Program terms: Fall, Full Academic Year, Spring
Restrictions: Vanderbilt applicants only
Type of Program: Direct University Enrollment
Costs: Budget Sheets
Academic Calendar: Similar to VU
Key Dates:

Term	Application Deadline	Program Dates
Fall 2025	03/03/2025	To be determined
Full Academic Year 2025	03/03/2025	To be determined

At a Glance

Hebrew University is ranked number one in academic excellence by Israel's Council for Higher Education. Students come from over 70 countries around the world to study in classrooms with panoramic views of the 3,000 year old city of Jerusalem. In addition to their coursework, students have the opportunity to participate in an extensive program of cultural and social activities as well as supervised internships for credit and volunteer work around the city.

Academics

Most students participating in this program will take their classes at Hebrew University's Rothberg International School. The School has become an international arena, a magnet that attracts students from around the world. They converge here to find intellectual challenge, religious bonds, political analysis and cultural activity. In the hallways of the School you will hear English spoken in the accents of New York, New England and the Deep South, of Britain, Australia and South Africa. You will hear the sounds of Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Polish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Korean and Japanese reverberate in the Rothberg International School. The Hebrew University brings all these students, from over 50 countries, together in Jerusalem to share a common experience in Hebrew – their new common language.

A wide variety of courses, offered mainly in English, may provide credit in such areas as archaeology, business, history, literature, philosophy, religion, communications, international relations, political science, psychology, sociology and science. Students who will be studying for the full year or the spring semester and have sufficient knowledge of Hebrew are encouraged to attend departmental Hebrew University classes, where they can choose from a broad selection of courses in the faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences and Science. Students are advised to consult with the appropriate officials at their home university regarding required or preferred courses.

Students are required to take a pre-semester course along with 15 credit hours during the term. Fall semester spans from August- December (occasionally extending into the first week of January) and Spring semester from end of January through the beginning of June.

Areas of Study

These are the courses of study made available by the provider or host university. Some Areas of Study may not receive Vanderbilt course credit (e.g., Agriculture, Fashion Design, etc.). Credit is determined via the course evaluation process.

Archaeology, Business, Environmental Studies, Hebrew, History, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Psychology, Religious Studies

Vanderbilt will use the scale shown here to articulate all grades from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, regardless of the subject area or language of instruction.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem	Vanderbilt Equivalents
A+ (95-100%)	A
A (88-94%)	A
A- (85-87%)	A-
B+ (82-84%)	B+
B (78-81%)	B
B- (75-77%)	B-
C+ (72-74%)	C+
C (68-71%)	C
C- (65-67%)	C-
D (60-64%)	D+
F (0-59%)	F

Student Life

The Office of Student Activities is responsible for organizing diverse extracurricular programs specifically designed to introduce RIS students to the Land of Israel – its people, geography, culture and politics. The many exciting events, tours and activities that complement the academic program allow you to see the country from new angles and provide you with a comprehensive, memorable Israel experience.

Sports facilities are located on both the Edmond Safra campus, Givat Ram, and the Mount Scopus campus. The Cosell Center also offers an array of classes in swimming, diving, yoga, martial arts, aerobic dancing and much more.

Housing

The student housing complexes on Mount Scopus, overlooking the incredible panorama of Jerusalem, are walking distance from the University. Students are usually housed in apartments with single or double bedrooms. The bedrooms contain beds, desks, chairs and closets. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are shared. Internet access is available for an additional fee.

Students who observe kashruth and are shomrei Shabbat can request to live with other observant students. Housing placement is coordinated through the Rothberg International School. While personal preferences are taken into consideration whenever possible, students should be aware that their requests cannot always be met.

Students are responsible for the own meal expenses. There is no meal plan available, but the kitchens are equipped with stove burners and refrigerators for preparing light meals and snacks. Moderately priced kosher cafeterias and snack bars, as well as small supermarkets, can be found in or near each student housing complex. Laundry facilities are also available.

A staff of specially selected Israeli students (called madrichim), who reside in the dormitories, assist RIS students in adjusting to campus life at the Hebrew University and help them obtain the full benefit of their stay in Israel.

Location

Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is well known for its abundant historical and holy sites and fascinating tourist attractions. A city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Jerusalem is a melding of past and present, of ancient roots and modern innovations. In addition, this thriving metropolis is rich in art galleries and museums, theaters and concert halls, restaurants and cafes, pubs and dance clubs. Exciting festivals, exhibitions, international conferences, sports competitions and many other special events are held throughout the year.

For more information, visit program homepage.

Fact Sheet

Housing: Dormitory
Minimum GPA: 3
Language of Instruction: English, Hebrew
Language prerequisite: No
Additional prerequisites: N/A
Costs: Budget Sheets
Student contacts: Peer alumni

Photo: Dome of the Rock, courtesy of Nisha Nadirsha Khorasi