Istanbul Aydın University MBA in English requirements explained

What international applicants must provide

Core academic requirements (what applicants must hold)

• Bachelor’s degree: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised or accredited higher education institution.
• Minimum GPA: For business and social science applicants, the admissions guideline typically expects a minimum undergraduate GPA equivalent to 60%. Admissions committees may apply different thresholds by discipline.
• Transcripts: Official academic transcripts are required. Transcripts should be translated into English or Turkish when necessary.
• Additional academic items: Some applications may request a CV and letters of recommendation. The admissions committee reserves the right to require an interview for selected candidates.
• Preparatory courses: If the candidate’s prior education does not sufficiently prepare them for the MBA curriculum, the program director may mandate additional scientific or academic preparatory courses before the regular coursework begins.

English language requirements (instruction is 100% English)

The MBA is taught 100% in English, which necessitates clear proof of language ability.

• Accepted proofs:
  • TOEFL: A TOEFL score of at least 79 is typically expected for English-taught programmes.
  • IELTS: IELTS scores are also accepted; the equivalent threshold is applied on a case-by-case basis.
  • On-campus proficiency exam: Candidates without TOEFL/IELTS certificates can often take an English Proficiency Exam on arrival at the university to demonstrate readiness.
• Note for Turkish proficiency: TÖMER (Turkish language) certification is required only for Turkish‑taught programmes and is not applicable to the MBA in English.

Required documents — admissions checklist

Ensure each international application includes:

• Valid passport (copy).
• Bachelor’s degree certificate (original and translated, if needed).
• Official transcript(s) with grading scale explanation.
• Recent passport-sized photos.
• Language proficiency certificate (TOEFL/IELTS) or plan to take the on-campus English exam.
• CV (Curriculum Vitae).
• Letters of recommendation (when requested).
• Any additional documentation specified by Istanbul Aydın University during the application cycle.

Program structure and academic workload

Duration and credits

• Program length: 2 years (24 months).
• Course composition:
  • 8 core courses (21 local credits).
  • One seminar course.
  • A supervised thesis component; the programme typically aligns with 120 ECTS, with the thesis representing a significant portion.
• Scientific preparation: Candidates needing reinforcement in research methodology or foundational topics may be assigned a preparatory phase prior to formal enrolment in core modules.

Academic expectations and milestones

• Semester breakdown: Standard master’s curriculum with coursework, seminar participation, and a thesis research timeline.
• Thesis requirement: A supervised research thesis is compulsory and a core determinant for degree completion.
• Assessment: Continuous assessment across courses combined with thesis evaluation by faculty.

Admissions timeline, deadlines and entry points

Intake terms

Flexible intakes: The MBA programme commonly accepts students in both fall and spring terms. Exact application deadlines can vary year-to-year, so timely verification with admissions is essential.

Typical timelines for international applicants

• Preliminary document preparation: 4–8 weeks (degree verification, translations, language tests).
• Application submission: Align with the university’s published deadline; earlier submissions improve visa and accommodation lead times.
• Offer and visa: Once admitted, international students typically require 4–12 weeks for visa processing depending on nationality and consulate workload.

Admissions best practices — for recruiters and university teams

For international student recruiters and agents

• Pre-screen using the 60% GPA benchmark for business applicants; this reduces unqualified referrals.
• Verify language scores early — collecting TOEFL/IELTS before submission prevents later delays.
• Use standardised, professional CV templates and ensure recommendation letters are on institutional letterhead where possible.
• Prepare applicants for the on-campus English Proficiency Exam as a contingency.

For university admissions teams

• Standardise equivalency checks for international grades to consistently apply the 60% benchmark across various grading systems.
• Maintain clear messaging about supplementary preparatory courses so applicants understand potential additional requirements upfront.
• Use structured interview rubrics when interviews are required to ensure fairness and transparency.

For HR and marketing professionals in education

• Develop content and campaigns that highlight the 100% English instruction and thesis-based research strength of the MBA to attract international applicants.
• Showcase alumni outcomes and thesis topics to attract candidates with clear career objectives.
• Partner with placement agencies that can deliver verified candidate pipelines and manage pre-arrival logistics.

Practical evaluation checklist for Istanbul Aydın University MBA in English

Use this short checklist as a quick decision tool for admissions officers and partner agents:

• Academic: Bachelor’s degree verified? Y/N
• GPA: Meets 60% minimum (or equivalent)? Y/N
• Transcripts translated and authenticated? Y/N
• Language: TOEFL ≥79 or IELTS equivalent / Plan for on‑campus exam? Y/N
• CV and recommendations included? Y/N
• Passport and photos provided? Y/N
• Prepared for possible interview or preparatory course needs? Y/N

How Study in Turkiye supports recruitment, admissions and partnerships

Study in Turkiye is the trusted authority guiding international students and institutional partners. Our services are designed to reduce time-to-offer and improve enrolment quality when working with Istanbul Aydın University and peer institutions.

Recruitment and lead generation

• Targeted campaigns for English-taught master’s programmes that highlight the MBA’s 100% English instruction and thesis focus.
• Regional market intelligence to prioritise source countries with high conversion rates for business programmes.

Admissions processing and verification

• Automated document verification workflows reduce manual errors in transcript and diploma recognition.
• Language score tracking and conditional offer management (for example, offers that list the on-campus English exam as a condition).
• Seamless coordination between agents, applicants, and university admissions teams to accelerate decisions and produce visa-ready offers.

Partnerships and institutional outreach

Study in Turkiye maintains a strong national network and can present comparative programme features and alternative pathways. Example institutional partners include:

• Aydin University (Istanbul Aydın University)
• Medipol University
• Ozyegin University
• Bilgi University
• Uskudar University

Admissions scenarios and recommended workflows

Scenario 1 — Strong academic record, no language test

Action: Submit transcripts and degree; secure a conditional offer pending successful on-campus English Proficiency Exam or provide TOEFL/IELTS later.

Study in Turkiye support: Manage the conditional offer, schedule the on-campus exam, and automate applicant reminders.

Scenario 2 — Borderline GPA (around 55–60%) with strong work experience

Action: Submit detailed CV, professional references, and a personal statement emphasising managerial potential and practical experience. Admissions may require interview or preparatory modules.

Study in Turkiye support: Prepare professional application dossiers and facilitate interview scheduling and recording.

Scenario 3 — Non-business bachelor’s degree

Action: Provide transcripts and a CV; be prepared for supplementary preparatory courses if academic background lacks key business fundamentals.

Study in Turkiye support: Map candidate backgrounds to customised preparatory course recommendations and coordinate enrolment.

Compliance, verification and quality assurance

• Credential verification and translation quality — authenticated copies are critical.
• Consistent application of the minimum GPA policy and transparent equivalency methods.
• Data privacy and secure transfer of applicant documents using encrypted channels or Study in Turkiye’s secure portals.

Frequently asked questions (short FAQs)

Final recommendations for recruiters and admissions teams

• Pre-qualify using the 60% GPA and language checks to reduce processing time.
• Collect complete documentation (translations, verified transcripts, CV, recommendations) before submission.
• Use Study in Turkiye’s services to track conditional offers, language exams, and visa timelines.
• Present clear messaging to candidates about thesis expectations and the 2-year academic plan to improve retention and progression.

Read more

• Yos Test
• Admission process
• Why to study in Turkiye

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