Application Requirements for the Graduate School of Social Sciences Master’s Programs

Application Rules and Required Documents

This page contains important information regarding application rules and documents to be submitted in applications for master’s (MA-MSc) programs offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences at Sabancı University. 

Who can apply?

• Admitted candidates are expected to have completed their undergraduate degrees by the time of registration for the graduate program. 
• Applications by international applicants studying abroad are valid only after the approval and recognition of the last graduated higher education institution and the course of study by the Turkish Higher Education Council. The necessary enquiry is made by the University. 
• Turkish candidates graduated from a higher institution abroad should submit a certificate of equivalence by the Turkish Higher Education Council. Equivalency certificate must be submitted during the enrollment at the University.

When can I apply?

click here to view the application deadlines of the Graduate School of Social Sciences.

How can I apply? 

The required documents listed below, and any additional documents that the candidate may wish to submit, must be uploaded to the online application system by the announced application deadline. To access the online application system, please click here. 

Documents sent by email are not accepted. 

What are the required application documents?

• Required application documents are indicated separately for each program in Table 1-A and Table 1-B. 
• To be considered, candidates must upload all required documents. 
• Some graduate (MA-MSc) programs list recommended documents that may be submitted in addition to the required documents. While you are not required to submit these documents, submitting them may have an impact on the evaluation of your application.

Details regarding required application documents 

1. Online Application Form: Application should be completed until the deadline. Candidates may apply to multiple programs. Please click here for the online application form.

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 recommendation letters: Candidates are required to provide contact details for two people who will write recommendation letters.

• 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. 
• References should be written in English or Turkish. 
• References written in other languages will be not be considered. 
• References uploaded to the system by the candidate will be considered invalid. A template for recommendation letters is available here.

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

5. Statement of Purpose: Candidates must submit a statement, written in English, explaining their intent in applying to the program. Preferably, this should be no more than two pages. It should be uploaded under “Documents” in the online application system. 

6. Sample work: The sample work submitted by candidates must be in English and no more than 30 pages. The work may be a paper, assignment, dissertation or similar writing. It should be uploaded under “Documents” in the online application system. 

7. Portfolio: PDF documents, CD/DVDs, printed materials, transparent prints or online portfolios may be presented as portfolios. The portfolio is expected to consist of selected works that portray the candidate's abilities in the Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design field. It should be uploaded under “Documents” in the online application system. There is no skill test for the Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design MA program. 

8. Graduate Education Entrance Examination scores: Recognized exams and minimum scores are given in Table 2. No other exams or score types will be accepted.

• The score sheet must be valid as of the candidate’s application date. 
• Exam results must be announced by the application deadline. Results that are announced after the application deadline will not be considered. 
• Please enter your score in the corresponding field in the online system and upload your score sheet under “Documents”.

9. Proof of English Proficiency or taking the Sabancı University English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE): Recognized exams and minimum scores are given in Table 3. Other language proficiency exams will not be accepted.

• Please enter your score in the corresponding field in the online system and upload your score sheet under “Documents”. 
• The official score report must be valid as of the date of registration to the admitted program. 
• Exam results must be announced by the application deadline. Results that are announced after the application deadline will not be considered. 
• Sabancı University graduates who apply to an MA program will be exempt from foreign language proficiency requirements if there are less than 2 years between the date of their graduation and their registration date to the MA program. 
• Candidates who are not exempt from English proficiency requirements and cannot present an English proficiency exam score sheet will be expected to take the Sabancı University English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE) held after the application deadline. The candidates outside the city or abroad are also expected to take the exam. It is recommended that candidates should learn the ELAE exam date from the announcements or ask to Student Resources. The ELAE exam invitation is sent to such candidates by email. There will be no make up for ELAE exam. 
• Turkish candidates with dual citizenship are expected to submit a valid language exam result certificate as they are subject to the application conditions as Turkish citizens, and in cases where the exam result is not presented, they are expected to take the Sabancı University English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE). 
• Candidates who cannot meet the English proficiency criterion will be required to complete the English preparatory year to continue their MA program. However, there are no scholarships available for the preparatory year, and thus such candidates will be required to pay the full tuition fee. 
• Candidates who take one of the international language exams recognized by the Graduate School of Social Sciences (TOEFL IBT, PTE Academic, CAE and CPE) in Turkey must ensure that they take this exam in a building owned by a public (state) university. Exams taken in test centers or private (foundation) universities are not accepted. 
• TOEFL IBT Best Score is not accepted

10. Research Plan: This outlines the candidate's intended research in the future. Research plans submitted for MA admissions are expected to have a minimum of 1000 words. It should be uploaded under “Documents” in the online application system. 

11. CV: A summary of the candidate’s education and work experience. It should be uploaded under “Documents” in the online application system. 

How are the applications evaluated?

• Applications to MA programs at the Graduate School of Social Sciences are evaluated by the admission jury of the respective program.
• Admission is finalized when recommended by the jury and approved by the Graduate School of Social Sciences, after which candidates are informed. 
• Candidates may be invited to written exams or interviews. Exams and interviews will be in English. 
• Based on the conditions, interviews can be in-person or online.

How can I obtain more information? 

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

Sabancı University Student Recources Office, 34956 Orhanlı – Tuzla, İSTANBUL
0216 483 93 61
0216 483 90 73
studentinfo@sabanciuniv.edu