Complementary studies (preparatory) for studies in the ORT Program Management Department
Information regarding supplementary studies for *Handesaim* (practical engineers/technicians)—preparatory program for *Handesaim* entering the ORT program within the Department of Management at Bar-Ilan University:
Supplementary studies (preparatory program) for the ORT program in the Department of Management—all information provided herein applies to students who began their studies in the ORT preparatory program and intend to continue to undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree) studies the following year, specifically within the Logistics Management or Technology Management tracks. Should a student not proceed to undergraduate studies the following year, the curriculum and admission requirements may be subject to change.
Please note that the information published on this website is updated periodically. It is the responsibility of applicants and students to monitor these updates and ensure they possess the most current information.
The information provided on these pages is based on the best data and estimates currently available to us. The University administration reserves the right to modify or update information regarding admission and preparatory studies at any time, in accordance with University policy, guidelines, and the directives of the relevant authorized bodies.
- About the Preparatory School for Engineers
The preparatory program for *Handesaim* (practical engineers/technicians) is designed for graduates who completed their studies within the last five years, as well as for students currently in their second year of a *Handesai* program (in either morning or evening tracks). It is intended for those seeking admission to a bachelor’s degree completion program at Bar-Ilan University—specifically in the fields of Logistics or Technology Management, within the Department of Management.
Candidates who completed their *Handesai* studies more than five years ago will be referred to a special exceptions committee; their admission may be considered based on their continuous practical experience in the field.
The preparatory program consists of courses held at various ORT colleges. The curriculum is identical for both tracks: Logistics and Technology Management.
Candidates who wish to join the program and meet the required admission criteria must submit their application documents to the administration of the specific ORT college where the preparatory program is being conducted.
Eligibility to register for either track is restricted exclusively to graduates and current students of the following specializations:
Industrial Engineering and Management, Electronics, Software, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering. Graduates and students of various *Handesaim* (practical engineering) tracks may apply for admission to the preparatory program; however, such applications will be reviewed by a special exceptions committee.
Admission to the preparatory program for *Handesaim*—in accordance with university policy and guidelines—is the responsibility of the ORT Colleges administration.
The opening of the preparatory program is contingent upon reaching the required number of students and is subject to decisions made by Bar-Ilan University.
- Admission Requirements for the Preparatory Program for Practical Engineers
Deadline for admission to preparatory school - September 30.
The conditions for admission to the preparatory school for engineers and the documents required for the preparatory studies will be as follows:
Eligibility for a matriculation certificate. Applicants without a high school diploma who are over the age of 30 will be given the opportunity to study in Bar Ilan University's "30+ Preparatory School" only and have graduated with an average of at least 75, until August 31st of the preparatory year. For the avoidance of doubt, candidates under the age of 30 who do not have a matriculation certificate, must show eligibility for a matriculation certificate by the end of April of the preparatory year. As a result of this, these candidates must take the winter matriculation at the latest!
4 credits in English in the matriculation certificate with a grade of at least 56. Regardless of the year in which the candidate was accepted for the supplementary studies at Ort Colleges.
Candidates with 3 credits (on the matriculation certificate) in English will be required to complete 4 units of English preparatory school, from the designated preparatory schools at Bar-Ilan University.
Students with an engineering diploma and without a matriculation certificate - the engineering diploma will be considered a substitute for the matriculation certificate, but they will still be required to complete 4 credits of English within the dedicated preparatory courses at Bar Ilan University in the summer semester before being accepted for the degree.
A score of 85 or higher in the English section of the psychometrics/Amir/Amiram/Amirant test. It must be accessed by July of the preparatory year.
We highly recommend taking the Amir/Amiram/Amirant exams as early as possible - and no later than June of the preparatory year.
Very important: the number of English courses at the various levels on behalf of the management department is extremely limited, therefore only students who present a score of 85 or higher in the Amir exam by July 2026 will receive priority in registering for English courses adjusted to the study hours and days of the courses in the first degree.
It is emphasized that in any case the English courses are beyond the study days and hours of the department courses in the first degree.
For your convenience, a number of important links are attached:
Link to the website of the National Center for Examinations and Assessment: https://www.nite.org.il/test-dates-and-prices/
Link to the classification table for levels according to Amir's scores of the department of English as a foreign language at the university: https://efl.biu.ac.il/node/1230
Candidates who did not obtain a score of 85 in the Amir/M/Net test, must take an English course at Bar Ilan University through the English as a Foreign Language department at the university. The course must be taken in the summer semester before the start of studies in the bachelor's degree and only after completing it with a passing score (with a score of 60), will they be eligible to register for the academic year at the university.
Graduate engineers: a weighted average of at least 80 in the internal courses in the engineer track, when all courses have a passing digital grade - a grade sheet + diploma must be attached
Engineers studying: engineering studies must be a minimum of two years. Grade sheet of the first year in the engineering studies with an average of 80. These candidates will undertake to meet an average of at least 80 at the end of the engineering studies before being admitted to the university when all courses have a passing digital grade.
At the time of admission to the preparatory studies for engineers, the candidate must sign a statement that he knows that he will not be able to be admitted to the university if he has not met all the admission conditions. Returning the statement with the student's signature is a mandatory condition for admission to the preparatory school!
Students who completed engineering studies outside the ORT network will be assigned by the college to one of the majors and their eligibility data and exemptions will be examined accordingly.
Questions and clarifications on the subject of admission and studies for the preparatory school for engineers will be directed by the students to the college administrations only and not to the representatives of the management department at Bar Ilan University.
- List of Courses
Details of the preparatory courses for the 2024–2025 academic year (5785) for the Industrial Engineering and Management track*:
Total: 15 academic credits
Introduction to Microeconomics 3 credits Introduction to Macroeconomics 3 credits Inventory System Management 3 credits Logistics Systems Management 3 credits Performance Research A 3 credits Preparatory courses for tracks other than Industrial Engineering and Management:
Total: 20 credits
Introduction to Microeconomics 3 credits Introduction to Macroeconomics 3 credits Inventory System Management 3 credits Logistics Systems Management 3 credits Performance Research A 3 credits Introduction to Statistics B 3 credits Introduction to Probability 2 credits Within the framework of the preparatory program, students may take exams only during the first and/or second examination sessions (Moed A and/or Moed B). There is no third examination session (Moed C), and no exceptions will be granted!
Exemptions from preparatory program courses will not be granted based on prior academic studies. Academic distinction is awarded by the University to students who have completed a minimum of 80 academic credits (40 weekly hours) toward their degree and have achieved the grade point average required for honors, as specified in the regulations of the University Registrar’s Office. The University administration has determined that, for the ORT track, academic distinction may be awarded only to students whose combined preparatory program (Mechina) and degree studies on campus total at least 80 academic credits (40 weekly hours). Students in the Industrial Management *Handesaim* (practical engineering) track complete 15 academic credits (7.5 weekly hours) during the preparatory program; therefore, they are 2 academic credits (1 weekly hour) short of the required 80-credit (40-weekly-hour) threshold.
In light of the above, please be advised that students in the Industrial Management track who are enrolled in the preparatory program—and who wish to remain eligible for academic distinction—may choose to take one of two additional courses offered at the end of the preparatory program: *Introduction to Statistics II* (3 academic credits / 1.5 weekly hours) or *Introduction to Probability* (2 academic credits / 1 weekly hour). This will increase their total preparatory program credits from 15 (7.5 weekly hours) to 17 (8.5 weekly hours). ...weekly hours) at least. It should be noted that if students choose this option, the additional course will be included in the preparatory program average used for university admission (an average of 75).
- Exemptions for graduates of the Industrial Engineering and Management track
Graduates of *Handesaim* (practical engineering/technical) programs in fields approved for this track are eligible for exemptions from certain subjects based on their prior studies. A student who does not meet all the criteria for an exemption must complete the missing subjects—meeting the required number of study hours—by the end of June of the preparatory year. Please note that it is not possible to complete these subjects concurrently with the academic year at the university.
Completing these subjects is a mandatory condition for admission to university studies.
For this purpose, "graduates of *Handesaim* programs" refers to both those who have received their *Handesai* diploma and those who have completed their studies but have not yet received the diploma.
Exemption structure for the Industrial Engineering and Management track:
Mathematics – A cumulative total of at least 96 hours of mathematics coursework grants an exemption worth 5 academic credits (2.5 weekly hours) for the courses "Mathematics for the Social Sciences 1 + 2" (004 + 005).
Management Information Systems / Information Technology Management – A cumulative total of at least 48 hours of coursework in information systems grants an exemption worth 3 academic credits (1.5 weekly hours) for the course "Management Information Systems / Information Technology Management" (051/220). Introduction to Statistics I & II + Introduction to Probability – A course in Probability and Statistics comprising at least 128 hours grants an exemption equivalent to 8 academic credits (4 weekly hours) from the introductory courses in Statistics I & II and Probability (002 + 003 + 006).
Elective and General Subjects – Studies within the specialization track comprising at least 340 hours grant an automatic exemption equivalent to 26 academic credits (13 weekly hours).
The cumulative calculation applies only to subjects in which a grade of 55 or higher was achieved!
Please note: For students admitted to the university via the ORT tracks, no additional exemptions—whether for prior academic studies or other types of coursework—are granted beyond those specified above.
- Exemptions for graduates of other tracks
Exemption Structure for Graduates of the Following Tracks: Electronics, Software, Electricity, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering.
Graduates of *Handesaim* (practical engineering) programs in fields approved for this study track are eligible for exemptions in various subjects based on their prior studies. A student who does not meet all the conditions for an exemption must complete the missing subjects—covering the required number of study hours—by the end of June of the preparatory year. Please note that it is not possible to complete these subjects concurrently with the academic year at the university.
Completion of these subjects is a mandatory requirement for admission to university studies.
For the purpose of this policy, "graduates of *Handesaim* programs" refers to both those who have received their *Handesai* diploma and those who have completed their studies but have not yet received the diploma. Exemption Structure for Tracks Other Than "Tochna" (Software Engineering):
Mathematics – Based on a cumulative total of mathematics courses amounting to at least 96 hours, granting an exemption of 5 academic credits (2.5 weekly hours) for the courses "Mathematics for Social Sciences 1 + 2" (004 + 005).
Management Information Systems / Information Technology Management – Based on a cumulative total of Information Systems courses amounting to at least 48 hours, granting an exemption of 3 academic credits (1.5 weekly hours) for the course "Management Information Systems / Information Technology Management" (051/220).
Statistics A – Based on a cumulative total of Statistics courses amounting to at least 48 hours, granting an exemption of 3 academic credits (1.5 weekly hours) for the course "Statistics A" (002).
Elective and General Courses – An automatic exemption is granted based on the track studies, provided they total at least 340 hours; this grants an exemption of 26 academic credits (13 weekly hours).
The cumulative calculation applies only to courses with a grade of 55 or higher!
Please note: For students admitted to the undergraduate degree program via the ORT tracks at the university, no additional exemptions—whether for prior academic studies or other types of coursework—are granted beyond those specified above.
- Condition for approving the recognition of the *Handesaim* (practical engineers/technicians) transcript of grades
Applies to all tracks, unless otherwise specified:
The transcript must include course names, the number of credit hours (or scope of hours) for each, and a passing numerical grade. If an exemption ('Pator') is indicated for any of the mandatory courses, a transcript serving as documentation for this exemption—including the number of hours for that subject—must be attached.
The transcript must be complete; partial transcripts are not accepted.
It is the candidate's responsibility to check with college representatives each year regarding any changes to the university curriculum and whether any corresponding updates to exemptions have been made.
Candidates joining the program in their second year must submit their second-year *Handesaim* (practical engineering) study plan, which should include the courses that grant exemptions at the university, as detailed in the exemption table above.
Exemptions are granted on an individual basis.
If necessary, college advisors—in coordination with the Administrative Coordination Office—will create a supplementary study plan for the candidate to cover missing courses and/or examinations. The candidate will be required to sign an acknowledgment confirming their obligation to complete these requirements and submit proof of completion by August of the preparatory year. This document will be attached to the acceptance letter for the preparatory program, issued by the ORT Colleges administration.
- Accommodations for Learning Disabilities
During the preparatory year (Mechina) only, students will be granted the testing accommodations specified in diagnostic evaluations recognized by MAHAT (the National Institute for Technological Training) for *Handesaim* (practical engineering) programs. For the avoidance of doubt, accommodations granted during the preparatory year will not automatically apply during the university degree program. Students wishing to request accommodations for their university studies may contact the University’s Student Support and Accessibility Department to submit an application. It is recommended to contact the Student Support and Accessibility Department at Bar-Ilan University prior to the commencement of undergraduate studies.
