Hebrew Ulpan is mandatory for Lowy International School Study Abroad Fall, Spring, Gap, or Full Year students who are below an Advanced 1 level (Level 8) of Hebrew. Hebrew Ulpan is not mandatory for exchange students.
All students — except Complete Beginners — are required to take a Hebrew Placement Exam to determine the appropriate Hebrew level and class. Detailed information on exam times, dates and locations is provided to students individually before arrival.
All Hebrew courses strive for a total of 80 academic content hours for a total of 5 or 6 credits. One TAU academic hour = 45 minutes.
All students taking Hebrew Ulpan and semester classes with Lowy International School (regardless of matriculation or program) must read, understand and adhere to academic rules and regulations found in the Lowy International Academic Handbook here.
Students with a level of 8 and above: Students at an Advanced 1 (Level 8) and above will be exempt from the Ulpan requirement. Please check with your Lowy International Study Abroad Admissions Office/Coordinator for details (you may be required to complete an official Placement Exam for proof of exemption).
Any level course offering, especially advanced levels (Levels 8 and above) are not guaranteed to be offered during Ulpan or the semester.
Course offerings depend on enrollment numbers and this is often not known until the course begins. If advanced courses are offered, they often take place in a different format (fewer days/hours per week than an average Hebrew course) and sometimes on slightly different start/end dates. In addition, Complete Beginner levels are not always offered during the semester (typically, these take place during Summer and Winter Ulpan only).
**Attendance is mandatory for all classes in the Ulpans. Missing class for any other reason than a documented illness will affect the final grade.**
Summer Ulpan for Olim Hadashim
Olim Hadashim students enrolled at TAU can fill out this form to see if you are eligible for scholarship assistance from the Israel Student Authority for the Summer Ulpan
Hebrew Program Dates
|
Winter Ulpan 2025 |
January 23–February 20, 2025 |
8:30AM–1PM |
6 credits |
Applications close: December 12, 2024 |
Various levels. Complete Beginners or Advanced levels are not guaranteed |
|
Spring Hebrew 2025 |
March 17–May 22, 2025 | 8:30AM–10AM | 5 credits | Applications close: February 14, 2025 |
Various levels. Complete Beginners or Advanced levels are not guaranteed |
|
July Complete Beginners Ulpan 2025 |
July 13–August 7, 2025 |
8:30AM–1PM | 6 credits | Applications close: June 12, 2025 |
Beginners |
|
Short August Ulpan 2025: |
August 10–September 4, 2025 |
8:30AM–1PM | 6 credits | Applications close: June 15, 2025 |
Various levels. Complete Beginners or Advanced levels are not guaranteed |
|
Long August Ulpan 2025: |
August 10–September 18, 2025 |
8:30AM–1PM |
TBA |
Applications close: June 15, 2025 |
Various levels. Complete Beginners or Advanced levels are not guaranteed |
Hebrew Program Details
|
Hebrew Program Type |
Level |
Academic Hours Per Week |
Number of Weeks |
Credits (Semester & Summer/Winter Ulpan) |
|
Hebrew: ALEPH (Complete Beginners) Hebrew: BET 2 (Level 3-Lower Intermediate 2) |
1–5 |
8 – Semester Courses 25 – Intensive Ulpan |
10–11 for Semester Courses 4 for Short Intensive Ulpan |
5–6 |
|
Hebrew: GIMMEL 2 (Level 5-Upper Intermediate 2) |
6–8 |
If offered, 6–8 during Semester Courses; 14–18 during Intensive Ulpan |
10–11 for Semester Courses 4 for Short Intensive Ulpan |
5–6 |
*The ulpan dates above are only program dates (not inclusive of arrival and departure dates).
For all relevant dates, please review our Fall/Spring Academic Calendar. For summer ulpans, please review our Summer Calendar.
**Classes may meet on Fridays if needed
***During all Hebrew Ulpan and courses, the offerings of advanced and upper-level courses are never guaranteed and is often not known before the course start date. In addition, if these levels are offered, they are usually offered in a different format from the other courses, meaning they are offered for less hours and days per week, and the courses may run according to different dates than the usual Hebrew courses.
If students anticipate that they will be at a more advanced level, it is their responsibility to understand this information and communicate any questions or concerns regarding this prior to application. If you are interested in these levels, please email us in advance of the program application deadline at: tauiacademic@tauex.tau.ac.il.
Please Note: There may be an option to provide a student with additional Hebrew tutoring outside the Ulpan classroom as needed (this is only an option for students who are enrolled in Hebrew Ulpan or a Hebrew semester class; not available for Independent Study). Students should be aware that this additional support cannot be guaranteed and is based on teacher availability at the specific student level. If available, the cost of additional tutoring will be the sole responsibility of the student.