Graduate studies at the Technion have been offered since 1948, and The Graduate School was officially established in 1956. Courses of study and research, leading to advanced academic degrees, are offered in all of   Technion's academic units.

Since 1951, the Technion has conferred nearly 10,000 Master's. degrees and about 2,600 Doctoral degrees. In the academic year 1999/2000 more than 3500 students were enrolled in The Graduate School.

The degrees awarded are:

MSc - Master of Science
ME - Master of Engineering
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

Graduate studies for the degree of Master of Science provide the student with knowledge in a given scientific field or, alternatively, a higher level of engineering expertise. The student is required to study a specially designed course outline and submit a top quality research thesis, an engineering project or a final paper. The Master of Engineering degree is offered in numerous engineering fields and requires course work only.

The Master's degree research thesis or project offers the opportunity for different types of research, theoretical or empirical; it can deal with pure or applied science, investigating various phenomena, or present a more practical approach, such as engineering design or production processes.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy usually requires three years of full-time study. Students devote time mainly to research, although they are expected to participate in seminars in advanced subjects and to acquire in-depth knowledge through course work and independent study. At the end of the first year of study doctoral students are required to pass a candidacy examination. The examination tests the ability of the student to pursue independent and original research in his chosen subject. Toward the end of his doctoral studies the student is required to submit a final thesis and pass an oral defense examination.