Eligibility criteria — who should apply

Overview: The program is designed for recent graduates and early‑career professionals seeking a part‑time, accelerated MBA in English. Below are the primary eligibility points recruiters and admissions teams should verify before advancing candidates.

Core eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree: Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree or be in the final semester of an undergraduate program prior to enrollment.
• Work experience: Targeted primarily at candidates with up to three years of post‑graduate work experience.
• Language readiness: Instruction is in English; applicants must meet the English proficiency requirements (see section below).
• Candidate fit: Able to attend evening and weekend classes while working; motivated to complete a graduation project within the 17‑month timeframe.

Why this matters for recruiters and admissions teams

• The short, part‑time format is attractive to employed professionals seeking minimal career interruption.
• Early‑career focus calls for tailored outreach messaging highlighting career acceleration and practical projects.
• International recruitment requires clear, localized guidance on English requirements, document collection, and deadlines to avoid processing delays.

Program structure — format, duration, and campus

Program details

• Total duration: 17 months (12 months of coursework + 5 months for a graduation project).
• Format: Part‑time delivery with classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays (19:00–22:00) and Saturdays (09:30–16:30).
• Medium of instruction: English.
• Campus: Sabancı University Altunizade Digital Campus — a modern, professional learning environment designed for working executives.

Implications for student services and HR

• Evening/weekend schedule requires employers to approve flexible work arrangements for sponsored candidates.
• Admissions staff should verify candidate availability for the full schedule prior to offer.
• International students will value concise orientation on commuting, accommodation near Altunizade, and digital campus access.

Application checklist — documents to collect

Prepare the following items for each international applicant before submission.

Required documents

• Copy of Bachelor’s diploma (or proof of expected graduation if in final semester).
• Official transcript(s) from all postsecondary institutions attended.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) — clear chronology and role descriptions for recruiters assessing professional potential.
• Two reference or recommendation letters — ideally one academic and one professional, or two professional for experienced applicants.
• Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter — concise explanation of career goals and fit with the Sabancı MBA.
• One passport‑sized photograph.
• Proof of English proficiency (see English proficiency section).

Best practices for international recruiters and agencies

• Use a standardized document checklist and a secure file transfer process to ensure timely submission.
• Verify translations and notarizations where required by applicants’ home countries.
• Encourage referees to address leadership potential and project outcomes rather than only character references.

English proficiency — required tests and alternatives

Accepted tests and minimum scores

• TOEFL iBT: minimum 83.
• PTE Academic: minimum 56.
• Cambridge CAE: grade B.
• Cambridge CPE: grade C.
• YDS / E‑YDS / YÖKDİL: minimum 69.

Alternative pathway and exemptions

If a candidate lacks a valid external English score, they may take the Sabancı University English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE) after the application deadline. Applicants who do not pass ELAE will be required to complete a mandatory English preparation program (note: this preparatory component is not scholarship‑funded).

Exemption: Graduates of Sabancı University who apply within two years of graduation are exempt from the English proficiency requirement.

How to advise applicants

• Recommend early scheduling of tests — results can take weeks to report.
• For candidates relying on ELAE, advise rapid enrollment in private preparation or internal language courses to avoid delays.
• Document exemptions clearly for Sabancı alumni to speed processing.

Application deadlines — planning calendar

• Early application deadline: June 20, 2025.
• Regular application deadline: August 18, 2025.

Recruitment timeline (suggested)

• 6–9 months before deadline: Launch outreach, start accepting candidate dossiers.
• 3–4 months before deadline: Ensure tests are booked and transcripts requested.
• 1–2 months before deadline: Finalize recommendation letters and Statements of Purpose; submit applications.
• Post‑deadline: Confirm ELAE scheduling (if needed), track offers, and begin visa or relocation guidance.

Student profile — snapshot for outreach segmentation

Most recent cohort characteristics:

• Average age: 25.
• Female students: 45%.
• International students: 55%.

How admissions/marketing can use this data

• Position the program to early‑career changers and recent graduates in international markets.
• Highlight diversity and female representation in promotional materials.
• Use student‑profile data in employer outreach to secure corporate sponsorships for early‑career development.

Curriculum highlights — core courses, electives, and graduation project

Core curriculum

• Financial Reporting
• Global Business
• Data‑Driven Decisions
• Ethics
• Economics
• Marketing
• Operations
• Leadership
• Finance
• Strategic Management
• Business Simulations

Electives and graduation project

• Electives: minimum 6 credits of advanced electives in finance, marketing, leadership or digital transformation.
• Graduation Project: final applied project completed in the last 5 months integrating coursework into a practical business solution.

For HR and corporate partners

• Graduation projects present opportunities for companies to host capstone projects that solve real business problems.
• Elective and simulation courses enable targeted upskilling aligned with company needs (e.g., data analytics, digital transformation).

Program outcomes — graduate competencies

• Critical, analytical and reflective thinking skills.
• Ethical and socially responsible decision making.
• Strong written and verbal communication and teamwork capabilities.
• Competency in English and business analysis.
• Ability to integrate global and local perspectives into managerial practice.

Employer benefits

• Graduates are ready to contribute in cross‑cultural teams with a contemporary, data‑driven approach to strategy and operations.
• The part‑time format allows organizations to retain talent while supporting capability development.

Contact and further inquiries

For academic questions about the MBA curriculum or admissions, contact the program directly:

Email: mba@sabanciuniv.edu

For partner-level questions or to discuss institutional collaboration, Study in Turkiye is available to support outreach, candidate pipelines and placement strategies.

Practical action plan — a step‑by‑step checklist for partners

Step 1 — Candidate identification

• Target early‑career professionals (0–3 years) and top final‑year undergraduates.
• Prioritize candidates who can commit to evening/weekend schedules.

Step 2 — Document and test readiness

• Collect diplomas, transcripts, CVs, recommendation letters, a passport photo and Statements of Purpose.
• Confirm English proficiency or plan for ELAE.

Step 3 — Application submission

• Submit complete dossiers by June 20 (early) or August 18 (regular).
• Track application status and schedule interviews if required.

Step 4 — Post‑offer logistics

• For international students: advise on visas, accommodation near Altunizade, and digital campus access.
• For sponsored employees: coordinate employer sponsorship agreements and study‑leave plans.

Step 5 — Integration and retention

• Prepare candidates for the workload of evening/weekend courses and the graduation project.
• Use alumni networks and employer partnerships to monitor graduate outcomes.

Tips for admissions teams, recruiters, HR and marketing professionals

• Assess English skills early to reduce last‑minute delays.
• Use the average cohort age and international ratio in targeted campaigns.
• Promote the program’s accelerated 17‑month timeline as a career accelerator.
• Leverage graduation projects as employer-facing deliverables to attract corporate partners.
• Automate document collection and status tracking to reduce processing times and increase conversion rates.

How Study in Turkiye supports your work

Study in Turkiye is the trusted authority guiding international students and partners through recruitment, application intake, and partner services. Our team provides localized guidance and operational support to reduce administrative burden and increase enrollment efficiency.

Core support areas

• International recruitment leadership: We curate and direct qualified applicants to Sabancı University through targeted outreach and market‑specific messaging.
• Application intake and validation: Our solutions streamline application intake, document validation, and deadline management to reduce manual workload for university admissions teams.
• Placement and partnership services: We help agencies and HR teams form institutional partnerships, facilitate corporate capstone placements, and ensure seamless candidate onboarding.
• Institutional knowledge: As the platform dedicated to international study in Turkiye, we provide localized guidance on visas, housing, and orientation.

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