Universities in Israel

Located in the Middle East between Egypt and Jordan, Israel is a country well known for its connections to religion. Like Turkey, it bridges the gap between Europe and the Middle East on the Mediterranean sea. A compact nation, it nethertheless has a diverse variety of experiences to offer to visitors, with many historical archaeological sites and museums, as well as exciting street food and culture to enjoy. Israel is home to several high quality universities, and attracts thousands of international students every year.

The types of University

The 63 universities and colleges in Israel can be divided into the following groups:

• Universities – Which are primarily research focused. 9 of the 10 universities in Israel are publicly funded. Only universities are allowed to award doctoral degrees in Israel.
• Colleges – The 53 colleges in Israel offer bachelors level courses, whilst some also offer master level courses.

Language of instruction

The official language in Israel is Hebrew, which is the common spoken language in the country. The Arabic language is also spoken in Israel by the Arab minority. The primary language of tuition in Israel is Hebrew, but some universities also offer courses taught in English.

For example, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology have committed to teaching some of their graduate courses in English. Tel Aviv University offers several bachelor and master’s degrees taught in English.

Popular cities in Israel for International students

• Haifa – Located on the coast in the north of the country, Haifa is a pretty port city with many attractions to explore such as picturesque gardens and great museums. There are plenty of nice restaurants and shops to visit during your time off from your studies. International students may wish to study at one of the two public universities in Haifa, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and the University of Haifa. There are also several colleges based in Haifa.
• Tel Aviv – Boasting beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, Tel Aviv is a bustling city full of things to see and do. There is a food scene and nightlife to be envied, and a diverse population to immerse yourself in. Tel Aviv is the second most populous city in Israel, behind Jerusalem, and receives over 2 million visitors every year. It is also a popular destination for students, with several thousands international students attending Tel Aviv University – one of the country’s largest and most prestigious universities.
• Jerusalem – If any city in the world can boast of having interesting history to explore, then it is surely Jerusalem, which is a city that most visitors to Israel will come to explore. With a UNESCO World Heritage Site old town area, and a strong tie to several religions, the city also offers visitors a vibrant food scene and culture to enjoy. Students will consider the public university, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, along with several other colleges based in the city, such as the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design.

Table of the top ranked universities in Israel

University	Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2024	Best Global Universities	QS World University Ranking
Tel Aviv University	201-250	175	215
Hebrew University of Jerusalem	301-350	241	251
Technion Israel Institute of Technology	351-400	317	392
Bar-Ilan University	501-600	750	545
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev	501-600	590	469
University of Haifa	601-800	633	651-660
Reichman University	801-1000	Not yet ranked
Ariel University	1201-1500	1785
Weizmann Institute of Science		134

See below for a list of universities and higher education providers in Israel. Click on universities you are interested in below to read more and to see which courses are available for international students.

Degrees in Israel Masters in Israel