Israel

Important visa information

Students who are Australian citizens and who are planning to study in Israel for less than one year are allowed to enter Israel on a tourist visa which they can obtain on arrival. However, to ensure a smooth arrival, you are advised to obtain a visitor visa from the Israeli Embassy in Canberra before leaving Australia.

Students who are not Australian citizens should check the visa requirements with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Faculties: All (Law – undergraduate only)
Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate
Language of instruction: Most teaching at Hebrew University is in Hebrew but the Faculty of Law offers a wider range of units in English (see below).
Semester dates:

• First semester: early November – early January
• Second semester: early March – late June

Full time study load: 15 credits per semester 
Other: HUJI requires all incoming study abroad students to complete an intensive Hebrew study program (Ulpan) for at least a month prior to their first semester. For exchange students, this is not required but very highly recommended. It is not covered under the exchange agreement and is therefore if you want to participate you must pay fees. All incoming study abroad and exchange students are required to take at least eight weekly hours of Hebrew language during their first semester. Exchange students may be exempt if they have no prior Hebrew experience and did not take the pre-semester Ulpan as there are no beginner Hebrew classes. Scholarships are available through the Australian Friends of the Hebrew University.

About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University (HUJI) was long part of the vision to establish a "University of the Jewish People" in the Land of Israel, before its establishment in 1925. The First Board of Governors of the University, chaired by founder Dr. Chaim Weizmann, included such luminaries as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Martin Buber, Haim Nahman Bialik, Asher Ginsberg (Ahad Ha'am), Dr. Judah Leib Magnes, James Rothschild, Sir Alfred Mond, Nahum Sokolov, Harry Sacher and Felix M. Warburg.

The main Mount Scopus campus sits in the north-eastern part of Jerusalem and is home to the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Jerusalem School of Business Administration, Bearwald School of Social Work, Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace, Rothberg International School, and the Mandel Institute of Jewish Studies. Take a virtual tour of the campus, its library facilities and many of the faculty departments.

The specifics

Those law undergraduates thinking about doing an exchange to HUJI, should consult the information booklet on basic information on accommodation, insurance and application procedures. For the most part, law courses at HUJI are conducted in Hebrew, however there are some available in the English language. For postgraduate classes taught in English, consult the course catalogue, where you can search what is available by faculty.

Student accommodation is also located on Mount Scopus, walking distance from most university facilities, and come with fantastic panorama view of the city. Students are usually housed in single bedroom apartments, furnished with a bed, desk, chair and closet, while kitchen and bathroom facilities are shared.

The Rothberg International School takes care of international students and provides resources on student life, sports and activities, as well as religious counselling and Hebrew language classes.

Technion University

Faculties: Engineering, Science, Information Technology, Education and Medicine
Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate
Language of instruction: Limited English and Hebrew
Semester dates:

• Winter semester: October – March
• Spring semester: March – August

Full time study load: 20 credits per semester.
Other: Students require a minimum 80 per cent weighted average mark to be eligible to apply.

About Technion University

Studies at Technion began in 1924, having been planned and developed since the turn of the 20th century, making it the oldest university in Israel. Located in Haifa, on the pine-covered northeastern slopes of Mount Carmel, Technion City as it is commonly known, has over 100 buildings as part of the 1.2 square kilometres campus. A detailed aerial photo map (in Hebrew) shows the dense forestland surrounding the campus grounds.

Haifa is an industrial hub to the north of Israel, and a major seaport located on Israel's Mediterranean coastline in the Bay of Haifa. However, there is also a vibrant theatre culture, as well as many cultural and historical museums. Another notable attraction is the Bahá'í World Centre, whose gardens were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

The specifics

The Centre for International Academic Relations (CIAR) is the central point for any prospective student and can answer all your FAQs, and provide information on application protocol and visas. Student sports and activities include a fully equipped gym, salsa and other dancing classes, community and volunteer activities.

All undergraduate studies and most Graduate studies are taught in Hebrew. Some Civil and Environmental courses as well as MBA courses are in English. You might also apply for engineering courses taught in English, depending on availability. CIAR also offers Hebrew language programs, however it is recommended that students have a strong background in Hebrew before applying.

Student dormitories are provided on the main campus, which come furnished and are subject to high demand, so it is essential that you get your application in quickly. Alternatively there are other options such as private rentals, short term housing as well as off campus student accommodation available.

Tel Aviv University

Faculties: All
Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate
Language of instruction: Hebrew and some Faculty of Law in English (see below).
Semester dates:

• Fall semester: late October – late January
• Spring semester: late February – late June

Full time study load: A full load of credits is 12-14 credits, which is about six and seven courses.
Other: Ulpan is not mandatory however if students wish to take part they will need to organise and pay for it through the School for Overseas Students (OSP). For further information see the program link here

About Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv is widely regarded as the ‘The City That Never Sleeps’ - a cultural, financial and industrial hub of Israel, bathing on shores of the Mediterranean coastline, swathed in bars, clubs, cafes, parks and retail districts. The university is located in the neighbourhood on Remat Aviv, and is Israel’s largest higher learning institution, with over 30,000 students.

Tel Aviv University (TUA) also incorporates the vibrant culture of the city into student life. The extensive and diverse campus activity is captured in the campus highlights, including the sports complex, the ecological campus and art galleries. You should also have a peek at the range of entertainment on campus, film festivals, public lectures and theatre.

The specifics

A limited range of undergraduate English taught classes are offered to exchange students at TUA, and students who are native Hebrew speakers may be able to take up to two classes from the university-wide course offering. The Buchmann Faculty of Law has a separate offering of classes in English, and you can download an information booklet for more details.

TUA International is the body that looks after the study abroad program, and can provide you with any of the administrative, campus and everyday information you might be after.

On campus student dormitories are all conveniently located within close proximity of the campus. Dormitories have either one or two bedrooms, and are shared by two students per bedroom. Each suite is furnished and includes a kitchenette and bathroom. It is also possible to secure off-campus accommodation.