Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Haifa, ISRAEL
University Info | International Student Info
Fast Facts
- Top 100 university in the world.
- 67% of Israel’s Nasdaq-listed companies are founded or led by Technion graduates.
- 3 Noble Prize Laureates are among the Technion faculty.
- 23% of Technion graduates start at least one new company during their careers.
- Israel is home to the greatest concentration of high-tech startup companies outside of the Silicon Valley.
Introduction
In 1924, the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel's first university, opened its doors and began the historic task of preparing young men and women to build a new nation. Today, the Technion is Israel's primary science-technology university and the largest center of applied research. The Institute's 14,000 students can choose from 18 faculties, and from 50 undergraduate and 82 graduate programs in engineering, science, architecture, medicine and management.
Ranked among the top technological universities in the world, Technion has a distinguished faculty of 550 that includes three Nobel Prize-winning scientists. These faculty members collaborate with leading scientists on research projects worldwide. The campus houses 40 research institutes and centers and nine interdisciplinary centers of excellence. Visiting academics and some 400 overseas graduate students provide an international atmosphere.
Technion’s semester, summer and year-long programs in English are open to undergraduate and graduate students from all over the world.
Terms of Exchange
International students may visit the Technion for:
- Semester/or Year taking courses in English or Hebrew (pending the professors' approval)
- Semester/summer for a research internship (English)
- Students may take a Hebrew language intensive Ulpan prior or following the semester and may take additional humanities classes at the Technion or the University of Haifa
- Technion International also offers a non-academic Hebrew course every semester for complete beginners (for additional fee)
Study Level
- Undergraduate students: Accepted
- Graduate students: Accepted*
- Computer Science majors: NOT Accepted
*At the graduate level, currently, most classes are conducted in Hebrew, therefore basic knowledge of Hebrew is recommended, However, some classes may be offered in English per an advance request by an international student, if the teacher agrees to it. The following faculties are committed to conducting classes in English: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Engineering, Education in Science and Technology, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, MBA, Medical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics
Eligibility Requirements
- Students should have the equivalent of a 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA grade scale or an average of 80 on a percentile scale (0-100). Borderline students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Students must have completed 2 semesters of their studies at their home university when applying to the exchange program at the Technion.
Language of Instruction
The main teaching language at the Technion is Hebrew. Courses are also offered in English.
English Proficiency Requirements
Students from non-English speaking countries must either undergo a personal interview or submit their TOFEL/IELTS scores.
Since the Study Abroad academic program at Technion International is taught entirely in English, applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency before their enrollment. Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language may be required to undergo an interview in English.
- Minimum TOEFL iBT score – 70
- Minimum IELTS score – 7
- Minimum CEFR – B2
Study Period
Fall (October-February), Spring (March-July) or Academic Year
Pre-semester activities (August & January) include Hebrew intensive Ulpan
Academic Calendar | Semester Dates (including exam period)
The dates of the Israeli school year differ from the dates of American universities. Our Winter semester begins in October and the Spring semester ends in July.
- Fall (Winter): October - February (Pre-semester Hebrew Ulpan will begin August)
- Spring: March - July
Academic Information
The main teaching language at the Technion is Hebrew. At the undergraduate level, courses are offered in English in the following areas:
- Biotechnology and Food Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Industrial Engineering and Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Hebrew Intensive Ulpan
- Humanities Courses
Students may take additional humanities classes at the University of Haifa.
Course Contents
Workload per Semester
Full-time undergraduate students are typically required to complete 18 credits per semester to be considered full-time students. Students coming for the semester/academic year are recommended to take 3-5 academic courses, maximum 15 credit points. Exchange students may register for more courses with the approval of the Head of Technion International.
The credit value of a course is determined as follows: one lecture hour = 1 credit; one tutorial hour = 1/2 credit; one laboratory hour = 1/3 credit (aside from projects). Credits must be rounded to the nearest 1/2 credit. More credits can be added for more hours of work, but credit value cannot be less than the above-mentioned value. As of now, courses in the Department of Humanities and Arts of two lecture hours are worth 1.5 credits.
The courses in the study abroad program are undergraduate-level courses. They may be considered elective courses at some colleges. The courses usually comprise periodic homework assignments, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. Some courses involve off-site activities and visits to Israeli industry.
Additional Application Materials
Students nominated by IIE to Technion must also register through the Technion online system. Applicants should submit:
- Original transcript of grades
- Proof of English language knowledge
- 2 recommendation letters
- Passport-size photo
- Passport copy
- CV
- Personal Statement (detailing the student's motivations for studying at Technion)
Students will receive a decision about their acceptance within two weeks after the end of the application deadline.
Housing
Visiting international students receive on-campus housing, depending on availability - a shared room in an apartment with their international peers. The students share a kitchen, dining area, shower and toilets. All apartments have internet.
Request for on-campus housing must be submitted at least three months in advance, through Technion International.
Estimated Cost of Living
Estimated Living Expenses
Food/meals
Technion has over 20 restaurants, cafeterias, and cafes located on campus. All eateries are kosher except for one. There is also a kitchen in every dorm so students can cook as much as they need. Each dorm village has a small grocery store and a larger grocery store is located walking distance from the Technion campus.
Housing – Approx. $380 per month
Local transportation
Haifa, and Israel in general, is quite accessible by public transportation. Municipal buses cost about 6.40 NIS ($2). Haifa is only an hour train ride from Tel Aviv and a two-hour bus ride from Jerusalem.
Academic expenses (e.g. books, stationery) – Costs vary
Personal expenses – Including food approx. $500 per month
Other administrative fees – Approx. $250 per semester
Contact
Office Responsible for International Exchange Students
Technion International | visitors@int.technion.ac.il
City Info
Haifa is Israel's foremost port city for international commerce and a center of Israeli high tech industries. It is the largest city in the North and Israel’s third largest city with a population of over 250,000. The city, built on the slopes of Mount Carmel, has a history dating back to Biblical times. The earliest known settlement in the vicinity was Tell Abu Hawam, a small port city established in the Late Bronze Age (14th century BCE). In the 3rd century CE, Haifa was known as a dye-making center. Over the centuries, the city has changed hands: It has been conquered and ruled by the Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans, Egyptians, and the British.
Two of the most distinguishing features of this dynamic city are its physical beauty and its cosmopolitan population of Jews, Christians, Moslems, Druze, and Bahai. Haifa provides a wonderful environment for almost any kind of recreational and cultural activity. Numerous cinemas, restaurants, cafes, and discos provide entertainment until the early hours of the morning, while Haifa's beaches and the Carmel National Forest provide recreation throughout the day. The city is home to the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space as well as the Haifa Museum of Art and The Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art, the Middle East’s only museum dedicated exclusively to Japanese art.
