The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) International Program

Academic Program Overview

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) program at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem spans two years and consists of four semesters. The academic year typically begins in October or November and ends in June or July.

Academic Structure

Formal teaching days are held on Thursdays throughout the year, with additional classes on Monday afternoons during the first semester. Classes in Hebrew are scheduled on Sundays at the main campus in Jerusalem. Upon enrollment, students are assigned to a shared studio space. During the second semester of the first year, students transition to a personal studio, where they will work until the submission of their final project at the end of the second year.

Credit Accumulation and Degree

Throughout their studies, students will accumulate 42 credits and earn an MFA degree. One credit at Bezalel Academy is equivalent to 2 ECTS.

Conditions of Acceptance to the Program

Applicants must hold one of the following degrees: B.A., B.F.A., B.Des, B.Sc., B.Arch., or B.Ed. You must present your diploma as part of the application process.
Additionally, you must have a minimum GPA of 80 (or its equivalent) from your Bachelor’s degree.
Applicants with a GPA lower than 80 (between 75-79) can request a special evaluation by the Admissions Committee through the Academic Administration. This evaluation is subject to department approval. Admissions under this category are limited to 10% of the students accepted to the program. In some cases, applicants may be required to retake courses to achieve a minimum GPA of 80 or its equivalent.

The program is offered in a hybrid of English and Hebrew, making it accessible for students who do not speak Hebrew.

Requirements for Admission

Depending on the field of study for your Bachelor’s degree, the Head of the program will determine whether you need to complete supplementary courses before applying. If required, these courses must be completed before the start of your Master’s degree, or by the end of your first year of studies, with the approval of the Admissions Committee.
The supplementary courses may include "Introduction to Art History" and a seminar course (including a written paper).
The composition of these supplementary courses is subject to change. The fee for these courses will be calculated based on credit points and the tuition rates for the Academic Degree program.

Application Process

Registration:
Registration is done online, and you will be required to upload your portfolio and supporting documents.

Details on Application:

• Portfolio: Your portfolio should include documentation that best represents your body of work across varied mediums and practices. Next to each work, please provide the following details: title, medium, year, and dimensions. We recommend adding a brief description next to each work or group of works.
  If you are including a video, please submit an excerpt of 3-5 minutes. If available, provide a link to the full video.
• Personal Statement: The personal statement should reflect your perspective on your artistic practice. Present the core questions at the heart of your work and elaborate on your processes, interests, and mediums. You may include reflections on the beginnings of your practice, highlighting any doubts, initial ideas, and thoughts. Conclude by describing a proposed work process that implements these ideas over the next two years as part of your studies.

All documents must be uploaded in accordance with the detailed instructions provided on the Registration website.

Stage 1: Evaluation of Portfolio and Registration Documents

The first stage of the admission process involves the evaluation of your portfolio, CV, transcript, and personal statement. This stage does not require your presence.
Applicants who pass this stage will be invited to an interview, which constitutes the second stage of the process.

Stage 2: Interview

Applicants who successfully pass the first stage will be invited to an interview. An invitation will be sent by email. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify the time and location of the interview, as the invitation does not replace this requirement. If you are not in Israel, you may request an online interview via Zoom. The outcome of an interview conducted via Zoom cannot be appealed.

During the interview, applicants will be asked to present, discuss, and reflect on their body of work, referring to their artist statement. They should focus on the questions raised in their statement and how these ideas connect to future projects.
Applicants may choose to bring a number of original works to the interview. They will also need to bring an official ID (Israeli ID card, passport, or equivalent).

Tuition Costs

• The tuition fee for Israeli citizens is approximately 15,000 NIS per academic year.
• For non-citizen students, the fee is 25% higher.

Additional Fees

There are no additional fees for using the academy’s facilities or studio classrooms, except for an annual materials fee of 600 NIS.