FAQ's
Application
The deadlines are the following:
Deadline | Date |
First Deadline | December 31, 2020 |
Second Deadline | March 31, 2021 |
Rolling Applications | June 30, 2021 |
Last Day to Confirm Program Participation | July 31, 2021
|
Applicants are encouraged to apply for the earliest deadlines as to better increase their opportunities for success and scholarships. Additionally, international students will need to apply for student visas via their local Israeli embassy/consulate, which can take several weeks to several months.
Experience has shown that students who have spent a longer time in the workplace tend to be better prepared for the multi-faceted GMBA year.
Applicants are encouraged to have 4 years of work experience before applying to the program, though the minimum requirement is 2 years.
In exceptionally rare circumstances, applicants with less than 2 years of work experience may be accepted. Click for more information about selection criteria.
Competitive scores are required.
The Sofaer Global MBA and Tel Aviv University's School of Management have updated its policy regarding GMAT/GRE waivers. Please review our policy here.
Yes, applicants are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS (unless they're native English speakers or have completed a full degree in English).
Yes. For more information about Sofaer Global MBA scholarships, please click here.
Yes. More information about scholarships can be found here.
Yes. Applicants must apply for MASA and the Sofaer GMBA separately. Students with MASA grants need to fulfill certain requirements for the grant.
No, we do not accept transfer credits from other institutions towards the degree; however, students may receive exemptions from core courses based on courses take at other institutions. For more details about exemptions, please click here.
In certain circumstances the Admissions Committee will grant deferrals. Applicants will need to re-apply the following year and provide relevant updated information. Additionally, while deferral of an acceptance will hold the place for an applicant for the next year, it does not guarantee scholarship allotments, and applicants will receive an updated registration letter upon acceptance.
Program Structure
Each class of the Sofaer Global MBA consists of between 40-50 students from a wide range of professional, academic, and geographic backgrounds. On average the students have 2-4 years of work experience, represent 15 countries and the average age is 28.
Tel Aviv University's School of Management is the only business school in Israel to be internationally accredited. The GMBA is accredited by the AACSB.
The 2021/22 Academic Year will begin on October 10, 2021.
No. The Sofaer GMBA has only 1 intake per year. Students study together as a cohort and complete the program together, unless studying on exchange.
To get a better idea of the schedule for the year and courses offered in the program, please review our course list for 2020/21.
The Sofaer Global MBA provides students with a strong foundational core in all aspects of business. Students are given a variety of choice for elective courses; however, the program itself is geared toward entrepreneurship and innovation, and, therefore, there is no further specialization.
No, you do not need to have any Hebrew knowledge to study in the program. The program is entirely in English. However, it is possible for students to take a Hebrew Ulpan in order to enhance their experience in Israel. Students who do speak Hebrew are able to take some courses in the Hebrew MBA programs with approval.
For the first part of the year (October-February) Courses are generally held 4-5 days a week (Sunday-Thursday), between the hours of 8:00 and 18:00. Students will not be able to work during the start of the program.
For the remainder of the school year (March-August), most classes are held during the week between 15:45 to 21:30, providing time during the day for internships and professional networking.
Yes. The final semester of the GMBA can be abroad at one of the School of Management’s over 90+ partner schools. Note: sometimes the exchange does lengthen the program, ending in December instead of August. A select list can be found here, and includes some of the top business schools globally.
Yes. We do our best to integrate students in the Sofaer GMBA with Israeli students in its sister program, the MBA in Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Students may also take courses offered in English in the flagship Hebrew MBA program, and other international MA programs at Tel Aviv University.
The GMBA also works with the University’s Student Union to provide all international students with the same services as Israeli students. Additionally, the Student Union runs The Buddy System, which connects international and Israeli students together for long-term cross-cultural interactions. The Buddy System has its own series of events on and off campus, open to all students, which are conducted in English.
Planning a Visit
Absolutely. You can book a meeting here. Applicants are also welcome to sit in on a class and are encouraged to book a visit via the previous link.
The Admissions Office will be happy to connect relevant applicants with current students or alum. Please contact the Admissions Office : gmba@tauex.tau.ac.il.
To arrive at the University from Tel Aviv city center, take buses: 13, 24, 25, 126, 7, or 289. From Gate 7 (Corner Einstein and Levanon St.), the Recanati Building is the first big white building at the top of the stairs on the right.
The Israeli work week is from Sunday to Thursday, with a few offices also open on Friday mornings. In keeping with this at TAU, administrative offices are open and courses are held from Sunday to Thursday.
The Israeli weekend is Friday and Saturday. Stores in Israel are generally open from Sunday morning to Friday afternoon, closing Friday early evening and opening again on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Arriving in Tel Aviv
In order to give yourself enough time to acclimate to life in Tel Aviv, applicants are highly recommended to arrive at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program. Mandatory orientation is typically held one week prior to the start of classes, and students should plan accordingly.
Students who do not hold an Israeli passport or ID number must obtain a student visa prior to their arrival in Israel. Students are recommended to contact their local Israeli embassy/consulate at least 6 weeks ahead of their arrival. More information about obtaining a visa is provided upon acceptance to the GMBA.
Note: all visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date they enter the country.
All international students are covered by an Israeli insurance policy which is included in the program’s tuition fees. More information about insurance can be found on the TAU International website.
Students have the option to live in the on-campus dormitories or off-campus.
Dormitories are available on a limited first-come first-serve basis and students interested in living in the dorms should apply for the first application deadline.
Most students prefer to rent an apartment in Tel Aviv. The rent for apartments in Tel Aviv varies in accordance with the apartment size, location, amenities, and lease period. The real estate market in Tel Aviv is very fast-moving and there is a constant supply of available apartments. Following confirmation, students will receive a list of resources to aid them in the apartment search.
We estimate the cost of living (food, transportation, rent, etc.) to be $1,000 USD -$1,200 USD per month, though students have been known to live on less, or much more.
Upon acceptance, applicants are given a number of resources to help them find an apartment and tips for getting used to life in Israel.
Tel Aviv University is located in the municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo in one of the northern residential neighborhoods called Ramat Aviv. There are several bus lines which reach campus via the city center, and take approximately 20-25 minutes depending on traffic.
Click here for a map of the university. The Recanati Building is easiest reached by entering through Gate 7.