Admission Rate and Requirements at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

Many international students often wonder about the admission requirements and acceptance rates at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, and whether they have the opportunity to join this prestigious institution to pursue their desired major and study in Turkey.

In this article, we provide you with a comprehensive guide covering all the essential aspects related to studying at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University — including detailed admission requirements, step-by-step application procedures, key advantages of the university, and tuition fees for various majors for the 2026 academic year.

Keep reading!

Overview of Studying at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

Since its official establishment in 2010, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University has aimed to rise in rankings to become one of the top five private universities in Turkey.

The university welcomed its first students in the 2011–2012 academic year and has since grown into one of the country’s leading research-focused institutions, known for its wide range of academic programs.

Study programs at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University are available in Arabic, English, and Turkish. The university offers 39 undergraduate programs, 70 master’s programs, and 22 doctoral programs across its seven faculties:

1. Faculty of Education
2. Faculty of Law
3. Faculty of Engineering
4. Faculty of Islamic Sciences
5. Faculty of Health Sciences
6. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
7. Faculty of Administrative and Economic Sciences

In addition, the university includes a graduate institute, a vocational school, a preparatory language school, and an official TOEFL test center—making it a comprehensive institution that attracts nearly 2,000 international students each year. Its main campus, Halkalı, is located in a strategic area of Istanbul.

The university’s vision is rooted in strong ethical values and a deep commitment to developing a generation equipped with the skills, competence, awareness, and creativity needed to build a better future.

Read also: University Admission Rates in Turkey: A Complete Guide

What Are the Admission Requirements for Studying at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University?

International students, dual citizens (if Turkish citizenship is not the original one), Turkish students who completed their secondary education abroad, and students from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who have taken the GCE exams are eligible to apply to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University as international students. However, they must meet the specific admission requirements based on their intended level of study.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

To apply for a bachelor’s degree at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, students must upload the following documents when completing the online application form on the university’s official website:

1. Completed online application form.
2. High school diploma translated into Turkish or English and certified by a notary or a consulate. If the student has not yet graduated, a translated document indicating the expected graduation date must be submitted.
3. Translated high school transcript (into Turkish or English), certified by a notary or a consulate.
4. A copy of the passport, or Turkish ID for residents in Turkey.
5. A personal photo.

Once the student receives the official acceptance letter from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, they must submit the following original and copy documents:

1. Official acceptance letter.
2. Original high school diploma (certified with a stamp), translated and notarized or certified by a consulate.
3. Equivalency certificate, proving that the high school diploma is equivalent to those recognized by the Turkish Ministry of Education.
4. Original transcript of all high school years, translated and certified by a notary or consulate.
5. Passport (copies of all pages showing personal information and validity).
6. Residence permit.
7. Proof of payment for registration fees.
8. Four personal photos.
9. Language proficiency certificate (if available) for the chosen program. Students are exempted from the preparatory language year if they provide the required official language exam score (e.g., TOEFL 72 for English programs).
10. Signed declaration form, submitted along with the acceptance letter.

Scholarship Application Requirements at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

To apply for a 100% scholarship, students must provide additional documents alongside the standard admission documents:

• SAT or YÖS exam result.
• Statement of purpose.
• Two letters of recommendation.

Read more about: The Best Turkish Universities and Their Local and Global Rankings

Master’s Degree Admission Requirements at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

Applications for a Master’s degree at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University can be submitted through the university’s official website. Applicants must upload all required documents in the application form, which include:

• Completed online application form.
• Certified copy of the bachelor’s degree diploma from the student’s graduating university.
• Certified academic transcript.
• Copy of passport.
• Personal photo.
• English proficiency certificate.

The admissions committee in each department will review the student’s academic record and achievements. Candidates who are accepted must submit the following documents in person to the Student Affairs Office to complete their registration:

• Admission letter.
• Passport or Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) ID card.
• Original bachelor’s degree diploma.
• Original transcript.
• Recognition certificate issued by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
• One personal photo.
• Payment receipts and tuition fee documentation.
• Language proficiency certificate if the language of instruction differs from the student’s native language.
• Residence permit (if available).

Additional Requirements for Master’s Programs in English or English Language Teaching

If applying for a Master’s program in English or in English Language Teaching, the following additional documents are required:

• TOEFL-IBT score, or a YDS certificate, or the English proficiency exam result issued by Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, or an equivalent exam result approved by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
• Statement of purpose (1,500 words).
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).

All required documents must be translated into Turkish or English by a certified notary and approved by the Turkish consulate. Submissions must be completed before the registration deadline.

PhD Admission Requirements at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

Applications for a PhD degree at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University can also be submitted online. Applicants must upload the following documents in the application form:

• Completed online application form.
• Postgraduate diploma (Master’s degree).
• Master’s transcript including thesis information.
• Thesis document in PDF format.
• Language proficiency certificate, if the program is not taught in the applicant’s native language.

Admission Averages at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University for Top Majors

The Foreign Student Admissions Committee at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, a highly experienced body, is responsible for evaluating and thoroughly reviewing student applications.

Therefore, it is essential for applicants to pay close attention when filling out the online application form, writing the statement of purpose, and attaching all required documents. The committee uses the following criteria for admission:

• The student’s high school transcript.
• The number and types of subjects studied, and the grades obtained.
• The student’s performance in standardized tests that assess academic and logical reasoning skills.
• The student’s personal qualities and community involvement or volunteer initiatives.
• Scholarship Admission Criteria
• Students wishing to apply for scholarships must meet the following requirements:
• Pass the IZU-YOS (Istanbul Zaim University Entrance Exam for Foreign Students).
• Submit an internationally recognized exam result (such as SAT, IB, GCE, etc.) if they haven’t taken the IZU-YOS.
• Submit a YÖS exam result in case they haven’t taken the IZU-YOS.
• Have a cumulative high school GPA above 80%.
• Submit a statement of purpose (minimum 1,500 characters).
• Demonstrate proficiency in the program’s language of instruction at a minimum B2 level.
• Provide at least two letters of recommendation.
• Include certificates for training, social activities, skills, and achievements.
• Submit an academic writing sample.

You may also be interested in: How to Apply to Private Universities in Turkey

Costs and Tuition Fees at Sabahaddin Zaim University

Below are the tuition fees and costs for studying at Sabahaddin Zaim University:  

Steps to Apply to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

Students who wish to apply to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University must follow these steps:

1. Go to the registration portal via https://apply.izu.edu.tr/.
2. Select the level of the academic program you want to apply for (Undergraduate, Master’s, Ph.D., or Vocational Programs).
3. Choose the language of instruction (Turkish, English, or Arabic).
4. All information related to the chosen program (duration, tuition fees, etc.) will appear.
5. Click on the “Register Now” button.
6. Fill in all the required fields correctly (First name, Last name, Nationality, Email address).
7. Click on the “Sign Up and Continue” button.
8. A postal code will appear in the results; be sure to save it, as it is required for future correspondence.
9. Once the program is selected, fill in the required details (Name, Passport number, Nationality, Date of birth, etc.).
10. Upload your photo exactly as it appears in your passport.
11. Go through all the sections on the left-hand side of the page and fill them in accurately.
12. Under the “Documents” section, make sure that all uploaded files are in the correct electronic format and do not exceed 4 GB in size.
13. Click on the Check List option and carefully review all information.
14. Click on Save Changes.
15. Then click on Save.
16. Finally, click Submit to confirm the application.

At this point, all the required steps for registration in the desired program have been completed. The student must now wait for the official admission letter from the university. Students can also reach out to the Directly Education team for help with applying to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.

Also read: Required Documents for Applying to Turkish Universities

How Can the Directly Team Help You Apply to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University?

Directly offers international students a comprehensive package of student services that help secure admission to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, driven by our belief in the importance of fulfilling their academic and professional dreams.

Here are some of the services Directly provides for students, as one of the top student service companies in Turkey:

1. Free consultations to help students choose the academic program that suits their goals.
2. Detailed information on the admission requirements at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.
3. Accurate details on tuition fees across different majors.
4. Guidance on available scholarship opportunities.
5. Free university admission service.
6. Assistance in preparing and submitting the application.
7. Support in obtaining a student visa and residence permit.
8. Help in communicating with the university after receiving admission.
9. Assistance with travel arrangements.
10. Securing affordable and suitable student accommodation.
11. Continuous support throughout the entire period of study at the university.

In conclusion, we’ve reviewed the admission requirements for Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, detailed the application steps, highlighted the university’s advantages, and covered tuition costs for various majors for the 2026 academic year. We hope this information was helpful.

If you aspire to study at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University and have any questions, feel free to contact us via Directly’s WhatsApp.

We’d be happy to assist you through one of our educational advisors.

Wishing you a successful academic journey!