The Certificate in Near Eastern Languages is a one-year advanced program designed for students who already have a foundational knowledge of Arabic and Hebrew and wish to deepen their linguistic, cultural, and textual competence in the languages of the Near East. Building on the skills acquired in the Near Eastern Languages One-Year Program—or an equivalent background—this certificate offers full-immersion courses at intermediate and advanced levels, complemented by classes in history, literature, philosophy, and manuscript traditions of the region.
This program provides students with more complex linguistic structures, extensive reading practice across genres, and a broader appreciation of the diverse cultural contexts that shaped the ancient and modern Near East. Students will be required to take placement tests in Modern Standard Arabic, Spoken Arabic and Modern Hebrew in order to qualify into the program. If they do not reach the level, they will need to complete the prerrequisites.
This program is ideal for students pursuing careers in Semitic philology, historical or cultural research, journalism, manuscript studies, religious studies (including the Hebrew Bible, Eastern Christianity, Judaism, and Islam), or any field requiring solid proficiency in Arabic and Hebrew and familiarity with their textual heritage.Students enrolled in this certificate may also apply to join the one-year Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages track, which provides pedagogical training, hands-on teaching practice, and methodological workshops. This track grants an additional 8.5 ECTS free of charge, preparing students to teach languages in an immersive environment.
Not sure yet whether to continue for a second year? Students who complete the Near Eastern Languages One-Year Program may seamlessly transition into the Certificate in Near Eastern Languages.
Please note that third-party accreditation to recognize this program as a one-year MA degree can be requested from the International University of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain) upon completion of the program.
The application form is available online. Scholarships may also be available for eligible students.
Open
Sep 1, 2026 – Jun 24, 2027
1 Year
Jerusalem
Please prepare the following documents in order to apply. Application can be submitted online or by mail.
All documents must be submitted as PDF. Files should include the candidate’s family name followed by the item name (ex: Rodriguez passport copy). Documents can be sent individually.
Applications are examined by the Academic Board, which decides on the admission in the weeks following the submission of the full application.
Hierosolyma is a 13,000 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 10 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.
Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the Two Year, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have begun the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted.
NB: This grant is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Hierosolyma scholarship agreement.
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Origen is a 7,500 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 7 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.
Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the Two Year, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have begun the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted.
NB: This grant is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Origen scholarship agreement.
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Plato is an 18,000 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 12 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.
Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the Two Year, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have initiated the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted. Priority will be given to students applying for Two-year or complete Fluency programs.
NB: This grant is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Plato scholarship agreement.
Deadline: April 15, 2026
For processing the application
For language courses: To book a seat in the course, the student needs to pay the full tuition or the registration fee.
For academic programs: Students who have been accepted to a program will be asked to confirm their attendance by paying the registration fee which is part of the total tuition fee for the academic year when they begin their studies.
Discount is available for students who are financing their studies from their own resources or loans or their close family.
Discount is available for students who register and pay in full by June 1, 2026.
Students who successfully complete this program will receive a certificate from the Polis Institute.
ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
1 ECTS = 10 academic hours
Ancient Greek
Biblical Hebrew
Latin
Classical Syriac
Coptic
Modern Hebrew
Modern Standard Arabic
Spoken Arabic
Akkadian
Ancient Egyptian
Eblaite
Elamite
Ge'ez
Hurrian