As all programs are delivered in English, students are also able to pursue international study opportunities at leading partner universities through academic mobility programs. Alongside core disciplinary knowledge, the School aims to broaden students’ horizons by fostering creative and agile decision-making. It prepares graduates to seek new ideas and skills throughout their lives, integrate theory with practice, and succeed in their professional careers. Graduates of the School are in high demand in both local and international companies.
The mission of the School is to provide high-quality economics and management education aligned with international standards, with a focus on emerging-market contexts, sustainability, responsible management, and societal impact, fully consistent with CEEMAN values.
Academic Portfolio
The School of Social Sciences, Business, and Law at SDU University serves over 2,300 students across its diverse programmes. It comprises three departments: the Department of Social Sciences, the Department of Law, and the Department of Economics and Business.
At the undergraduate level, the School offers programmes in Applied Psychology, Journalism, and International Relations through the Department of Social Sciences; Applied Law, International Law, and Public Administration Law through the Department of Law; and Economics, Management, Finance, Accounting, and Digital Marketing through the Department of Economics and Business.
At the graduate level, students may pursue MSc programmes in Management, Project Management, Economics and Business Analytics, as well as advanced studies in social sciences and law, designed to develop research, analytical, and professional competencies. Professional and executive education is delivered through MBA and Executive MBA programmes in Management and Healthcare, tailored for managers and senior executives, with a strong emphasis on leadership, strategic decision-making, and applied problem-solving.
At the doctoral level, the School offers a PhD programme in Management focused on advanced research training and independent scholarship.
Through its broad interdisciplinary approach, the School equips students with critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills, preparing them for successful careers in local and international organisations.
Academic Staff and Teaching Capacity
The School is led by the Dean and supported by Heads of Departments for Social Sciences, Law, and Economics and Business. It employs 99 faculty members, including internationally and nationally recruited academics, the majority of whom hold PhD degrees.
Teaching across all levels is primarily delivered by local faculty, ensuring curricular continuity, institutional ownership, and alignment with the School’s academic standards. Selected courses integrate internationally benchmarked content and pedagogical approaches.
At the undergraduate and master’s levels, courses in economics, management, law, and social sciences are delivered by local instructors following curricula and teaching practices aligned with CERGE EI standards. The main instructor for each course is responsible for course design, delivery, and quality assurance. This structure strengthens analytical rigor, research methodology, and professional skills without establishing joint degree programmes or formal co-teaching arrangements.
Research, Impact, and Entrepreneurship
Research activities at the School are organised through thematic research centres that support faculty research, master’s and PhD supervision, and applied, policy-relevant projects.
Key centres include the Digital Finance, Cryptoassets and Blockchain Centre; the Health Policy and Governance Centre; and the Industrial and Regional Development Centre, all housed within the Department of Economics and Business.
In addition, the School hosts the German Law Research Centre and the IT Law Centre within the Department of Law, as well as the SDU Central Asian Research Center within the Department of Social Sciences. These centres enhance interdisciplinary research, foster international collaboration, and provide platforms for impactful projects addressing societal challenges.
The School’s Entrepreneurship Office strengthens the practice-oriented dimension of research and education by supporting student entrepreneurship, start-ups, and collaboration with industry, government, and civil society. This structure ensures that research contributes not only to academic advancement but also to real-world policy and business solutions.
Internationalisation and Quality Assurance
Internationalisation is embedded through English-medium instruction, academic mobility, and joint projects. The School participates in Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and the ORCA (Opening Research in Central Asia) project, and operates a double-degree programme in Management with UCT Prague.
Quality assurance is ensured through institutional and programme accreditation by FIBAA and IAAR, as well as professional curriculum alignment with CIM standards, supporting continuous improvement and external benchmarking.
Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Business, and Law
Mr. Berik Sabdenaliyev
Internationalization & Research Coordinator
Mr. Islam Supyaldiyarov