Tel Aviv University’s Study Abroad Program in Today’s Context: Frequently Asked Questions
Since October 7, Tel Aviv University (TAU) has seen a dangerous level of misinformation circulating regarding its values and role as a university, including our study abroad program.
This FAQ aims to help set the record straight on our program.
What are the admissions criteria for TAU’s study abroad program?
To participate in TAU’s study abroad program, one must be an undergraduate student enrolled at an accredited higher education institution outside of Israel. Generally, we accept students with a GPA of at least 80 (on a scale of 100) or 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0), or equivalent.
Who can apply for the study abroad program?
We encourage everyone to apply for the study abroad program and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, or any other identity category. For instance, nowhere in the application do we ask students about their ethnic or religious background. We have many Jewish, Christian, and Muslim students at TAU, and students coming from many different cultural backgrounds.
What happens if a student applies for the program from a country that has no diplomatic relations with Israel?
TAU is proud to welcome students, on average, from more than 100 countries every year. It is true that some countries do not recognize Israel’s sovereignty and refuse diplomatic relations with Israel. Given that any student must obtain a visa to study in a country where they are not a citizen, TAU is limited in its ability to intervene in cases where no diplomatic relations are established. At the same time, if there is a way we can help students get to TAU, we will do our best—for instance, if a student happens to be a dual passport holder and has a second nationality from one of the 165 countries that are diplomatic partners with Israel, we highly encourage that student to apply for a visa via this second nationality.
What support do you offer for marginalized or minority students?
Equality and diversity are priorities for TAU, and we continue to focus on fostering a campus environment that is safe and welcoming for all people.
We have a variety of initiatives for LGBTQIA+ students, programs to support racialized students, and a variety of support for religious minorities, such as Jewish, Muslim, and Christian prayer spaces on campus and in the dormitories.
Read more about TAU’s commitments to equality and diversity.
Can Palestinian students apply for the study abroad program?
Approximately 18% of our student population at TAU is Palestinian; this broadly reflects the percentage of Palestinians who are Israeli citizens. Most Palestinians who join TAU do so not as study abroad students but as degree students in undergraduate and graduate programs, as they hold Israeli citizenship.
It is also possible for Palestinians without Israeli citizenship to attend TAU; we traditionally work directly with students from the Palestinian Territories to help them obtain a student visa.
What wider support does TAU offer Palestinian students?
TAU runs a variety of programs to help Palestinians in our academic community. For instance, Sawa provides Palestinian students across TAU faculties with mentorship, scholarships, subsidized tutoring, study groups and a support network; and the Cohn program provides funding and inclusion support for TAU Palestinian students in the Humanities.
We also run a pre-academic 'gap year' program for young Palestinian adults not yet enrolled in a university degree program, and the Neubauer Fellowships are for Palestinian PhD students and faculty in STEM areas.
We are very proud of our Palestinian students, many of whom study in the most competitive undergraduate and graduate programs, like engineering, medicine and life sciences.
Learn more about how TAU is supporting campus coexistence after October 7, including through dialogue programs and initiatives.
Is it safe to study at Tel Aviv University right now?
Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our international students and community. We vigilantly monitor any changes in circumstances within the country and are in frequent contact with government agencies; our procedures and instructions align with wider government protocol and recommendations.
Our focus is on taking care of our students, keeping them safe, and getting them the support they need.
We always follow the government safety recommendations for those in Tel Aviv. Should they be needed, there are many safe and secure areas across TAU, including in the campus dorms. In the Einstein dorms, there is a secure area between Buildings A and B; in the Broshim complex, there is a secure apartment (whose number starts with 01) on each floor of the building.
Learn more about safety and well-being guidelines.
Why is the continuation of TAU’s study abroad program important?
TAU has long been one of the most inclusive and pluralistic meeting grounds in Israel. Our study abroad program is an important part of this, as it is only through cultural exchange that we can learn from and understand each other. We hope international students will continue to want to come to TAU and get to know us for who we are—a university committed to freedom of speech and human rights, to academia based on fact and reason, and to the principled advancement of truth and research.
We welcome everyone at TAU, as well as all forms of academic pursuit and thought.
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