Admissions

Tel Aviv University, The Buchmann Faculty of Law

 Information on the Ph.D Program

"The Ph.D. program at TAU Law aims to provide a platform for aspiring young scholars to study and conduct meaningful, independent scholarship" (Prof. Sharon Hannes, Dean of Tel Aviv University Faculty of Law).

Hosted by the Zvi Meitar Center for Advanced Legal Studies, the Ph.D. program is considered one of the largest and most prestigious post-graduate programs in the country, and enjoys a rapidly increasing number of graduates every year.

About the program 

Offering a wide scope of courses, the program encompasses the full spectrum of legal fields and research methodologies. Candidates enjoy a comprehensive and significant scope of conferences, post-graduate courses, seminars and colloquia to choose from, including various courses that are taught in English. The Faculty's Ph.D. Colloquium is designed to provide candidates with a platform to discuss and present work -in-progress, and receive and provide meaningful assessments of such research. The colloquium is typically held 2-3 times a month.

Candidates are also encouraged to present papers on their research at local and international conferences and publish articles in law reviews and journals.

Following 1-2 years of course participation, candidates are required to submit a research proposal, subject to an external blind review, followed by review of the Faculty and the University's Doctoral Committees. Candidates are expected to submit their doctoral dissertation 2-3 years after their research proposal had been approved. The dissertation should provide an original and valuable contribution to the advancement and understanding of the research field. Students can choose to write the dissertation in English.

PhD students are eligible for scholarship subject to criteria relating to dedication of time for research.

The Application Process

Applicants interested in applying to the program must hold an undergraduate law degree (LL.B./J.D. or equivalent) as well as an LL.M. or an equivalent master’s degree.

Important: Candidates who did not complete a master's thesis during their LL.M. studies will be required to write a thesis equivalent in scope and quality to an LL.M. thesis, achieving a minimum grade of 88, before proceeding to the doctoral program.

To begin the Ph.D. application process:

1. Submit Academic Records:
   Provide formal LL.B. and LL.M. transcripts and diplomas for an initial review, to assess the compatibility of your academic record with Tel Aviv University's requirements (minimum required LL.B. grade: 80; minimum required LL.M. grade: 85; minimum required master's thesis grade: 88).
   Original copies will be required at a later stage.
    

2. Find a Supervisor:
   After meeting the preliminary requirements, Ph.D. candidates must secure a doctoral supervisor from among our faculty members. The supervisor must agree to oversee the candidate's research and must be approved by the Faculty's Doctoral Committee.
   Click here for a list of our senior lecturers and their contact information.
    

3. Submit Full Application Documents:
   After securing a supervisor, candidates must submit the following documents:

   • Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) and list of publications (if applicable)

   • Ph.D. Statement of Intent

   • A one-page application letter addressed to the Admissions Committee

   • Two academic recommendation letters

For further information you are welcome to contact:

Ms. Ayelet Avriel

Phone: (972)-3-6406482, ext. 2

Fax: (972)-3-6406427

Email: aavriel@tauex.tau.ac.il