Welcome Aboard!
The comprehensive guide below provides all the essential information and resources for a smooth educational journey. From visa requirements and English proficiency to housing, transportation, and important notices, we have you covered. Explore our online systems, access helpful links, and find contact information at the international school.
Watch our orientation video here
Discover our student guide for a successful academic journey
We’re cheering you on,
BU@BIU
Do you have questions about your application? Need to upload missing documents? Click here and upload them directly!
Click here for our designated page for all information regarding entry to Israel and renewal of your visa.
As a student or a researcher, you may need an Israeli bank account (especially if you’ll get a stipend). You can do that in one of the Israeli banks as you prefer.
Visit our designated webpage here, where you can find essential information on two such options.
Upon arrival to Israel, you must have valid health insurance. For more information, visit our Health Insurance page.
Electra, a private company, is in charge of the maintenance and management of the dormitories. It is important to note that Electra’s contracts span a one-year period, from October to October.
If you seek to rent a room for a period shorter than a full year, we encourage you to reach out to us at [email protected]. We have specific rooms allocated for the International School, please consult with us to check availability well in advance.
Here you can find some important info about the different apps you can use. Just download one of them (Moovit, AnyWay, HaTachana, RavPass, or the RavKav card) and follow the instructions.
Weekend Transportation is a bus service that operates on weekends, operating in six cities in Greater Tel Aviv – Giv’atayim, Yehud–Monosson, Kiryat Ono, Ramat HaSharon, Shoham and Tel Aviv-Yafo. For more info visit your preferred transportation app or website.
Another system that will accompany you throughout your studies is Lamda, where you will find all the courses you’re enrolled in, including materials, videos, and assignments. Under the Student Training tab, you will find several helpful Student Tutorials. All courses (English included), as well as their schedule and the syllabi, can be found in the Course Catalogue.
Don’t forget to make sure your English Language requirements are met. Bear in mind, that your acceptance to the university does not mean you have met your English Proficiency. If you need to take a course – make sure you take it as soon as possible. All information can be found here. Your own level of English (Advanced B/Exemption) can be found on Inbar under Candidate > Educations.
Your grade in English as a foreign language can be found on your Inbar (under Information for applicants > Education). While the threshold for admission to the university is 90 (TOEFL), 6.5 (IELTS), or 120 (Amir/Amiram), you must achieve a sufficient level of English. That can be achieved either by taking an English Proficiency course (according to your level) NO LATER THAN your second academic year, or by having a placement exam to obtain an exemption grade of 100 (TOEFL), 7.5 (IELTS), or 134 (Amir/Amiram)
If you have taken previous academic or Judaic courses (e.g., Yeshiva, AP courses, etc.) and you wish to get exemptions, please send the relevant documentation including grades and syllabi: If you are a BA student to the Status Department; if you are an MA student, send it to the School of Graduate Studies
Bar-Ilan University follows a semester structure consisting of approximately 13 weeks, with an additional period designated for exams. The credit system is used to determine the value of each course. For instance, a 90-minute class held between 10:00 and 11:30 throughout the semester will be considered as one credit. This scheduling allows for a 30-minute break before the next class, which provides students with ample time to move between buildings, have a meal, refresh, or engage in other activities.
The Libraries and Information Division supports students and researchers throughout their learning and research journeys, offering extensive resources across various disciplines. The library’s collection includes over a million printed and electronic books, catalogs, indexes, online databases, and cutting-edge discovery tools, along with access to research tools and leading instructional programs. Explore the Libraries and Information Division homepage for a full range of resources and services.
The Office of the Dean of Students oversees support for student wellbeing on campus. Our aim is to be available to you for support and assistance in a range of areas, to help you fulfill your personal potential and improve your learning experience while at Bar-Ilan University.
The portal contains useful links, announcements, and updates for students, and you can also catch up on what happened this week on campus. My BIU has the full database of requests and forms.
My BIU Portal
Not sure what’s your username?
InBar is the main student academic system, and it includes your schedule, your exams, etc. You can issue documents and sign up for your courses; in general, most students would have to complete credits of Judaic studies (or, for those who are not Jewish – general courses), as well as other courses, according to their track and degree (10 for BA, 4 for MA students). The full information will be given either by your academic department or the International School.
As part of our data security and service improvements, logging into the In-Bar portal now requires entering both your ID/passport number and mobile phone number, with no need for a password. A verification code will be sent to your mobile phone, which must then be entered on the login screen.
Logging in via the MyBIU portal remains unchanged and is the preferred method, as it contains access to Inbar, Lamda, and other online assets of the university.
– How do I sign up for courses?
– How do I set my password for the first time/reset?
– How can I schedule a time slot if I missed my initial slots?
The app includes your grade list, schedule, and Academic Calendar, but most importantly – it replaces the good old Student Card and will allow you to use it as your Student ID. Use the QR codes below to download the app. Here you can find a tutorial, explaining it all.
Bar-Ilan University’s Exam Department handles all aspects of examinations, both on-campus and online (using the Tomax platform). While traditional written exams are standard, alternative assessments like assignments, papers, and projects may be used in some courses, particularly seminars. The specific assessment method and its weighting within the final grade are always clearly outlined in the course syllabus.
Here you will find the updated Exam Policy Handbook
The Student Support and Accessibility Unit provides comprehensive support to students with disabilities and learning disorders, facilitating and enhancing their university experience and success. Services offered include academic assistance, personal guidance, and advocacy with administrative and academic departments, accommodations for coursework and exams, technical support, transcription services, academic support through tutoring and workshops.
Your down payment is the first installment of each academic year. All installments and receipts can be found and paid easily at INBAR: the student’s information system. Here you will find a simple guide.
If you wish to waive the Social Services payment, which is an additional fee, you need to complete a form. Fill out the form via Inbar no later than the day before the beginning of the new academic year. This will allow you to request an exemption from the payment. (Requests >> Subject: Tuition >> Waive social services fees >> Submit)
Follow the university’s e-mails sent to you. Apart from general notices, we will forward information from different departments about important personal issues to the email address you have provided. If that address was changed, please log in to Inbar > my details > details update.
Follow the university’s e-mails sent to you. Apart from general notices, we will forward information from different departments about important personal issues to the email address you have provided. If that address was changed, please log in to Inbar > my details > details update.
Students with disabilities can turn to The Accessibility Center at [email protected] with topics such as course enrollment at accessible classrooms, academic adjustments, counseling, academic support, guidance, and so forth.
If you wish to waive the Social Services payment, which is an additional fee, you need to complete a form. Fill out the form via Inbar no later than the day before the beginning of the new academic year. This will allow you to request an exemption from the payment. (Requests >> Subject: Tuition >> Waive social services fees >> Submit)
If you decide to defer your studies or withdraw, please notify us here as soon as possible. If you wish to change the track you’ve been accepted to, log in to Inbar > Request Submission > Application and Acceptance Issues
Complete the online sexual harassment tutorial and exam by the end of your first year. You’ll be able to complete it via the university’s Lamda website, where all your courses will be published.
For more helpful information, please check our Student Guide
Visas, health insurance, IRS/FAFSA-related issues | |
International Student’s Academic Advisors | |
International Doctoral and Post Doctoral Students | |
Social life and Wellbeing | |
Dorms and Housing |
Student Affairs and Well-being Presentation
International School and University Presentation
Libraries and Information System Services Presentation
Office of the Dean of Students Administration Presentation
Orientation Project Presentation
A Hands on Orientation for the University’s Systems and more
Ambassador’s Club Presentation