The Certificate in Near Eastern Languages with a Prerequisites Year is a two-year academic pathway designed for complete beginners who wish to reach the level required to enter the Certificate in Near Eastern Languages and ultimately obtain accreditation by the International University of Catalonia. This track is ideal for students whose primary goal is to build strong linguistic foundations in Arabic and Hebrew in more advanced studies.
The first year (the Prerequisites Year) provides a full-immersion introduction to modern and ancient Near Eastern languages, with a strong focus on Arabic and Hebrew. Students learn to read, speak, and interact meaningfully in the target languages, while also gaining initial exposure to the historical and cultural background of the region. Although one year is not enough to reach high proficiency, it enables students to acquire the basic skills necessary for moving into more demanding linguistic coursework.Upon successful completion of the Prerequisites Year, students progress directly into the Certificate in Near Eastern Languages, where they continue studying Arabic and Hebrew at intermediate and advanced levels. This second year includes courses in history, philosophy, and literature of the ancient and contemporary Near East.
This two-year track is designed for students interested in Semitic philology, Near Eastern history, journalism, manuscript studies, religious studies (including the Hebrew Bible, Eastern Christianity, Judaism, and Islam), or any field requiring substantial linguistic training in Arabic and Hebrew. It is also ideal for students who already know that they want to complete the certificate but need an additional year of preparation first.
Students enrolled in this track may also apply for the one-year Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages, which provides hands-on teaching practice, methodological workshops, and an additional 8.5 ECTS free of charge.
The application form is available online. Scholarships are also available for this program.
Open
Sep 1, 2026
2 Years
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.
This program, offered at the Polis Institute in Jerusalem, is accredited by the University of Navarra (Spain). Please note that the ECTS are awarded by the accrediting institutions and not by Polis.
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