Bar-Ilan University Azrieli Faculty of Medicine

- Safed, Israel
Abroad

General Information

Established in 2011 to address the physician shortage and revitalize the Galilee region, the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine is Israel's youngest and most community-integrated medical school. Located in the picturesque mountain city of Safed, it is recognized by the WFME (World Federation for Medical Education) and the Israeli Ministry of Health. The faculty is renowned for its "Clinical Arenas" teaching model and its leadership in Translational Research, bridging the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and patient care. It is a prestigious choice for students who value interdisciplinary science and social accountability.


General Info

  • Established: 2011.
  • Primary Location: > 8 Henrietta Szold St., Safed (Tzfat), Galilee, Israel.
  • Academic Tracks:
  • 4-Year MD Track: For students with a Bachelor's degree in a science-related field.
  • 3-Year MD Track: For Israeli students who completed their pre-clinical studies abroad and wish to return to Israel for clinical training.
  • MD-PhD Program: For elite students combining medical education with advanced biomedical research.
  • Graduate Studies: MSc and PhD programs in Biomedical and Health Sciences.
  • Instruction: Primarily Hebrew for the MD tracks. International graduate programs (MSc/PhD) are often supported in English. For medical tracks, a high level of Hebrew proficiency is mandatory for patient interaction in the hospitals.
  • Research Focus: A national leader in Microbiome Research, Genomic Technology, Diabetes (SPHERE initiative), and Population Health.
  • Admission: Highly competitive. MD applicants usually require the MORA/MIRKAM personality assessments and specific pre-medical science prerequisites. International graduate students need a GPA of at least 80/100 and a supervisor’s consent.

Campus Facilities

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.

Hospital & Medical Facilities

Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution

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.

Fee Structure

State University Affordability

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

Fee Category

Amount in ILS (Annual)

Approx. USD

Graduate Tuition (MSc/PhD)

~20,300 ILS

~$5,600

MD Tuition (Foreign)

~35,000 - 45,000 ILS

~$9,500 - $12,500

Supplemental Fees

~1,036 ILS

~$280

Security & Social Fees

Fixed Annual

Included in Supp.

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.

City Details

  • 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.

Hostel & Mess

  • 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.

Miscellaneous

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).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students must typically have a minimum of 50% marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in the 12th standard (40% for reserved categories) and must have qualified NEET in the current or previous two years, as per NMC guidelines.

The duration is generally 6 years in total, which includes 5 years of academic study (54 months) and 1 year of compulsory internship (12 months), fully complying with the latest National Medical Commission (NMC) rules.

The process is simple: 1. Submit scanned documents (10th, 11th, and 12th mark sheets, NEET result, Passport scan, and a recent passport-size photograph with a white background). 2. Receive the Admission Letter from the University. 3. Process the Invitation Letter for Visa. 4. Complete the Visa application with our assistance.

Yes, all our partner universities are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Graduate doctors can also write major global licensing exams such as USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), AMC (Australia), and the FMGE/NExT exam for India.

While most universities admit based on your 12th marks and NEET qualification, some may require a simple online entrance test or interview. We will guide you through any such requirement.

Fees typically cover the Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Medical Insurance, Visa Extension, and administrative charges. A detailed, transparent fee structure showing Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Mess Charges, Visa/Invitation Fee, and Medical Assurance Fee for each country and university will be provided upfront.

Payment schedules are determined by the individual university. Some universities allow semester-wise payments, while others require annual payments. We will provide clear guidance on the university's official payment schedule.

We are committed to transparency. All costs, including consultation charges and university expenses, are detailed in your offer letter. We strongly advise against any form of donation.

Yes, we coordinate group departures for students and assist with flight ticket booking. Our representative will meet the students at the destination airport and provide transport to the university hostel.

Hostels offer secure accommodation with separate facilities for boys and girls. Indian meals are generally cooked and served by Indian caterers within the hostel premises or mess hall to ensure a suitable diet for students.

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