Study in Israel

Study in Israel

University Schemes In Israel

On the WUJS site: Scholarships for Foreign Students to Study in Israel

Degree in Israel
For those who like a challenge, it is always possible to study as a regular student in an Israeli university, at graduate or undergraduate level. Graduate degrees are supposed to take two to three years to acquire in Israel (it can be more), undergraduate degrees usually take three or four years. Study is generally in Hebrew, with students expected to pass a number of Hebrew proficiency exams (which at least demonstrate proficiency in exams, if not in Hebrew). Most university material is in English, particularly at higher levels and in the sciences, so for the student with decent English there is always a chance. At the graduate level in particular, but also for undergraduates, there is often a flexibility about what language students must write in – students who aren’t fluent in Hebrew are usually allowed to write in English. Studying for a degree at an Israeli university can be hard and demanding – but anybody looking to integrate into Israeli society could do a lot worse – especially for those studying at the undergraduate level.

Ulpan classes are available free of charge to students in regular degree programs. These include a summer ulpan before commencing studies, and until the student has finished Hebrew studies.

For immigrants, university fees (not living expenses) are covered by the Student Authority of the Ministry of Absorption. These are worth about $3000 per year. Students have to repay a proportion of fees for an academic year if they don’t finish it. The Student Authority won’t pay for immigrants to study for a second undergraduate degree, or a second graduate degree.

Ben Gurion University of the Negev website.
Haifa University website.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem website.
Bar Ilan University website.
Tel Aviv University website.
Technion University website
Israel now has a wealth of academic institutions, other than universities which offer high quality degrees. In fact, in some cases it is better to have a qualification from one of the colleges rather than a university.

One Year Program/Degrees in English
A number of universities offer special programs for students from abroad. These programs, available in English, and sometimes in French, can often be taken for credit by students of American, and other, universities. Because overseas programs are for overseas students they often aren’t the best way to integrate into Israeli life – although living in university accommodation with Israelis can help – but there are a number of other advantages. First, students can get to know Israel well, without a feeling that they are missing out on what they might otherwise have been doing. Second, the courses available are often high level, and interesting, with a special Jewish and Middle East focus available for those interested. Third, because instruction is in English, it is possible to learn, without struggling too much, whilst still learning Hebrew in ulpan classes. Alternatively, universities generally offer semester programs – think ‘one year’ and divide by two. Although study in Israel can be expensive compared to other ways of spending time in Israel, it is often a cheap way of studying, and thee are often large scholarships available, especially with fewer visitors to Israel.
It is also possible to take a complete degree in English at the International schools of the university.
Ben Gurion University of the Negev Overseas programs website.
Haifa University Overseas programs website.
Hebrew University Overseas programs website.
Bar Ilan University Overseas programs website. (Note that Bar Ilan is an Orthodox institution.)
Tel Aviv University Overseas programs website.

Other institutions offering overseas programs/Degrees in English
The Zinman College (Wingate Institute) offers an overseas program
The Holon Academic Institute of Technology offers a MASA One Year Program
Raphael Recanti International School at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, offers degrees in English in Computer Science, Business Administration and Government, Diplomacy and Strategy.

Mechina
The pre-degree Mechina program is designed to ensure that new immigrants have the required intellectual background and language proficiency for study in Israel. The program allows participants to enrol in one of four tracks – humanities, social sciences, life and medical sciences, or technological and exact sciences. Each track prepares participants for university study in the chosen area, with particular emphasis on ensuring that students have the necessary command of Hebrew, English, the technical vocabularies they will need to use, and familiarity with the Israeli university system. Mechina runs for the duration of the academic year at the major Israeli universities, and is ideally suited for somebody wanting to either (a) drastically improve their Hebrew (b) start studying for a first degree in Israel.
Tel Aviv University Mechina details.
Hebrew University Mechina details.
Bar Ilan University Mechina details.

TASP: Teach And Study Program
TASP is one of the more unusual ways to study in Israel. Over the course of two years, participants study for a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics/Language Teaching and Learning awarded by the University of Liverpool (UK), with the coursework completed in Tel Aviv. Weekday mornings, participants teach English in Tel Aviv schools. The program is expensive, but not when one considers that there’s a Masters degree to be gained, as well as an opportunity to live and work in the heart of Israel.
TASP website.

The WUJS Institute
The WUJS Institute was founded in 1968 by the World Union of Jewish Students and has functioned ever since as an independent institute, providing one of Israel’s finest Ulpan programs. In addition to Ulpan, WUJS offers extensive courses in Jewish and Israel studies. The Ulpan and Jewish Studies programs cater to several of Hebrew and Jewish knowledge, from beginners to advanced. Young Jewish graduates and professionals from all over the world have an opportunity to go and experience Israel in the most exciting and creative manner possible. The WUJS Institute was awarded the Knesset Speaker’s Prize for its advancement of Israel-Diaspora relations. WUJS was cited for its unique accomplishments in Jewish-Zionist education and promotion of immigration and social and cultural absorption to Israel.
WUJS-Arad website

Also on the WUJS website:
Volunteering in Israel
Elsewhere on the Internet
Hitchhikers Guide to Israel Programs
AJ6 Guide to Study in Israel
Other Academic institutions in Israel