Admissions Requirements & Study Framework

Admission Requirements - Regular Track

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. M.Sc. degree in Physics with a minimum grade of 80

2. A grade of at least 85 on the master's thesis

3. A grade of at least 80 on the final master’s exam

4. Agreement of a faculty member to serve as supervisor, subject to the Ph.D. committee approval

Additional notes:

• The Admissions Office will evaluate international degrees and may require an interview

• Applicants from other institutions (Israel or abroad) whose curriculum differs from TAU may be required to complete additional coursework

• Applicants changing research fields may also be required to complete relevant courses

• Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may apply to be admitted as conditional doctoral candidates for a period not exceeding 12 months. The requirements applicable to such candidates will be determined individually by the school’s Ph.D. committee and approved by the university committee. In cases of exceptional academic or research achievements, the school’s Ph.D. committee may consider deviations from the grade requirements specified in Sections 1 and 2, subject to approval by the university Ph.D. committee.”

After admission, students are exempt from part of the "additional expenses" of the tuition (students' benefits) by contacting the Tuition Department, Tel: 03-6405555

Admission Requirements - Direct Track (from M.Sc.)

Outstanding M.Sc. physics students at TAU’s School of Physics and Astronomy can be admitted to the direct Ph.D. program if they fulfill the current conditions: 

1. Bachelor’s degree in Physics with a minimum grade of 85

2. Core courses (Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Physics, and Advanced Classical Physics) completed with an average grade of 85 across all three.

3. Completion of at least 18 semester hours by the end of the 3rd semester with a minimum average grade of 85

4. Agreement of a faculty member to serve as supervisor, subject to the Ph.D. committee approval

Upon meeting all requirements, the student will be admitted to the Stage A Direct Ph.D. Program. Student, pending approval of the school’s Ph.D. committee.

Registration documents

• B.Sc./ M.Sc. or equivalent diploma or certificate of graduation, signed by the granting institution (certified copy).

• Certified copies of the transcript of the B.Sc. and M.Sc. coursework.

• Advisorship certificate from a TAU faculty member who is authorized and willing to serve as an advisor to the Ph.D. student, as well as to commit funds for a fellowship.

• Curriculum Vitae

• Passport photo

Candidates with diplomas/grades from abroad will have them assessed by the Registrations Office. Based on the office's assessment, the school’s Ph.D. committee will decide whether an interview is required. Candidates will need to comply with admission requirements determined by the school’s Ph.D. committee. The committee is entitled to require students with an M.Sc.  degree from a university (in Israel or abroad) whose M.Sc. program is different from the TAU program to complete relevant courses as a condition of admission to the Ph.D.  program.

Course of Study in the Regular Doctoral Track

1. Within 1.5 years of admission as a Stage A research student, the student must submit a research proposal approved by the supervisor.

2. The student must be examined on the research proposal in a designated examination. The examining committee will include the supervisor(s) and three faculty members qualified to supervise research students. In the research proposal examination, the student’s general knowledge in physics will be assessed, and the scope and feasibility of the research plan will be evaluated. Guidelines for writing a research proposal are attached here as an appendix. Guidelines for Writing a Research Proposal

3. The supervisory committee will submit its recommendation to the school’s Ph.D. committee for decision.

4. Upon approval by the Ph.D. school and the university's committees, the student will be admitted as a Stage B research student.

5. One and a half years after the transition to Stage B, the student must submit a progress report to the school’s committee. If the student has published a paper as first author during this period, the paper may serve as a substitute for the progress report.

6. The school’s committee will appoint a supervisory committee that will meet with and monitor the students' progress during Stage B. Meetings will take place at intervals of less than 1.5 years. A summary of each meeting and the committee’s recommendations will be submitted to the school’s committee, which will forward them to the supervisor(s)and the student. A full description of the procedure and the relevant forms can be found below.

Course of Study in the Direct Doctoral Track (from the Master’s Degree):

1. By the time the research proposal is submitted, the student must complete the coursework requirements for the master's degree.

2. The total course credit requirement within the direct doctoral track will be equal to the combined course requirements for both the Master’s and Doctoral degrees.

3. The student must submit the research proposal and be examined on it by the beginning of the fifth semester of their master's studies. Guidelines for writing a research proposal are attached as an appendix.  Guidelines for Writing a Research Proposal

4. All other procedures for the course of study are identical to those in the regular doctoral track.

5. Passing the research proposal examination will exempt the student from the Master’s seminar requirement and will serve as the condition for advancement to Stage B of the research. The examining committee will submit its recommendation to the Ph.D. school’s committee for a decision. Upon approval by the school’s and the university's committees, the student will be admitted as a Stage B research student.

6. The student will be awarded a master's degree without a thesis, within the direct doctoral track, upon completion of all master's degree requirements and approval of the research proposal.

Student Requirements During Doctoral Studies: Course Load and Supervision

1. During their studies, students must participate in advanced courses offered by the school, totaling at least 8 semester hours.
   
   Of these 8 semester hours, the students must participate in a research seminar and give a presentation on their research topic. In addition, students must take a scientific writing course in English (this course is not included in the 8-hour count).

2. The student must complete the required course load within one year following approval of the research proposal, apart from the research seminar.

3. The student must act in accordance with the supervision arrangements as determined by the supervisor.

Academic Writing Course in English for Physics Students

The course carries 4 semester hours and is mandatory for Ph.D. students in Stage A of their research.

The course is an additional requirement for advancement to Stage B of the doctoral program.

Students are advised to enroll in the course at the first opportunity it is offered after admission (the course is offered once per academic year).

To register for the “Academic Writing in English” course, please contact the Senior Research Students Coordinator, Ms. Lenor Roytman, at lenor@tauex.tau.ac.il or 03-6408209.