Sabancı University computer science in English requirements explained

Overview: program language, audience and why it matters

• Sabancı University runs its Computer Science and Engineering programs (undergraduate and graduate) fully in English. This positions the programs for international markets and necessitates clear, consistent evidence of English proficiency for admission.
• For recruiters and admissions teams, clarity around accepted tests, exemption routes and the university’s English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE) is critical to reduce delays, reduce dropouts at enrolment and improve conversion rates from application to registration.
• Study in Turkiye acts as a channel between prospective international students and institutions. We combine domain knowledge, recruitment networks and configurable recruitment processes to make Sabancı’s admissions easier to navigate while ensuring compliance with the university’s entry criteria.

Quick snapshot — Who should apply and what to expect

• Undergraduate (BSc): Recent secondary school graduates with a strong academic profile and English competence.
• Graduate (MSc/PhD): Applicants with relevant university degrees; PhD candidates usually require a research plan and may be asked for GRE quantitative scores.
• Common requirements: Official academic records, CV, letters of recommendation, and proof of identity and residency status.

Undergraduate requirements (BSc) — detailed, actionable checklist

Eligibility and academic documents

• High school diploma: original or certified copy; notarized translation if not in English or Turkish.
• Transcripts: full high school transcript. Many recruiters use a 75/100 guideline as a minimum benchmark when screening applicants.
• CV: concise academic and extracurricular summary.
• Recommendation letters: two letters (teachers or mentors are preferred).
• Passport copy and any previous residency documentation (if applicable).

English proficiency: ELAE, accepted tests and exemptions

Sabancı requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency. There are two primary pathways:

• Provide a valid international English test result (exemption route). Common benchmarks to aim for:
  • TOEFL iBT: minimum 80
  • IELTS: generally considered equivalent around 6.5 (check for program specifics)
• Take Sabancı University’s English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE) at the applicant stage or on arrival:
  

  Passing the ELAE allows direct entry into degree courses. Failing the ELAE results in placement in a preparatory English program at the School of Languages prior to starting degree courses.

Action for recruiters: Request and verify English test scores at application submission. If the applicant lacks test scores, schedule their ELAE and advise on the possibility of a preparatory year.

Admission timeline & process (undergraduate)

1. Step 1: Collect documents (diploma, transcript, CV, recommendation letters, passport).
2. Step 2: Verify translations and notarization where needed.
3. Step 3: Confirm English proficiency or schedule ELAE. If the applicant provides a qualifying TOEFL/IELTS score, mark them as ELAE-exempt and proceed.
4. Step 4: Submit online application and follow up on any additional university requests (interviews, additional documentation).

Typical pitfall: Late or poorly certified translations. Using automated checks and providing document checklists to applicants reduces delays and improves outcomes.

Graduate requirements (MSc & PhD) — what admissions teams need to know

MSc admissions — core documents and standards

• Academic degree: bachelor’s degree (official diploma and transcripts).
• Minimum GPA: no fixed universal threshold publicly quoted, but a strong academic record is expected. Use departmental minimums where available.
• Motivation letter: tailored statement outlining academic and career goals.
• Letters of recommendation: two academic or professional references.
• English proficiency: Minimum TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.5 (as a rule of thumb). Sabancı alumni who graduated within two years may be exempt from the English requirement — check candidate history.
• Additional: passport copy and valid visa documentation for international candidates.

PhD admissions — additional scholarly expectations

• Research plan: detailed and feasible research proposal aligned with faculty strengths.
• GRE: some PhD applicants may be required to submit a GRE quantitative score — recommend applicants take it if their research requires quantitative skills.
• Statement of purpose: longer and discipline-specific than the MSc motivation letter.
• Supervisor alignment: assist applicants to contact potential supervisors and secure admission interest prior to application submission.

Graduate admission timeline & process

1. Step 1: Candidate prepares academic documents, motivation/statement and references.
2. Step 2: Candidate demonstrates English proficiency or qualifies for an exemption (Sabancı grads within two years).
3. Step 3: Departmental review — some departments require interviews or faculty approval for PhD candidates.
4. Step 4: Offer letter, visa support and enrolment instructions.

Exemptions, equivalencies and common edge cases

• Exemptions: Achieved English test scores meeting university minimums; Sabancı University alumni within two years for graduate programs.
• Grading schema differences: Convert to compatible scales and request official conversion or explanation from the issuing institution.
• Non‑English documents: Secure notarized translations and keep originals on file.
• Conditional offers: Sabancı may issue conditional offers requiring successful completion of the English preparatory program if ELAE is not passed.

Practical checklists and templates for recruitment and admissions teams

Applicant screening checklist (for immediate use)

• High school diploma / bachelor’s diploma (certified)
• Full transcript(s) with grading scale
• CV/resume
• Two recommendation letters (names and contact details)
• English proficiency evidence (TOEFL/IELTS) or ELAE scheduling confirmed
• Passport copy and contact details
• Motivation/statement of purpose (for graduate applicants)
• Research plan (for PhD applicants)
• GRE quantitative (if applicable)

Document verification steps

• Verify test score authenticity via issuing bodies where possible.
• Confirm notarization and translations meet local legal requirements.
• Cross-check recommendation letters for institutional affiliations.
• Use a document checklist with timestamps to reduce missing items.

Streamlining Sabancı recruitment with automation — suggested workflows

Opportunities for agencies and university admissions teams

• Application intake form automation: Pre‑validated fields for GPA, test scores and document uploads; required file formats and size limits enforced on upload.
• Automated document validation: Optical checks for passport and diploma authenticity cues; flag missing notarization or untranslated documents.
• ELAE scheduling and reminders: Auto-schedule ELAE slots and send reminders with localized instructions; provide preparatory resources and diagnostic tests for applicants likely to require the School of Languages.
• CRM and lead scoring: Tag applicants by completeness, English proficiency, funding status and country of origin; implement lead scoring to prioritize high-probability admits.
• Communication automation: Email templates for missing documents, conditional offers and visa instructions; integrate with messaging platforms used by agents and students.
• Reporting and dashboards: Live dashboards showing applications by stage, ELAE outcomes and conversion rates.

Why automation matters

Automation reduces manual bottlenecks, speeds admit decisions and improves the candidate experience. It increases conversion rate by reducing time-to-offer and providing applicants with clear next steps while supporting compliance and auditability for international admissions processes.

How Study in Turkiye supports your Sabancı University recruitment strategy

• Expertise in international recruitment: Study in Turkiye maintains a network of agents and institutional partners to attract high-quality applicants for Sabancı University.
• Consulting on admissions workflows: We help universities and agencies map efficient application processes, from initial lead capture through to enrolment.
• Configurable recruitment solutions: Study in Turkiye offers configurable recruitment workflows — including document collection portals, ELAE scheduling support and CRM integrations — which cut processing times and improve data accuracy.
• Training and accreditation for partners: We onboard and train agents and internal admissions staff to align with Sabancı’s documentation and English proficiency requirements.

Comparisons and alternative English-program providers in Turkiye

For recruiters and international partners building pipelines across Turkiye, consider other institutions offering English‑medium programs and complementary recruitment opportunities. These institutions can broaden your recruitment portfolio alongside Sabancı University and diversify placement opportunities for your candidates.

• Medipol University
  Istanbul — major university with international programs and established international student services.
• Uskudar University
  Istanbul — offers life‑sciences and engineering programs with active international recruitment.
• Ozyegin University
  Istanbul — international programs and industry partnerships that align with tech recruitment.
• Sabancı University
  Istanbul — home of the English‑taught Computer Science & Engineering programs covered in this guide.

Best practices & tips for recruiters, admissions and HR teams

For international student recruiters

• Pre‑screen for English proficiency and document completeness before submitting applications to Sabancı.
• Educate applicants about the ELAE and the possibility of an English preparatory route — transparency reduces dropouts.
• Collect notarized translations early; prioritize applicants who have full documentation at submission.

For university admissions teams

• Provide clear, machine‑readable guidance on accepted English tests and minimum scores.
• Publish timelines for ELAE administration and results release to avoid applicant uncertainty.
• Offer sample research plan templates for PhD candidates to raise application quality.

For HR and marketing in education

• Create targeted campaigns highlighting Sabancı’s English‑taught CS programs, industry links and career outcomes.
• Use reporting to track campaign ROI by source country, agent and program.
• Partner with Study in Turkiye to access localized recruitment channels and tooling.

For placement agencies and edtech providers

• Integrate your student onboarding platforms with the university’s requirements checklist.
• Offer pre‑departure orientation covering English preparatory programs and campus expectations.
• Use Study in Turkiye’s agent network resources to stay up to date with admission cycles and policy changes.

Case study snapshot — turning an applicant into an enrollee (process map)

1. Week 0–1: Lead generated via marketing or agent. Preliminary eligibility check and document request sent.
2. Week 1–2: Documents uploaded; processes validate document formats and flag translation needs.
3. Week 2–3: Applicant provides TOEFL 85 (meets requirement) and receives ELAE exemption. Application submitted.
4. Week 3–4: Departmental review and offer issued. Applicant receives conditional offer and visa instructions.
5. Week 5–10: Visa processed; student receives pre-arrival orientation and enrols.

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• If You Want to Became an agent for Study in Türkiye
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• Sabancı University

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Ready to convert international interest into successful enrolments for Sabancı University’s English‑taught Computer Science and Engineering programs? Study in Turkiye offers recruitment expertise, configurable admissions workflows and partner training to help you streamline application intake, manage ELAE scheduling and validate documents efficiently. Contact us to arrange a consultation, request a demo or join our agent network.