Bar-Ilan University Azrieli Faculty of Medicine

The Safed campus is a blend of historic stone architecture and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

• Genomic Technology Center: One of Israel’s most advanced hubs for deep sequencing and bioinformatics.
• Russell Berrie Galilee Diabetes SPHERE: A massive $75 million initiative aimed at reducing diabetes disparities in Northern Israel.
• Scientific Equipment Center: Provides high-end tools like Scanning Electron Microscopes (S.E.M.), Cytometry, and NIR Pearl Impulse imagers.
• Microbiome & Immunity Lab: Directed by world-renowned scientists focusing on the "gut-brain axis."
• Clinical Skills & Simulation Center: Features high-fidelity manikins for "Disaster Medicine" and emergency response drills.
• Bioethics and Medical Ethics Center: Dedicated to the philosophical and legal challenges of 21st-century medicine.
• The "Teddy Bear" Strength Center: A unique community facility using play-therapy to teach children about medicine and resilience.
• Azrieli Medical Library: A modern hub with 24/7 digital access to global research databases.
• Translational Research Wings: Dedicated spaces in affiliated hospitals where basic scientists and clinicians collaborate.
• The "Green North" (Tzafon Yarok) Hub: A center dedicated to promoting Family Medicine and rural health leadership.

The Faculty is the academic heart of a massive clinical network in Northern Israel:

• Ziv Medical Center (Safed): The primary teaching hospital located just minutes from the campus.
• Galilee Medical Center (Nahariya): A major 700-bed facility known for trauma and neurosurgery.
• Padeh (Poriya) Medical Center (Tiberias): A key site for cardiovascular and maternity rotations.
• Nazareth Hospitals: Includes the English (EMMS), Italian (Holy Family), and French hospitals, offering students experience in a diverse, multicultural setting.
• Mazra Hospital (Acre): The primary center for clinical rotations in Psychiatry and Mental Health.

Fees for international students at Bar-Ilan are set by the Council for Higher Education and include a 25% surcharge for non-citizens.

Note: Medical track fees can vary significantly based on the specific track (3-year vs 4-year) and year of study.

Scholarship

• Graduate Stipends: Almost all PhD and many MSc students in the biomedical sciences receive full tuition waivers and monthly living stipends ($800–$1,500).
• "Galilee Stars" Program: Dedicated to residents in Northern hospitals who wish to combine advanced clinical training with PhD research.
• Excellence Fellowships: Available for returning Israeli scientists and top-tier international researchers.

• The Vibe: At 900 meters above sea level, Safed has cool summers and occasional snow in winter. It is safe, quiet, and deeply historic.
• Connectivity:
• Bus: Direct lines to Haifa (1 hour) and Tel Aviv (2.5 hours).
• Rail: The nearest station is Karmiel (30 mins away), connected by shuttle.
• Safety: Very high. Safed is a tight-knit community with a strong security presence due to the medical school and tourist traffic.

• Accommodation: The Safed Dormitories offer modern, air-conditioned apartments with Wi-Fi. Space is limited and high-demand.
• Dining: Several cafeterias on campus offer Kosher meals. Safed’s "Old City" provides numerous affordable Mediterranean eateries.
• Vibe: Spiritual and serene. Safed is a world center for Kabbalah; students live in a city of ancient cobblestones and art galleries, providing a calm atmosphere for intense study.

Intakes: October (Main Semester) and March (Spring for some Graduate programs).

Special Note: The Faculty recently received WFME accreditation, ensuring its graduates are eligible for ECFMG certification and US residency (USMLE).