How to Study in Jerusalem for International Students
Jerusalem, one of the beautiful cities in Israel, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Jerusalem currently has 8 universities, from which 6 universities are a part of the public sector and 2 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Jerusalem you should definitely check out are Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem College of Technology, and Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.
Being able to study in Jerusalem as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Jerusalem, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Jerusalem
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Jerusalem, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 10,200 ILS to 20,300 ILS, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 16,300 ILS and 20,300 ILS.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Jerusalem
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Jerusalem, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College | 17,300 ILS | |
| Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance | 12,000 ILS | 17,600 ILS |
| Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design | 10,200 ILS - 14,100 ILS | |
| Hebrew University of Jerusalem | 15,100 ILS - 20,300 ILS | 16,300 ILS - 20,300 ILS |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Jerusalem
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem College of Technology | 15,000 ILS |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Jerusalem, check out the Cheap Universities in Jerusalem!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Jerusalem for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Jerusalem, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Jerusalem, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Jerusalem may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Jerusalem are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Jerusalem and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 4.5
- TOEFL: 34
- CEFR: A2
- TORFL/ТРКИ: 105
- TORFL/ТРКИ: 105
- Bachelor's Chinese Language Requirements Page
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 5.5
- TOEFL: 55
- CEFR: B1
- Master's Chinese Language Requirements Page
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Jerusalem
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Jerusalem have online applications available on their websites, like Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Jerusalem College of Technology. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Jerusalem.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Jerusalem College of Technology
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Jerusalem differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Jerusalem.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Jerusalem
If you’re going to study in Jerusalem, you will need to apply for a student visa in Israel
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Israel. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a A/2 Student Visa.
To start your student visa application in Jerusalem, you will need to present the following:
- Completed and signed Visa application form
- Valid passport
- Multiple passport-sized photos
- Original letter of acceptance from the institution
- Round-trip tickets
- Proof of tuition fee payment
- Proof of visa fee payment
- Bank statement
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Israel is 87 ILS.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Fill out the A/2 visa application form.
- Submit the application form together with the required documents either to the Embassy of Israel or the Consulate of Israel.
- During your visa appointment, pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Wait for the visa decision. The minimum process time is five days.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Jerusalem. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!
