Frequently Asked Questions

AQB is a partnership between Bard College and Al Quds University. It is a part of a world wide network of partnerships between Bard College in New York and other academic institutions around the world. AQB models Liberal Arts teaching methods that focus on an interdisciplinary perspective emphasizing student centered-learning. AQB offers two degrees, one from Bard College and one from Al-Quds University.
Al-Quds Bard College is a faculty at Al-Quds University. Urban Studies and Spatial Practices, Human Rights and International Law, and Literature and Society are unique majors at the university and thus are accredited as Al Quds Bard College majors. All other majors are accredited as Al-Quds University faculties.
At AQB you will receive intensive training in writing, analysis, language, and presentation skills, all of which is essential for most professions in a knowledge economy. If you choose to launch your career directly after graduation, you will be qualified for many types of positions in organizations across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. A Bachelor’s degree from AQB is equivalent to 128 credits, easily meeting the credit requirements for most Master’s and Doctoral programs in Europe and the United States.
AQB offers state of the art education in many disciplines, including programs in the following areas: Social Sciences (Economics, Human Rights and International Law, Urban Studies and Spatial Practices, and Political Science); Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Science); and Humanities (Literature and Society and Media). Urban Studies and Spatial Practices, Human Rights and International Law, and Literature and Society are unique majors that are not offered at the Bachelor’s level in any other University in Palestine. Students can choose to minor in any of these fields, as well as in the Global Humanities, a unique program only offered as a minor.
Classes are small, typically 10 to 14 students, and all students are expected to contribute to the conversation. Because courses are discussion based rather than lecture based, students are given the opportunity to exchange ideas and engage in debates about the material. Students can choose from a wide array of classes at AQB. To guide students, they are assigned to faculty advisers who help them develop a four year study plan, choose courses, oversee the progress of students and supervise their senior projects. Professors provide individual feedback on assignments, as well as one-on-one meetings so students can discuss their ideas, as questions, or seek help on a paper. The Academic Resources Center helps further support students across the disciplines and is open every day for students to drop in or make an appointment.
AQB’s language of instruction is English. There is an Intensive English track for students in their first year who are not confident in their English skills. For two semesters, students take academic English classes that help them develop reading and  speaking skills appropriate to support university-level work. They also take two core AQB courses, English Composition and First Year Seminar, as well as a specially designed course in one of the program areas intended to build academic discipline vocabulary. Students who take this program can graduate on time if they take two summer courses during their four years at AQB. There is an Academic Resource Center that supports writing in English, where tutors discuss assignments with students and help them improve their writing skills. The overall atmosphere that surrounds the academic life at AQB encourages students to develop their English skills outside the classroom.
Al-Quds Bard College is a faculty of Al-Quds University. Applications must be filled for Al-Quds University and students should select Al-Quds Bard College as the first choice of study. Students are expected to have finished Tawjihi or have its equivalent of another International High School diploma (SAT, GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, Bagrut, and IB). Equalizations of these diplomas must be obtained from the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education. Students are also expected to complete an AQB application, which includes answering short questions in writing, as well as to attend a personal interview with faculty members.
Students who wish to transfer from other Universities are expected to provide official transcripts from the Admission office of their respective University. These transcripts must be authenticated from the Palestinian ministry of Higher Education. Students are also expected to provide course descriptions of all classes included in the transcript. Students are expected to have finished 30 credit hours at least.
Al-Quds Bard College uses the credit system; the cost per credit is 84 Jordanian Dinars. Al-Quds Bard College offers generous scholarships for students with outstanding academic performance in official high school exams. Also, students are encouraged in their first semester to apply for need-based financial aid.