Israel is located at the junction of Asia, Africa and Europe, and is home to a diverse population from many ethnic, religious, cultural and social backgrounds. Of its 7.1 million people, 76 per cent are Jews, 20 per cent are Arabs and the remaining four per cent comprise Arab Christians, Druze and others not classified by religion. Approximately 92 per cent of the population live in urban areas, five per cent live in rural cooperatives, and the remaining three percent live in villages. Per capita GDP is approximately USD 18,000, with international trade (exports plus imports) in goods and services amounting to over 80 per cent of GDP. Real GDP growth is forecast to average 4.5 per cent a year in 2008-12, led by exports and investment, and better fiscal management should ensure that the budget deficit remains under control. A relatively strong currency, supported by export growth and inflows of foreign direct investment, will help to keep inflation in check The US and the European Union account for over 60 per cent of all Israel's exports. Israel has free trade agreements with these two blocs, as it does with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. In 2006, the US was the destination of 45 per cent of all exports, while the European Union purchased 30 per cent of Israel's exports. Bilateral trade between the UK and Israel is flourishing. British firms are successful in securing orders from Israel, and the UK market share grew to 9.4 per cent in 1997. Israel is the UK's largest individual trading partner in the Near East & North Africa and ended 2006 as the UK's 29th largest export market world-wide.
Parliamentary elections were held in April 2006; Israel's coalition government is unlikely to survive until the next scheduled election in 2010, however the political situation in Israel is volatile and it is difficult to make predictions. Israel is a country with few natural resources and relies heavily on a knowledge-based economy. There is a vibrant high tech sector. The country needs well trained and qualified people able to work to international standards.
Despite a relatively small population Israel features in the top 30 of International non-EU providers to UK institutions. Since the 1990s institutions of higher education have expanded their activities significantly and the number of degree-granting institutions has increased dramatically to meet increasing demand. However, there is still a continued demand for foreign higher education. The predicted economic recovery is likely to have a positive effect on the number of Israelis opting to study overseas and the challenge for UK institutions is to hold or increase market share.
Education in Israel starts early. Schooling from kindergarten to completion of high school at 18 is free. There are just over two million students in the Israeli education system, supervised by the Ministry of Education. Another 127,000 pupils study in other frameworks not supervised by the Ministry, mainly in the separate ultra-orthodox system. The matriculation certificate (Bagrut) is awarded to every high-school graduate who successfully fulfils all the educational and legal requirements of the Ministry of Education. UK universities usually accept the Bagrut as acceptable entry qualifications into undergraduate studies.
The Israeli Government, through the Council for Higher Education (CHE), sets policy for all institutions of higher learning. However both public and private institutions of higher education enjoy academic and administrative independence.
The Higher Education system comprises eight universities; 24 academic institutions that are not universities (both budgeted and extra-budgetary); 26 institutions for the training of teachers; and a number of academic programmes at regional colleges, for which universities are academically responsible. Additional institutions, including foreign institutions, operate under license until recognition is formally approved by the CHE (Council for Higher Education). The duration of studies for a Bachelor's degree in universities is three years in most cases. However, in certain fields, such as Engineering, the duration of study extends to up to four years and in the case of Architecture and Medicine, five years. Most Israeli students are between the ages of 20 and 29, due to three years compulsory military service for men and almost two years for women. In 2004-2005 some 257,000 students attended the country's institutions of higher learning. Of these, 48 percent attend universities and 30 percent are enrolled in colleges, while 21 percent participate in courses through the Open University. At present, well over half of Israelis in the 20-24 age group are enrolled in one of the country's institutions of post-secondary or higher education.
Israeli students represent an opportunity for UK providers of post-secondary education, although the numbers in recent years have dropped due to competition from the US and Australia. In 2005-6 there were 950 Israeli students studying in the UK, 230 of whom were undertaking undergraduate studies. Almost all these students are self funded.
The British Council administers the Chevening Scholarship Scheme along with several other co-sponsored awards, on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Chevening brand is growing stronger as a result of extensive and focused marketing. The number of applications for scholarships far exceeds the number of awards.
The UK enjoys an excellent reputation for quality learning opportunities. The number of Israeli students registered at UK institutions has dropped slightly since 2003. The UK faces stiff competition primarily from the US, which is the main destination for Israeli students, but also recently from Australia and Canada who are both enjoying increased numbers of Israeli students and are becoming more aggressive in their marketing. While some British Universities have high profiles and powerful alumni in Israel, the more prestigious American colleges are seen as having the edge in Science and Technology.
The subjects Israelis study in the UK are highly diverse. Popular studies at undergraduate and graduate levels include Art and Design, Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, Law, Social Sciences (in particular International Relations), Law, Clinical Psychology, Design, Business (MBA at postgraduate level), Medicine, Sciences, Media Studies, Performing Arts and fields that are not offered as degrees in Israel such as Advertising and Art Therapy. Short-term or non-degree study includes fields such as English Language, Culinary Arts, Sound Engineering and Drama.
There is some prestige attached to studying overseas, and the UK is still seen as an attractive destination for Israeli students who want to go overseas for the following reasons:
- The UK is suitable for students who want a short (one-year masters) degree.
- The UK is considered a good gateway to gaining knowledge of the EU.
- The UK is seen as offering a range of access points for all abilities.
- The UK is good for students who want to study Law (since Israeli law is partly based on English law).
- The UK is suitable for students who see the benefits of studying subjects such as Design, Communications, Tourism and Hospitality Management and Architecture in a bigger metropolitan centre
Competition from the US is strong, and the US has suffered less from the criticism of off-shore campus activity, largely because US institutions are known to be of variable quality. Western European countries are seen as offering quality products, whereas Eastern European countries are more likely to appeal to students on the basis of cost.
The British Council in Israel has premises in Tel Aviv, West Jerusalem and Nazareth. Our main premises are situated in Tel Aviv, the banking and commercial centre of Israel, where we have IELTS registration and run IELTS courses. Our Education UK services are mainly web-based although we continue to accept telephone calls and e-mails. In Jerusalem, the office is no longer open to the public and British Council is located in temporary accommodation until suitable premises are found. Nazareth is the largest Arab city in Israel. Situated in the north, our office is easily accessible for the most of the northern region.
Several bilateral links exist between UK and Israeli higher education institutions. Usually partnerships are developed directly between institutions and there are several informal agreements; this appears to be a dynamic area with links being created on an ongoing basis.
The British Council in Israel has a number of funding opportunities including, the Chevening Scholarship scheme (http://www.britishcouncil.org/israel-learning-scholarships.htm) which funds talented young Israelis to undertake postgraduate studies in the UK, the Researcher Exchange Programme (RXP) (http://www.britishcouncil.org/science-rxp.htm), the Science Networking Development Scheme (SNDS) and the British-Israeli Arts Training Scheme (BIARTS) (http://www.britishcouncil.org/israel-arts-culture-bi-arts.htm).
In recent years there has been limited interest from UK institutions to participate in Education Fairs in Israel, however UK institutions have participated in privately organised fairs, including one at Tel Aviv University and an international MBA fair. The UK institutions that participated gave favourable feedback and expressed interest in returning.
British Council Israel is engaged in a regional project called Skills@Work which deals with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
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