Ariel University to open new six-year medical program, admitting 80 students per cohort

The Council for Higher Education (CHE) announced Wednesday the opening of a six-year medical studies program at Ariel University, which will admit 80 students per cycle. The decision was made after the program was reviewed by a professional committee headed by Prof. Yonatan Halevy and following the recommendation of the subcommittee for technology, engineering, sciences, and paramedical fields.

Ariel University will not join the Weizmann Institute, Reichman University, and the University of Haifa, where new faculties have been established in recent years.

The number of medical students in Israel is now expected to increase to 1,446 during the 2025-2026 year. This is nearly double the 800 medical students Israel had only five years ago.

The opening of the program expands the scope of medical studies in Israel and increases the number of spots available for Israelis who wish to study medicine in the country. This move is expected to gradually increase the number of medical graduates integrating into Israel’s healthcare system, helping address the growing need for doctors.

Additionally, the opening of the Physician Associate master's degree program at Ariel University was approved, a new profession that marks a shift in medicine and healthcare. The program is intended to address the human resources challenges in the healthcare system and to broaden the range of medical professionals working within it.

The Council for Higher Education noted that the theoretical and clinical knowledge acquired by physician associates will enable their integration alongside specialist doctors in the healthcare system and allow them to perform medical procedures according to the authorities defined for the profession by law.

The CEO of the Council for Higher Education, Dr. Maya Lugassi Ben Hamo, welcomed the program's approval. "The State of Israel is required to ensure for itself a high-quality medical reserve that will be able to meet the needs of the healthcare system in the coming years. Israeli academia has a central national responsibility in this mission, and the opening of the six-year medical program at Ariel University is another step in fulfilling this responsibility," she stated.

Lugassi Ben Hamo concluded by saying, "We are working to ensure that more young women and men can study medicine in Israel, build their professional future here, and integrate as doctors into the Israeli healthcare system. This is a long-term investment in public health and the resilience of the State of Israel."

The President of Ariel University, Prof. Ehud Grossman, added, "The decision of the Council for Higher Education to expand medical studies at Ariel University through a six-year program and the 'Amit Rofe' program is a significant milestone in deepening Ariel University's contribution to the healthcare system in Israel. We view the training of the next generation of medical professionals as a national mission and a paramount public responsibility. The approval of these two new programs reflects the trust in the academic quality of Ariel University and enables us to expand our contribution to training excellent medical professionals for the benefit of Israeli society."

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Iris Barshack, emphasized: “Today is an important and significant day for the healthcare system in Israel, for the Faculty of Medicine at Ariel University, and for me personally," adding that "This is a moment of achievement and pride, but above all, a full commitment to meaningful action for the sake of the next generation of medicine and the healthcare system in Israel."