State of Israel Studies

Ben-Gurion University of the NegevBachelor of Arts (B.A)

No psychometric exam — with a bagrut average of 85 or more

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Admission requirements

Intake for the 2026/27 academic year

You can be admitted through one of these tracks:

Regular track

Israel Studies double major | Admission based on the psychometric exam/Netiv La'Akademia exam [sekhem or psychometric exam](our wording)

Sekhem: 450
Psychometric exam, general multi-domain score / Netiv La'Akademia exam: 450
English level: Basic level
Hebrew level for applicants required to demonstrate Hebrew proficiency: Level 5

By bagrut, no psychometric exam

Israel Studies double major | Admission based on the bagrut certificate only(our wording)

Bagrut average: 85
English level: Basic level
Hebrew level for applicants required to demonstrate Hebrew proficiency: Level 5

Regular track

Israel Studies double major - Studying in Uniform | Admission based on the psychometric exam/Netiv La'Akademia exam [sekhem or psychometric exam](our wording)

Sekhem: 450
Psychometric exam, general multi-domain score / Netiv La'Akademia exam: 450
English level: Basic level
Hebrew level for applicants required to demonstrate Hebrew proficiency: Level 5
The program will open subject to the number of admitted applicants

By bagrut, no psychometric exam

Israel Studies double major - Studying in Uniform | Admission based on the bagrut certificate only(our wording)

Bagrut average: 85
English level: Basic level
Hebrew level for applicants required to demonstrate Hebrew proficiency: Level 5
The program will open subject to the number of admitted applicants

For adults and those who have studied before1

Age 40+: exempt from the psychometric exam

Age 40+: exempt from the psychometric exam (must have eligibility for a bagrut certificate + Basic level in English)
Level 5 in Hebrew for those required to meet this requirement

These are minimum requirements: meeting them does not by itself guarantee admission.

The requirements are in the institution's words. Names and labels marked "our wording" are our own, written from the same page.

For every track

Review of exceptional cases in the Department of Israel Studies - 01.02.2026
Applicants with a prior academic background who meet the admission requirements will be admitted without needing to submit a transcript.
Policy for reviewing exceptional cases: Applicants who meet the English and Hebrew requirements but do not meet the required admission conditions will be referred to the department for consideration as detailed below: applicants whose psychometric exam score or sekhem is up to 20 points below the required score.
Review of exceptional cases is subject to available places in the department and may take place at different times during the registration period.

The Hebrew terms

double majorדו-חוגיpsychometric examפסיכומטריNetiv La'Akademia examנתיב לאקדמיהsekhemסכםgeneral (multi-domain) psychometric scoreרב-תחומיBasic levelבסיסיbagrut certificateתעודת בגרותbagrutבגרותbagrut averageממוצע בגרותexemptionפטור

Check your chances — the institution's calculator

Source:The institution's sitebgu.ac.ilchecked 2 Oct 2026intake 2026/27

What you study

Contribute to understanding modern Israeli society by studying Israeli history, politics, and culture. The studies offer a broad historical and social perspective that helps explain current processes and analyze social and political trends.

The degree provides knowledge in many fields, including history, archaeology, botany, physical geography, historical geography, social and economic geography, and the zoology of the Land of Israel. Courses in the degree include physical geography of the Land of Israel, an introduction to the biblical period, an introduction to the history of the Land of Israel in modern times, Christianity, and more. The program also includes study tours, field courses, and participation in archaeological excavations and surveys.

Source:The institution's sitebgu.ac.ilchecked 2 Oct 2026
Source:Avodata, Ministry of Laboravodata.labor.gov.ilchecked 2 Oct 20262023 data

After the degree

What graduates work as

Teaching in secondary schoolmost commonTeaching at the secondary-school level, excluding the teaching of subjects intended to prepare students for work in specific fields of employment.
Teaching in elementary schoolmost commonTeaching a range of subjects at the elementary-school level.

Which industries they work in

Education26%
Operation of Libraries, Archives, Museums and Other Cultural Activities13%

Employment rate above average: 86% of graduates are employed 3–4 years after completing their studies(average across all institutions)

Graduates’ salaries below average: ₪12,700 average monthly salary 5–6 years after completing their studies(average across universities)

Most graduates go on to a master's degree(average across universities)

Source:Avodata, Ministry of Laboravodata.labor.gov.il“universities” tabchecked 2 Oct 20262023 data

Admitted students and graduates

average across universities

Program length: 3 years
Average bagrut score of admitted students: 92 points
Average psychometric score: 500 points

Source:Avodata, Ministry of Laboravodata.labor.gov.il“universities” tabchecked 2 Oct 20262023 data

Money

How the institution is funded

Budgeted institutions

Tuition2026/27

Annual tuition for a full-time bachelor's degree program in the 2026/27 academic year: ₪12,203.

Periphery 44 grant

only for programs at the Eilat campus

Who: Discharged soldiers and those who have completed national service.

per the Ministry of Defense page as checked on 4 Oct 2026

Source:Council for Higher Educationche.org.il /…/מוסדות מתוקצביםchecked 4 Oct 2026
Source:Council for Higher Educationche.org.il /…/שכר-הלימודchecked 4 Oct 2026
Source:Ministry of Defensehachvana.mod.gov.il /…/List-of-Educational-Institu…checked 4 Oct 2026
Source:Ministry of Defensehachvana.mod.gov.il /…/Perypheria44checked 4 Oct 2026