Curriculum: Mechina Program

These programs, run by the Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School, offer an excellent introduction to academic studies. You’ll benefit from a highly personalized experience, including:

• Individual academic advising and support from an experienced, multilingual academic staff
• Exposure to a variety of academic disciplines with highly qualified faculty members
• Academic credit for certain courses
• Field trips

Required Courses

Hebrew Language

You will participate in the Summer Ulpan (intensive Hebrew language instruction in August-September) and continue to take Hebrew language classes during the academic year. Even absolute beginners who successfully complete the preparatory year will reach the level of Hebrew needed to continue their studies at Hebrew University or other academic institutions in Israel.

Once your application is submitted, you will be given a link to take the Hebrew Placement Test online, and then, once accepted to the program, you will need to arrange to complete an essay in Hebrew on-campus.  The grades from these different evaluations may exempt you from the Summer Ulpan requirement.

English Language

If you did not graduate from an English-language high school, you’ll take a placement test and be assigned to the proper level of instruction. Unless exempted, you are required to study English throughout the academic year.

The aim of our English-language courses is to help you improve all elements of your English language usage – reading, writing, speaking and listening – so that you are able to participate in and contribute to academic and professional discourse, as you progress in your studies and onto your careers. You will work extensively on communicative competence through an action-oriented approach and a set of real-world tasks. To enter degree studies at an Israeli university, you must pass an English comprehension test (unless exempted). Students are also asked to take the AMIRAM exams before September of the academic year.

Learn more about the English language course and placement exam here.

Jewish & Israel Studies

During Mechina, each student is required to take one course about the History of the Jewish People and the State of Israel.

Mathematics

On our site, you can find a link to math problems which will prepare you for the mathematics placement test, taken prior to beginning your studies. The link to sign up for this exam will be found in your welcome packet. This test determines which level of math you will be eligible to take during your studies. If you select the Exact and Life Sciences track or the Business/Economics track, you’ll take calculus courses at the appropriate level (at least 8 hours each semester). If you select the Humanities and Social Sciences track, you’ll take the semester-long course Introduction to Probability (4 hours). All courses are taught in light Hebrew.

Learn more about the math placement exam here.

Introductory Courses

Our program offers a number of introductory courses that are taught in basic Hebrew. You’ll take at least one introductory course during the academic year. A wide range of subjects are available, such as biology, physics, psychology, business, statistics, political science, and economics. Some of these courses are recognized by Hebrew University faculties in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science, and will not have to be repeated during the first year of bachelor’s studies.

Academic Writing Course 

Students in all tracks (except for the science track) will take a course in academic writing in Hebrew. The course is adjusted to different Hebrew levels. This course gives you tools and skills needed for writing in Hebrew at the university level within the context of the Israeli higher education system.

Additional Options

• If you have a high degree of English language proficiency, you may also select introductory-level courses from the RIS Division of Undergraduate Studies that are taught in English.
• If you meet the Hebrew University requirements for Hebrew and English proficiency levels, you may be permitted to take a limited number of credit-bearing courses from Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences.
• If you have sufficient proficiency in the Hebrew language, the Faculty of Science allows you to take introductory courses in biology and physics.

Study Load by Track

*Optional
***For those in Hebrew levels Bet & Gimmel this course is taught in Spring semester.

Learn about the requirements for successful completion for each track.

Study Hours

The required minimum number of weekly study hours within the Mechina Program and Sadarah is determined by the number of required hours devoted to Hebrew and/or English-language studies. The remaining hours of study can be filled by a combination of elective courses taught in basic Hebrew, and for those with a higher level of fluency, courses taught in standard Hebrew.