Program Details

Be it the 1973 oil crisis, the Islamic Revolution in Iran, or the civil war in Syria with its ensuing refugee crisis – in today's world of globalization, mass immigration, religious fundamentalism and energy dependence, the repercussions of events taking place in the Middle East are felt across the globe. The MA in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies program is designed for students who wish to better understand these complex developments as well as the historical, political, religious and cultural contexts in which they have unfolded.

This one-year multidisciplinary degree, taught entirely in English, is offered by Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School (RIS) in conjunction with the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Faculty of Humanities. By studying in Jerusalem – one of the Middle East’s most ancient, diverse and contested cities – students benefit from a uniquely immersive experience, both within and beyond the classroom.

Courses cover a variety of topics such as state and religion in the lands of Islam, interrelations between Jews and Muslims, the history and archaeology of Jerusalem during the Islamic periods, and the relations between Israel and Middle Eastern countries.

The program includes a rigorous Modern Standard Arabic curriculum. Since nearly 40% of Jerusalem’s inhabitants are native Arabic speakers, students also enjoy the opportunity to put their language skills to practice on a daily basis. Additionally, the faculty of Humanities offers courses in Modern Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, and Persian.

Career & Networking 

Graduates of the program continue on to positions in government service, NGOs, journalism, academia and other areas. Alumni have worked for news outlets and academic journals such as Haaretz, i24News, Der Spiegel and the Mexican Journal of Political and Social Sciences. Others have pursued advanced academic degrees, both in Israel and internationally.

For additional information, please visit the program’s Career & Alumni page.

Teaching Faculty

Dr. Tawfiq Da’adli, academic head of the program, is an archaeologist and art historian whose research interests include important sites in Jerusalem such as the Mamilla Cemetery, the al-Qaymuriyya Mausoleum, the quarters around the Cotton Merchants’ Market and the Beit HaBad Market.

Additional key lecturers include Prof. Meir Hatina and Prof. Ron Shaham. Prof. Hatina is the head of both Hebrew University’s Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and the Levtzion Center for Islamic Studies. His work focuses on martyrdom in Islam and Arab liberal thought. Prof. Shaham’s fields of expertise include Islamic law and society, Islamic family law and the legal status of non-Muslims in the modern Middle East.

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities at the 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 hold a bachelor’s degree from an internationally accredited university with a minimum 3.2 (letter grade B) average. They must also demonstrate English proficiency through a TOEFL exam score of 80 or above, or an IELTS score of 6 or above.

Application Deadlines

Early admissions: November 1 - December 31, 2021

Regular admissions: January 1 - March 31, 2022

Late admissions: April 1 - August 31, 2022

The upcoming program is scheduled to begin in October, 2022.

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

Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition is US$11,400.

For additional information, please visit our Tuition Costs & Fees page.

A variety of scholarships are available, including an early admission scholarship. More information can be found on our Scholarships & Financial Aid page.

Further Information

Academic Inquiries: Prof. Michael Shenkar, Program Head: michael.shenkar@mail.huji.ac.il

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

Program Website

 

 

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