Admission and Registration
General Basis for Admission
Most new students enroll during the first semester of the academic year; fewer are accepted in the second semester based on space availability. The Admission Committee reviews all applications in view of the general admission policies drawn by the University Council.
Student applications must be submitted to the Department of Admission and Registration before the deadlines announced on the University website as well as in local newspapers.
Student Classification
Enrolled Students are classified under two categories:
1. Regular Students are students registered under one of the faculties and seeking an academic degrees offered by the University.
2. Non-Regular Students are students registered for studying or auditing certain courses but do not pursue a degree from the University.
Admission of Regular Students
The following outlines the minimum general requirements for enrollment in the University’s undergraduate programs:
1. Applicants must possess the General Secondary Education Certificate (GSEC/Tawjihi) or its equivalent (e.g. SAT or GCSE with equivalent requirements set by the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education).
2. General Secondary Education Certificate holders in the Science Stream (or its equivalent) are eligible for admission to all faculties, while Art Stream (or its equivalent) students are eligible for admission to Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Commerce and Economics and Faculty of Law and Public Administration.
3. Applicants’ GSEC subject scores must all be above the minimum pass score.
4. Applicants’ average score in the General Secondary Education Certificate should be above the minimum set by the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education in order to be eligibile for admission.
Birzeit University has additional admission requirements for of First Year Students and for students transferring from other Universities as follows:
First Year Students
The admission of first year students is competitive based on students' Composite Score calculated as the percentage average of the their GSEC average score (or its equivalent) and the their overall average in the last three years in high school, provided that student GSEC average score is higher than the minimum set by the faculty of his/her choice. The minimum score for each faculty is set by the University Council at the beginning of every academic year based on the available intake capacity in the various faculties.
After admission, all applicants must take an English Placement Test administered by the University. In their first year, students are registered for English language courses based on their score in this test.
Transfer between Faculties
Students admitted by one faculty may transfer to another after successfully completing a total of 30 credit hours in the faculty to which s/he was admitted. Application of transfer is considered in view of available vacancy in the student's choice of faculty, his/her score record at the University and any additional transfer requirements specific to the faculty s/he wishes to transfer to.
Students Transferring from other Universities
Birzeit University permits credit earned at recognized institutions to be applied to Birzeit degree requirements provided:
1. The student must meet all admission requirements;
2. Student score in the GSEC (or its equivalence), that formed the basis of his/her acceptance at the former institution, is above the minimum set forth by his/her choice of faculty;
3. The student's previous course work at the former institution has been carried out by regular attendance of classes;
4. Vacancies are available in the student’s choice of specialization;
5. The student has completed a minimum of 30 credit hours with a cumulative average of 70% and above. A student may transfer no more than 60% of the credits required for graduation. The student must complete at least 50% of major requirements at Birzeit University. Grades of transferred credits are not included in the student's cumulative average at Birzeit University.
Teaching Diploma Students
The program certifies and qualifies teachers for the local secondary schools. Birzeit students studying in academic programs in the Faculties of Arts and Sciences may join this program concurrently with their undergraduate study. Graduates of Birzeit University or other institutions recognized by the University are also eligible for admission to this program.
Admission of Non-Regular Students
Admission priority is given to regular students, but in case of available spaces, non-regular students are admitted under the following conditions:
1. The student must meet the University's general regulations for admission and must be a regular student at an academic institution recognized by Birzeit University.
2. The student must satisfy all prerequisites of the courses s/he registers for.
3. Non-regular students are entitled to get a transcript from the University but are not eligible to earn a degree from the University.
