Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 10 November 2026.

About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The university gives 1918 as its year of establishment and 1925 as the year it officially opened.^[1] Wikipedia dates the cornerstone to 24 July 1918 and names Albert Einstein and Chaim Weizmann among its co-founders.^[6]

Today it has seven faculties and 14 schools on six campuses: three in Jerusalem, and one each in Rehovot, Rishon LeZion and Eilat.^[1] The university reports 23,500 students, 70% of them from outside Jerusalem.^[1] Wikipedia gives a similar figure of 23,000 without a year.^[6]

How is the Hebrew University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the Hebrew University is 218th in the world, behind Tel Aviv University (208th) and ahead of the Technion (334th).^[2] The Jerusalem Post reports that this is up from 240th.^[3]

The university’s own numbers page says it is in the top 100 of the Shanghai Ranking; it does not name the year of the edition.^[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at the Hebrew University?

Teaching is organised in seven faculties and 14 schools.^[1] For international applicants the overseas admissions site points to two English-language routes: master’s programmes taught in English and an International Bachelor’s Program run through the Rothberg International School.^[8] Applicants can list up to three preferences, each a single major or a dual major.^[9]

Outside these two routes, applicants must prove Hebrew unless another exemption applies.^[5] Applicants whose foreign certificate is not equivalent to the Israeli matriculation certificate (Bagrut) can in some cases apply after a Mechina (preparatory programme); see the admission section below.^[10]

How much does the Hebrew University cost in 2026/27?

These are the 2026/27 rates for a full programme at 100%, as listed for payment through 15 September 2026. They are based on the July 2026 consumer price index and may be updated during the year.^[4] The same page lists a security fee of 750 NIS (Jerusalem campuses) or 675 NIS (Rehovot), a mandatory 10 NIS student union fee for bachelor’s and master’s students, and charges for Hebrew courses (1,649 NIS for up to four hours, 2,144 NIS for more).^[4]

What the overseas admissions site says

The overseas admissions page still shows the previous year: 12,017 NIS for undergraduate and 16,239 NIS for graduate programmes in 2025/26, with a 25% addition for non-Israeli citizens, except in the research track of graduate programmes. It adds that master’s students pay at least 50% of tuition regardless of hours, and that 2026/27 fees would be announced in summer 2026.^[11] Use the Students Administration figures above for 2026/27.

We could not confirm the tuition of the Rothberg International School programmes. The overseas site lists scholarships (for example Academic Excellence Awards for first-year undergraduates, usually covering full tuition) and says valid health insurance is required without giving a price.^[11] For living costs see our Israel guide.

How do you apply to the Hebrew University as an international student?

Overseas applicants apply through the online application system.^[9] The steps are:

• Choose up to three preferences (undergraduate: a major or dual major plus a track; graduate: up to three preferences).^[9]
• Submit the application and pay the non-refundable fee by credit card. The page does not state the amount.^[9]
• Wait for the decision, which is reported by preference and can be conditional. Only an official acceptance letter from the Overseas Applicants Unit counts.^[9]
• After an unconditional acceptance, pay the deposit on the Personal Information Website, then register for classes once all conditions are met.^[9]

Bachelor’s: you need a certificate the university considers equivalent to the Israeli Bagrut. Admission can be based on entrance-test scores alone, with required scores set per programme; SAT and ACT are accepted, except that the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine do not accept them in place of the Psychometric Test.^[10] Holders of recognised certificates without equivalency may apply after completing a Mechina; applicants who completed a full academic year at a recognised university may be exempt from it.^[10]

Master’s: the site shows the criteria after you select the country of your bachelor’s degree and the programme. They are minimum requirements and do not guarantee acceptance; in experimental fields you must also find a supervisor.^[12]

We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme; use the “Admission Process and Dates” page of the overseas site.^[8]

Which language level do you need?

Hebrew. You must prove Hebrew unless you apply to an English-taught master’s programme or the International Bachelor’s Program, take the Psychometric Test in Hebrew, hold a Bagrut from a Hebrew-language high school, pass the Behina Yerushalmit, or hold an IB Diploma with at least a 6 in Higher Level Hebrew A. Accepted proof is the YAEL or YAELNET test or the Rothberg International School placement and proficiency tests. The university grants degrees only to students at the exemption level, except in English-taught master’s programmes.^[5]

English. The exemption level is IELTS Academic 7, TOEFL iBT 95 (for tests until 21 January 2026) or 670 in SAT evidence-based reading and writing. Upper Advanced starts at IELTS 6.0 and TOEFL iBT 80. TOEFL ITP is not accepted, and students must reach the exemption level by the start of their second year.^[7]

More about studying in Israel

• Israel: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

More university profiles in Israel

• Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
• Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
• Tel Aviv University
• Weizmann Institute of Science