A PhD at Tel Aviv University is funded, taught in English, and backed by research infrastructure that includes 130 research institutions, 400 laboratories, approximately 3,500 active research projects, and more than 1,200 full-time faculty across nine faculties — exact sciences, life sciences, engineering, medicine, humanities, social sciences, arts, law, and management.

Admitted candidates work directly with a supervising faculty member and join active research groups that publish in peer-reviewed international journals and host collaborations with teams in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Tel Aviv University maintains more than 280 cooperation agreements with partner universities worldwide, including Joint PhD (Cotutelle) programs that let candidates hold a dual degree with a partner institution. TAU is also a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions host for Doctoral Networks, giving candidates on consortium-based projects direct access to European research mobility.

Note: If you are interested in pursuing biomedical research, you are invited to apply to the PhD program at the Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. 

Exceptional candidates for a PhD in biomedical research are eligible for BRAVO PhD with generous fellowships. Find out more about the program here. 

Doctoral candidates at TAU come from the United States, India, China, across Europe, as well as East and Southeast Asia and Latin America. The Lowy International School supports international candidates from first inquiry through visa, housing, and arrival, so you focus on your research from day one.

Every admitted PhD candidate is eligible for a university scholarship with a monthly stipend. External fellowships, including the Israel Science Foundation, Rothschild, Fulbright Israel, and the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program, can be held concurrently with the TAU scholarship. See the Funding Opportunities tab for the current structure and eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to secure a supervisor before I apply?

Yes. A confirmed TAU faculty supervisor is part of the application. If you have not yet identified a supervisor, start with the Research Opportunities Platform to browse open positions or review faculty research profiles. 

Start by submitting the PhD opportunities inquiry form.

Are PhD programs at TAU online or on campus?

PhD programs at Tel Aviv University are conducted on campus, in person. Doctoral research involves direct work with a supervising faculty member, access to the university’s 400 laboratories, and participation in Departmental Committee seminars and milestone reviews. TAU does not offer distance or online PhD programs.

Is a PhD at Tel Aviv University funded?

Yes. PhD candidates admitted to Tel Aviv University are eligible for a university scholarship that includes a monthly stipend set annually by the Research Students Office. The scholarship is awarded for one academic year at a time and renewed on the fellow’s progress. Candidates may also hold external fellowships and grants concurrently, subject to each award’s terms. See the Funding Opportunities tab for the current scholarship structure.

Do I need to speak Hebrew to do a PhD at Tel Aviv University?

No. All PhD programs at TAU are conducted in English, including coursework, lab meetings, thesis writing, and the thesis defense. Hebrew is not an admission requirement and is not required to complete the degree. Candidates who want to learn Hebrew during their studies can enroll in Ulpan courses offered by the Lowy International School.

What English proficiency do I need to apply?

PhD admission at Tel Aviv University requires written and spoken English at a level sufficient to conduct research, write a doctoral thesis, and defend it in English. Candidates educated in English-medium institutions or those with a prior graduate degree completed in English generally meet this bar without a separate test. Candidates educated in another language may be asked to provide a TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent score — the Departmental Committee for your field decides whether a test is required.