Requirements of English Knowledge

Knowledge of English

Undergraduate studies

All applicants taking the Psychometric Entrance Exam must take the English Placement Exam within the framework of the Psychometric Exam, including those who are exempt from English as a Foreign Language.

Candidates not taking the Psychometric or SAT exam who have not proved a certain English level must take the separate English Placement Exam “Amir” – except for those who are exempt from English as a Foreign Language.

Each candidate or student of Tel Aviv University may take the "Amir" exam to improve their English level,  even if a certain level of English was attained at a previous psychometric or "Amir" or SAT  exam. There is no limit to the number of times and no minimum waiting period between one "Amir" exam to the next, or between Amir and Psychometric exams.

The classification into 5 levels is as follows:

1.      Pre-Basic – (Trom-Besisi): grades 1-84

2.      Basic – (Besisi): grades 85-99

3.      Advanced 1 – (Mitkadmim Aleph): grades 100-119

4.      Advanced 2 – (Mitkadmim Beit): grades 120-133

5.      Exemption- (Ptor): grade 134+

The applications of those who fail will automatically be rejected. This regulation pertains to all candidates, even those who were accepted earlier. Candidates to most of the departments must reach the Advanced 1 level by the beginning of the first academic year and reach the “exempt” level by the end of the first two or three semesters, according to the requirements of their respective departments.

The highest result will be taken into consideration for candidates who take the English Placement Exam (Psychometric or "Amir") more than once.

Special Cases

1.      Applicants from countries where English is not taught at a level equivalent to that taught in Israeli high schools may be accepted even with a  Basic level. These candidates must reach the Advanced 1 level by the beginning of their second year and reach the Exemption level by the beginning of the third year. This applies for all departments except for those which indicate otherwise.

2.      Applicants to the Faculty of Law, English an American Studies, School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine , Communication Disorders and Physical Therapy should receive a pass grade according to the Faculty's requirement (120 points, or "Advanced 2" level in the English Placement Exam in the Psychometric or at least 120 points in the "Amir" Exam).

3.      Applicants to the Occupational Therapy department should achieve an "Advanced 2" level in English before the beginning of the academic year.

4.      Applicants to the Nursing program  should achieve an "Advanced 1" level in English before the beginning of the academic year.

Exemption from English as a Foreign Language (for applicants for Undergraduate and Graduate studies)

Students complying with the following criteria are exempt from studying English as a foreign language:

• Candidates holding an academic degree from an accredited Israeli university (for details see the Hebrew website).
• Candidates who obtained an "exempt" (“ptor”) grade in the English section in a psychometric exam or in the Amir/Amiram test or in the verbal part of the SAT.
• Candidates who studied for at least two years at the high school level (grades 11 and 12) in an English-speaking school and graduated.
• Candidates who studied in non-English speaking countries, but the language of instruction was entirely English may be exempted from English upon providing an official document from the University registrar.
• Holders of a degree from a recognized academic institution abroad, located in an English-speaking country, where the language of instruction is English. This exemption is not valid for branches in Israel of higher education institutions abroad, including branches from abroad of institutions where the language of instruction is English.

Please note: A degree from a college in Israel affiliated with a foreign university does not grant students exemption from Tel Aviv University English requirements. Please see the section entitled "Placement Test."

Graduate studies

All candidates or students of Tel Aviv University must take the "Amir" exam to determine their English level.   There is no limit to the number of times and no minimum waiting period between one "Amir" exam to the next.

The classification into 5 levels is as follows:

1.      Pre-Basic – (Trom-Besisi): grades 1-84

2.      Basic – (Besisi): grades 85-99

3.      Advanced 1 – (Mitkadmim Aleph): grades 100-119

4.      Advanced 2 – (Mitkadmim Beit): grades 120-133

5.      Exemption- (Ptor): grade 134+

Another option for an English exemption test is the ETS- TOEFL IBT HOME EDITION, not including Medicine, Dental Medicine, Communication Disorders, Physical Therapy, English Literature and American Studies programs. 

The highest result will be taken into consideration for candidates who take the English Placement Exam more than once.

The applications of those who will not take the test until the beginning of the academic year  will automatically be rejected. This regulation pertains to all candidates, even those who were accepted earlier. All candidates must reach the “exempt” level before the beginning of their master studies .

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