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Exchange program with Tel Aviv University and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

3-4 students of  Goethe University have the opportunity to spend the fall (October-February) or spring semester (February - June) at Tel Aviv University and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. 

Please note that an exchange semester may only take place when there is no travel warning for the country (current info on Israel by the Auswärtige Amt).

When to apply? 
 deadline: Tuesday, 3 February 2026 
(for a stay abroad during the acadamic year 2026/27)

Please read the application manual!

Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University (TAU) is Israel's largest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning. It is home to over 30,000 students studying in nine faculties and over 125 schools and departments across the spectrum of sciences, humanities and the arts. Many classes are taught in English.

Tel Aviv University offers Hebrew and Arabic classes before and during the semester. These classes cost fees that are NOT exempted for exchange students. 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier university and top research institution, ranked among the world's 100 leading universities. The university encompasses six campuses, three of which are located in Jerusalem, and offers a wide array of study opportunities in the exact sciences, medicine, agriculture, humanities, social sciences, law, and more. Hebrew University remains deeply committed to its role as a leader in multidisciplinary research and stands at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation and entrepreneurship in a wide range of fields.  

The university's teaching faculty is comprised of world-renowned experts in their fields, many of whom have been recognized globally through distinguished awards and honors, including 8 Nobel Prizes, the Fields Medal, the Turing Medal, the Abel prize. The Hebrew University is an integral part of Jerusalem, one of the most fascinating and unique cities on earth. Jerusalem is home to a thriving human mosaic of Jews, Muslims and Christians, secular and religious, locals and expats from around the world.

The Rothberg International School (RIS) 

  • serves as an academic and administrative hub for numerous international programs, degrees and courses
  • provides administrative and academic support for incoming undergraduate and graduate exchange students including pre-arrival assistance and arrival services.


AT HUJI, exchange students may

  • take regular university courses
  • take courses at the Rothberg International School
  • Advanced undergraduate students are permitted to register for MA courses, pending approval of the instructor and Departments and meeting pre-requests.
  • take Hebrew and Arabic (conditional upon availability) classes during the semester (some classes at additional costs)


Course restrictions for incoming exchange students:

  • Participation in some courses requires approval from the department in which the student wishes to study.  
  • Availability in some courses is limited and on a first come-first served basis. 
  • Courses in The Department of Psychology are very limited due to capacity constraints
  • Certain courses have prerequisites. 


HUJI requires a GPA of 3.0 (on a scale to 4) for undergraduates / 3.2. for graduates (German grades 2,0/1,8). 

general application requirements (for all our Direktaustauschprogramme):

  • applicants must be enrolled at Goethe University
  • applicants must be at least in their 2nd semester (BA), MA students may apply during their 1st semester
  • All majors may apply, there may be some restrictions regarding the available courses: students of medicine and law may apply but will not be able to take classes from their major at the host institution; restrictions regarding courses see first tab "host institution(s)"
  • Good academic standing 
  • Good language proficiency (at least B1, if not stated otherwise) - language certificates are valid for 2 years only!
  • good knowledge of  current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country and Germany
  • good knowledge of the host institution, available classes and a detailed study plan specific to the respective host institution(s)
  • It is expected of exchange students to return to Goethe-University after their study abroad period and continue and finish their studies here. 
  • Students who do not have a German Abitur or other German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung and who are enrolled in an English degree have to submit proof of German proficiency (preferably at least B1)
  • Applicants are expected to be able to take on an ambassador role for Goethe University and Frankfurt

additional application requirements for this exchange: 

  • TAU: English B2  
  • HUJI: 
    • GPA of 3.0 (on a scale to 4) for undergraduates / 3.2. for graduates (German grades 2,0/1,8)
    • English B2 (language certificate or TOEFL 80 / IELTS 6.0 / Cambridge Certificate)
  • students who would like to take classes in Hebrew also have to submit a language certificate in Hebrew  

When to apply?      Thursday, 1 February 2024

Application documents:
  • Application form - will be generated from online application (will open approx. 4 weeks prior to application deadline)
  • additional application documents
    please see     application manual
  • You will need a letter of reference and a language proficiency certificate. Please see about these well in advance (the sooner the better): talk to a professor/lecturer about the letter of reference and make an appointment for the language test. No late submissions!
Interviews:
  • approx. 3-4 weeks after application deadline (as soon as date is known, it will be published here)
  • there might be a preselection based on written applications so that not all applicants will be invited
Program benefits
  • Tuition fee waiver (other fees may apply)
  • Administrative support with application at host institution

TAU does not offer student housing to exchange students. Exchange students have to find housing themselves. 

The Hebrew University offers student housing.

Costs before and during the stay abroad
Tuition fees get waived for exchange students. However, costs of studying abroad should not be underestimated. All other costs will have to be paid by the exchange students themselves:
  • room and board 
  • travel costs
  • insurances 
  • other fees at the host institution may apply, e.g. administrative fees    

Monthly living costs in Tel Aviv are estimated to be approx. €1.300.

Selection of exchange students: 
  • Depending on the number of applicants there may be a preselection based on the application documents.
  • all applicants will receive an email:
    • invitation to an interview OR  
    • rejection on the basis of submitted application    
  • interview will:
    • be in English (and, if different, language of host country; only expected of applicants who stated in their application that they have knowledge of that language) 
    • be about personal and academic motivation of applicant 
    • include possible other subjects such current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country as well as Germany 
  • final selection of exchange students by Goethe University's selection committee
  • final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them

How to finance your stay abroad: 
Students participating in our exchange programs may apply for financial aid and/or scholarships at other institutions:

  • DAAD-PROMOS (in April/Mai for fall; in November/December for spring)
  • DAAD-Jahresstipendium (for studying abroad for two semesters; please check the deadlines which are different for different countries and may be several months before the stay abroad) 
  • Auslands-BAföG (apply 6 months before studying abroad)
  • Bildungskredit
  • other scholarships 

More information on our website: Finanzierung und Stipendien. 

Please check carefully whether you are eligible to apply: Some financial aid programs and scholarships might only be for German citizens or students who have graduated from German high school and/or have their permant residency in Germany. 

You will find a data base of testimonials of former exchange students here (in German).

Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University (TAU) is Israel's largest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning. It is home to over 30,000 students studying in nine faculties and over 125 schools and departments across the spectrum of sciences, humanities and the arts. Many classes are taught in English.

Tel Aviv University offers Hebrew and Arabic classes before and during the semester. These classes cost fees that are NOT exempted for exchange students. 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier university and top research institution, ranked among the world's 100 leading universities. The university encompasses six campuses, three of which are located in Jerusalem, and offers a wide array of study opportunities in the exact sciences, medicine, agriculture, humanities, social sciences, law, and more. Hebrew University remains deeply committed to its role as a leader in multidisciplinary research and stands at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation and entrepreneurship in a wide range of fields.  

The university's teaching faculty is comprised of world-renowned experts in their fields, many of whom have been recognized globally through distinguished awards and honors, including 8 Nobel Prizes, the Fields Medal, the Turing Medal, the Abel prize. The Hebrew University is an integral part of Jerusalem, one of the most fascinating and unique cities on earth. Jerusalem is home to a thriving human mosaic of Jews, Muslims and Christians, secular and religious, locals and expats from around the world.

The Rothberg International School (RIS) 

  • serves as an academic and administrative hub for numerous international programs, degrees and courses
  • provides administrative and academic support for incoming undergraduate and graduate exchange students including pre-arrival assistance and arrival services.


AT HUJI, exchange students may

  • take regular university courses
  • take courses at the Rothberg International School
  • Advanced undergraduate students are permitted to register for MA courses, pending approval of the instructor and Departments and meeting pre-requests.
  • take Hebrew and Arabic (conditional upon availability) classes during the semester (some classes at additional costs)


Course restrictions for incoming exchange students:

  • Participation in some courses requires approval from the department in which the student wishes to study.  
  • Availability in some courses is limited and on a first come-first served basis. 
  • Courses in The Department of Psychology are very limited due to capacity constraints
  • Certain courses have prerequisites. 


HUJI requires a GPA of 3.0 (on a scale to 4) for undergraduates / 3.2. for graduates (German grades 2,0/1,8). 

general application requirements (for all our Direktaustauschprogramme):

  • applicants must be enrolled at Goethe University
  • applicants must be at least in their 2nd semester (BA), MA students may apply during their 1st semester
  • All majors may apply, there may be some restrictions regarding the available courses: students of medicine and law may apply but will not be able to take classes from their major at the host institution; restrictions regarding courses see first tab "host institution(s)"
  • Good academic standing 
  • Good language proficiency (at least B1, if not stated otherwise) - language certificates are valid for 2 years only!
  • good knowledge of  current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country and Germany
  • good knowledge of the host institution, available classes and a detailed study plan specific to the respective host institution(s)
  • It is expected of exchange students to return to Goethe-University after their study abroad period and continue and finish their studies here. 
  • Students who do not have a German Abitur or other German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung and who are enrolled in an English degree have to submit proof of German proficiency (preferably at least B1)
  • Applicants are expected to be able to take on an ambassador role for Goethe University and Frankfurt

additional application requirements for this exchange: 

  • TAU: English B2  
  • HUJI: 
    • GPA of 3.0 (on a scale to 4) for undergraduates / 3.2. for graduates (German grades 2,0/1,8)
    • English B2 (language certificate or TOEFL 80 / IELTS 6.0 / Cambridge Certificate)
  • students who would like to take classes in Hebrew also have to submit a language certificate in Hebrew  

When to apply?      Thursday, 1 February 2024

Application documents:
  • Application form - will be generated from online application (will open approx. 4 weeks prior to application deadline)
  • additional application documents
    please see     application manual
  • You will need a letter of reference and a language proficiency certificate. Please see about these well in advance (the sooner the better): talk to a professor/lecturer about the letter of reference and make an appointment for the language test. No late submissions!
Interviews:
  • approx. 3-4 weeks after application deadline (as soon as date is known, it will be published here)
  • there might be a preselection based on written applications so that not all applicants will be invited
Program benefits
  • Tuition fee waiver (other fees may apply)
  • Administrative support with application at host institution

TAU does not offer student housing to exchange students. Exchange students have to find housing themselves. 

The Hebrew University offers student housing.

Costs before and during the stay abroad
Tuition fees get waived for exchange students. However, costs of studying abroad should not be underestimated. All other costs will have to be paid by the exchange students themselves:
  • room and board 
  • travel costs
  • insurances 
  • other fees at the host institution may apply, e.g. administrative fees    

Monthly living costs in Tel Aviv are estimated to be approx. €1.300.

Selection of exchange students: 
  • Depending on the number of applicants there may be a preselection based on the application documents.
  • all applicants will receive an email:
    • invitation to an interview OR  
    • rejection on the basis of submitted application    
  • interview will:
    • be in English (and, if different, language of host country; only expected of applicants who stated in their application that they have knowledge of that language) 
    • be about personal and academic motivation of applicant 
    • include possible other subjects such current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country as well as Germany 
  • final selection of exchange students by Goethe University's selection committee
  • final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them

How to finance your stay abroad: 
Students participating in our exchange programs may apply for financial aid and/or scholarships at other institutions:

  • DAAD-PROMOS (in April/Mai for fall; in November/December for spring)
  • DAAD-Jahresstipendium (for studying abroad for two semesters; please check the deadlines which are different for different countries and may be several months before the stay abroad) 
  • Auslands-BAföG (apply 6 months before studying abroad)
  • Bildungskredit
  • other scholarships 

More information on our website: Finanzierung und Stipendien. 

Please check carefully whether you are eligible to apply: Some financial aid programs and scholarships might only be for German citizens or students who have graduated from German high school and/or have their permant residency in Germany. 

You will find a data base of testimonials of former exchange students here (in German).