Bar-Ilan University

Activities: Linguistics Courses / Media & Communications Courses / Political Science Courses / Sociology & Anthropology Courses / Summer Study Abroad / Learn Hebrew
Country: Israel

Bar-Ilan University, founded in 1955, was one of the first comprehensive research universities to be established in Israel.

From 70 students to 17,000, its milestone achievements in the sciences and humanities have made an indelible imprint on the landscape of the nation. The university has 8 faculties: Jewish Studies, Medicine, Engineering, Law, Life Science, Exact Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities. These faculties are active partners in national science and technology initiatives.

Seeking “Impact beyond Excellence”, BIU is currently in a vibrant transformational period of creating challenge-driven research centers which embrace practical research designed to change and improve the human experience; adopting innovative instructional methods; intensifying global outreach; and broadening its discourse and dialogue throughout the Jewish world and Israel.

The University is comprised of students from all over Israel; secular and religious; Jews and non-Jews; Sabras and new immigrants. Included within the BIU family, as well, are a multi-faceted academic faculty and administrative staff. Their confluence represents a mosaic of the State of Israel, providing a unique atmosphere for open exchange of ideas and embracement of the "other." Diversity is a key on the BIU campus, and tolerance and civility our operating code.

At Bar-Ilan our students learn to assume social responsibility. They are provided with an opportunity to become knowledgeable Jews, both formally, though our unique program which requires every student to take academic level Jewish studies courses, thereby grounding them in the basics of Judaism, and informally, through the vast multitude of Jewish experiences available on campus.

To paraphrase the inspirational quote of a renowned 19th century figure: At Bar-Ilan University we provide our students with “wings and roots” – the wings to ‘fly’ academically, scientifically – to push back new boundaries of knowledge, learn new things, explore new intellectual universes; and the roots to 'bind' them to this earth, to ensure they fulfill their moral and ethical obligations, and become better people and better Jews.

It is this ability to fuse a reverence for Jewish legacy and heritage with the rigors of academic study which makes Bar-Ilan University like no other.

Study Abroad in Israel

BIU delivers study abroad programs offering international students the opportunity to experience Israel and university life. Programs are from a diverse range of fields, including areas such as communications, political science, English literature, linguistics, bible studies, law, engineering and physics.

Students receive course credits from a world leading accredited university and benefit from all student and social activities on campus, renovated and modern dormitories, and for summer/winter programs, weekly tours throughout the country. As part of BIU’s Study Abroad program, students may select one of the following formats: