Tuition

NuVu is not a camp. It's a design studio built on a teaching philosophy born at MIT—where students don't sit in classrooms, they tackle real problems alongside working professionals. Tuition reflects the depth of the experience: small studios, expert mentorship from American educators, instruction in English and Russian, and a final exhibition where students present their work to the community.

What Tuition Covers

  • An MIT-Born Pedagogy — NuVu was founded in 2010 by three MIT alumni and built on a studio-learning model developed during co-founder Saeed Arida's PhD at MIT. Students don't sit in rows—they tackle real problems alongside working professionals, the way design studios at MIT do.

  • American Educators — Studios led by working designers, engineers, and artists from the United States

  • Bilingual Instruction — All studios taught in English and Russian

  • Professional Tools — 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics, fabrication equipment

  • All Materials Included — Every component your student needs to build, prototype, and finish

  • Final Exhibition — A public showcase where students present their work

  • Digital Portfolio — Professional documentation of every project, theirs to keep

  • NuVu Certificate of Completion — Recognized credential from the program

  • Letter of Recommendation — From a NuVu coach, for university or program applications

Tuition

STANDARD TUITION $2,550 USD One two-week studio

✓ Choice of one studio track ✓ All materials and tools included ✓ Final exhibition and portfolio ✓ NuVu Certificate of Completion ✓ Letter of Recommendation

$1,000 USD non-refundable deposit due by May 30 Balance due before session begins

EARLY BIRD $2,400 USD Save $150 — pay in full by May 22nd (BEST VALUE!)

✓ Everything in Standard Tuition ✓ Priority studio placement ✓ Locked-in seat before studios fill

Full payment of $2,400 due by May 22

FULL SUMMER $4,800 USD Both sessions — four weeks of building

✓ Two studio tracks of your choice ✓ Early Bird rate locked in for both sessions ✓ Save $300 vs. standard pricing ✓ Two portfolios, two exhibitions ✓ Two letters of recommendation

FAQ

  • What if my child has never built anything before? No experience required. Studios are designed for beginners and experienced makers alike—what matters is curiosity.

  • Who teaches the studios? All studios are led by American educators—working designers, engineers, and artists—and taught in both English and Russian.

  • Is the deposit refundable? The $1,000 deposit is non-refundable. We recommend the Early Bird option if you're confident in your dates.

  • What does the Letter of Recommendation cover? Written by your student's NuVu coach, it speaks to their specific contributions, creative process, and growth across the studio—useful for university applications, competitive programs, and scholarships.

  • Can siblings enroll together at a discount? Yes. Each sibling enrolls at the Early Bird rate of $2,400 per session, regardless of when you sign up. Email achekalin@gmail.com to arrange.

  • Can my child enroll in both sessions? Absolutely. Students who enroll in both sessions pay $2,400 per session—$4,800 total—for four full weeks of building across two different studio tracks.

  • Are scholarships available? Not for the 2026 season. We hope to introduce a scholarship program in 2027.

  • How do I pay from outside Kazakhstan? Email achekalin@gmail.com and we'll facilitate payment by wire transfer or your preferred method.

Register Now!

READY TO BUILD? Studios are capped to keep the work hands-on and the mentorship close. Reserve your spot before they fill. Enroll Now! Questions? Email achekalin@gmail.com