Tel Aviv University (TAU) is a public research university in northwest Tel Aviv. It is ranked 208th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the best result of any Israeli university, up from 223rd.[1][2] TAU says 25,500 undergraduate and graduate students will study there in 2026/27; its older facts page counts more than 30,000.[3][4]
International students mostly enter through English-taught programmes listed in US dollars. For 2026/27 the annual tuition is $15,500 for the BA in Liberal Arts and $17,500 for the BA in Management and Liberal Arts; most listed master’s programmes cost $12,640 per year, and some science master’s tracks are tuition-free. The application fee is $150.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Tel Aviv University (אוניברסיטת תל אביב) |
| Location | Ramat Aviv campus in northwest Tel Aviv; postal address P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 6997801[6] |
| Type | Public research university[7] |
| Founded | 1956, by merging three institutes (Tel Aviv School of Law and Economics, Institute of Natural Sciences, Academic Institute of Jewish Studies)[7] |
| Students | 25,500 undergraduate and graduate students expected in 2026/27; the older facts page says 30,000[3] |
| Faculties | 9 faculties and 125 schools and departments (older facts page)[4] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 208th, first in Israel (223rd in the previous edition)[1] |
| Language of teaching | Hebrew; English-taught programmes for international students through the Lowy International School[8] |
| Tuition 2026/27, BA programmes | $15,500 (Liberal Arts) · $17,500 (Management and Liberal Arts)[5] |
| Tuition 2026/27, master’s programmes | $12,640 for most listed MA/MSc programmes; $16,900 Security and Diplomacy; $21,000 international LLM; $41,500 MBA programmes; several MSc tracks tuition-free[5] |
| Application fee | $150 (bachelor’s and graduate programmes), non-refundable[5] |
| English proficiency | IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 (CEFR B2 or higher), or another proof on the list[9] |
| Official website | english.tau.ac.il · TAU International |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 10 November 2026.
About Tel Aviv University
Wikipedia dates the university to 1956, when three institutes merged: the Tel Aviv School of Law and Economics (1935), the Institute of Natural Sciences (1931) and the Academic Institute of Jewish Studies (1954).[7] TAU’s own history page traces the origin to 16 August 1953, when the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipal Council decided to turn the Biological-Pedagogical Institute into the Academic Institute of Natural Sciences, the core of a future university.[10]
The permanent campus is in Ramat Aviv; its first building was completed in 1959 and the campus was dedicated on 4 November 1964.[10] The university’s older facts page lists nine faculties and 125 schools and departments.[4]
Student numbers differ by source and definition. A TAU news item of 8 October 2026 reports a record 25,500 undergraduate and graduate students expected in 2026/27 and 5,120 new first-year students.[3] The facts page counts 30,000 students but cites sources from 2017 and has no date.[4]
How is Tel Aviv University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Tel Aviv University is 208th in the world, ahead of all other Israeli universities; the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is 218th and the Technion 334th. TAU highlights its position of 29th worldwide for citations per faculty.[1] The Jerusalem Post reports that TAU rose from 223rd.[2]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Tel Aviv University?
The university is organised in faculties of arts, engineering, exact sciences, humanities, law, life sciences, management, medical and health sciences and social sciences.[7] International students usually apply to programmes of the Lowy International School, taught in English.[8]
- Bachelor’s: BA in Liberal Arts, BA in Management and Liberal Arts, a dual degree with Columbia University, and Engineering BSc academic-integration tracks for new immigrants (olim).[8]
- Master’s and other graduate programmes: the 2026/27 fee list names MA programmes such as Security and Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Environmental Studies and Jewish Studies, an international LLM, the Sofaer Global MBA and Coller Deep Tech MBA, and MSc tracks in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, life sciences and medical sciences.[5]
The undergraduate FAQ says the list of English-taught programmes is not complete on that page; use the Degree Navigator on the international site.[8]
How much does Tel Aviv University cost in 2026/27?
| Programme | Annual tuition (US dollars) |
|---|---|
| BA Liberal Arts | $15,500 |
| BA Management and Liberal Arts | $17,500 |
| Dual degree with Columbia University (TAU part only) | $15,500 |
| MA and MSc, most listed programmes (for example Environmental Studies, Jewish Studies, Cyber Politics) | $12,640 |
| MA Security and Diplomacy | $16,900 |
| MA TESOL (plus $1,450 Hebrew ulpan) | $15,250 |
| Parasol Foundation International LLM | $21,000 |
| Sofaer Global MBA, Coller Deep Tech MBA | $41,500 |
| MSc Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences | Free tuition |
These are the amounts on TAU International’s 2026/27 fee page, which quotes everything in US dollars.[5] MA tuition is for one-year programmes, except the MA in Archaeology. The application fee is $150 and non-refundable. A student services fee of $300 per year is included in first-year tuition and charged separately in later years, and an additional semester costs 5% of programme tuition.[5]
Some master’s programmes do not include health insurance; the undergraduate FAQ says tuition for its programmes includes mandatory health insurance.[5][8] The FAQ estimates living costs in Tel Aviv at about $1,500 to $2,000 per month.[8]
These figures cover English-taught international programmes only. For Hebrew-taught master’s studies, TAU’s regulations describe tuition as a percentage of a base fee (a minimum of 200% of the tuition fee for the whole degree); we did not find an amount in shekels for non-Israeli students.[11] For living costs see our Israel guide.
How do you apply to Tel Aviv University?
New applicants to the international programmes start from the “Apply” link on TAU International and pick a programme in the Degree Navigator; admission questions go to the programme coordinator.[12]
Bachelor’s: the undergraduate FAQ lists an academic diploma, an official high school transcript, proof of English proficiency, a personal essay and two letters of recommendation. SAT or ACT results are optional for the BA programmes, required for the Engineering BSc integration tracks, and a minimum SAT of 1350 is recommended for Columbia dual-degree applicants.[8]
Master’s: requirements are set by each programme; the application page refers applicants to the programme coordinator.[12]
We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme; the FAQ says to confirm dates for your intake.[8]
Which language level do you need?
English. Applicants who are not native English speakers need proof at CEFR B2 or higher: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79, or a Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced pass, with all components in the B2 range. Other accepted proof is a letter from an English language expert at a recognised academic institution or a letter confirming graduation from a programme taught only in English. IELTS General Training, TOEFL ITP and TOEFL Essentials are not accepted, and departments may set stricter criteria. A note on the page gives 4.5 overall for TOEFL tests from January 2026 without explaining the scale, so confirm it with TAU.[9]
Hebrew. Hebrew is not required for programmes of the Lowy International School. Studying Hebrew in an ulpan is recommended and available year-round.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Tel Aviv University cost for international students?
For 2026/27 the BA in Liberal Arts costs $15,500 per year and the BA in Management and Liberal Arts $17,500; most listed master’s programmes cost $12,640, and some MSc tracks are tuition-free. The application fee is $150.[5]
Can I study in English at Tel Aviv University?
Do I need to speak Hebrew for TAU International programmes?
No. Hebrew is not required for programmes of the Lowy International School; an ulpan is recommended.[8]
Is the SAT required for Tel Aviv University?
Not for the BA programmes, where SAT or ACT scores are optional. They are required for the Engineering BSc integration tracks.[8]
More about studying in Israel
- Israel: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Israel
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
- Weizmann Institute of Science
Sources
[1] Tel Aviv University Trust: TAU ranked No. 1 in Israel in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 22 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[2] Jerusalem Post: Tel Aviv University rises in latest QS world rankings (article of 22 Jun 2026; gives the previous ranks)
[3] Tel Aviv University: Tel Aviv University Hits a New Record: 25,500 Undergraduate and Graduate Students (news item of 8 Oct 2026; 2026/27 figures are projections)
[4] Tel Aviv University: Key Facts and Figures (page without a date; its sources date from 2014 to 2017)
[5] TAU International: Tuition Fees 2026-27 (2026/27 fees in US dollars; page without a date)
[6] Tel Aviv University: General information and contact details (page without a date; the tuition unit’s mailing address on the same page uses another postal code (6139001))
[7] Wikipedia: Tel Aviv University (founding, type and faculties)
[8] TAU International: Undergraduate FAQ (page without a date)
[9] TAU International: English proficiency (page without a date)
[10] Tel Aviv University: History (page without a date)
[11] Tel Aviv University: Master’s degree tuition (page without a date)
[12] TAU International: Apply to international programs at Tel Aviv University (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.