10 Reasons to Study in Jerusalem

 

1. World-Class Academic Standards

If you aspire to lead in your field, there’s no question—you’ll need to study at an academic institution recognized among the best. The Faculty of Humanities at Hebrew University has earned its place alongside the world’s leading universities—including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Oxford.

Our faculty takes pride in its lecturers and researchers, who are integral to our academic community and have distinguished themselves as internationally acclaimed scholars and leaders in their fields. Their achievements are reflected in prestigious awards such as the Israel Prize, and international research grants, including ERC grants from the European Union.

 

2. More than 30 Departments and Programs

Human history encompasses an extraordinary range of subjects—from linguistics, religions, and cultures to artistic expression in literature, painting, sculpture, and architecture. The evolution of human culture has followed a long and complex path, and exploring it in depth requires a broad and specialized academic framework.

That’s why the Faculty of Humanities offers a diverse range of departments and programs, allowing you to combine and delve deeply into areas of study that reflect the full scope of human experience.

 

3. Interdisciplinary Programs

Human culture profoundly influences all areas of life. By studying past civilizations and diverse cultural traditions, we gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in today.

At the Faculty of Humanities, you can choose from a variety of unique interdisciplinary programs offered in collaboration with other faculties—for example, the combined track in East Asian Studies and Business Administration or International Relations. Each program brings together complementary fields, offering students a distinctive perspective and the opportunity to explore both disciplines in depth through their cultural intersections.

Alongside these interdisciplinary tracks, the faculty also offers several prestigious honors programs such as Amirim, Revivim, PPE (Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics), and the Honors Program in the Department of History. In addition, Hebrew University is home to several programs found nowhere else in Israel, such as the Department of Comparative Religion and the Department of Iberian and Latin American Studies.

 

4. Language Instruction

The most advanced language instruction unit in Israel is an integral part of the Faculty of Humanities. Here, you can study dozens of languages—both modern and ancient. The Faculty’s Language Studies Unit offers foreign language courses in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic—with additional languages to be introduced in the future.

In today’s globalized world, learning foreign languages is one of the most valuable tools for meaningful participation in the international arena. Courses are taught using a unique,

immersive approach: instruction is conducted entirely in the target language from the very first lesson. The goal is to build confidence and fluency, helping you quickly develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

These courses prepare students to thrive in academia, the job market, and the nonprofit sector.

 

5. Student Exchange Programs with Universities Abroad

Our student exchange agreements with top universities around the world give you the chance to experience academic life in a new cultural context and gain fresh insight into life in Israel. A semester abroad opens the door to meeting peers from across the globe and building lasting social and professional networks that can benefit you long after graduation.

In addition, several departments offer academic courses that include international study tours, further expanding your global perspective and enriching your academic journey.

 

6. Scholarships and Awards

As in any leading academic institution, outstanding students in the Faculty of Humanities are recognized with merit-based scholarships and financial support. Master’s and doctoral students benefit from some of the most comprehensive and generous support systems in the country—enabling them to focus fully on their studies and research without financial stress. Dozens of multi-year scholarships are awarded through the Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities.

 

7. Opportunities to Acquire Rare and Valuable Skills

Studying in the Faculty of Humanities equips you with skills that are in demand across a wide range of professions. Research proficiency, analytical thinking, and a creative worldview prepare you to meet challenges that others may find daunting.

Graduates of the faculty bring a broad perspective, an innovative approach to problem-solving, creativity, and a strong sense of system-level organizational thinking—qualities that provide a significant advantage when entering today’s job market.

 

8. A Launchpad for Your Career

While many academic programs today offer extensive knowledge, little of it proves applicable outside of the university. The strength of a humanities education lies in its ability to equip you with transferable skills that can be quickly applied in today’s dynamic job market.

You’ll gain a deep understanding of organizational and systemic processes, the ability to connect cultural insights with the global realities of the 21st century, and proficiency in a foreign language—all of which will give you a distinct edge when competing for a position or aiming to advance within your career.

 

9. Personal Growth and Development

Many fields of study offer advantages that may support you in the future, but the Faculty of Humanities is uniquely dedicated to fostering your personal development from day one.

Students encounter a wide range of intellectual and ethical dilemmas that call for self-reflection and personal growth in order to engage with them meaningfully. The academic experience fosters creative thinking, unconventional problem-solving, and a nuanced understanding of human behavior. This process demands deep introspection, not only enhancing your learning process but also encouraging you to explore and enrich your inner world.

 

10. Specialized Internship Course

The job market is ready for humanities graduates!

The Faculty of Humanities offers a practical internship course (Course No. 8301 in the faculty catalogue) designed to bridge academic study with today’s employment landscape. Students are placed in organizations relevant to their field of study, with the goal of creating the best possible match between their placement, interests, and skills.

Internship placements include government ministries, journals, archives, NGOs, research centers, and cultural or arts institutions, among others. Alongside the internship itself, the course includes weekly sessions that accompany the internship experience, covering topics such as theoretical issues, practical workshops, and one-on-one mentoring.

These sessions help students develop real-world skills and gain the confidence needed to navigate the job market upon graduation. Participants conclude the course with hands-on experience and strong professional references—valuable assets that enhance their CVs and give them a competitive edge in the job market.

(Comparable internship programs in the humanities have shown a marked increase—by several dozen percentage points—in graduates’ employment in fields related to their studies, with some participants even being hired as full-time staff by their host organizations.)

The course is open to second- and third-year undergraduate students across all departments in the faculty. It grants 4 credits, counted toward elective requirements within the student’s major. Enrollment is limited, and admission is subject to a personal interview.