Undergraduate (Bachelors Degree)
Undergraduate Degree in Jewish History
Learning period: 3 Years | Type of Program: Single major, Double major | Enrollment Status: Registration begins January 29, 2023 | Department web site
The Department of Jewish History is an interdisciplinary department, and pursues Jewish social, economic, political, and intellectual history. This unique approach allows the department to offer flexible, diverse, and innovative programs that explore Jewish history and thought from the biblical period to present times.
The study of Jewish history brings the student to an encounter with human culture in all its diversity. As the history of the Jews cannot be understood without a profound knowledge of the varied historical contexts in which they lived, general history cannot be fully understood without an appreciation of the history of the Jews.
The study of history serves both researcher and student as a primary tool for understanding the background of the development of the forces and factors operating in our society.
Jewish history seeks to understand the processes that shaped and continue to shape the Jewish people, providing a profound perspective with which to approach and analyze contemporary Jewish and Israeli cultures.
In recent years, the study of history has undergone radical changes akin to the changes that have occurred in other areas of the humanities and social studies, incorporating theory and methodology from a variety of disciplines ranging from anthropology and sociology to political science and literary criticism.
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 500 or special admission requirements of the Faculty of Humanities.
- Outstanding graduates of the University of Haifa’s pre-academic preparatory program will be accepted (for more information click here).
- For the calculator that rates the likelihood of your admission, click here.
Admission Requirements for Students who have a Matriculation Certificate** but have not taken the Psychometric Exam:
Holders of a matriculation certificate can be accepted to the pre-undergraduate track and will be required to take courses.
Students must earn an average of 75 in the pre-undergraduate track courses, and they will be accepted to the Bachelor of Arts studies the following semester. These courses will count towards their degree.
*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.
- Jewish History (single and double major)
- Jewish Thought (single and double major)
Employment options upon graduation: Teaching (for certified teachers), research, Masters degree.