Do you desire to study abroad? Is your study abroad destination Israel? If yes, then this information is for you.
In this article, you will come across the best universities in Israel as well as scholarships in Israel for international students in 2021.
You will also get to see the cheapest universities in Israel for international students.
Because our aim is to make studying in Israel easier, we have also carefully explained the requirements for obtaining a student travel visa to Israel.
Practically everything you need to know about studying in Israel has been featured in the article.
So, I will advise you carefully read this and take relevant actions.
Things You Need to Know Before Studying in Israel as an International Students
Before travelling abroad to any country, it’s wise to do proper research so that you are aware of the local customs and traditions.
Israel is one of the most common countries that students travel to as a part of study abroad programs.
Due to Israel’s exceptional educational system and rich history, it’s easy to see why so many college students are opting to make it a destination.
Here are few things you need to know before deciding to study in Israel as an international student.
#1. Israel is small and accommodating
Israel is not a huge country.
It is about the size of New Jersey, the 5th-smallest US state.
Despite the size, Israel is extremely diverse. Their door for international students is always open.
#2. You don’t have to know Hebrew
A popular misconception is that you must know Hebrew or have a translator if you plan on traveling through Israel.
It’s actually quite the opposite! You will find that most, if not all, Israelis speak English.
As a student, everyone on campus will likely speak English fluently so there won’t be a barrier of communication.
#3. Shabbat is observed weekly
While all of Israel might not be as religiously observant as Jerusalem, a majority of the country recognizes Shabbat, the day of rest.
Shabbat begins a few minutes before sundown on Friday and ends approximately 40 minutes after sundown on Saturday.
On Shabbat, many businesses and services are closed throughout the country.
This is a very big change for Americans in particular because Saturdays are typically the busiest days for many services.
#4. Israel is very well developed
Don’t expect to go to Israel and sacrifice all of the amenities and luxuries from home. Israel is home to many startups, as technology is at the forefront of its economy.
In Israel, you find the headquarters of some popular companies like Wix, Conduit, Fiverr and the mobile app sensation Waze.
There is also a strong medical sector in the country.
All of these successful ventures have helped the country develop into an entrepreneurial melting pot.
For students who have an innovative mindset, studying in Israel will be a very beneficial experience.
#5. Israel is the second most educated country in the world
As a student, your main concern with a study abroad program is the quality of the school you will be attending.
The universities in Israel rank in the top 100 best universities in the world, while the country’s population is the second most educated in the world.
This means that you are guaranteed to receive an exceptional education.
Whether you’re an undergraduate student or attempting to get into a graduate, having a university from Israel on your transcript can give you an advantage over other graduates.
#6. Israel is affordable
You don’t have to be rich to study or live in Israel.
This is great news for students! You can have a great time without breaking the bank.
It doesn’t cost much to travel around with public transportation, or you can even rent a car if you wish and the rates are reasonable.
When compared to the cost of travelling through the U.S or the U.K, Israel is more affordable.
Is Israel a good country to study in?
Yes, Israel is a great country to study in, it is the second most educated country in the world.
Did you know that tertiary institutions in Israel rank among the best 100 universities in the world?
People in Israel are mostly educated and the country invests a lot into their educational sector.
Therefore, if your study abroad destination is Israel, you are assured of quality education.
Can foreigners study in Israel?
Absolutely, foreigners can study in Israel, as long as you are eligible.
For foreigners to study in Israel, they will have to apply for student visa
Applications for student visas are usually submitted at the Israel embassy in your country.
Immediately you get accepted in an Israeli university and your student visa which is valid for over a year and allows multiple entrance and exit is granted to you, you can study in Israel.
Keep reading this article to know the requirements for a student visa and how to go about your application.
How can I get admission in Israel?
As an international student, to get admission into any university in Israel you will have to sit for and pass an entrance examination.
This examination is called a Psychometric Entrance Test, it can be likened to the SAT or ACT students have to sit in the United States.
In this examination, your use if English, qualitative and verbal reasoning will be tested.
Best Universities in Israel for International Students
As I mentioned earlier, Israel is the second most educated countries in the world.
This achievement is due to a constant upgrade in its educational system.
Here are the very best universities in Israel.
These best schools in Israel are very accommodating to international students.
#1. Weizmann Institute of Science
The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the best research schools in Israel and the world at large.
Today, Weizmann Institute scientists are leading the world in such areas as personalised medicine, nano-biological chips, advanced methods of tissue transplantation, deciphering mysterious supernova blasts.
#2. Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University (TAU) is Israel’s largest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning and research.
It offers 125 schools and departments across the spectrum of sciences, humanities and arts; Israel’s biggest biomedical research and teaching complex; and 128 research centres.
At TAU, interdisciplinary collaboration is a core value of the academic culture.
The university leads the nation in the number and impact of research publications.
More students prefer to study at TAU than at any other university and college in Israel.
In addition to this, TAU’s graduates in the professional fields are the most sought-after in the country.
If you want to study abroad at one of the best universities in Israel, Tel Aviv University is the best short for you.
#3. Hebrew University of Jerusalem
This is another university regarded as one of the best schools in Israel for international students.
It is the second oldest schools in the country.
HUJI’s main campus is located at Mount Scopus in north-eastern Jerusalem.
In total, about 23,000 students study in the institution’s 7 faculties and 14 schools.
The faculties include faculties of law; mathematics and science; medicine; dental medicine; and a school of business administration.
The university has also made a number of its courses available for free on the massive open online course platform Coursera.
They give students the chance to experience what it might be like to study online.
Courses offered online include one on the subject of modern Hebrew poetry, and another that looks at synapses, neurons and brains.
#4. Technion Israel Institute of Technology
Technion Israel Institute of Technology is Israel’s biggest science and engineering university, located in the city of Haifa.
The school is made up of 18 faculties offering around 50 undergraduate programmes and dozens of graduate courses.
The institute is renowned for the research that it conducts in fields such as biotechnology, space science, nanotechnology, stem cell science, and energy.
If you have the intentions of studying abroad in Israel, Technion Israel Institute of Technology is one of the best options for you.
#5. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Obviously, BGU is another university regarded as one of the best universities in Israel for international students.
Ben-Gurion University has five faculties with 51 academic departments and units. The faculties include
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- The Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management.
In addition, Ten international programs are available at Ben-Gurion University including:
- Albert Katz International School of Desert Studies
- Medical School for International Health
- BGU International, the Israel Studies International Program
- the Master of Arts Progrrankingsm in Miranikindi and the Honors MBA Program.
#6. Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University is the fastest-growing higher education institution in Israel.
It was established in 1955.
The university developed swiftly and gained formal recognition from the Israel Council for Higher Education 14 years later.
The university has therefore assumed a leadership role in bringing Jewish Studies into the 21st century.
Many noted people have been educated at Bar-Ilan, including renowned academic Michael Harris, and Gila Gamliel, member of the parliament for the Likud Party and minister for social equality.
Generally speaking, if you want to study abroad in Israel at one of the best schools, consider Bar-Ilan University as your best option.
#7. University of Haifa
Obviously, University of Haifa is another university regarded as one of the best universities in Israel for international students.
The school is organised across six faculties namely;
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Law
- Social Welfare and Health
- Education and Management
The university main areas of specialism are in social sciences, humanities, law and education.
Free Universities in Israel for International Students
Israeli universities are offering free online courses to help youths and people in the workforce stay current in their professions.
The Internet allows these universities to offer certain courses that can be taken by enrollees across the world.
Please read this, how to study abroad for free in 2021.
The three universities making a difference through free education in Israel include:
Scholarships in Israel for International Students to Study Abroad in Israel
Israeli Government Scholarships for International students
Each year, the government of Israel makes provisions for scholarship opportunities for international students.
The Eligible Countries Include Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada (Quebec Province), China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Korea, Lithuania, Latvia, Mexico, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Republic of Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey.
The Scholarship is designed for Undergraduate and postgraduate. Any field is available at the selected University.
Scholarships for foreign students in Israel
Some university departments (generally in experimental sciences) offer scholarships and fellowships to individual students and postdocs based on academic merit.
Applications for graduate study programs in Israeli universities should be sent directly to a specific university department.
You can find a list of Academic Departments in Israel here.
Find out more scholarships in Israel for International students here
You may as well check out these scholarship programs if you want to study outside Israel.
- Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) Scholarships 2021-2022 for Study in the UK (Fully Funded)
- Rhodes Scholarships for West Africa in the UK 2021 (Fully-Funded)
- Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2022 Fully Funded for Students from Commonwealth Countries
- OPEC/OFID Scholarships 2021-2022 for Developing Countries [$50,000]
- Google Lime Scholarship 2021-2022
- IELTS Test Fee Scholarship 2021 for International Students
- Microsoft Tuition Scholarship Application 2022-2022
Requirements for Israeli Student Visa
An Israeli A/2 Student Visa is a permit to enter Israel for those that have already been admitted at an education institution in Israel.
The A/2 Student Visa for Israel is renewable and permits students of all ages from abroad to live and study in Israel, but does not authorize its holder to work.
The required documents for an A/2 student visa make up the most important part of the application process.
You should pay full attention to each of these documents, their dates, their validity, and if they meet the rest of the criteria set by the Israeli authorities.
Make a checklist of all these documents, and check out each document you obtain, in order to have it easier to collect them all, and leave none behind.
Requirements for an A/2 Visa
The requirements for an A/2 visa to Israel are as follows:
Student Visa application form. The form differs depending on the visa you are applying for. Make sure you download and complete the right one.
Two passport-style photographs with a white background and be in size 5.5 cm X 5.5.
Your valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the Israel territory and with at least one blank page to affix the visa.
Older passports. You must submit all passports that you hold, including current/old/cancelled/expired/special passport.
Proof of Flight Booking. You do not need to purchase the tickets as if your application is rejected, you will lose your money.
You just need a saved seat on a flight to Israel as a proof of the date you intend to travel here.
Your birth certificate.
Proof of paid A2 visa fee.
A letter of approval by the institution where you are going to study. The letter should indicate your name, passport number, and the duration of your study.
Evidence of source of financial support. The Israeli authorities want you to have how you are planning to support yourself financially while in Israel. The following are acceptable:
Personal Bank statements for the last 3 months. Statements downloaded from the internet are not valid.
Proof of scholarship, if you will be studying on a scholarship.
Proof of Accommodation. A document that shows where you will be staying while you study in Israel, i.e. a dormitory acceptance letter.
Resume.
Other educational documents.
If you are under 18 years of age:
Birth certificate notarized with an apostille stamp.
Parental Consent to Granting a Visa to Israel. Both parents (or legal guardians) must sign the form in the presence of a notary or consular representative.
On the day of your appointment, you will have to meet with a consular officer to whom you will submit all these documents at the embassy/consulate/visa processing center. Make sure you bring all these documents in original and with two photocopies for each.
Reference
- https://visaguide.world/asia/israel-visa/student/
- https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/study-abroad-israel-tips
- https://www.mastersportal.com/ranking-country/112/israel.html