Frequently Asked Questions

When can I apply to the Executive MBA Program?

The Executive MBA program welcomes applications each year during the first three weeks of June. Only those applications received during this period are considered for admission.

Is there an application fee?

Yes, there is. The application fee for our program is determined by the Bogazici University Senate each year in May

Are students also admitted to the program during the school year?

Students are admitted to the program only once a year. Applications made in periods other than the application period in June are not accepted.

I have an undergraduate degree in a field other than business administration. Can I still apply?

Yes,we believe that the presence of students who have other undergraduate major backgrounds, in our Executive MBA Program, enriches our program.

I am a graduate of a four-year college situated abroad. Can I also apply for this program?

You can apply if the colleges you have graduated from have been approved for equivalence by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK)

I am currently enrolled in a master’s program at a university in Turkey / abroad. Can I apply to your program as a transfer student?

Transfer students are not accepted to this program.

If I am accepted to this program, can I waive those courses I have previously taken at another university in Turkey / abroad?

The students are obliged to enroll in and attend all courses within the scope of this Program.

Can I apply as a special student?

Special students are not admitted to our program.

Is it possible to attend one or a couple of classes as a visiting student within the Program?

Visitor students are not allowed to attend the classes.

My photograph / recommendation letter / other document is missing. May I submit an incomplete application?

Applicants are required to submit all application materials by the end of the application period. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission. Only those applicants whose English language test scores are missing may conditionally apply and the applicanst may provide the results of the test scores after the application period.

Can the recommendation letters be from academic sources?

We cannot accept academic references; the letters should be from the business world.

What happens after I submit my application?

Applicants, who have fulfilled the requirements of application, may apply within the application dates that have been previously announced. At the end of the application period, all applicants are reviewed by the Executive MBA program’s Executive Committee according to their academic and business-related qualities. Those applicants who meet the basic requirements are invited for an interview. The candidates who are successful in the interview are admitted to the program.

What is the difference between Executive MBA and regular MBA programs?

For the differences in programs there is information under the general information heading in our website.

I have an undergraduate degree from a different field. Do I need to attend preparatory business courses?

We do not have preparatory courses for students who hold non-business undergraduate degrees.

Who teaches the courses in the program?

Professors from the Management Department of Bogazici University teach the courses. Team work, laboratory work, and visiting lecturers from the business world are also part of the teaching process, depending on the nature of specific courses.

Is attendance to classes required?

Yes, however we are also aware of the fact that our students have jobs. Students’ work-related excuses for absence, such as business meetings and/or travel required by their current jobs are evaluated with tolerance.However,we believe that attendance to classes is also important for adding value to our students’ education.

Is it possible to complete the program in two years instead of one by taking a lighter course load each term?

The students must be enrolled for each course in each term.

How many students will be admitted to the program?

The quota for the program is announced each year in May. The quota for 2025-2026 academic year is 55 people. 

How much is the tuition fee and what are the possible payment methods?

This subject is explained in detail in the “Tuition and Fees of the Program” section. The tuition fee and the payment methods of the Executive MBA program are announced by the University’s Board of Directors each year in May.

Is there student financial aid and what are the requirements?

There is no financial aid provided by the school for Executive MBA students.

I am a graduate of Bogazici University. Is there a discount in the tuition fee?

The same tuition amount applies to all students.

Do BU graduates have any privileges in the application process?

All applicants who meet the requirements of the program are treated equally.

I have just graduated from university; can I apply?

We do not accept applications from recent graduates to our program. We believe it is important that participants have professional work experience both for the richness of the program and for the benefit of the other participants.

I am a recent graduate, but I have worked during my education in my undergraduate degree; can I apply?

We expect our candidates to have -preferably- five years of professional work experience. We only consider work after graduation as valid professional experience.

I have work experience of less than five years; can I apply?

Yes you may, but we should remind the applicants that we prefer candidates with five years of professional work experience.

Where / how can I apply to take the BUEPT / TOEFL / IELTS examinations?
  • BUEPT exam is administered by the Bogazici University School of Foreign Languages three times per year in January, June, and August. To learn more about the dates and application process for this exam, please visit https://yadyok.bogazici.edu.tr/ or you may receive information by phone from 0212 359 45 00.
  • Bogazici University is an authorized test center for TOEFL (IBT). You can obtain information about the Bogazici University TOEFL Center at the web site https://transint.bogazici.edu.tr/or by phone at +90 212 263 02 36 / +90 212 359 73 78. Another test center for TOEFL in Istanbul is BILMERK. You can reach BILMERK through http://www.bilmerk.com or through the phone number +90 212 230 66 00.
  • IELTS exam is administered by the British Council. For information about this exam you can visithttp://www.britishcouncil.org/tr/turkey-learning-exams-ielts.htm. British Council Istanbul’s phone number is +90 212 355 56 57.
My English level is insufficient for this program; are there any preparatory English language classes?

Proficiency in English is mandatory to apply to the Executive MBA program and there are no preparatory language classes.

I am a graduate of BU. Do I still need to bring proof of English proficiency?

Yes. BU graduates are exempt from the proficiency test during the two years following their graduation. Those who have graduated more than two years ago need to take one of the tests acknowledged by the university senate (BUEPT / TOEFL / IELTS).

I am a graduate of a university in Turkey whose language of instruction is English. Do I still need to bring proof of English proficiency?

Yes, you still need to bring acceptable scores from one of the three tests mentioned above (BUEPT / TOEFL / IELTS). Only applicants graduated from Boğaziçi University in two years are exempt from the English proficiency exam.

I am a graduate of a university abroad (in the UK / USA). Do I still need to bring proof of English proficiency?

If the last four years of your education is in a country whose native language is English and also the instruction language of the university is English and if you have graduated in two years, then you are exempt from the English proficieny exam.

I have not taken the BUEPT / TOEFL / IELTS exam yet. Can I apply to this program?

Yes, you can apply conditionally. If you are accepted to the Program, you must take one of the three exams mentioned above and obtain a satisfactory score by the end of the registration period. You will lose the chance to register to the program if you cannot bring proof of your knowledge of English.

My TOEFL score is 213 (79), however my TWE score is below 4.5 (24). Can I still submit an application?

Yes, you can apply conditionally. If you are accepted, you must bring proof of your proficiency in writing by the end of the registration period. In that case, you can either take only the TWE section of BUEPT examination, whose score -if satisfactory- will be combined with your TOEFL score of 213 (79); OR you can take a full IELTS / TOEFL test again to obtain passing score for each component of the test.

I have taken the TOEFL / IELTS test, but my results have not arrived yet. Can I still submit an application?

Yes, you can apply conditionally. If you are accepted, you must bring a satisfactory score by the end of the registration period, otherwise you will lose the chance to register to the program.

Are old-dated TOEFL / IELTS test scores accepted?

TOEFL / IELTS test scores are valid for 24 months. You may present an older score for information purposes only. You may apply conditionally, however you have to take the exam one more time.

Do I need to bring either ALES or GMAT scores?

ALES or GMAT is not required to apply for the program.