Application Requirements for Sabancı Graduate Business MBA Program

Application Requirements For Sabancı Graduate Business School Non-Thesis Master’s (MBA) Program 

Applications for graduate programs are evaluated by the Admission Jury in line with the specific requirements of the program. Admission is finalized by the approval of the related Graduate School Executive Board upon the recommendation of the Jury and announced to the applicant. 

Applicants could be called for written exams and interviews. All written exams and interviews are held in English. 

Periods for application are announced in Academic Calendar 

Applications of international applicants studying abroad are valid only after the approval and recognition by the Turkish Higher Education Council on the last graduated higher education institution and the course of study. The necessary inquiry is made by the University. 

Turkish candidates graduated from a higher education institution abroad should submit a certificate of equivalence by the Turkish Higher Education Council. An equivalency certificate must be submitted during enrollment at the University.

Application Documents and Requirements:

 1. Online Application Form: The application should be completed until the deadline. 

2. Official Transcript: An official document issued by the registrar of the candidate's previous institution showing all courses taken and grades received by the candidate. It should be uploaded under “Documents” in the online application system. Transcript document to be obtained under the E-government, Higher Education Council / Transcript Document Inquiry Menu is also valid. 

3. Two Letters of Recommendation: The writers of recommendation letters are expected to upload them to the online system. When the application is completed, a link will be emailed to the email addresses indicated in the “Recommenders” section of the online application system for them to upload their recommendation letters. 

MBA Recommendation Letter sample 

4. One Photograph: Candidates must upload a passport-sized photo to the online system. 

5. Result for Graduate Program Entrance Exam : Any of the following science test results baring the minimum scores and which are within the validity period as indicated below should be submitted. 

Any of the Following Test Results for Applications to MBA: 

One of the following exam results is required to submit: 

• ALES, e-ALES: Equal weight minimum 70 or 
• GMAT: Minimum 500 or GRE : Quantitative minimum 153 Note: The validity period for these scores are as follows : 
• ALES, e-ALES, GRE and 
• GMAT 5 years. 

6. English Proficiency Exam Result: As the language of instruction at Sabancı University is English, the applicant is required to submit the score of one of the English proficiency assessment exams. Recognized exams, the minimum score required and period of validity are given in the table below.

After the test date, TOEFL and PTE scores are valid for 2 years; CPE and CAE scores are valid for 3 years; e-YDS and YDS scores are valid for 5 years. 

Sabancı University.Applicants who could not submit a valid English Proficiency Exam score at application stage, after completing the application, can take Sabancı University’s own *English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE) in order to be accepted to the graduate program on the condition of obtaining a satisfactory grade in ELAE. ELAE exam is valid for 2 years (2 years must not have expired from the date of the exam to enroll in the program) Those candidates who fail to attend or get a satisfactory score in ELAE exam are obliged to attend and successfully complete a full course of English Language Preparation in order to continue with graduate courses. Failure to complete this course successfully will result in termination of enrollment in a graduate program at Sabancı University. 

Graduates of Sabancı University are exempt from submitting an English Proficiency Exam score provided that they apply within 2 years of their graduation. The period between the graduation date from the previous program and the registration date for the new program should be a maximum of 2 years.

 *If you submit TOEFL IBT, PTE Academic, CAE, or CPE scores and take these exams in Turkey, the exam center must be a state university building. ( According to Article 6.3.d of Instruction letter for Foreign Language Exam Equivalencies issued by the Centre for Selection and Placement of Students). "Home edition versions" for external exam documents will not be accepted for English language exemption. 

7. Statement of personal and professional purpose: It should be uploaded under "Documents" in the online application system. 

8. Curriculum Vitae: Candidates must submit an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (resume). It should be uploaded under "Documents" in the online application system 

9. For the non-thesis MBA program, a copy of the undergraduate diploma if the candidate is already graduated from the undergraduate program; or if the candidate is still pursuing an undergraduate degree, a graduation certificate is required for application. 

10. Other Requirements:

Applicants must complete their previous degree programs by the registration period at the latest.

Applications should be submitted via online application system only. Applications sent via e-mail cannot be evaluated. 

We would like to remind you that if you get admitted, the originals of all official documents are required to be submitted during university registration. 

You can reach the Sabancı University Student Resources Department with the contact information below: 

• Sabancı Üniversitesi Öğrenci Kaynakları Birimi, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Cd. No: 27, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul
• (0216) 483 93 61
• (0216) 483 90 73
• studentinfo@sabanciuniv.edu