--- title: MA in Middle Eastern Religion & Politics (online) in English at Bar-Ilan University | Studyil description: Bar-Ilan University’s two-year online MA in Political Science on Middle Eastern religion and politics, led by Prof. Jonathan Fox: about six hours a week, thesis or standard track, requirements. canonical: https://studyil.com/degrees/bar-ilan-university/ma-middle-eastern-religion-politics/ last-updated: 2026-11-09 --- # Middle Eastern Religion & Politics MA, online **Bar-Ilan University** Online Department of Political Studies, Bar-Ilan University The short answer A two-year, fully online MA in Political Science at Bar-Ilan University on how religion shapes politics in the Middle East and beyond, led by Prof. Jonathan Fox, director of the Religion and State Project. It’s about six hours of online teaching a week, taught in English, and open to students anywhere, with a thesis track or a standard track. Online, in English ✓ Olim: Student Authority aid Gov funding: Partial Checked against Bar-Ilan University’s official pages, September 2026 Independent listing At a glance Study from anywhere **Degree** MA Political Science **Length** 2 years Four semesters **Format** Online About 6 hours a week **Tracks** Thesis or standard GPA 85 or 80 **Tuition** Ask Bar-Ilan Not on the program page **Open to** Anywhere In English Check my eligibility → ✓ **Olim benefit Student Authority aid** For olim under 30 within three years of aliyah. ~ **Government funding Partial** Student Authority aid, up to the standard state tuition. – **Masa grant Not confirmed** Not listed on the program page. Overview ## What is the MA in Middle Eastern Religion & Politics (online)? Since the turn of the millennium, religious ideas and identities have increasingly shaped politics, especially in the Middle East. The program explores how religion can unite or divide societies, deepen conflict or support peace, combining a survey of Middle Eastern politics and religious politics with core political science theory and methods. Bar-Ilan’s Political Science Department is home to the Religion and State Project and the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. ### ✓ A good fit if you… - Want an MA you can study online from anywhere - Are interested in religion, conflict and Middle East politics - Are heading for academia, policy research, diplomacy or the clergy - Are an oleh or olah under 30 within three years of aliyah ###! Think twice if you… - Want an in-person campus experience. - Want a one-year degree. This takes two years. - Have a GPA under 80. What you learn ## What you’ll learn. Required theory and methods, electives, and an optional thesis. Required ### Core courses The Comparative Politics of the Middle East, An Introduction to Religion and Politics, Approaches and Theories in Political Science, and research methods courses. Electives ### Religion and politics in depth Electives such as: Religion & Contemporary Political Theory Territorial Politics: Israeli-Arab Conflicts Religion & Politics in Israel The Military & Politics in Israel Tracks ### Thesis or standard Thesis track: required courses, two electives and a thesis. Standard track: required courses and four electives. Plus one or two Judaism or general courses. **Led by Prof. Jonathan Fox** Director of the Religion and State Project, covering 183 countries. **Research centers** Including the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. **Fully online** About six hours of teaching a week. **Career paths** Academia, policy research, diplomacy, conflict resolution or the clergy. Funding ## Can olim get funding for this degree? Bar-Ilan doesn’t publish tuition per program. These are the funding options it lists. I am… My age when studies start 26 Months since aliyah (excluding army or national service) 10 ✓ ### Likely eligible for Student Authority aid You’re under 30 with 26 months left to start. The grant covers up to the standard state tuition, so expect to pay the rest of Bar-Ilan’s fee. See my full breakdown → **10 November** First Student Authority application, online **1 October** Renewal each following year **Under 30** MA age limit (in some cases 35), 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 Bar-Ilan’s tuition office so it can revise your payment plan. **Student Authority (olim)** Olim under 30 within three years of aliyah can get aid up to the standard state tuition. At universities it’s reimbursed after proof of payment. **Bar-Ilan scholarships** Bar-Ilan’s international school lists scholarships for graduate students. **No FAFSA loans** Bar-Ilan has withdrawn from US Title IV programs, so it can’t process Direct Loans. A guide, not a ruling. Confirm your eligibility with the provider and the relevant ministry or funding body before you pay. Costs ## What it costs. As published by Bar-Ilan University. Prices can change. **Tuition** Bar-Ilan doesn’t publish program tuition on the program page. Ask the international school. Ask Bar-Ilan **Payment** Six installments: a down payment before course registration, then five during the year. 6 installments *!* **Ask for the full cost.** Bar-Ilan points to its tuition handbook rather than listing a price per program, so ask the international school for your total, including the social services fee. How to join ## How to get started. *✓* **Thesis track** A BA from an accredited university with an 85% average, an interview with the MA thesis coordinator and fluent English. *✓* **Standard track** A BA from an accredited university with an 80% average and fluent English. *✓* **Application period** Applications typically run February to September for a fall start. - **Check your fit** See your olim eligibility and this program’s numbers on Studyil. - **Pick a track** Thesis or standard. - **Apply online** Through Bar-Ilan’s international school. - **Study from anywhere** About six hours a week online. FAQ ## Questions about this program. ### ### Is Bar-Ilan’s MA in Middle Eastern Religion and Politics online? Yes. It’s a two-year online program with about six hours of teaching a week, open to students anywhere. ### ### Who leads it? Prof. Jonathan Fox, the Yehuda Avner Professor of Religion and Politics and director of the Religion and State Project. ### ### What are the requirements? A BA with an 80% average for the standard track, or 85% plus an interview for the thesis track, and fluent English. ### ### How much does it cost? Bar-Ilan doesn’t publish the tuition on the program page, so ask its international school. Compare ## Other programs to consider. Master’s ### MA in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies Hebrew University of Jerusalem · $11,400 *Read the guide →* Master’s ### MA in Security & Diplomacy Tel Aviv University · $16,900 *Read the guide →* Master’s ### MA in National Security Studies University of Haifa · $11,800 *Read the guide →* Master’s ### MA in Creative Writing Bar-Ilan University · Tuition: ask Bar-Ilan *Read the guide →* [See all degrees →](https://studyil.com/programs/?type=degree) ### Sources - [Bar-Ilan University: MA in Middle Eastern Religion and Politics](https://biuinternational.com/program/ma-in-political-science-track-middle-eastern-religion-and-politics/) - [Bar-Ilan International School: financial aid](https://biuinternational.com/admissions/financial-aid-scholarships/) - [Nefesh B’Nefesh: Student Authority tuition benefits](https://www.nbn.org.il/life-in-israel/government-services/rights-and-benefits/student-authority-tuition-benefits/) Got it ### You’re all set. One of our advisors will be in touch shortly. Nothing to wait for in the meantime — here is your breakdown. A guide, not a ruling. Confirm the figures with the institution before you pay. Free, with no obligation to apply Your olim funding checked for this program You choose who contacts you [Or view the official page ↗](https://biuinternational.com/program/ma-in-political-science-track-middle-eastern-religion-and-politics/) ## 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. [Get matched →](https://studyil.com/#match) --- Source: https://studyil.com/degrees/bar-ilan-university/ma-middle-eastern-religion-politics/ · Published by Studyil. Cite as "Studyil" with a link to the page.