Israel is a young country with a very vivid culture and an ever present history of great interest to scholars worldwide. In addition Israel has one of the most highly regarded higher education systems worldwide with universities within the top 200 ranking universities today. Due to a shortage of university places in regards to the number of potential students, there are a number of alternatives to the public universities. Around thirty foreign universities run local campuses in Israel. In addition private universities have been growing in importance. In most cases instruction is in Hebrew, but certain programs are available for English speaking students.
Academic Year in Israel
Israel has a two-semester academic year generally starting in September. Some courses are available with a spring semester start in January.
World Class Education
As a student, your main concern with studying overseas is the quality of the institution you will be attending. Israel’s higher education institutions are known worldwide for their academic excellence. With several universities ranked amongst the highest in the world, excellent colleges and research institutes, Israel offers you a high quality academic experience! Many institutions offer programs in English, providing a unique international learning environment designed for you to learn and succeed.
Innovation & Technology
If you’re into innovation and technology, Israel is the place for you! Israel is the land of innovation, also known as the “Start-Up Nation”. It is a hotbed of hi-tech activity, with the world’s highest investment per capita in start-up companies. Israel was ranked the 3rd most innovative country in the world (World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index). Studying in Israel gives you the opportunity to experience and participate in Israel’s vibrant start-up culture and eco-system.
Student Life
Whether you live on campus or off, in or out of the city, there’s more to studying in Israel than just hitting the books. Israel has a vibrant student social scene with many opportunities to get out and about and enjoy all that Israel has to offer. You will have the opportunity to make life-long friendships with Israelis and other students from all over the world.
Fascinating Culture
Choose to study in Israel, and you’ll find yourself at the heart of a diverse, dynamic and constantly developing culture. Israel has over 4,000 years of history, which have incorporated many different cultural influences. Whether it’s food, history, art or music, you will have many opportunities to immerse yourself in Israel’s fascinating culture throughout your studies.
Travel & Landscape
Israel has plenty to offer as far as sightseeing. You can experience world-famous historical sites, float in the Dead Sea, go hiking in the beautiful Sea of Galilee region or the Negev Desert, marvel at the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa or enjoy a sunset on Tel Aviv beach. Israel is packed with a wealth of attractions that will keep you occupied until graduation and beyond.
Costs of Studying in Israel
Public universities are funded to 70% by the government. Only 20% of their funding is dependent on tuition fees, which keeps down costs considerably. Tuition fee policy for public universities has changed regularly over the past few years. In general fees for public universities are far lower than in many other places. Private institutions however are far more expensive as they are largely dependent on students' tuition. Costs vary between schools.
An example: for the academic year 2009/2010 tuition fees for a full year of undergraduate studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are USD 12,000. Housing for the same period is said to cost USD 4,715. In addition you will be required to attend an Ulpan - Hebrew course, which costs 1,705 for the Summer session plus living expenses for housing etc.
Housing
Most universities have a help office for international students that will help you with everything from visa applications to finding housing. In some places the universities have a limited number of student housing facilities on and off campus. In other cases you may be required to find private accommodation. Costs will vary depending on location and standard which is why we do not publish an exact figure.