Tel Aviv University Sets Record With Over 16,600 Undergraduate Students
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Tel Aviv University will host a record 16,657 undergraduate students in the 2026/27 academic year, the highest in Israeli history. This figure is up from 15,673 students in 2025/26, with a 10% rise in first-year students. The increase is attributed to high demand for therapeutic fields and humanities, influenced by the ongoing war. The academic year begins October 18.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Tel Aviv University will enroll a record 16,657 undergraduates in 2026/27, the most in Israeli history.
- This year's enrollment is up by approximately 1,000 students from the previous academic year.
- Demand for therapeutic professions like physical therapy and social work has significantly increased.
- Enrollment in humanities, particularly Middle Eastern studies, also saw a substantial rise.
- The university invested heavily in expanding its physical therapy program infrastructure.
- The academic year at Tel Aviv University is set to begin on October 18.
Tel Aviv University is set to enroll a record 16,657 undergraduate students for the upcoming 2026/27 academic year, marking the highest number of such students in any Israeli university's history. This figure represents an increase of approximately 1,000 students compared to the 15,673 undergraduates in the 2025/26 academic year. Around 5,120 new students will begin their studies in the first year, a 10% rise from the previous year's 4,652.
The previous undergraduate enrollment record of 16,376 was set during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021/22, attributed to a backlog of military veterans unable to travel abroad. While undergraduate numbers are at a peak, the university anticipates breaking its overall student enrollment record next year.
The surge in undergraduate enrollment is partly driven by exceptional demand for therapeutic professions, influenced by the ongoing war. Physical therapy saw a 33% increase, from 456 to 605 students. Social work enrollment rose by 19%, from 306 to 363 students, with occupational therapy up 6% and psychology up 7%. The university noted significant financial investment in expanding its physical therapy program infrastructure.
Enrollment in humanities and social sciences also saw surprising growth. Humanities saw a 28% increase, from 592 to 759 students, with Middle Eastern studies experiencing a notable rise due to increased interest stemming from the war. Social sciences increased by 11%, from 1,309 to 1,459 students, with economics showing strong demand.
The academic year at Tel Aviv University is scheduled to commence on October 18.
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