Hebrew is one of the major languages belonging to the family of Semitic languages which also includes Aramaic, Syriac, Ethiopic, Ugaritic, Edomite, Arabic and Phoenician. It is one of the oldest languages in the world, having been spoken from about 1200 BCE to the present day in Israel. It has had an enormous impact on Western culture most particularly through what is commonly called the Old Testament but otherwise known as the Tanach or Hebrew Scriptures. 

Jewish Studies offers an opportunity to study the development of Jewish civilization from its origins to the present. Subjects are designed to explore the Jewish experience from a range of disciplines - history, literature, archaeology, philosophy, ethnography and social theory, together with study options in classical and modern Hebrew language. 

Requirements for admission:

This certificate is open to the following applicants: 

• current York students, or 
• new students to York who already hold a university degree in a discipline other than Hebrew & Jewish Studies. 

If you are a current York student, contact the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies to find out about admission requirements and the application process. 

If you are a new applicant to York and already have a university degree in a discipline other than Hebrew & Jewish Studies, you must ensure first that you meet the minimum requirements for admission to the University by applying through the Office of Admissions. You would then also make a separate inquiry to the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies.