Sabancı University admission requirements complete checklist

Undergraduate application checklist — what you must submit

Core application items (mandatory)

• Completed online application form — All fields must be completed. Applications are processed only after the online form is submitted and the application fee is paid.
• Application fee payment — Non-refundable fee of US$30, payable by Visa/Mastercard. Evaluation begins only after fee confirmation.
• Valid exam score or diploma — Submit one accepted national or international examination result (SAT, GCE, ACT, IB, WAEC, NECO, etc.) OR a high school diploma recognized as equivalent to Turkish high schools.
• Official high school transcript — Full transcript showing grades from the entire high school period. Must be signed/stamped by the issuing authority. If not in English or Turkish, provide a notarized translation.
• Passport or official ID — Clear scanned copy for identity verification.

Language and optional supporting documents

• Language proficiency — TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent are accepted. Not always mandatory for English-based programs when applicants meet other criteria, but submitting scores strengthens the application.
• Optional supporting materials — Recommendation letters, a motivation letter, list of extracurricular activities, and additional test scores can improve competitiveness during selection.

Special documentation

• Documents for Turkish-educated students — Applicants who studied in Turkish institutions may need equivalence certificates or school-specific records. Ensure local documentation is complete before submission.

Graduate application checklist — what Sabancı requires

Core application items (mandatory)

• Completed online graduate application — Submit the online form and all mandatory supporting documents by the program’s deadline.
• Undergraduate degree — Degree must be completed prior to enrollment. Applicants from any academic background can apply subject to program prerequisites.
• Official undergraduate transcript — Signed and stamped transcript showing all coursework and grades.
• Minimum GPA — Generally a minimum of 3.00/4.00 or equivalent, though exact requirements depend on the program.

Exam and language requirements

• Graduate entrance exam scores — Most programs require a valid score from ALES, GRE, or equivalent (GAT for some applicants). Ensure scores meet program minimums and are valid on the application date.
• English language proficiency — Accepted exams include TOEFL, PTE, CAE, CPE, YDS, YÖKDİL, or SU-ELAE. Applicants without external scores may take SU-ELAE where applicable. Verify score validity periods and program minimums.

Additional graduate components

• Certificate of equivalence (if required) — Graduates from foreign institutions might need the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) equivalence certificate on enrollment.
• Interviews/written exams — Some programs include a written test or panel interview.
• Supplementary documents — Resume/CV, reference letters, research statement, or statement of purpose may be required or recommended depending on the program.

Document preparation best practices (for recruiters and admissions staff)

Standardize document intake

• Create a checklist template mirroring Sabancı’s requirements to ensure no application is missing mandatory items.
• Require clear scans (300 DPI minimum) and standardized file naming (e.g., LastName_Diploma.pdf).

Validate credentials early

• Verify diplomas and transcripts meet equivalency standards. For graduates of non-Turkish institutions, advise applicants early about YÖK equivalence documentation.
• Confirm test score validity windows and flag soon-to-expire language or entrance exam results.

Translate and notarize correctly

• If documents are in a language other than English or Turkish, obtain notarized translations before submission.
• Keep original signed/stamped copies available—Sabancı may request originals during enrollment.

Application process timeline and common pitfalls

Typical timeline

• Start application preparation at least 8–12 weeks before the program deadline.
• Allow 2–4 weeks for test scheduling and results (language exams or standardized tests).
• Reserve time for notarization, translations, and document equivalency processes.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Submitting incomplete applications (this halts evaluation).
• Using unofficial transcripts or unsigned documents.
• Missing the application fee or paying with unsupported cards.
• Overlooking local equivalency requirements for Turkish-educated applicants or foreign degree holders.

Language scores and exam strategy — what recruiters should advise

• For undergraduates, encourage applicants to submit any available international exam scores (SAT, IB, ACT) or national exam results (WAEC, NECO, etc.) as they strengthen admissions cases.
• For graduates, ensure targeted programs’ minimum ALES/GRE/GAT benchmarks are met.
• Where applicants lack external English tests, recommend SU-ELAE where relevant or prepare for recognized alternatives (TOEFL, IELTS).

Special cases — equivalence, transfers and conditional admits

• Transfer students — Provide full transcripts and course descriptions. Evaluate credit transferability; final equivalence decisions are made at Sabancı.
• Conditional offers — Applicants with strong academic records but missing language scores may be offered conditional admission pending a successful SU-ELAE or other accepted exam.
• International credential evaluation — Begin YÖK equivalence early for foreign degrees to avoid enrollment delays.

How Study in Turkiye supports recruitment, admissions teams and agencies

Our core services for partners

• International recruitment leadership — Relationships with universities across Turkiye and market-specific intelligence on applicant profiles, regional exam equivalencies (WAEC, NECO, IB), and program demand.
• Admissions automation solutions — Implement intake systems that validate uploaded documents, flag missing items, and integrate payment confirmation for application fees to reduce manual processing time.
• Customized training for admissions teams — Training for university and agency admissions staff on Sabancı’s specific application rules, equivalence protocols, and document verification standards.
• Quality assurance and conversion optimization — Audit applications before submission to ensure completeness, advise on optional supporting materials that boost offer rates, and manage pre-enrolment follow-up to reduce drop-off.

Example workflows we implement for partners

• Automated pre-check: Applicants upload documents; the system checks for mandatory items (transcript, passport, payment), notifies applicants of missing pieces, and sets reminders.
• Language-test fallback logic: If no TOEFL/IELTS, recommend SU-ELAE or internal assessment options and flag conditional offer possibilities.
• Equivalency tracker: A dashboard that monitors YÖK equivalence progress and alerts admissions offices ahead of enrollment.

Program selection advice — aligning applicants with the right university

While Sabancı University is an outstanding research and interdisciplinary institution, applicants may consider other Turkish institutions depending on program focus. When advising applicants, align program learning outcomes and post-graduation pathways with their academic records and career goals.

Practical checklist (printable) — quick reference for application packages

Undergraduate mandatory items

• Completed online application form
• Payment confirmation of US$30 application fee
• Valid exam score (SAT/IB/GCE/WAEC/NECO) or recognized high school diploma
• Official high school transcript (signed/stamped)
• Passport/official ID scan

Undergraduate recommended items

• English proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS, if available)
• Recommendation letters
• Motivation statement and extracurricular list

Graduate mandatory items

• Completed online graduate application
• Bachelor’s degree certificate (complete prior to enrollment)
• Official undergraduate transcript (signed/stamped)
• Valid ALES/GRE/GAT score (if required by program)
• English proficiency exam (TOEFL/PTE/SU-ELAE etc.)

Graduate recommended items

• CV/Resume
• Statement of purpose or research plan
• Two or more reference letters

Frequently asked questions (brief)

Next steps for recruitment teams and partners

• Map your current workflows against the checklist above and identify the top three bottlenecks (e.g., fee processing, transcript validation, language test gaps).
• Implement an automated pre-check for incoming applications to flag incomplete packages immediately.
• Use targeted communications to help applicants secure translations, notarizations, and test dates in advance.

Why partner with Study in Turkiye

Study in Turkiye offers a unique combination of local expertise, international recruitment networks, and admissions solutions designed to increase application completion rates and speed up admissions cycles. We support institutions like Sabancı University by delivering high-quality, pre-screened applicants from key source markets, training partner teams on Turkiye-specific equivalency and documentation standards, and acting as a single point of contact for agencies and admissions units.

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye