Sabancı University Summer Schools for Foreigners — Program Overview

Sabancı University runs two main summer school tracks for international students:

• Summer Exchange Program (nomination‑based, tuition‑free for exchange students)
• Summer School for Special Students (open to individually applying students with home‑institution approval)

Both tracks are delivered in English, offer on‑campus accommodation (if deadlines are met), and provide a structured academic calendar with cultural activities and orientation. Sabancı University maintains an internationally focused campus that supports credit mobility and short‑term academic stays. For detailed institutional information visit Sabancı University.

Detailed Program Breakdown

1) Summer Exchange Program — What International Partners Need to Know

The Summer Exchange Program is a fully accredited, 7‑week course sequence aimed at undergraduate students from selected partner universities. Important operational points for partner institutions, international recruiters, and mobility offices:

• Nomination only: Students must be nominated by their home institution; individual applications are not accepted.
• No tuition fee for exchange students: Financial planning for partner universities is simplified, as tuition is waived for nominated exchange students.
• Academic load and credits: Students may take courses that sum to a maximum of 16 ECTS, aiding transfer planning and transcript recording.
• English proficiency: Sabancı expects a high level of English (equivalent to TOEFL iBT 80 / CEFR B2). Formal certificates are not mandatory but academic readiness should be demonstrated.
• Logistics: The program includes orientation, cultural integration activities, and dormitory placement for on‑time applicants.

Action for partners: Prepare internal nomination lists well before May 9 and coordinate transcript and enrollment verification to speed processing.

2) Summer School for Special Students — Pathway for Independent Applicants

For students whose institutions do not have exchange agreements, the Special Student route enables enrollment for credit‑bearing courses under specific conditions:

• Eligibility: Must be currently registered at another higher education institution (undergraduate or relevant graduate).
• Documents required: Application form (signed by course instructors), official transcript, and approval letter from the student’s faculty/department directorate.
• Grading & transcript: Special students receive grades and may request an official Sabancı transcript, but admission as a special student does not confer the right to a Sabancı diploma.
• Fees: Standard tuition/fee structure applies to special students (check Sabancı’s summer school information for current fee schedules).

Action for recruiters: Prepare document templates and approval letter formats to speed applicant compliance; include a checklist for students to avoid delays.

Eligibility, Deadlines and Application Checklist

Eligibility Summary

• Summer Exchange Program: Full‑time students nominated by partner universities; English proficiency equivalent to TOEFL iBT 80/CEFR B2.
• Special Student Program: Registered students at another higher education institution; formal approvals and instructor sign‑offs required.

2025 Key Deadlines (Exchange)

• Nomination deadline: May 9, 2025
• Application deadline: May 16, 2025

Note: special student deadlines follow Sabancı’s published summer school procedures; ensure applicants submit a complete packet including instructor approvals and transcripts.

Applicant Checklist (for Placement Teams and Students)

For Exchange Nominees:

• Secure official nomination from home institution mobility office
• Verify full‑time enrolment status and academic standing
• Confirm English proficiency level (TOEFL/IELTS equivalency or academic proof)
• Complete Sabancı application by deadline
• Submit dormitory application (if required) promptly

For Special Students:

• Complete Sabancı special student application form with instructor signatures
• Provide official transcript
• Obtain faculty/department approval letter
• Arrange payment of tuition/fees if applicable
• Request transcript issuance policies in advance

Academic and Student Life — What Participants Can Expect

• Course selection: Over 40 options spanning Management, Marketing, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences — suited to mobility students seeking rigorous coursework and credit recognition.
• Orientation and cultural program: An orientation day and planned integration activities help international students acclimate quickly and build peer networks.
• Housing and campus services: On‑campus dormitories are available for timely applicants; campus services include academic advising, library access and student life programming.
• Credit transfer: Exchange students can earn up to 16 ECTS that many home institutions accept for transfer; special students should coordinate credit recognition with their home university prior to attendance.

Operational Recommendations for International Recruiters and Admissions Teams

Pre‑recruitment Strategy

• Target appropriate student cohorts: Focus on juniors and seniors who benefit most from summer credit accumulation.
• Partner communications: Send step‑by‑step nomination guides and deadline calendars to partner mobility offices.
• Marketing collateral: Emphasize tuition‑free exchange status for nominated students, ECTS portability, English instruction, and on‑campus housing.

Application Management

• Centralize document intake: Use a shared portal or LMS to collect nominations, transcripts and approvals.
• Pre‑validate English skills: Encourage students to provide evidence of English readiness to avoid late rejections.
• Dorm booking integration: Coordinate housing requests with Sabancı’s dorm office and reserve quotas for nominated cohorts.

Onboarding and Student Support

• Pre‑departure briefings: Provide visa, health insurance and travel checklists.
• Peer mentor programs: Pair incoming international students with current Sabancı or partner university students for rapid integration.
• Post‑program follow up: Share academic transcripts and feedback for continuous improvement.

Partnership Opportunities — How Education Marketers and Agencies Can Engage

Study in Turkiye offers structured partner programs for institutions and agents that want to refer students or set up institutional pathways:

• Become an official agent: Agents can access partner training, marketing assets and lead management tools to place students into Sabancı summer programs and other Turkish institutions. Learn more about becoming an agent.
• Co‑marketing: Launch joint campaigns targeting specific regions, majors and recruitment cycles.
• Custom cohorts: Work with Sabancı and Study in Turkiye to secure cohort places for faculty‑led programs or international office initiatives.

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Discover the exciting opportunities awaiting you at Sabancı University summer schools. Whether you are a recruiter, educator, or student, let Study in Turkiye guide you through the application process and help you succeed in your academic journey.