Universities in Israel

Israel's universities are research institutions that award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Most regular programmes are taught in Hebrew, but the larger universities run international schools with degrees, semesters and summer courses taught in English, together with Hebrew and Arabic language courses. All higher education is overseen by the Council for Higher Education (CHE), which recognises institutions, authorises them to award degrees and assesses the quality of their studies. This directory lists five university-level institutions in Israel, in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Arava desert.

Before planning a stay, check the security situation. In its travel advice current on 7 October 2026, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Israel because of the regional conflict, and notes that airspace has only partly reopened, with limited flights and many cancellations. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of Israel and warns that travel insurance may be invalid if you travel against its advice. Follow your own government's advice and the host university's safety guidance.

How the university system works

The CHE's register divides institutions into universities, academic colleges and academic colleges of education, and into publicly funded and non-publicly funded institutions. Public funding is allocated by the CHE's Planning and Budgeting Committee. The universities include the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the University of Haifa, the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Open University of Israel. Academic colleges mainly teach bachelor's and some master's degrees.

Degrees follow three cycles: bachelor's degrees (BA, BSc and professional degrees such as law, nursing, social work or architecture), master's degrees with or without a thesis, and doctorates at the universities. Tel Aviv University, for example, has nine faculties, over 30,000 students and 130 schools and departments, and states that it is accredited by the Ministry of Education and the CHE. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has three campuses in Jerusalem, one in Rehovot, a veterinary hospital in Beit Dagan and a marine sciences institute in Eilat.

Programmes for international students

• International degree programmes: such as Tel Aviv University's BA in Liberal Arts and its one-year international MA programmes, run by its Lowy International School
• International schools: the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University, on the Mount Scopus campus, offers an international BA, graduate programmes, study abroad semesters, Hebrew courses and summer and short-term programmes
• Preparatory year (mechina): for students who want to enter a regular Hebrew-taught degree, Rothberg runs a mechina programme
• Specialised institutes: the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, founded in 1996 after the Oslo agreements, teaches environmental studies to students from Israel, the region and abroad; its academic programme runs in partnership with Ben-Gurion University, with a master's track since 2002

Admission and visa

International students apply directly to each university's international school or programme. Requirements depend on the programme, but generally include a recognised secondary-school certificate for a bachelor's degree, a bachelor's degree for a master's, transcripts and proof of English for English-taught courses. Students on degree programmes need an A/2 student visa issued before arrival; Tel Aviv University advises applying at the Israeli embassy or consulate about two months before travel. Students from visa-exempt countries who come for less than three months enter with an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL), applied for online at least 72 hours before travel. Passports must be valid for at least six months after entry.

Costs and scholarships

Fees for international programmes are set by each university and usually quoted in US dollars. At Tel Aviv University in 2026-27, most one-year international MA programmes cost $12,640, the BA in Liberal Arts $15,500 a year and the BA in Management and Liberal Arts $17,500 a year, while some research master's degrees, such as the MSc in Neuroscience, are tuition-free. Applicants pay a $150 application fee and a $300 student services fee per year, and some programmes do not include health insurance. The CHE runs scholarship programmes for international students, and universities offer their own.

How to choose

• Language: an English-taught programme, or a Hebrew-taught degree after an ulpan or mechina
• Length: a full degree, a semester or year abroad, or a summer programme
• Field: broad universities, a technology institute or a specialised institute such as the Arava Institute
• Location and safety: campus location, housing and the current official travel advice
• Recognition: check that the institution appears on the CHE register and how your home country recognises the degree

Frequently asked questions

Can I study at an Israeli university in English?

Yes. Universities such as Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem offer English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes, semesters abroad and summer courses through their international schools.

How much does a degree in Israel cost for international students?

It depends on the programme. At Tel Aviv University in 2026-27, one-year international MA programmes typically cost $12,640 and English-taught BA programmes $15,500 to $17,500 a year, plus fees.

Do I need a visa to study in Israel?

Yes, for stays of more than three months you need an A/2 student visa issued before arrival. Short programmes of under three months are possible with an ETA-IL for students from visa-exempt countries.

Is it safe to study in Israel now?

Official advice is cautious: on 7 October 2026 Spain advised against all travel to Israel and the UK against travel to parts of the country. Check your government's current advice before applying.