Why this matters for recruiters and university teams

Sabancı University is one of Turkiye’s leading research universities and a highly competitive option for international students. For recruitment agencies, admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals in education, and placement partners, a clear grasp of Sabancı’s requirements reduces application errors, speeds up candidate qualification, and increases conversion rates. Study in Turkiye is the trusted authority guiding international students and partners through up-to-date rules and best practices.

Quick overview: what to expect

• Language of instruction: English for all programs.
• Application channel: Official online application portal (all documents uploaded digitally).
• Evaluation: Program-specific admission juries and graduate school boards.
• Key variables: Program-specific minimums for English tests and entrance exams; annual changes announced in the academic calendar.

Undergraduate admission requirements — step-by-step

1. Academic eligibility

Applicants must be graduating seniors or graduates of a high school credential equivalent to Turkish high schools. This includes national baccalaureates or high school leaving diplomas; candidates must ensure their diploma is acceptable and verifiable.

2. Accepted exams and diplomas

Sabancı accepts a range of credentials: SAT, GCE, ACT, national baccalaureate diplomas, or national high school graduation exams (for example WAEC/NECO for Nigerian applicants). Important: SAT is not mandatory. Applicants may submit official high school transcripts, diplomas, or national leaving certificates instead of standardized test scores.

Action for recruiters: verify credential acceptability early and map national scores to Sabancı’s equivalency expectations.

3. Required documents (upload via portal)

• Completed online application form
• Copy of an accepted exam/diploma result
• High school diploma (notarized translation to English or Turkish if original is in another language)
• Official high school transcript (signed and stamped or with a verifiable e-signature)
• Copy of passport or national ID
• Application fee: USD 30 (mandatory and non-refundable)

Tip: Only complete applications are evaluated — missing any of the above will delay review.

4. Optional but beneficial documents

• English proficiency test scores (if available)
• Motivation/cover letter
• Recommendation letters
• Evidence of extracurricular achievements, awards, or portfolios (where relevant)

These optional items can strengthen borderline applications or support scholarship considerations.

5. Language proficiency expectations

Sabancı encourages applicants to submit recognized English test scores when available. If an incoming applicant does not have a test, Sabancı may require proof of English proficiency upon enrollment or offer conditional admission with language preparation.

Recruiter action: advise applicants to take an English test early to avoid enrollment delays.

Graduate admission requirements — clear and program-focused

1. Academic eligibility

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and complete all prior studies before the enrollment date. Most programs do not restrict based on the undergraduate major, but some specialized programs may require specific prerequisites.

2. English language requirements

Proof of English proficiency is essential for graduate admission. Accepted tests and typical score ranges include:

• TOEFL iBT: commonly 78–87 (program-dependent)
• PTE Academic: 48–73
• CAE: minimum B; CPE: minimum C
• YDS/e-YDS/YÖKDİL/e-YÖKDİL: commonly 65–73
• SU-ELAE: Sabancı’s own English language assessment is available if candidates do not submit external scores

Action: Confirm program-specific minimums before advising applicants.

3. Entrance exam score requirements

Depending on the program, applicants may need ALES/e-ALES, GRE, or GAT scores. Typical minimums (vary by program): ALES 55–70, GRE 149–155, GAT 55–70. Validity: exam scores may be valid for 2–5 years depending on the test.

Recruiter tip: for international applicants, GRE is commonly accepted; confirm whether ALES or GAT applies.

4. Required supporting documents

• Completed online application form
• Official undergraduate transcript(s)
• Statement of purpose (SOP)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Recent photograph
• Two recommendation letters
• Evidence of undergraduate degree (diploma)
• Additional program-specific documents (e.g., samples of work or research proposals)

5. The admission process

Applications are reviewed by program-specific juries. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a written exam and/or interview (online or on-campus). Final decisions are issued by graduate school boards.

For recruiters: prepare applicants for potential interviews and supplemental evaluations.

Program-specific variations and annual updates

Minimum test scores and document checklists are program-dependent and updated annually in Sabancı’s academic calendar. Always consult the year-specific admissions page on Study in Turkiye for the authoritative list of accepted exams, score conversions, and deadlines: Sabancı University.

Practical step: build your internal checklist per program with fields for minimum English score, entrance exam requirements, and required upload formats to eliminate resubmission cycles.

Document verification and format standards

Official documents must be uploaded in the required format: stamped and signed originals, notarized translations where applicable, or verified e-signatures. Electronic transcripts with verifiable institutions’ secure verification are now widely accepted — ensure deliverables are verifiable to avoid delays.

Application completeness is strictly enforced; admissions teams will not review incomplete files.

Practical checklist for recruiters and admissions teams

Pre-submission verification (must-do)

• Confirm high school / undergraduate credential equivalency
• Verify that translations are notarized and in English/Turkish
• Check passport validity and ID consistency
• Confirm receipt of USD 30 application fee proof
• Validate any test score documents: date, test version, score validity

Candidate preparation (value-add services)

• Recommend English testing timelines and preparation resources
• Draft or review SOPs and CVs to align with program focus
• Collect and format recommendation letters per university guidelines
• Prepare students for potential interviews (mock interviews, research summaries)

Scale opportunities

Automate initial eligibility screening by mapping required fields to a structured intake form: diploma type, test scores, transcript completeness, translations, and fee confirmation. Build rule-based document validation (e.g., check file types, signature presence, language) and use automated reminders for missing documents and upcoming test date recommendations to reduce fall-offs. Study in Turkiye offers tailored recruitment and workflow solutions that reduce manual triage and improve conversion rates for partners.

Comparing Sabancı to program allocations at other Turkiye universities

While Sabancı is an English-medium, research-focused institution, recruiters often place students in other strong institutions depending on program fit. Use Study in Turkiye’s university pages to match candidate profiles quickly.

When matching candidates, prioritise the programme fit and confirm program-specific admission rules on Study in Turkiye.

How Study in Turkiye supports your pipeline — expertise and services

Leadership in education recruitment: Study in Turkiye has deep institutional relationships across Turkiye and an established network with top universities, including Sabancı. We help agencies and admissions offices access up-to-date admissions rules, program-specific minimums, and application monitoring tools.

International recruitment and partnership support

From source-market lead generation to applicant counselling and logistics (visa guidance, pre-departure briefing), Study in Turkiye provides end-to-end services to increase yield and student satisfaction.

Process optimization and recruitment workflows

Study in Turkiye designs and implements intake forms, document validation checks, and CRM-friendly processes that standardize candidate files before they reach university juries. This reduces resubmissions and accelerates final decisions.

Custom training and white-label recruitment

We offer training for counselors, admissions teams, and marketing units on Sabancı’s admissions nuances, how to present strong applications, and how to manage batch submissions and scholarship evaluations.

Case example — building a successful application workflow

1. Candidate profiling: collect diploma type, transcripts, language test status, and passport.
2. Eligibility filter: use a rule engine to confirm whether submitted credentials match Sabancı’s acceptable lists.
3. Document completeness check: enforce notarized translations, signed transcripts, and fee receipt before upload.
4. SOP & references: coach applicants on impactful SOPs and gather two strong referees for graduate applicants.
5. Interview preparation: mock interviews and research summaries for shortlisted graduate candidates.

Outcome: faster evaluation times, higher success rates, and better alignment with Sabancı’s admission expectations.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Submitting incomplete applications — incomplete files will not be evaluated.
• Poorly formatted or non-notarized translations — require notarized English or Turkish translations up front.
• Late English test planning — advise candidates to take tests early and be aware of validity periods.
• Misunderstanding program-specific entrance exam requirements — cross-check ALES/GRE/GAT needs before submission.

Partnering with Study in Turkiye — next steps

Study in Turkiye is positioned to help recruitment agencies, university admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals, and edtech partners optimize their approaches to Sabancı University applications through advisory, technology and operational support.

Read more

• Yos Test
• If You Want to Become an agent for Study in Turkiye
• Admission process

Frequently asked questions

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Ready to streamline Sabancı University applications and increase your international placements? Study in Turkiye offers partnership options, recruitment expertise, and tailored training for admissions and recruitment teams. Explore key resources and start mapping candidate profiles today.