located on the banks of the Naryn River, with easy access to Naryn Town. The master plan and concept design for all campuses were conceived by award-winning Japanese architecture firm Arata Isozaki & Associates.
Campus life at UCA will support academic life and provide opportunities for community service, sports and recreation, cultural exchange and the development of responsible citizenship and leadership skills.
UCA's Naryn Campus is located on the banks of the Naryn River, with easy access to Naryn Town. The master plan and concept design for all campuses were conceived by award-winning Japanese architecture firm Arata Isozaki & Associates.
Campus life at UCA will support academic life and provide opportunities for community service, sports and recreation, cultural exchange and the development of responsible citizenship and leadership skills.
Sofisticated
Each UCA campus will have state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and libraries.
Campuses will offer international standard sports facilities, including FIFA-approved football fields, tennis courts, fitness clubs and gymnasiums for basketball and racquet sports.
Campuses will offer international standard sports facilities, including FIFA-approved football fields, tennis courts, fitness clubs and gymnasiums for basketball and racquet sports.
Secured
Secure dormitories will have inviting common areas, including games rooms, entertainment lounges and music facilities.
Enjoy sheltered walkways, automatic lighting and secure facilities.
Enjoy sheltered walkways, automatic lighting and secure facilities.
Efficient
You will have 100% Internet connectivity across campuses. You will live in modular rooms that you and your roommate can configure for privacy, depending on your preferences.
Campus libraries will be tailored to support your learning interests and needs.
Campus libraries will be tailored to support your learning interests and needs.
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Undergraduate Programme
UCA offers a structured five-year undergraduate programme, including:
You can attend any of the University's three residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic (opening in 2016); Khorog, Tajikistan (2017); and Tekeli, Kazakhstan (2019), based on the major and minor you select.
You will graduate with either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS).
- Preparatory, cross-disciplinary, liberal arts and prerequisite courses;
- The choice of six specialisations or majors; and
- The choice of three minors.
You can attend any of the University's three residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic (opening in 2016); Khorog, Tajikistan (2017); and Tekeli, Kazakhstan (2019), based on the major and minor you select.
You will graduate with either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS).
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Learning @ UCA
UCA will create problem-solvers and leaders who are not limited by one particular approach. We want you to be able to:
Understand new information and master new skills from various fields; Discuss, debate, ask questions and collaborate to better understand information and transform it into learning;
Analyse and think about knowledge to evaluate its relevance and utility to your work, your community and the world at large; and
Recall and apply what is useful to motivate new ideas that lead to innovative solutions to new and age-old challenges in Central Asia.
Understand new information and master new skills from various fields; Discuss, debate, ask questions and collaborate to better understand information and transform it into learning;
Analyse and think about knowledge to evaluate its relevance and utility to your work, your community and the world at large; and
Recall and apply what is useful to motivate new ideas that lead to innovative solutions to new and age-old challenges in Central Asia.
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Preparatory Programme
In your first year of study in UCA's five-year undergraduate programme, all students enrol in the University's Preparatory Programme. The programme includes English, mathematics and science courses and is designed to ensure you have the necessary foundational skills and knowledge to succeed in a rigorous, English-language academic environment with international standards.
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Committed &
Qualified Faculty
Qualified Faculty
UCA's undergraduate programmes will be delivered by Central Asian and international faculty.
- Central Asian faculty will come from Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan.
- International and visiting faculty will come from Canada, China, Egypt, Europe, India, Iran, Korea, Russia, Turkey and the United States.
- Your faculty will be exceptionally qualified, with PhDs from recognised universities around the world and a proven track record of international success in teaching and research.
- Faculty will be committed to teaching and to building your knowledge and skills.
- Faculty will be engaged in dynamic research.
- Living on campus, UCA's faculty will be vital members of the campus community, serving as your mentors, counsellors and advisors, and accessible through formal and informal meetings.
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Career Opportunities
Trying to decide on a career? Want to ensure you have choices and are well-prepared? Ready to stand out? UCA's integrated majors and minors are designed just for you!
Your minor complements your major area of study, enriching your skill set and knowledge base, making you an all-rounded candidate for any future employer. For example, if you are a Computer Science major and you minor in Development Studies, you can work in international development, offering both IT skills and an understanding of development in Central Asia. If you major in Communications and Media and minor in Central Asian studies, you will be armed with the technical communications and media skills you need and a background in Central Asian cultures and history and important policy frameworks.
Your minor complements your major area of study, enriching your skill set and knowledge base, making you an all-rounded candidate for any future employer. For example, if you are a Computer Science major and you minor in Development Studies, you can work in international development, offering both IT skills and an understanding of development in Central Asia. If you major in Communications and Media and minor in Central Asian studies, you will be armed with the technical communications and media skills you need and a background in Central Asian cultures and history and important policy frameworks.
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How to Apply?
UCA Admissions in 3 Steps:
1. Application
Submit a UCA Application Form. Form will be available for download as of 15 January 2016 at www.ucentralasia.org/admissions
2. UCA Admission Test
If your application is successful, you will be notified by email and SMS and invited to take the UCA Admissions Test. Please check here: www.ucentralasia.org/admissions for test times and locations. You can only take the test at the location specified in your personal notification.
3. Interview & Supporting Documents
If you score competitively on the admissions test, you will be invited for a video interview and required to submit letters of recommendation, proof of completed courses and awards and documentation on extracurricular activities.
1. Application
Submit a UCA Application Form. Form will be available for download as of 15 January 2016 at www.ucentralasia.org/admissions
2. UCA Admission Test
If your application is successful, you will be notified by email and SMS and invited to take the UCA Admissions Test. Please check here: www.ucentralasia.org/admissions for test times and locations. You can only take the test at the location specified in your personal notification.
3. Interview & Supporting Documents
If you score competitively on the admissions test, you will be invited for a video interview and required to submit letters of recommendation, proof of completed courses and awards and documentation on extracurricular activities.
More information is available on our web site
