Tel Aviv University’s campus was filled today, Thursday, February 5, with thousands of prospective students who arrived for the university’s traditional Open Day. Under the message “Start thinking big about your future,” students were placed at the heart of the experience — from a live podcast station to an impressive exhibition of groundbreaking student projects.

Prospective students met academic faculty members and current students across the various faculty buildings and took part in workshops and panels that provided all the tools needed to begin their academic journey. The festive atmosphere made an impact: already during the day, hundreds of new students registered on campus, choosing to secure their place in next year’s incoming class.

Students at the Front

This year, special emphasis was placed on student-led initiatives. Across the different areas of campus, visitors were introduced to outstanding projects led by students during their studies — ranging from technological developments to innovative social initiatives. In addition, a special podcast was recorded throughout the day (working title: “Live from Campus”), featuring students and alumni sharing their degree experiences and career tips.

“This year, we chose to put our students at the front, because they are living proof that here, you can — and should — start thinking big,” says Sharon Ariel, Marketing Director of Tel Aviv University. “We see our students as full partners in the creation of knowledge and in shaping reality. Our goal is to give them the strongest possible support, so that their future can begin here — in the most powerful way.”

The Freedom to Choose and Combine

Throughout the day, prospective students were able to explore the wide range of program combinations offered by the university.

“The university offers more than 200 study programs, and we encourage students to choose interdisciplinary combinations that express their individuality,” adds Ariel. “Whether it’s combining Computer Science with Art or Biology with Government, we believe that unconventional combinations are precisely what give our graduates a meaningful advantage in today’s dynamic job market.”

The excitement on campus was also reflected in high registration numbers: the first 200 students to register during Open Day received a special surprise — a free pair of Saucony sneakers — to begin their studies with confidence and style.

Visitors took part in immersive tours across faculty buildings and departments, offering a taste of different fields of study and a glimpse into the university’s labs. Among the most popular sessions were introductions to Tel Aviv University’s innovative teaching methods, including hands-on virtual reality experiences, as well as workshops on choosing a field of study led by the Career and Academic Counseling Center at the Dean of Student Success.

In addition, prospective students learned how they can spend a full semester at leading universities abroad through TAU’s student exchange program and participated in a workshop at the Campus Entrepreneurship Center, where they discovered how to start advancing a startup dream already during their degree.