How to enter an Israeli university for a foreigner

Israel's university degrees are recognized in all states, and the country itself ranks second in the world in terms of the number of citizens with higher education. Graduates who have received a diploma of an IT specialist and a doctor are in high esteem. Applicants from all over the world come here, including Russians, Ukrainians and residents of other CIS countries. They are attracted by the quality of the educational system and the high level of training. It will be interesting to know how to enter an Israeli university for everyone who plans to spend their student years in this particular country.

How the higher education system works in Israel

Higher education in Israel, like in Europe, includes three academic stages:

• bachelor's degree;
• magistracy;
• doctoral studies.

The duration of training at a particular level depends on the chosen specialty. On average, students study here for 3-5 years for a bachelor's degree, and 1-2 years for a master's degree.

Higher education in Israel involves writing a national exam and defending a thesis after completing a master's program. To become a doctor, you will have to study for another 2-4 years and complete a research project.

Classes at the first stage of higher education take place 3-4 days a week. Students of the faculties of sociology and natural sciences graduate in 3 and a half years, engineers - in 4 and a half, future doctors - in 5, nurses receive their diplomas in 4 years.

Studying in Israel for Russians and other foreign citizens on a master's degree takes 6-7 hours a day throughout the week. This stage has two programs:

• research - designed for those who plan to study in doctoral studies;
• applied - it is chosen by students who are ready to start working immediately after receiving a master's degree.

Choice of direction and university

Today, there are 10 higher educational institutions in the country that conduct scientific work and award academic degrees. Their activities are monitored by the Council for Higher Education. He also controls the quality of knowledge delivery.

What Israeli universities offer is shown in the table:

How to proceed

Admission to an Israeli university is possible according to several scenarios:

1. Right after school. For citizens of the CIS, only a school certificate will not be enough. Before applying, the applicant will have to take a one-year preparatory course (“mehina” - the equivalent of the academic difference between Israeli universities and universities in the CIS countries) or one year to study at a higher educational institution at home.
2. Transfer from Russian to Israeli university. For this, the level and scope of the curriculum at the home university must meet Israeli requirements. In addition, the candidate will have to pass psychometrics and the Hebrew proficiency test (level B2).
3. Admission to master's and doctoral programs. First, you will have to contact the Israeli Ministry of Education to legalize your foreign diploma. Requirements for applicants: the average score must be at least 80 ("good"), knowledge of English and Hebrew at A2 and B1 levels.
4. Getting a second higher education. It is possible to become a student of an Israeli university only after 18 years. This means that studying in Israel after the 9th grade is possible only in college. The requirements for those who intend to receive a second education are the same as for those who enroll in the first.

This is what the introductory process looks like:

1. Choice of curriculum and university.
2. Translation of diploma and certificate into Hebrew.
3. Preparation of a package of documents.
4. Passing psychometric testing, which is mandatory for all foreigners, immigrants and Jews. The test results are a selection criterion for a particular educational institution. You can apply for participation on the portal of the Israel Examination and Assessment Center. The test is possible only on the territory of the Israeli state.
5. Receiving an invitation from the university.
6. Contacting the Israeli consulate, where a student visa to Israel will be issued.

Package of documents

To apply for admission to the selected educational institution, you will need the following package of papers:

1. A receipt confirming the payment of the registration fee.
2. Photo of 3x4 cm.
3. A copy of your passport with a notarized translation into English or Hebrew.
4. A copy of the diploma or certificate also with a translation certified by a notary.
5. Psychometric results.
6. TOEFL or IELTS certificate (if available).
7. Resume for applicants to master's and doctoral studies.
8. Motivation letter (only for those who are applying for master's or doctoral programs).
9. Research project (required for all programs that involve this type of activity).
10. Confirmation letter from a supervisor who agrees to conduct a research project (only for programs involving scientific activities).

Submission of documents for the fall semester is carried out in the period from January to May (at some faculties until June), for the spring semester - from December to January.

Knowledge of the language

The psychometric test in Israel is the same for all applicants.The nine tasks that it includes provide an opportunity to test the quantitative and verbal thinking of the candidate, as well as the level of proficiency in Hebrew and English. The passing threshold is 400 points. Applicants who took the test in their native language will have to additionally pass a test of their knowledge of Hebrew.

The level of English and Hebrew proficiency should not be lower than A2 and B1, respectively. For some specialties there are separate conditions. For example, those entering the faculties of medicine, psychology, law must show a higher level of proficiency in the state language of Israel.

It is assumed that already in the course of their studies, students will take additional language courses in order to raise the level of English to B2 and Hebrew to C1.

What the cost of studying

It is almost impossible for foreigners to get a free education in Israel. Only repatriated students can count on state support. They are provided with special subsidies to pay directly for the training course, as well as to cover the costs of a hostel, a psychometric exam, and language courses.

Persons who come to Israel to study from abroad have to pay 25% more than residents. In general, prices depend on the chosen program and the university.

On average, the price run for 1 academic year looks like this (in US dollars and in shekels):

Are there any chances of getting a scholarship or grant

Israeli students are not prohibited from working. In addition, they can try to get one of 32 types of scholarships and grants. The most significant among them are:

• Annual assistance from the state for repatriates. Its size is 2.5 thousand dollars for those who are studying for a bachelor's degree, and 3.6 thousand dollars for masters. In exchange, the fellow must volunteer 24 hours a year for two years.
• Scholarships in Israel, which are provided on the basis of agreements with the Russian Federation and other countries. The monthly payment is $ 600.
• The Global Education scholarship project enables Russian applicants to receive about $ 20,000 per academic year. The Technion, Hebrew and Tel Aviv universities take part in the program. In turn, the scholarship holder will have to work at home in the received specialty for at least 3 years.
• Grant from the Weizmann Institute, allocated every month for students of master's programs in the amount of $ 1,500 and for doctoral students in the amount of $ 2,000 for the entire course of study.

Ben Gurion University and the Technion offer their students loans without interest.

Practice and internship

Student exchange programs are an excellent chance to learn foreign languages ​​and receive an international diploma. It is necessary to clarify with whom exactly the chosen university is cooperating even before admission. Internships in Israel are only possible for those who are under 30 years of age.

The most popular is the MASA program, which is designed for students of the following areas:

• medicine;
• multimedia;
• engineering;
• means of communication;
• management and marketing.

Practicing in Israeli companies is an invaluable experience and an opportunity to gain a foothold in the country after graduation. Enterprises find promising students themselves.

Internship for doctors in Israel takes place in the leading clinics and medical centers of the country - "Rambam", "Assuta", "Sheba".

Accommodation and meals for students

The main item of expenses during study (after the payment of the tuition itself) falls on the covering of the living bills.

Many students prefer to rent apartments for 2-3 people. This option will cost about $ 400 per month. The state provides places in university hostels for repatriates and the poor.

Those who cannot afford to rent an apartment also try to get into hostels. They are not free, but they are cheaper - an average of $ 170 per month. The buildings are located most often next to the universities themselves. Each university has a Student Council, which can be contacted for any questions, including domestic ones.

Another item of expenses that includes the life of students in Israel is food and clothing. The approximate budget for these purposes is $ 300 per month. University students can eat at university canteens. Those who live in rented apartments prefer to cook on their own.

Outcomes

The advantages of studying in Israel include a high level of training in local universities, the opportunity to receive a grant or scholarship and combine study with work. But do not forget about the disadvantages: high prices, the need to attend preparatory courses and take a psychometric test.