The dramatic increase in data availability opens the possibility of inferring new knowledge and the development of predictive models for all areas of society and industry: smart cities with autonomous vehicles, forensics that learn from online activity, support for medical decisions, etc. The data science field encompasses principles and methods for collecting, storing and analyzing data, in order to manage, organize, analyze and understand large sets of a variety of data types. To be a data scientist, a deep understanding of methods and tools in the fields of computer science, statistics and information systems is required.

The program is targeted at outstanding students and leverages the strengths of three departments: matching the task of data exploration to organizational needs and managing big data (information systems); development of computational algorithms for large data (computer science); and production of knowledge from large data (statistics). The program provides broad theoretical knowledge and practical experience in a plethora of methods and tools of data science. It is open for registration in each of the three departments. Most of the courses are joint, and four courses are taught in the chosen focus, where emphasis is placed on: computational modeling and operating systems; matching the data exploration task to organizational needs and managing large data; or stochastic models and multivariate analysis.

The University of Haifa is also advancing the field of data science in terms of research. A data science research center was recently established. The Center aims to promote the development of innovative data science methods. Researchers from the core departments of data science (computer science, information systems, and statistics) collaborate with researchers in a variety of application fields who pose new challenges that can be solved by innovative data science methods. Existing collaborations include marine sciences, biology, medicine, business administration, economics, geography, history, archaeology, cognition, and more.

Non-profit organizations are also involved by contributing data sets and challenges, while the industry offers research collaborations and internships for graduate students, who benefit from learning data science tools used in industry and being involved in cutting-edge research. Research center activities (hackathons, lectures, workshops, and conferences) are also open to undergraduate students from the data science program. For more information about the Center for Data Science Research click here

A unique scholarship for those admitted to the data science program – for full details about the scholarship click here.

General Admission Requirements:

1. Complete Matriculation Certificate/ high school diploma or an equivalent recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Education or by the Registration Department.
2. Psychometric Entrance Examination/ SAT or ACT.
3. Knowledge of English– The level of English is determined within the framework of the Psychometric Entrance Examination, the English Placement Tests (AMIR /AMIRAM) or SAT, TOFEL, IELTS, ECRL tests.
The minimum level of English required for admission to the university is Basic (a score of at least 85). Certain departments require a higher level of English.
4. Knowledge of Hebrew – Applicants who took the Psychometric Entrance Examination in a language other than Hebrew and graduated from high schools where the language of instruction was not Hebrew, must prove satisfactory knowledge of Hebrew before the beginning of the academic year by passing a Hebrew Proficiency Test (YAEL/ YAELNET/ Hebrew classification test of the University of Haifa* ). The score required for admission to the University of Haifa is a score of at least 120 on the YAEL/ YAELNET/ Hebrew classification tests.
Applicants whose scores on the YAEL/ YAELNET/Hebrew classification tests range from 90-119 and their Psychometric score was at least 500 will be conditionally admitted and will have to pass the Hebrew Proficiency Test at the required score by the end of the first year of their studies. These students also have the option of studying a Hebrew literacy course within the framework of the University of Haifa preparatory program (Mechina) . Those who meet the course requirements and their final score in the course will be 85 and above will be exempt  from the Hebrew condition.
Please note that certain departments require a higher level of Hebrew and that some departments do not approve admission with a Hebrew condition.
*The Hebrew classification test and Hebrew literacy course is valid at the University of Haifa only.
5.Departmental Entrance Examinations/Special admissions requirements– Certain departments require applicants to take a departmental Entrance Examinations and/or attend an interview or meet other departmental requirements.

For more information about the general admission requirements please read the supplement.

In addition to the general university admission requirements, the candidate must meet individual departmental admission requirements.

• A weighted grade of 705
• Raw psychometric score in quantitative calculation 675
• Quantitative component of the psychometric test 130
• Departmental requirements: A high school math score of 80 (five units) or 90 (four units)
• Minimum grade of 120 in the Hebrew Proficiency Test (for candidates from non-Hebrew schools)
• For the calculator that rates the likelihood of your admission, click here.

*The University reserves the right to change or amend the admission regulations, fees and tuition at any time without prior notification.

** Matriculation certificate = Israeli matriculation certificate or equivalent

• Data science in the Computer Science track
• Data science in the Information Systems track
• Data science in the Statistics track