For information about specific academic programs in Israel, please see the Meidaat Higher Education Database. (You can view the information either in English or Hebrew.) Additional information is available on Limudim B'Yisrael and www.science.co.il.
The university system in Israel is very accommodating to new Olim. The level of the Israeli university system is very high, even equal to the top American universities. Hebrew lectures often include English readings. Advanced ulpan is available, and many places offer MA programs in English. Many professors are accessible, and allow Oleh students to write papers in English, and allow more time on exams.
Attending university in Israel is a great way to get your foot in the door, make Israeli contacts within your field, and acquire essential Hebrew skills. A degree from an Israeli institution provides the experience that can make a significant difference in your academic future, as well as your professional career.
And, as Olim Chadashim, you are entitled to a free higher education, subject to certain criteria such as age, prior degrees, etc.
There are eight major universities in Israel, as well as private universities and many other colleges (Michlalot).
Hebrew University has four campuses, three in Jerusalem and one in Rechovot. It has universal renown and a variety of popular fields of study, from law to nutrition.
Tel Aviv University has the benefit of being located in the "city that never sleeps." It offers programs of study in engineering, international relations, medicine, film and television, philosophy, English, and fine arts, among many others.
Bar Ilan University is the country's only religious university. It is located in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, and has the benefit of an advanced Torah study option on campus.
Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva is named after the first prime minister of Israel. Its health science programs are very popular, especially physical therapy, nursing, public health, and gerontology.
Haifa University is the site of one of the few IBM research centers located outside the USA. Popular fields are the sciences, law, business, and education.
Weitzman Institute of Science is one of the top-ranking, multi-disciplinary research institutions in the world. It is located in Rechovot, and is relatively small, with only 2,500 students.
Technion in Haifa is where Professor Musa, inventor of the cure for Parkinson's disease, studied. Top fields include architecture, engineering, medicine, sciences, and mathematics.
The Open University is located in Ra'anana. It is based on a system of distance learning, and therefore has no admission requirements.
Studying in English
In addition, there are a number of programs that are offered in English. These programs are private and the Minhal Hastudentim funding only partially covers the cost of tuition.
English language programs are not described on the Meidaat Higher Education database. For more information about these programs, please see the Websites for each program (listed below).
Important Note: Most of the programs that are offered in English, are not fully covered by the Student Authority (as with the Israeli programs). Tuition ranges from $6,000 - $25,000, depending on the program. If the program is recognized by the Student Authority, they will pay the equivalent of Israeli tuition (approx. $3,000 a year).
IDC Herzliya - International School offers BA degrees in: business, government, communications and psychology. It also offers an MA in government and an MBA. All programs are taught completely in English.
The International MBA program at Bar Ilan University is an international program in business administration.
The Rothberg International School is Hebrew University's overseas program. It boasts an international mix of students and offers BA and MA programs in Jewish Civilization, Jewish Education, Bible, Religious Studies, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and Society and Politics in Israel.
The Rothberg International School in conjunction with the Melton Centre for Jewish Education of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers an MA program in Jewish Education for formal and informal educators, principals, and community workers. The program integrates theory and practice of Jewish Education in Israel and the Diaspora, and includes a choice of 3 concentrations: Jewish Education and Jewish Studies; Jewish Leadership Education; and Jewish Education and Israel Studies. For further information: http://virtualmelton.huji.ac.il/pages/ma/rothbergnefesh.pdf
Ben Gurion University offers the following English-language degree programs: Medical School for International Health, Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, The International Master of Arts Program In Middle East Studies (MAPMES), The Honors MBA program, MA Linguistics, MA Literature, BA in Literature and Linguistics, International Summer School, The Department of Communication Studies – (MA/PhD), The Politics of Conflict - The Department of Politics and Government (MA) and the Ginsburg-Ingerman Overseas Student Program (OSP).
The Sacklar Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University is Israel's largest institute of higher medical education, and hosts approximately 300 American students.
The Medical School for International Health in Beer Sheva also offers a medical program in English, for approximately 125 international students.
The Bob Shapell School of Social Work at Tel Aviv University offers an MA in Coping with Stress, Crisis and Trauma.
Machon Lev- JCT offers an integration program for religious, English-speaking men who are interested in studying in Hebrew but feel they need to do so gradually. The program offers a freshman year of courses taught in English along with an Ulpan. During the remainder of the degree, which is taught in Hebrew, a range of student services are provided to facilitate an easier transition. Degrees are offered in various fields such as Business, Computers and Engineering.
Important Note: Most of the programs that are offered in English, are not fully covered by the Student Authority (as with the Israeli programs). Tuition ranges from $6,000 - $25,000, depending on the program. If the program is recognized by the Student Authority, they will pay the equivalent of Israeli tuition (approx. $3,000 a year).
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