Information and Guidelines: Olamot Studies Requirements – Doctoral Degree, 2026–2027 and Onward

Information and Guidelines for students who started their Doctoral Degree in the 2026–2027 academic year and onward

****Doctoral 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.

1. 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 their master’s degree will not be required to take additional Olamot courses as part of their doctoral studies.
2. 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.
3. Students who have not fulfilled the Olamot studies requirement as part of a previous master’s or doctoral degree will be required to do so if they pursue an additional advanced degree, in accordance with university regulations.
4. Students in the direct PhD track receive a doctoral degree only and are therefore required to complete 4 credits of Olamot studies.
5. Medical students enrolled in programs that include a master’s or doctoral degree are required to complete 4 credits of Olamot studies.
6. Alternative study options: The Jewish Studies requirement may also be fulfilled through courses at the Ludwig and Erica Jesselson 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.
7. 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 doctoral studies before the 2026–2027 academic year , click here.