Welcome to the Nefesh B’Nefesh Higher Education Hub, your go-to destination for a wealth of information on university programs and benefits. Delve into comprehensive details about various university programs, including pre-academic initiatives, entrance exams, academic scholarships, diplomas, and more. Discover the diverse array of English-language and Olim oriented university programs and opportunities available across Israel. Below, we provide information on financial support and opportunities available for academic growth, giving you the tools to embark on your educational journey with confidence and success.

University Information

Find comprehensive details on university programs and available benefits

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Events & Meetings

Engage in events, meetings, and informative webinars

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Student FAQs

Explore our Student FAQs for quick answers to common questions

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NEW!! Academic Programs in English

English academic tracks for Olim, undergraduates, & graduate candidates

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Student Authority Tuition Benefit

The Student Authority is a department within the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration which works to encourage Aliyah and higher education in Israel for young people from all over the world. The Student Authority provides the “tuition benefit” for Olim in the form of a full scholarship up to the standard Israeli tuition cost for eligible students, in addition to offering comprehensive academic and personal guidance. For more information see this. Please note that in order to receive the Student Authority tuition benefit, students must apply for it. The online application form is here.

The Student Authority welcomes your inquiries! You can reach out to them here.

Events & Meetings

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Student FAQs

Hi-tech, biotech, engineering, medical and para-medical fields, marketing, and sales are all great fields in Israel. However, keep in mind that the job market in Israel is dynamic. Strong Hebrew skills are more important in some fields than in others.

To get a sense of the current job market, check out our NBN Job Board.

This is a popular question but very subjective. It depends on your skills, profession, and location. It’s best to check online salary surveys for up- to- date salary ranges. Check out Alljobs (Hebrew) as well. For a more specific assessment please consult our employment department @ [email protected].

There are a few interesting differences that you should be aware of if you are planning to study in Israel:

  • Higher Education- especially a BA- in Israel focuses on preparing students for the job market from the start. You choose a specific field to study from the beginning of your degree.
  • The first semester begins the week after Sukkot, which means that the start of the school year changes every year.
  • There is no beginning university in the second semester of a year, with few exceptions.
  • Some universities offer electives included in the tuition cost.
  • Second semesters typically end in June, with exams continuing throughout the summer.
  • A second testing season, called Moed Bet, is available to students who miss exams or wish to improve their test scores.
  • Many academic issues are negotiable. This is true regarding prerequisites, transferring credits, deadlines for exams, registration, and other university policies.

The key elements to increase your marketability in the Israeli job market include developing a good command of conversational Hebrew, establishing a personal network of pertinent professional contacts, and acquiring relevant, transferable professional knowledge and experience. Our best advice is to study the current market trends, companies, and professionals so you can remain in the loop. LinkedIn is a powerful professional networking resource and is used extensively in Israel. It can help you find relevant professionals as well as information about job postings.

Official degree recognition is generally not necessary for jobs in the private sector. For public sector jobs, you may be required to obtain official approval of your degrees by the Israeli Ministry of Education.  In general, most online degrees are not recognized in Israel.

Hebrew is very important to integrate culturally and professionally.  Though it may take time to adjust to the many facets of being an immigrant, we have found that the more you embrace the Hebrew language, the better you will successfully acclimate and integrate into Israeli society.

Even if you are not completely fluent, you may be able to keep up with your studies in Hebrew. In many fields, study materials and textbooks are available in English. Keep in mind that many university programs allow Olim to submit papers and take exams in English. Check with each individual department to see what their policy is.

Among the benefits offered by the Israeli government to new Olim is a subsidized 5-month Ulpan (Hebrew language and immersion program) and it is highly recommended to take advantage of it! We also encourage you to start improving your Hebrew skills before making Aliyah, by using online resources, taking a local Ulpan, etc.

If you feel your Hebrew could use improvement beyond the 5-month ulpan, there are two options to consider:

University Mechina: a one-year program that helps students attain levels required for regular study in university (equivalent to Israeli bagruyot) and proficiency in both Hebrew and English.  It is offered in some universities and may be funded by the Student Authority for those who are eligible.

Ulpan TAKA: TAKA is a program funded by the Student Authority for students who plan on beginning or continuing their academic studies in Israel. It is meant for students who are exempt from Mechina (university preparatory program) and wish to prepare for Israeli higher education. Eligibility is based on previous education and intended studies.

The Psychometric exam is like the SAT for Israeli students. Nearly all university programs accept SAT and ACT scores but it is important to consult directly with the particular department to check upon applying. The psychometric exam is offered twice a year (usually in March and July) in English. For more information, please click here.

Israel is a small country and most universities are commuter “suitcase” schools, meaning that most students go home for the weekend. Because most students have already completed their army service +/- a year for traveling and entrance exams, the average age of an Israeli BA student is 22. However, campus life is very active! There are Hillel houses and every university has an “Agudat Hastudentim”- student union- that organizes social activities, concerts, and events. You can find more information on the university websites.

In addition to the subsidy that Olim receive from Minhal Hastudentim (The Student Authority), students can apply for a scholarship from various foundations and organizations. Each scholarship program has different eligibility criteria. Students can also apply for student loans with low interest rates and deferred payment plans through most Israeli banks as well as through universities. The best way to start your search for a scholarship is to visit the website of your chosen college or university. Look under the heading “Milgot.” In addition, you can use this site to find out about academic scholarships which are not specific to a particular institution. Many municipalities offer scholarships to their local students, for example, Jerusalem has a wide range of scholarships.

Vocational training courses are available throughout the country and are likely to be covered by the Voucher Program which is available to Olim within 10 years of Aliyah. Here’s a comprehensive list of courses. Keep in mind that you can only apply for government assistance to either a vocational training course or a higher education program at any given time.

If you are interested in breaking into hi-tech sales or other related fields, check out NBN’s Upgrade Program!

Market research and active networking are keys to finding a job in Israel. The NBN Employment Department offers individualized consultations, networking resources, and job search tips. Please take advantage of our Nefesh B’Nefesh Job Board as well as our Nefesh B’Nefesh Linkedin Job Board.

Probably not. You’ll definitely save money by not buying a car as a student. Universities are very accessible by public transportation and student discounts are available. Buses, trains, mini-vans (Sherut), and cabs, transportation options are easily accessible in all major cities. For the occasional trip or getaway, it is common to rent a car.

Contact Us!

For further educational questions or to speak with an advisor, please reach out to us at [email protected].

US & Canada: 1-866-4-ALIYAH

Israel: 02-659-5800

[email protected]

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