The Faculty of Humanities offers a broad range of graduate programs and disciplines, distinguished by innovative instruction that fosters an immersive, diverse academic experience. Students benefit from an engaging academic experience that combines digital humanities methodologies, study tours in Israel and abroad, student exchange programs with partner universities around the globe, and dozens of advanced courses taught by leading scholars from Israel and beyond.

Master’s degree studies are offered in two tracks:

• Research Track – Designed to train students in academic research and serve as preparation for doctoral studies.
• Non-Research Track – Intended for students who wish to expand their theoretical knowledge in a specific discipline or area of research.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in the field in which they wish to pursue graduate studies, and meet the criteria outlined below:

Admission to the Research Track

Applicants must have a final undergraduate GPA of at least 90, including a minimum grade of 90 in the department where they wish to pursue their graduate studies. For students completing a master’s preparatory year (see below): a final undergraduate GPA of 90 or above, and an average of 90 or higher in at least 16 credits of required preparatory coursework.

Continuation in the research track is conditional upon securing a thesis advisor by the end of the first semester of the first year of study. Students who do not secure an advisor will be transferred to the non-research track.

Admission to the Non-Research Track

Applicants must have a final undergraduate GPA of at least 80, including a minimum grade of 80 in the department where they wish to pursue their graduate studies.

Transferring from the Non-Research to the Research Track

Students admitted to the non-research track may apply to transfer to the research track at the end of the first year, provided they meet the following criteria:

• The student has secured a thesis advisor by the end of the first year.
• During the first year, the student completed at least 40% of the total required credits for the degree (14 credits) with an average of 90 or above.
• The student completed a beginner-level research language course during the first year.

The transfer request must include a research proposal signed by the student, their advisor, and the department’s graduate advisor.

Conditional Admission

Students who have fulfilled all undergraduate requirements in the department to which they are applying for a master’s degree, but still owe no more than 8 credits in their second major, may be granted conditional admission. All outstanding undergraduate requirements must be completed by the end of the first semester of the first year of the master’s program.

 

Registration Process

Applicants must complete their registration through the university’s online application system.

 

Duration of Studies

In accordance with the university’s academic regulations, the standard duration of a master’s degree is two years (four semesters). Students are advised to plan their course of study in advance to ensure they remain on track. Upon admission, students must meet with the department’s master’s advisor to map out their academic plan.

Students who wish to extend their studies to four years must submit a detailed request to the faculty Teaching Committee at the beginning of their first year of study.

 

Research Track Studies

Research Track with Research Language Requirement

The research track includes 36 credits, structured as follows:

Coursework Requirements

Students must complete academic coursework both within and outside their department, including:

Departmental Courses

 - Courses must be designated as graduate-level and include at least one methodological seminar.

 - With approval from the department’s graduate advisor, students may take up to 4 credits from advanced undergraduate courses designated for second- or third-year students (not open to first-year students).

 - Students may enroll in an "Independent Study" course (2–4 credits) with the consent of a faculty member willing to supervise the work.

 - Active Participation: Students may earn 4 credits for active, supervised participation in a research project, totaling at least 80 hours and conducted under the guidance of a senior university researcher. These credits count toward the total required for the degree (academic exemption), though standard tuition fees apply. Participation must be approved by the Chair of the Teaching Committee and recommended by at least one faculty member.

 - In general, students may receive a verbal grade of “Active Participation” in courses designated as departmental or research seminars.

 - A maximum of 4 credits with an “Active Participation” grade may be counted toward the degree.

Courses Outside the Department

With the approval of the MA advisor, students may take up to 8 credits in courses offered by other departments.

Digital Humanities Course

As of the 2022–2023 academic year, all MA students in the faculty must complete a 2-credit course in Digital Humanities, chosen from the faculty’s list of required elective courses.

Total Course Credits: 26–28 credits.

 

Research Language

Advanced Level In addition to the coursework requirements listed above, students enrolled in the research track must demonstrate proficiency in an additional research language at the B1 (advanced) level. This requirement is separate from the English proficiency expected at the undergraduate level.

Students intending to pursue a master’s degree in the research track are encouraged to begin studying a second research language during their undergraduate studies, in consultation with their departmental advisor.
When building their research track study plan, students must receive approval from their MA advisor for their chosen research language, selected from the list of approved languages published by each department. The research language requirement must be fulfilled by the end of the second year of master’s studies:

 - Languages offered by the Language Center: Students must demonstrate the proficiency required for academic study at the B1 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Levels 3 and 4 will be recognized for a total of 8 credits toward the degree.

 - Alternatively, students may submit an internationally recognized certificate verifying proficiency at the B1 level or higher to the Language Center.

 - Languages taught within departments: Students must achieve an advanced level of proficiency in their designated research language. Eight credits at the advanced level will be recognized toward the degree.

Students who have already completed a research language at the B1/advanced level during their undergraduate studies must complete an additional 8 credits of theoretical or methodological coursework, as recommended by their advisor, in accordance with the guidelines outlined below under “Supplementary Courses.”

Total requirement for the research language at the B1 / advanced level: 8 credits.

 

Final Examination (Course No. 74441)

2 credits (offered at the department’s discretion)

 

Total Requirements: 36 credits, a seminar paper, and a thesis

Students enrolled in the research track must secure a thesis advisor by the end of the first semester of their first year of study. Students who do not succeed in doing so will be transferred to the non-research track.

 

Research Track without a Research Language Requirement

Coursework Requirements

Students must complete theoretical coursework both within and outside their department, as outlined below:

Departmental Courses

 - All courses must be designated as graduate-level and include at least one methodological seminar.

 - Students may enroll in an "Independent Study" course (2–4 credits) with the consent of a faculty member willing to supervise the work.

 - Active Participation: Students may earn 4 credits for active, supervised participation in a research project, totaling at least 80 hours and conducted under the guidance of a senior university researcher. These credits count toward the total required for the degree (academic exemption), though standard tuition fees apply. Participation must be approved by the Chair of the Teaching Committee and recommended by at least one faculty member.

 - A verbal grade of “Active Participation” may be awarded only for courses defined as departmental or research seminars.

 - In general, students may receive a verbal grade of “Active Participation” in courses designated as departmental or research seminars.

 - A maximum of 4 “Active Participation” credits may be counted toward the degree.

Courses Outside the Department

With the approval of the MA advisor, students may take up to 8 credits in courses offered by other departments.

Total Course Credits: 24–26 credits.

Supplementary Courses

Students whose research focus does not require proficiency in an additional research language are required to complete 8 credits of supplementary coursework, subject to the approval of their supervisor or MA program advisor. Examples include introductory undergraduate courses, statistics, and related subjects.

These 8 credits for supplementary courses will count toward the degree requirements and must include:

• 6 credits in graduate- or undergraduate-level courses, as recommended by the advisor.
• 2 credits in a digital humanities course, selected from the faculty’s list of required elective courses in this field.

Total Supplementary Credits: 8.

 

Final Examination (Course No. 74441)

2 credits (final exams are offered at the department’s discretion)

 

Total Requirements: 36 credits, a seminar paper, and a thesis.

 

Research Seminar Paper (Thesis)

Students must submit a single research-oriented seminar paper by the end of their second year of their degree studies. The paper will be graded and calculated into the final degree average but does not carry academic credit.

 - By the end of the first semester of the first year of study, students must submit a Research Proposal Form to the faculty Teaching Committee. The form must be signed by the advisor, the student, and the department head, and should detail the topic of the research-oriented seminar paper.
Students who fail to submit the required form on time will be automatically transferred to the non-research track.
If the advisor decides to discontinue supervision, he/she must notify the student and the Teaching Committee in writing. The student will then be granted one additional semester to present a new signed supervision form. Failure to do so will result in transfer to the non-research track.

 - The thesis, including footnotes and bibliography, must be between 40 and 80 double-spaced pages. Diagrams, images, tables, and required textual appendices will not be counted toward the total page count. Any deviation from this format will only be permitted with a recommendation from the advisor and prior approval from the Teaching Committee.

 - The thesis may be written in Hebrew or English. Students in departments where instruction is conducted in another language may write their thesis in that language. Students wishing to submit their thesis in a language other than Hebrew must submit a formal request to the Teaching Committee. Requests will be considered in accordance with the guidelines of the Authority for Research Students. As a rule, permission to write a thesis in a foreign language is granted only to international students, new immigrants, or those whose topic requires review by faculty members who do not read Hebrew.

 - The thesis will be evaluated by the advisor and a second reader, appointed by the Teaching Committee. The second reader will be assigned only after the Committee receives the advisor’s written approval, including a detailed assessment and a numerical grade confirming the submission of the thesis for evaluation. The advisor must submit the names of at least two potential readers. The reviewers may be from another department—either within Hebrew University or from a comparable institution in Israel or abroad—or from the advisor’s own department.

 - The student must submit an electronic copy of the thesis (PDF format) to the following email address: 8, and provide a printed copy to the Academic Secretariat of the Faculty of Humanities.

 - The thesis must include abstracts in both Hebrew and English.

 - The second reader must submit their written evaluation (including a numerical grade) to the Teaching Committee Office within two months of receiving the thesis. The second reader’s identity will remain confidential unless they provide written consent to disclose their name.

 - The Teaching Committee will forward the second reader’s evaluation (excluding the grade) along with the average grade to the department head, department secretariat, and the advisor. If a significant discrepancy exists between the two evaluations (a difference of 20 points or more), the Teaching Committee will appoint a third reader. The final grade will be the average of the grades assigned by all readers. In exceptional cases, the committee chair, in coordination with the dean, may appoint a single arbitrator. The arbitrator’s evaluation and grade will be final and binding. Students who receive a grade below 80 on the research-based seminar paper will be required to transfer to the non-research track and fulfill its requirements. Following approval of the thesis, the student must deposit an electronic copy in the Mount Scopus Central Library. The thesis, or any part of it, may not be published prior to final approval, and must include a note stating that this is a research-based seminar paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master's degree.

 

For further information, see Hebrew University’s guidelines for supervising graduate students.

 

Additional Seminar Paper

The additional seminar paper must be written as part of a course designated as a graduate seminar within the student’s department.

 

Final Examination

Each department within the faculty determines whether a final examination is required. In departments where a final exam is required, students will take the exam after submitting their research-based seminar paper. The exam is worth 2 credits toward the degree. In departments that do not require a final exam, students must complete an additional 2-credit course selected in consultation with their advisor or supervisor, in order to meet the total credit requirement for the degree.

 

Final Grade Calculation for Degree Completion

In departments that do not require a final exam, the final grade for the degree will be calculated as follows:

• Coursework totaling 36 credits (including theoretical courses, advanced-level research language or supplementary courses, and a Digital Humanities course): 50%
• Seminar paper: 15%
• Research-based seminar paper (thesis): 35% Total: 100% final grade

In departments where a final exam is required, the final grade for the degree will be calculated as follows:

• Coursework totaling 34 credits (including theoretical courses, an advanced research language or supplementary courses, and a Digital Humanities course): 35%
• Seminar paper: 15%
• Research-based seminar paper (thesis): 35%
• Final exam (2 credits): 15% Total: 100% final grade

 

Non-Research Track Studies

Program Structure

The non-research track includes 36 credits, structured as follows:

Coursework Requirements

Students must complete academic coursework both within and outside their department, including:

Departmental Courses

 - Courses must be designated as graduate-level and include at least one methodological seminar.

 - With approval from the department’s graduate advisor, students may take up to 8 credits 

 - from advanced undergraduate courses designated for second- or third-year students (not open to first-year students).

 - Students may enroll in an "Independent Study" course (2–4 credits) with the consent of a faculty member willing to supervise the work.

 - Final exam: 2 credits (if required by the department).

Total: 36 credits, plus two seminar papers.

Courses Outside the Department

With the approval of the MA advisor, students may take up to 8 credits in courses offered by other departments. In special cases, and with advisor approval, this may be extended to 12 credits.

Digital Humanities Course

As of the 2022–2023 academic year, all master’s students in the faculty must complete a 2-credit course in Digital Humanities, chosen from the faculty’s list of required elective courses.

Total Course Credits: 34-36 credits.

Final Exam: Course No. 74441

2 credits (if required by the department).

 

Total: 36 credits, plus two seminar papers.

 

Seminar Papers

Students are required to complete two seminar papers in courses designated as graduate-level seminars. With approval from the MA advisor, one paper may be written in a course offered outside the department. Both papers may not be supervised by the same instructor.

 

Final Examination

Each department within the faculty determines whether a final examination is required. In departments where a final exam is required, it will count for 2 credits toward the degree. In departments that do not require a final exam, students must complete an additional 2-credit course in order to meet the total credit requirement for the degree.

 

Final Grade Calculation for Degree Completion

In departments that do not require a final exam, the final grade for the degree will be calculated as follows:

• Coursework totaling 36 credits (including academic courses within the department, outside the department, and one course in Digital Humanities): 60%
• Seminar paper 1: 20%
• Seminar paper 2: 20% Total: 100% final grade

In departments where a final exam is required, the final grade for the degree will be calculated as follows:

• Coursework totaling 34 credits (including academic courses within the department, outside the department, and one course in Digital Humanities): 45%
• Seminar paper 1: 20%
• Seminar paper 2: 20%
• Final exam (2 credits): 15% Total: 100% final grade

 

M.A. in Comparative Religion

Specializing in Judaism and Christianity

Offered in collaboration with the University of St Andrews, this 2-year joint degree program provides students with the unique opportunity to gain comparative and cross-cultural perspectives on Judaism and Christianity while studying at two world-class universities in Israel and Scotland.

Participants will begin their journey in Jerusalem for the 1st year of the program, spending their 2nd year of study in St Andrews. They will explore the breadth of Jewish and Christian religious traditions, history, theology, and philosophy. A wide range of course modules taught by renowned experts in the study of Judaism and Christianity from ancient Israel to the 21st century is offered at each institution, enabling students to tailor a specialized path of study and develop expertise in their area of choice. In addition, intensive ancient or modern language study will enable participants to examine Jewish and Christian literature in its original form, including modern and Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, German, Greek, and more.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will earn a joint degree issued by each institution (MLitt in the Study of Judaism and Christianity from the University of St Andrews, and MA in Comparative Religion with a specialization in the Study of Judaism and Christianity from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem).  For additional details press here.

 

Specializations

Digital Humanities

Beginning in the 2022–2023 academic year, master’s students in the Faculty of Humanities may pursue a specialization in Digital Humanities as part of their degree requirements. The specialization comprises 12–16 credits and is integrated into the student’s regular coursework in any department within the faculty. Upon fulfilling all degree requirements, students will receive a master's diploma noting their specialization in Digital Humanities.

For more information, please contact the program head, Dr. Renana Keydar.

 

Special Study Tracks

Preparatory Program for Master’s Studies

The preparatory program is designed for students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in a field different from that of their undergraduate studies.
The program includes a maximum of 32 credits. Programs requiring up to 16 credits are completed within one academic year; programs requiring more than 16 credits span two academic years.
Candidates who require more than 32 credits will be advised to pursue an additional undergraduate degree in the new field.

Admission to the preparatory year requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 80.

The scope and structure of the preparatory curriculum are determined by the MA advisor.
Students required to complete up to 8 credits may begin master’s studies concurrently with their preparatory studies.

Admission to the MA Program Following the Preparatory Year:

• Research Track: A final undergraduate GPA of 90 or above and a minimum average of 90 in at least 16 preparatory course credits.
• Non-Research Track: A minimum average of 80 in the preparatory courses.

 

Research Preparatory Year

Students who have completed a non-research track master’s degree with a final grade of 90 or above and wish to pursue a doctorate in the same field may apply for a Research Preparatory Year. Applications must be submitted to the Faculty Teaching Committee and must include a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who agrees to serve as the student's advisor.

Accepted students will be required to write a research-oriented seminar paper and complete any additional assignments determined by the advisor and the faculty.
Students who successfully meet the faculty’s requirements—including earning a grade of 90 or above on the research-oriented seminar paper—may apply for admission to a doctoral program.
The research preparatory year may extend up to one academic year.