Olamot Studies Requirements for Graduate Students - Master’s Degree, 2026–2027 and Onward
Information and Guidelines for students who started their Master’s Degree in the 2026–2027 academic year and onward
****Master’s students who began their studies in the 2026–2027 academic year or earlier should refer to the applicable regulations.
Olamot – The School of Jewish Studies and Israeli Culture offers a wide range of courses in Jewish Studies, incorporating both traditional and contemporary perspectives and a variety of learning formats.
- Graduate students (master’s and doctoral) are required to complete a cumulative total of 4 credits of Olamot studies at the academic level, in addition to the disciplinary coursework required for their degree, as a condition for receiving the master’s or doctoral degree.
- Students who fulfill this requirement as part of a master’s degree at Bar-Ilan University will not be required to take additional Olamot courses if they continue to doctoral studies.
- Students may choose from the wide range of courses offered in the Olamot course cluster in the In-Bar portal, including online courses. Only courses designated in advance as Olamot courses will count toward fulfillment of this requirement.
- Students who have already fulfilled the Olamot studies requirement as part of a previous master’s degree, or as part of certificate studies under the auspices of the Master’s Degree Committee through Olamot courses, are not required to complete Olamot studies as part of an additional master’s degree. No application for recognition is required.
- Information for students in the Faculty of Law enrolled in intensive programs is available here.
- Students in the thesis completion track who meet the requirements of the track are not required to complete Olamot courses, in accordance with the School of Graduate Studies regulations. This applies only to the thesis completion track and not to a regular thesis-based master’s degree program, to which the Olamot studies requirements apply in accordance with university regulations.
- Students in the direct master’s degree track who meet the requirements of the track, in accordance with the School of Graduate Studies regulations, are not required to complete Olamot courses as part of their master’s degree. If they subsequently pursue an additional advanced degree, they will be required to complete Olamot courses in accordance with university regulations.
- Medical students enrolled in programs that include a master’s or doctoral degree are required to complete 4 credits of Olamot studies.
- Alternative study options: The Jewish Studies requirement may also be fulfilled through courses at the Institute for Advanced Torah Studies or at the Midrasha at Bar-Ilan University. For purposes of fulfilling the requirement, each of these courses is equivalent to half an Olamot course. Students must ensure that their total coursework meets the requirements set out in university regulations.
- Students must fulfill all course requirements specified in the syllabus and receive a numerical passing grade of 60 or higher.
Students are responsible for ensuring throughout their studies, and especially before completing their degree, that they have fulfilled all Olamot studies requirements. To check the status of their requirements or determine whether any additional coursework is needed, students may contact the Olamot administrative office at any stage via the Request Form.
For information and guidelines applicable to students who began their master’s degree studies before the 2026–2027 academic year, click here.
