Program Details

Sacred to Jews and Christians alike, the Bible is one of the most influential books in human history.   Hebrew University’s MA in the Bible and the Ancient Near East equips students with the knowledge and skills to analyze the various layers of these scriptures and understand the region from which they originated, while living in the heart of the Land of the Bible.

Offered by Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School (RIS) in conjunction with the Bible Department at the Faculty of Humanities, the program focuses on contemporary Biblical studies (Hebrew scriptures) and provides grounding in Biblical Hebrew, with the option to study Modern Hebrew from beginner through advanced levels. Participants also acquire a sound knowledge of Akkadian, the lingua franca of the Ancient Near East, and the history and culture of the region. Moreover, students can choose to take courses in biblical archaeology and philology. For a full list of courses, click here.

Career & Networking 

Graduates of this program are well equipped to pursue doctoral studies and academic careers. Our alumni teach at leading institutions of higher education, including Harvard, Yale, Cambridge, and Brandeis. Additional career paths include education, community and religious leadership, museum and archive work, archaeology and preservation, and tourism, among others.

Teaching Faculty

Our faculty members are renowned experts in their fields with extensive teaching and research experience, including:

• Prof. Nili Wazana, Program Head, History of the Biblical period and classical prophetic literature.
• Prof. Michael Segal, Early Second Temple period literature, Qumran literature, and the Greek and Aramaic translations of the Bible.
• Prof. Baruch Schwartz, Priestly literature and classical prophetic literature.

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities at Hebrew University is committed to shedding light on civilizations past and present as revealed through history, language, literature, religion, philosophy, music, art, and material culture. The numerous prizes and grants received by the academic staff – including Israel Prizes and ERC grants – attest to the high quality of research and teaching for which the faculty is known. 

A wide range of world-class research institutes are affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities, including the Institute of Archaeology, the Institute of Asian and African Studies, the Mandel Institute of Jewish Studies and the Department of Comparative Religion, among others. Each of these institutes houses centers that focus on specific topics, such as the Levtzion Center for Islamic Studies, the Ben-Zvi Institute for the Study of Jewish Communities in the East, the Minerva Center for Human Rights, and others.

This program is run collaboratively with Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School (RIS). Over 2,000 students from 90 countries worldwide convene in Jerusalem each year to participate in RIS programs, ranging from intensive language courses to short-term courses, internships, study abroad, and full-fledged MA degree programs offered in English. RIS’ innovative programming, diverse community, and rich student life offer an unforgettable, transformative experience for students of all backgrounds and academic pursuits.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have an internationally accredited bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 80 or above.

Candidates must also demonstrate a high level of English proficiency by providing one of the following documents:

• a TOEFL exam score of 80
• or above an IELTS exam score of 6 or above
• an Amir or Amiram exam score of 120 or above

Applicants who completed degrees at universities at which English is the sole language of instruction, as well as applicants who completed degrees in English Language and Literature, can request an exemption. Such applicants must submit documentation from their university verifying English as the language of instruction. Exemption is not automatic and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Visit the program’s website for more information about the admissions process or apply here.

For detailed information on admission requirements, based on the country where you completed your undergraduate studies, please click here.

Tuition & Scholarships

Tuition is US$12,000 for full two-year program (students pay $6,000 each year).

Students are eligible for a variety of scholarships. More information can be found on the  Scholarships & Financial Aid page. For additional information regarding tuition and other costs, please visit the program’s website.

Further Information

Academic Inquiries: Prof. Nili Wazana, Academic Head: nili.wazana@mail.huji.ac.il

Administrative inquiries: RIS Division of Graduate Studies: gradmiss@savion.huji.ac.il

Program Webpage

 

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