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  4. Government BA
Bachelor’s degree · Taught in English

Government BA

Reichman UniversityHerzliya

Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy & Strategy

The short answer

A 3-year, English-taught BA from Reichman’s Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy & Strategy, preparing students for careers in public policy, diplomacy, security and consulting. You specialize in Diplomacy & Global Affairs, Security Studies & Counter-Terrorism or the Contemporary Middle East, with optional Business or Media & Influence clusters. The 2027–28 brochure lists tuition at $20,900 a year. Olim under 27 who start within 3 years of aliyah can apply for Student Authority aid.

✓ Olim: Student Authority aidTaught in EnglishMasa: possible, first year
Checked against Reichman’s official pages, September 2026Independent listing
✓Olim benefit Likely, with conditionsStudent Authority aid for olim under 27 who start within 3 years of aliyah.
~Government funding PartialUp to the standard state tuition, through the Student Authority. Reichman costs more, so budget for the difference.
~Masa grant Possible, first yearReichman lists Masa grants for international students aged 18–35, depending on country, age and program.
Overview

What is the Government BA?

The program mixes theory with practice: workshops, simulations, internships for credit and meetings with public figures. Being in Israel gives students a close view of the region’s geopolitics, and Reichman hosts research institutes such as the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) and the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS). Graduates go on to public policy, diplomacy, consulting and security careers, in Israel and abroad.

✓A good fit if you…

  • Want a career in diplomacy, security, policy or international affairs
  • Want to study the Middle East from inside the region
  • Like practical work: simulations, negotiation workshops and internships
  • Are an oleh or olah under 27 who can start within 3 years of aliyah

!Think twice if you…

  • Want an economics-heavy degree. See Business Administration & Economics.
  • Want to avoid statistics. Research methods and data science are required.
  • Need the lowest possible tuition. Reichman is a private university.
Curriculum

What you’ll study.

Broad foundations, then your track.

Year 1

Foundations of government

Politics & securityInternational Relations, Security Studies & Counter-Terrorism, Contemporary Middle East & Islam, Diplomacy & Global Affairs, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, Government & Politics in Israel
SkillsResearch Methods, Statistics, Government & Big Data, Excel and problem-solving workshops, Academic Writing
Year 2

Core courses and your track

RequiredIsraeli Constitutional Law, The Arab-Israeli Conflict, American Government, Conflict Resolution, International Law, International Political Economy, Politics of Climate Change, Data Science
Track coursesArabic Language & Culture, Asian Powers & the Middle East, Introduction to Intelligence Studies, Human Security, Antisemitism & the Far Right
Year 3

Advanced track work and a capstone

Advanced courses such as Global Terrorism (ISIS, Al Qaeda and Hezbollah), Iran and Regional Politics, or Strategy and Negotiations in the Nuclear Realm, plus practitioner workshops and a capstone project. Specializations and clusters:

Security Studies & Counter-TerrorismDiplomacy & Global AffairsContemporary Middle EastBusiness clusterMedia & Influence cluster
Internships for creditAt more than 30 organizations: think tanks, NGOs, government agencies, media and more.
Research institutesICT, the Institute for Policy and Strategy and the Abba Eban Institute for Diplomacy.
Leadership programsThe Argov Fellows, the Rabin Leadership Program and the Shimon Peres Fellowship.
WorkshopsNegotiation, public speaking, professional writing and job-market skills.
Olim funding

Can olim get funding for this degree?

Often, yes. The Student Authority of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration supports olim studying for a bachelor’s who are under 27 and start within 3 years of aliyah. Check your situation below.

I am…
21
10
✓

Likely eligible for Student Authority aid

You’re under 27 with 26 months left to start. The grant covers up to the standard state tuition, so expect to pay the rest of Reichman’s fee.

Email me my eligibility breakdown →
10 NovemberFirst Student Authority application, online
1 OctoberRenewal each following year
Under 27BA age limit, starting within 3 years of aliyah

A guide, not a ruling. The program must be recognized by the Student Authority. The 3-year window doesn’t count regular army service, national service or Masa programs. If you get any grant, tell Reichman’s tuition office so it can revise your payment plan.

i

Not an oleh? Look at Masa. Reichman lists Masa grants for international students aged 18–35. They depend on your country, age and program and cover the first year only. You apply after you’re accepted, do 30 hours of volunteering, can’t hold a work visa while funded, and the grant stops if you make aliyah and start receiving government aid.

Costs

What it costs in 2027–28.

Reichman’s published figures for its English-taught undergraduate programs. All sums are subject to change.

Annual tuition2027–28, from Reichman’s undergraduate brochure. Subject to change.$20,900
Down payment to reserve your placeCounts toward tuition. Refunded in full if you withdraw in writing by 15 July 2027.$1,050
Application feePaid when you apply.$100
Health insuranceOptional, per academic year.₪4,970
Reichman dormsOptional, per month, depending on the room.$1,100–1,300
Living costsReichman’s estimate of other monthly expenses.$700–900
For reference: first-year tuition, 2025–26Reichman’s last per-program fee sheet.$16,900
!

Olim, read this before budgeting. The Student Authority pays up to the standard state tuition, which Nefesh B’Nefesh currently lists as ₪12,017 a year for a bachelor’s. At universities it reimburses you after you submit proof of payment. Reichman’s fee is well above that, so plan for the difference and get figures in writing before you pay the deposit.

Admissions

How to get in.

✓
English proficiencyIf your high school didn’t teach in English, you’ll need an English proficiency exam. Depending on your score, you may take English courses in year one.
✓
DocumentsHigh-school transcripts, a 250–500 word essay on why Reichman and this program, a CV in English, two letters of recommendation and a $100 application fee.
✓
Standardized testsReichman was test-optional in 2026–27 for US and Israeli high-school graduates. If you test, the SAT code is 4267 and the ACT code is 5385.
✓
DeadlineSubmit everything by 15 July. Admissions are rolling, with a decision usually within two weeks of a complete application.
  1. Check your fitGet the guide and your olim eligibility from Studyil.
  2. Apply to ReichmanThrough the international school’s online form, by 15 July.
  3. File with the Student AuthorityOlim: online by 10 November of your first year.
  4. Reserve your placePay the $1,050 down payment from your acceptance letter.
FAQ

Questions about this program.

How long is the Government BA at Reichman?

It takes 3 years (capstone in year 3).

Is it taught in English?

Yes. It’s one of the programs of Reichman’s Raphael Recanati International School, which teaches in English.

How much does it cost?

Reichman’s 2027–28 undergraduate brochure lists tuition at $20,900 a year, with a $1,050 down payment that counts toward it. Health insurance (₪4,970 a year) and dorms are optional.

Can new olim get Student Authority aid for this bachelor’s?

Olim under 27 who start a bachelor’s within 3 years of aliyah can apply. The first application is due online by 10 November and renewals by 1 October each year. The grant covers up to the standard state tuition, so at Reichman you’ll pay the difference.

Can international students get a Masa grant?

Reichman lists Masa grants for international students aged 18–35. The amount depends on your country, age and program, it covers the first year only, and you can apply only after you’re accepted.

What do I need to apply?

Transcripts, a 250–500 word essay, a CV, two recommendation letters, an English test if your school didn’t teach in English, and a $100 fee, all by 15 July. Reichman was test-optional for 2026–27.

What can I specialize in?

Diplomacy & Global Affairs, Security Studies & Counter-Terrorism, or the Contemporary Middle East. You can also add a Business cluster (subject to acceptance) or a Media & Influence cluster.

Not sure it’s the right program?

Answer three questions and we’ll match you with English-taught options across Israel, with your olim funding on each.

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