Do I need to submit an authorization of language proficiency in order to go on a student exchange program? And how can I obtain one?

 

In the list of universities that appears on the Call for Applications, there is a “Language requirements” column for each institution which states whether you need an authorization of language proficiency in order to attend a student exchange program at that university. You do not need to take an exam at the time that you apply to a student exchange program, but only after you have been accepted to the program and assigned to a university that requires a language proficiency authorization.
 

What types of authorizations are there?

  1. TOEFL/IETLS grade – These are external language exams for which you must register independently. You do not need to take an exam at the time that you apply to a student exchange program, only after you are accepted to the program and assigned to a university that requires a certain score in English. However, you may receive a very short notice for taking the exam (depending on the deadline of the university to which you are assigned). Therefore, if you requested to be sent to a university that requires an English test, you should prepare for it in advance and check when you can take it.
  2. Authorization of English proficiency (such as English B2) on behalf of Hebrew University – If you have been assigned to a host university that requests such a document, please contact Miriam Poupko, academic advisor of HUJI’s Unit of English as a Foreign Language (miriam.poupko@mail.huji.ac.il). 
  3. Authorization of language proficiency for a language other than English – Be aware that some universities require a language proficiency authorization for a language other than English if you want to take courses in that language together with local students (not language classes!), while other universities request an authorization of language proficiency even if you are planning to take all your classes in English. It’s important to check in advance! This information appears in the Call for Applications. If required, you must submit an authorization of language proficiency for a language other than English at the time that you apply to the student exchange program. To do so (for example, for Spanish C1), please contact Chaya Fischer, Director of HUJI’s Language Center: chaya.fischer@mail.huji.ac.il.