Undergraduate Programs
A. Admission Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree
- High School Diploma
- Starting from the academic year 2023, the Hebrew language acceptance threshold for candidates to the university who studied in a high school where the language of instruction was not Hebrew will be 105 (instead of 84 until now) in the Yael/Yaelan"t test. For candidates with a Hebrew score of 84-104, the university will offer concentrated summer courses designed to improve their Hebrew language level. Upon completion of the course, they will be required to take the Yael/Yaelan"t test and meet the required threshold of 105 and above.
- Psychometric Exam, a score of 85 and above in the English section of the Psychometric Exam or Amir/Amira"m (Candidates with a high school average of 90 and above are exempt from the Psychometric entrance exam but are required to take the Amir/Amira"m test for English level placement).
For more information on admission and acceptance visit the Student Administration Website
B. Study Tracks for Undergraduates
The Talmud Department offers several study tracks for a bachelor's degree. These are:
1. Single Major Track -
Department Hours Basic Jewish Studies General Total 100 credits (92+8)* 12 credits 16 credits 128 *Students in Bar Ilan are required to take 20 credits of Basic Jewish Studies, students in the Talmud and Oral Law Department are required to do 8 of those credits in the department. This does not apply to students who are exempt from foundational studies.
Students can take up to 10 hours of electives from neighboring departments, but only with the head of the department's approval.
First Year: Mandatory courses totaling 10 credits and elective courses.
Second and Third Years: Elective courses, including three seminar papers with at least two different instructors.
Track Number: 09101
2. Special Single Major Track for Ramim - 30 semester hours (60 credits) - Intended for those who have studied for at least 6 years in a Torah institution where studies take place at least 25 hours per week (Midrasha, Hesder Yeshiva, Advanced Yeshiva) or for rabbis with recognized ordination from the Chief Rabbinate. Other admission requirements are as customary at the university. Studies in this track must be completed within two years.
First Year: Mandatory courses totaling 10 credits and elective courses.
Second and Third Years: Elective courses, including two seminar papers with two different instructors.
Track Number: 09102
3. Double Major Track - for those who want to study in both Talmud and a complem
Talmud Second Dept Basic Jewish Studies Total 62 credits (54+8)* 54 credits 12 credits 128 *Students in Bar Ilan are required to take 20 credits of Basic Jewish Studies, students in the Talmud and Oral Law Department are required to do 8 of those credits in the department. This does not apply to students who are exempt from foundational studies.
First Year: Mandatory courses totaling 10 credits and elective courses.
Second and Third Years: Elective courses, including two seminar papers with two different instructors.
Track Number: 09260
4. Structured Double Major Track -
Talmud Second Dept** Basic Jewish Studies General Total 58 credits (50 +8)* 50 credits 12 credits 8 credits 128 *Students in Bar Ilan are required to take 20 credits of Basic Jewish Studies, students in the Talmud and Oral Law Department are required to do 8 of those credits in the department. This does not apply to students who are exempt from foundational studies.
**The departments are: Bible, Jewish History, Literature f the Jewish People, Land of Israel Studies, Hebrew Language, Jewish Philosophy, Educational Counseling, Leadership and Educational Systems Management, and Classical Studies.
First Year: Mandatory courses totaling 10 credits and elective courses.
Second and Third Years: Elective courses, including two seminar papers with two different instructors.
Track Number: 09250
5. Direct Track to Master's Degree - According to university regulations, the Talmud Department offers a direct study track to a master's degree for outstanding students. The program is intended for students who excel in their bachelor's degree studies. These students can begin their master's studies in the final year of their bachelor's degree. The program is subject to the conditions customary at the university for the direct track, and details can be obtained from the academic secretariat and the master's degree committee.
Clarification 1: Credit means a one-hour course that takes place weekly throughout a full academic year, or a two-hour course that takes place in a single semester. A student studying, for example, 24 hours per week throughout an entire year "accumulates" 24 annual hours in their record which is counted as 48 credits.
C. Detailed Requirements
- Below is a detailed list of courses for all students, according to the number of hours required in each track. The courses are grouped into "clusters" according to their fields.
- Comprehensive Exam: During their undergraduate studies, each student will be required to take one comprehensive exam, exam code 09-901-01. For details, see information about the comprehensive exam.
- Students are required to complete additional tasks that the university imposes on all its students (such as: exemption in Hebrew expression, foreign language, foundational Jewish studies, and general courses to complete the 64 annual hours required for the degree. Ramim track students are exempt from foundational Jewish studies and general courses). Students are obligated to precisely clarify their requirements.
List of Mandatory Courses for the Undergraduate Programs*:
- 09-563-01 Introduction to Midrash and Aggadah - 4 credits
- 091-382-01 Introduction to Oral Torah: Tannaim (for students without background) OR 09-380-01 Tannaitic Literature: Its Formation and Editing (for those with background) - both 2 credits
- 091-384-01 Introduction to Oral Torah: Amoraim (for students without background) OR 09-389-01 Amoraic Literature: Its Formation and Editing (for those with background) - both 2 credits
- 09-101-01 Bibliographic Guidance - 2 credits
- 09-901-01 Bibliographic Exam for Undergraduate Students - No credit points
*All courses are taught in Hebrew
