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Study in Israel

Higher Education Structure in Israel

Study In Israel

Israel is home to ten Universities, and a large number of other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including Academic Colleges, Technological Colleges, and Teacher's Training Colleges. Over 150,000 students are enrolled in the Universities alone, with tens of thousands of students in the smaller educational institutions. All Universities in Israel are known for their research output, in areas as diverse as Artificial Intelligence and Irrigation Technology.

Israel is a country located in West Asia, between the continents of Africa and Asia. Though it is a small country, it is densely populated, with more than 10 million people living in Israel. It is the world's only majority Jewish state, and has a rich history of innovation and achievement in science and art. Its largest cities are Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and it is home to a large international population, in both its Universities and municipalities.

The Perks of Studying in Israel

Israel is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #20 in the world in the WiseVoter “Best Countries for Education” report in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #135 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by WiseVoter in 2023, primarily due to the ongoing conflict.
  • The country is ranked #34 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #35 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.

Higher Education Framework in Israel

There are four main kinds of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Israel:

1. Universities: There are ten Universities spread across the major cities of Israel, one of which (the Open University) is mainly concerned with distance learning programs. Universities teach a comprehensive set of disciplines, and five of the ten Israeli Universities are ranked in the top 500 in the world.

2. Academic Colleges: Academic Colleges are smaller than Universities, with 3,000 students as compared to 15,000 - 20,000. They usually focus on a narrow range of related subjects (e.g. Engineering or Humanities) and are designed to increase access to high quality education in urban areas outside the eight largest cities in the country.

3. Technological Colleges: They focus on vocational technical education, and train students in skills that are needed in the labor market. They award certificates upon completion, and are an important part of the Israeli industrial sector.

4. Academic Teachers Training Colleges: There are more than 10 such HEIs in Israel, and they play an important part in training teachers at all levels, from preschool to University, for both the academic and religious institutions in Israel.

Certificate Programs

The most common Certificate Program in Israel is the Practical Engineering Certificate; this is issued by the Government Agency MAHAT, which looks after practical training in technology and science. Students can work towards this certificate at any one of several Technological Colleges across Israel. Most students who join this are high school graduates, and the certificate can be obtained after 2 or 3 years of study, depending on the major.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate programs in Israeli Universities usually last three or four years. The first year is spent learning general subjects related to the overall field of study (e.g. Liberal Arts) after which students specialize in a subject for the remaining two or three years. Some international Bachelor’s degrees allow students to spend the first half of the degree in Israel, and the remainder in an international partner University abroad.

Postgraduate Programs

Israeli Universities and Colleges offer MSc and MA degrees in a wide range of advanced subjects, from Artificial Intelligence to Studies of Ancient Israel. They are designed to be completed in two years. The coursework is advanced, and requires completion of assignments and guided research during the final phase. To be awarded the Master’s degree, students must complete a Master’s Thesis and defend their dissertation.

Doctoral Programs

Israel is a leading center of research and development. This is often spearheaded by PhD students in Israeli Universities, who work on original research problems under the guidance of Faculty Supervisors. After having their research proposal approved by the Department, students spend 2-3 years on the main body of work, while also assisting in teaching duties and publishing journal papers. The final year is usually spent on writing the PhD thesis and presenting the work done before a panel of external examiners.

Disciplines Available in Israel

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study in Israel. Some of the popular disciplines available in Israel are-

Agricultural SciencesNanoscience & NanotechnologyClinical Medicine
Plant and Animal ScienceSpace ScienceMaterials Science
SurgeryCell BiologyOncology
Neuroscience and BehaviorSocial Sciences and Public HealthCell Biology and Genetics
Arts and HumanitiesPsychiatry and PsychologyComputer Science

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Israel

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Israel.

The name of the city No. of Universities 
Jerusalem1
Tel Aviv1
Haifa2
Ramat Gan1
Beersheba1
Samaria1
Herzliya1
Rehovot1

Average Monthly Expenses in Israel for International Students

International students in Israel must pay tuition fees of 14,120 NIS per year for undergraduate programs, and 19,081 NIS for Master’s and Doctoral programs. There is also a security fee of approximately 600 NIS payable for all courses, over and above the tuition fee. This is much lower than the tuition fee in Universities in Western Europe or the United States, even though the ranks of Israeli Universities are good.

The total living cost for international students in Israel is approximately 6,000 NIS (1,400 to 1,600 USD) per month, in one of the larger cities like Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Half of this amount is likely to be spent on private housing rent, while the rest will be spent on food, transportation, insurance, recreation, and school supplies.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Israel.

Applicants for a long term Israeli Student Visa (permit type A/2) must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • A Letter of Admission from a University or Institute based in Israel.
  • A recent passport photograph.
  • A Letter from the University that confirms that the student has paid the tuition fee for the first year.
  • An international passport valid for at least the expected duration of the program to which the student has been accepted.
  • (if an existing passport is being extended) The full Academic Transcript.
  • A Bank Statement showing that the student has access to the funds required to live in Israel for the duration of the program.
  • A copy of the birth certificate of the applicant.
  • Details of residence plans; either a dormitory reservation confirmation from the University or a rent agreement (for private residence).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Applicants for a long term Israeli Student Visa must pay the fee of 175 New Israeli Shekels (NIS). The payment may only be done through a credit or debit card owned by a citizen or Permanent Resident of Israel.

One photo must be submitted with the Israeli student visa application. It must be recent; taken within the previous three months. The background must be of a light color, and the face of the student must be clearly framed in the passport size photograph, with a neutral expression.

An Israeli student visa application can be rejected if there is any inaccurate information in the visa form, or if the applicant has a criminal record. The application fee is not refundable in such a case. If the reason for rejection is minor and can be easily rectified, the applicant must repeat the process after paying the fee, while ensuring that the second application is complete and correct in every detail.

International students in Israel must apply for a work permit via their University before taking up part time employment to fund their studies. They are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and full time during the vacations (if they obtain an internship with a local Israeli company).

50% of Israel’s 10 Universities are ranked in the top 500 in the world according to the QS 2024 ranking list: Tel Aviv University (the highest ranked, at #215), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Yeshiva University, Israel Institute of Technology, and Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Even though Israel has very prestigious medical schools in all Universities, all the programs are now only taught in Hebrew, with the few remaining English language courses closed in 2023. Therefore, international students should only plan to study medicine in Israel if they plan to work in the field in the country after graduation.

In general, most University campuses in Israel are safe for international students. However, with the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestine, safety has become a key issue, and international students in Israel should be careful not to travel to the border areas, and to abide by all the safety regulations laid down by their Universities.

Israel has a flourishing industrial sector, with the country ranking 30th in the world according to GDP per capita (PPP). Therefore, students can expect to obtain jobs in the country if they wish; in addition, the widespread international recognition of Israeli degrees ensures that they can also apply to and secure jobs in other countries.

Israel has a higher proportion of Universities ranked in the QS 2024 top 500 list than any other country in the world. It has a strong entrepreneurial culture, and Israeli degrees are recognized all over the world. In addition, the cost of education is slightly lower than in Europe, and the return on investment is the main reason why tens of thousands of international students choose to study abroad in Israel.