Tel Aviv University
אוניברסיטת תל אביב
Israel's largest university, in the middle of its tech scene, with English-taught BAs for international students.
- Students
- 30,000
- Tuition
- $15,500
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1956
- QS World Ranking
- #208
- 2027 edition
About TAU
Tel Aviv University, founded in 1956, describes itself as Israel's largest and most diversified university, with nine faculties, more than 30,000 students, about 1,200 researchers and 125 schools and departments. Its faculties cover Arts, Engineering, Exact Sciences, Humanities, Law, Life Sciences, Management, Medical and Health Sciences and Social Sciences, plus a newer Faculty of Neuroscience, and it runs 130 research centres and institutes.
Most undergraduate teaching is in Hebrew, and admission to Hebrew-track degrees is based on the Israeli matriculation certificate (or a foreign diploma) together with the national Psychometric Entrance Test. For international students, the Lowy International School runs English-taught degrees: a three-year BA in Liberal Arts, a BA in Management and Liberal Arts, a dual BA with Columbia University, engineering BSc academic integration tracks and a free-tuition BMus at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music.
The university sits in north Tel Aviv, in the centre of Israel's high-tech and business economy. It reports ranking seventh in the world, and first outside the US, for producing successful VC-backed entrepreneurs (PitchBook). It suits students who want a big research university in a lively city, and who are comfortable studying in Israel's current security environment.
בעקבות הלא נודע
“Pursuing the Unknown” — university motto
Why students choose TAU
English-taught BAs for international students, including a dual degree with Columbia University.
SAT and ACT are optional for the international BA programmes, which review applications holistically.
A strong startup pipeline: TAU reports ranking seventh worldwide for producing VC-backed entrepreneurs (PitchBook).
Tuition of 15,500 to 17,500 US dollars a year for the international BAs, with housing on campus and a career and internships centre for international students.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry
Selectivity
Tel Aviv University does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Hebrew-track programmes admit on the matriculation certificate or foreign diploma together with the Psychometric Entrance Test, with requirements varying by programme; the international BA programmes review applications holistically.
Typical entry requirements
| International BA programmes (Liberal Arts; Management and Liberal Arts) | High school or upper secondary diploma and transcript, proof of English, a personal essay and two letters of recommendation; SAT or ACT optional |
|---|---|
| Engineering BSc academic integration tracks | SAT scores required in addition to the standard documents |
| Hebrew-track undergraduate programmes | Israeli matriculation (Bagrut) or foreign high school diploma plus the Psychometric Entrance Test, English placement and Hebrew proficiency |
| English language | International programmes require proof of English proficiency; see TAU's Proof of English Proficiency page for accepted tests. Hebrew-track applicants take the English placement section of the PET or the Amir exam. |
Deadlines
- Columbia-TAU dual BAEarly January (for fall entry)
Applications usually open in August and are handled through Columbia University's website.
- International BA and engineering BSc tracks Non-bindingGenerally 31 August (for fall entry)
Applications usually open in November or December of the previous year. Housing and scholarships are typically first come, first served.
TAU gives typical deadlines rather than fixed dates; the Liberal Arts page listed deadlines for the next intake as 'TBA'. For Hebrew programmes in the 2025 cycle, applications from abroad were due by 31 May 2025 (earlier for Medicine, Dental Medicine and Architecture).
How to apply
International programmes: apply online to each programme through TAU International (Lowy International School); you can apply to several BA programmes at once. The Columbia dual BA is applied for through Columbia's own site. Hebrew programmes: apply through TAU's Hebrew registration system (paper forms for applicants abroad) and register separately for the Psychometric Entrance Test with NITE.
What admissions looks for
- A holistic picture: transcript, diploma, personal essay and two recommendation letters.
- Proof of English proficiency for English-taught programmes.
- For engineering tracks, SAT scores; for the Columbia dual BA, a strong SAT (1350 or more recommended).
- For Hebrew-track programmes, matriculation or diploma results together with the Psychometric Entrance Test.
Tips for applying to TAU
- 1 Apply early: TAU says housing and scholarships for international students are typically first come, first served.
- 2 You can apply to the Liberal Arts BA and the Management and Liberal Arts BA at the same time, and to the Columbia dual BA as a separate earlier application.
- 3 Contact the programme coordinator listed on each programme page, since each programme sets its own requirements and dates.
- 4 If you want a Hebrew-taught degree, plan the Psychometric Entrance Test and Hebrew proficiency exam well ahead of application deadlines.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
TAU International lists merit scholarships, need-based aid, MASA grants for eligible students and US federal loans. A $300 annual student services fee is included in first-year tuition and charged separately afterwards.
- $300 per year (included in first-year tuition)
- Student services fee
- $150 (non-refundable)
- Application fee
- $750-900 per month
- Groceries estimate
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (fall and spring)
International BA in Liberal Arts
A three-year English-taught degree in which students mix courses across fields to build their own programme.
BA in Management and Liberal Arts
Combines management with liberal arts courses, in English, for $17,500 a year.
Dual BA with Columbia University
A joint BA with Columbia University, applied for through Columbia with an early-January deadline; TAU tuition is $15,500 a year for its part of the programme.
Engineering BSc academic integration tracks
Entry to Israel's largest engineering faculty, which has more than 4,000 students and runs an Industrial Affiliates Program with high-tech firms.
BMus, Buchmann-Mehta School of Music International Program
A tuition-free international music degree.
Research
- 130 research centres and institutes and about 3,500 research projects a year.
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History is on campus.
- Interdisciplinary centres for AI and data science, quantum science, nanotechnology, cyber and renewable energy.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Exact Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Life Sciences
- Faculty of Management
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Neuroscience
- Lowy International School
Student life
The campus in Ramat Aviv is green and walkable, with the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, a botanical garden and a large sports centre where students get discounted membership. International students start with an orientation week run by the Lowy International School, can take Hebrew ulpan classes, and join trips and events that introduce Israeli society. TAU also reports 300,000 student volunteer hours a year. The university briefs international students on safety and security as part of orientation.
- Orientation week and a dedicated career and internships centre for international students.
- TAZUZ student sports club and discounted gym membership.
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History and the TAU Botanical Garden on campus.
- 300,000 student volunteer hours a year.
Housing. TAU offers on-campus housing for international students with kitchenettes; places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location
TAU's campus is in north Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is Israel's business, culture and high-tech hub and is expensive by regional standards: TAU suggests budgeting about $1,400 a month beyond tuition and housing, and students get discounted public transport.
Nearest airport: Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)
Notable alumni
- AS Adi ShamirCo-inventor of the RSA algorithm and Turing Award winner; BSc in mathematics (1973)
- IH Isaac HerzogPresident of Israel since 2021; studied law at TAU
- BG Benny GantzFormer IDF chief of staff and politician; bachelor's degree in history
- RH Ron HuldaiMayor of Tel Aviv since 1998; studied at TAU
- EK Etgar KeretWriter of short stories and graphic novels; studied in TAU's Adi Lautman programme for outstanding students
- SK Shlomo KramerCo-founder of Check Point and Imperva; bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science
- NL Nadav LapidFilm director; studied philosophy at TAU
Frequently asked questions
Can I study at Tel Aviv University in English?
Yes. TAU's Lowy International School offers English-taught undergraduate degrees including the BA in Liberal Arts, the BA in Management and Liberal Arts, a dual BA with Columbia University and engineering BSc tracks. Most other undergraduate degrees are taught in Hebrew.
Does Tel Aviv University require the SAT?
The SAT and ACT are optional for the international BA programmes, but the SAT is required for the engineering BSc tracks and a score of 1350 or more is recommended for the Columbia dual BA. Hebrew-track programmes use the Psychometric Entrance Test instead.
How much does Tel Aviv University cost for international students?
For 2026-27, the BA in Liberal Arts costs $15,500 a year and the BA in Management and Liberal Arts $17,500, plus a $150 application fee. TAU suggests budgeting about $1,400 a month for living costs beyond tuition and housing.
When is the Tel Aviv University application deadline?
The international BA and engineering tracks generally close on 31 August for fall entry, while the Columbia dual BA closes in early January. Check each programme page, as dates vary.
What is the acceptance rate at Tel Aviv University?
TAU does not publish one. International programmes review applications holistically, while Hebrew-track programmes admit on matriculation or diploma results together with the Psychometric Entrance Test.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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