National University of Mongolia Scholarship

Overview

The National University of Mongolia (NUM) is Mongolia's largest public research university, based in Ulaanbaatar. It offers several scholarship programmes for domestic and international students across bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels. The most competitive award goes to students who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in an international or national academic competition — they receive a stipend covering 50 to 100 percent of tuition fees. NUM also runs separate merit-based and need-based awards for admitted students who don't hold competition results. International tuition starts at around USD 2,500 per year, billed in Mongolian togrog (MNT). Once you're enrolled, NUM can also help you access Erasmus Mundus and Fulbright programme opportunities.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding body	National University of Mongolia
Host country	Mongolia
Degree levels	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Award value	50–100% tuition stipend for competition winners; separate merit and need-based awards also available
Currency	MNT (international tuition from approx. USD 2,500/year)
Eligible nationalities	All
Application portal	registration.num.edu.mn
Contact	foreignadmission@num.edu.mn / 7730 7730 ext 1342

Eligibility Criteria

Competition-placement award

• You must have placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a recognized international or national academic competition.
• You must be admitted to a NUM programme at bachelor's, master's, or PhD level.
• No nationality restriction applies.

Merit and need-based awards

• You must be admitted to NUM, including as a foreign citizen.
• Merit awards are based on your academic record from previous study.
• Need-based awards require evidence of financial circumstances.
• Specific criteria and quotas are published each intake cycle.

General requirements

• You apply through the NUM foreign-citizens admission portal.
• Your academic documents must meet NUM's authentication standards.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A tuition stipend of 50 to 100 percent for competition-placement award winners, depending on placement rank and the competition recognized
• Partial tuition reduction or fee support for merit and need-based award recipients
• Access to Erasmus Mundus and Fulbright programme coordination once you're enrolled at NUM

How to Apply

1. Visit registration.num.edu.mn and review available programmes for your target intake.
2. Create an account on the NUM foreign-citizens admission portal.
3. Complete the application form for your chosen degree programme.
4. Upload all required documents, including academic records and a valid passport copy.
5. If you're applying for the competition-placement award, attach official proof of your competition result — a certificate, ranking letter, or equivalent document.
6. Submit your application before the intake deadline: May 1–July 1 for Fall or October 1–December 1 for Spring.
7. Monitor your email for admission and scholarship decisions.
8. Contact foreignadmission@num.edu.mn or call 7730 7730 ext 1342 if you need clarification at any stage.

Required Documents

• Completed application form (submitted via the NUM foreign-citizens portal)
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates from all previous institutions (apostilled or notarised)
• Valid passport copy
• Proof of academic competition placement — certificate, ranking letter, or official result document (for competition-placement award applicants)
• Language proficiency evidence if your programme requires it
• Medical certificate or health clearance document
• Passport-size photographs (number and format specified on the portal)

Key Dates & Deadlines

NUM runs two intakes per year. The Fall intake (Semester 1) accepts applications from May 1 to July 1. The Spring intake (Semester 2) accepts applications from October 1 to December 1. Scholarship consideration happens as part of the admission process — there's no separate scholarship application window. Submit your full application, including any competition certificates, within the relevant intake period.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Official certificates documenting your competition placement are the strongest supporting material for the top-tier award — gather these before you apply.
• Accurate, complete transcripts from every institution you've attended reduce processing delays and avoid flags for missing records.
• Contacting the foreign admissions office before the deadline to confirm your document format is accepted can prevent last-minute problems.
• For merit awards, a strong GPA relative to your previous institution's grading scale gives your application more weight.
• If you're targeting a master's or PhD, identifying a potential supervisor at NUM before you apply gives your research statement more focus.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting documents that are not properly notarised or apostilled — NUM won't process applications with unverified academic records.
• Applying outside the intake window and expecting the same scholarship consideration, since awards are tied to admission cohorts.
• Failing to declare competition results in your application — there's no separate competition award form, so you must flag this in your admission application.
• Assuming the scholarship covers living costs — the award applies to tuition only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the National University of Mongolia Scholarship?

Any student admitted to NUM can be considered for merit or need-based awards. The competition-placement award is specifically for students who finished 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a recognized international or national academic competition. There are no nationality restrictions, so foreign citizens are eligible on the same basis as Mongolian students.

Does the National University of Mongolia Scholarship cover living expenses?

No. The scholarship is a tuition stipend. It reduces or eliminates your tuition fee but doesn't cover accommodation, food, or other daily costs. You'll need to budget separately for living expenses in Ulaanbaatar.

How much of my tuition does the National University of Mongolia Scholarship cover?

The competition-placement award covers 50 to 100 percent of your tuition fee, depending on your placement and the prestige of the competition. Merit and need-based awards may cover a smaller share. Exact amounts are confirmed when you receive your admission offer.

What competitions qualify for the National University of Mongolia competition-placement award?

NUM's policy references international and national academic competitions but doesn't publish an exhaustive approved list. To confirm whether a specific competition qualifies, contact foreignadmission@num.edu.mn with details of the event before you apply.

Can I apply for both the competition award and a need-based award at the same time?

The awards serve different criteria. Declare all relevant information in your application and contact the admissions office to confirm whether combining awards is possible in your case, since this can depend on NUM's policy for your specific intake year.

Is there a language requirement for the National University of Mongolia Scholarship?

The language requirement depends on your chosen programme. Some programmes are taught in Mongolian, others in English or Russian. Check the language of instruction for your specific programme and provide the relevant proficiency evidence if it's required.

What is the tuition fee for international students at NUM?

International student tuition at NUM starts at approximately USD 2,500 per year, billed in Mongolian togrog (MNT). The amount varies by programme level and field of study. Confirm the current fee schedule with the admissions office when you apply.

Does NUM help enrolled students access Erasmus Mundus or Fulbright funding?

Yes. Once you're enrolled at NUM, the university can help you identify and apply for Erasmus Mundus and Fulbright opportunities. These are separate programmes with their own eligibility criteria and application processes. Enrollment at NUM is the prerequisite.

How long does it take to receive a decision on the National University of Mongolia Scholarship?

Scholarship decisions are made alongside admission decisions. You should hear back within a few weeks of the intake window closing. The admissions office can give you a more specific timeline if you contact them after submitting your application.

Can I apply if I'm already enrolled at another university?

The scholarship is tied to admission at NUM. If you want to transfer or enroll as a new student, you go through the standard admission process. There's no standalone scholarship for students currently at other institutions.

Is there a service obligation attached to the National University of Mongolia Scholarship?

NUM's published information doesn't state a service bond for these awards. Confirm the current terms with the admissions office when you receive your offer, since conditions can change between intake cycles.

What happens if I withdraw from my programme after receiving the scholarship?

This depends on the terms of your specific award. Contact the foreign admissions office immediately if your circumstances change after accepting a scholarship. NUM will advise you on whether any portion of the tuition reduction needs to be repaid.