Making major life choices is never easy and choosing a university can be daunting. We know there are many universities in Israel and globally from which to choose, so we’d like to share with you why we think you should choose Bar-Ilan University (BIU).
Academic excellence is a top reason for anyone to choose a specific university and BIU is consistently ranked in the top 2% of all universities throughout the world, according to the Shanghai Ranking.
Prize-winning professors and lecturers, internationally-recognized for their research and achievements, educate students in interesting, top-quality, multidisciplinary degrees and degree courses – all in English. The university prides itself on its pioneering research and significant advancement in all departments.
According to the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and Integration, BIU is the #1 selected university for new immigrants (olim). BIU, which has been awarded Israel’s “Most Beautiful Campus” title by the Council for A Beautiful Israel, is also a university-of-choice for international students.
Read this blog post to find more reasons to study at Bar-Ilan University.
Important: English Proficiency
Students registering for any of the degrees offered must have an accepted level of English. Students with English as a second language will need to take an English exam.
As a result of the Coronavirus and being isolated at home, BIU will now accept certain recognized online English proficiency tests including: the TOEFL Test, the IELTS Test, the English3 Proficiency Test (E3PT), and the Duolingo English Test.
You can take the test at any time from the comfort of your own home.
PLEASE NOTE: The TOEFL and IELTS tests are comprehensive, valid, and secure online English assessments that are recognized by Bar-Ilan University and other universities around the world. In order to be accepted into one of our English programs, you will need to have a score of 90% for TOEFL and 6.5 for IELTS.
If you take the E3PT or Duolingo tests, you will be required to take a follow-up test once you arrive at BIU to evaluate your exact level. The price of this test is NIS 150 (+ $45) and you will need a score of 90%.
Top-Notch, Wide Variety of Degrees Offered in English
We offer four undergraduate degrees – Communications and Political Science; Communications and English Literature; English Literature and/or Linguistics; and Communications, Sociology and Anthropology. (At this time, the Sociology and Anthropology parts of this degree are offered in Hebrew only.)
BIU has a variety of graduate degrees. We are excited to announce that we now offer two new Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in English – the M.A. in Bible Studies and the M.A. in Land of Israel Studies.
In addition, the Department of English Literature and Linguistics offers M.A. degrees in English Literature, Creative Writing, Linguistics, Linguistics in Clinical Research, and Translation and Interpreting Studies.
Master of Science degrees include Electrical Engineering, Physics, Neuroscience, and the International Master of Business Administration (IMBA).
BIU is a popular choice for advanced degrees – Doctorates and Post-Doctorates – as students can build their own programs with the help of our top professors.
Orlando Marin, for example, is in the final leg of his four-year Doctorate in Physics and Chemistry, a unique multidisciplinary, English-language program. Marin says he chose BIU because it “has the greatest nanotechnology center in Israel, state-of-the-art research facilities and excellent lecturers”.
You can read more about Marin and his research here.
BIU gives students the opportunity to enjoy an all-embracing academic experience in a vibrant social and cultural environment – the experience of a lifetime.
Due to the situation with the Corona virus, BIU has extended its application deadline to July 31, 2020. The first semester now begins in mid-October 2020.
Find Out What BIU’s International Students Think
Bar-Ilan University’s International School students express their feelings about the university and their programs of choice.
Renay Mimran, US, Communications & Political Science
“I couldn’t be happier to have chosen Bar-Ilan University’s International School as the place where I would earn my BA degree in Israel, in English! The program has provided me with courses that interest me, professors who care, and amazing friends from all over the world! It’s a wonderful environment, a beautiful campus, and a great place to study!”
Ignacio Borge, Costa Rica, PhD, Computational Chemistry
“After finishing my BA in Chemistry from the University of Costa Rica, I am now a Ph.D. student in Computational Chemistry. My experience at Bar-Ilan has been really good, and though my mother tongue is Spanish, people at Bar-Ilan have been really warm and helpful. I have made friends and am thoroughly enjoying the study of science.”
Tess Miller, New Jersey, US, English Literature
“I chose to study English literature at Bar-Ilan University because of the excellent reputation of the professors. Students receive a lot of encouragement to develop and follow their individual interests within the field, and the faculty displays an appreciation of each student’s individual background and motivations. If you’re looking for a customizable learning experience, guided by true literature enthusiasts who can help you develop a personal passion for your studies, then this is a great option.”
Dr. Boudhayan Bandyopadhyay, India, PhD, Faculty of Life Sciences
“I joined as a post-doctoral fellow at Bar-Ilan University in the Faculty of Life Sciences. BIU is one of the renowned Universities in Israel for pursuing higher education. My experience at BIU is something that I will remember for a lifetime. The departmental officials extended their help, selflessly. It was truly an enriching experience to be an international student at Bar-Ilan University.”
Read more testimonials here.
