About Dar al-Kalima University

Dar al-Kalima University (DAK) is the first and only institution of higher education in Palestine focused on the performing arts, visual arts, and cultural heritage. The University’s founders believe in the importance of the arts to raise cultural and social awareness and to develop a vibrant and active civil society. Many DAK students rely on scholarships to complete their education. Bright Stars of Bethlehem provides scholarships and helps the university expand its course offerings and campus. We envision that most of Palestine’s future artists, musicians, actors, journalists, IT professionals, filmmakers, and the leaders of tomorrow will be alumni of the university. In a country with limited natural resources, Palestine’s human resources are its most valuable capital. Dar al-Kalima equips its students with quality education and vital entrepreneurial skills for the 21st-century market.

Student and Faculty Diversity

  • The student body reflects the social, economic, and religious diversity of the Palestinian community. While most students come from different parts of the Bethlehem region including Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, and nearby refugee camps, more and more students are enrolling from villages and communities throughout the West Bank. The student population is 76% Muslim and 26% Christian, 63% female and 37% male. 

  • The faculty and staff reflect the diversity of the student body. Half the Dar al-Kalima University Board is female, 75% of the Vice Presidents, half of the University's Deans, and just under half of the staff is female. Faculty use creative teaching methodologies to bring art, music, acting, writing, photography, film, tourism, culinary arts, information technology, and a host of other skills to life.

  • More than half of the Palestinian population is under the age of 19. Current projections indicate that the overall population is expected to grow by at least 3.2% a year for the next ten years. Without an expansion of the education system to absorb these growing numbers, many gifted young people in Palestine will have nowhere to further their education beyond the 12th grade and will have extremely limited employment opportunities.

  • Dar al-Kalima University is a direct answer to the current shortage of higher education institutions in Palestine. It is a beacon of hope for future generations. DAK is committed to building a culture of democracy, critical thinking, and free expression, thus strengthening civil society in Palestine.

View Dar al-Kalima University's Website

History of Dar al-Kalima University

Dar al-Kalima University was first accredited as a college in 2006, and the first students graduated in 2008. In 2010, the school moved to a new campus in order to expand its programs. It was accredited in 2013 as Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture. In recent years, the university has grown in remarkable ways. The campus now features a library, art gallery, nature reserve, cultural heritage building, and sports complex. It recently added a training center in Gaza, which creates opportunities for artists to exhibit and market their work. In 2021, the university received accreditation as Dar al-Kalima University, a full-fledged university that can offer graduate studies.

DAK 25th Anniversary Booklet

Academic Programs

Dar al-Kalima University enrolls over 400 degree-seeking students, as well as 100 students per month enrolled in continuous education classes. The university is organized into five colleges with many bachelor’s degree programs and two-year diploma programs.

BA Programs

College of Fine Arts

Contemporary Art, Film Production, Performing Arts

College of Architecture & Design

Architecture, Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design

College of Cultural Management

Arts Management, Cultural and Sustainable Tourism, Sports Management

College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research

Interior Design, Art Therapy, Arts, and Management of Cultural Institutions

Technical Community College for two-year diplomas

MA Programs

  • Interior Design

    This program aims to address the needs of Palestinian society and advance the field of interior design. It will enhance students' cognitive experiences and develop their design and artistic skills. Students will gain a deeper understanding of interior design methodologies, enabling them to generate creative ideas and improve their knowledge, competencies, technical abilities, and management skills.

  • Art Therapy

    This program was designed to meet the specific needs of Palestinian society. It is intended for individuals who hold degrees in social sciences, healthcare, education, or various artistic disciplines. Through advanced studies, participants can deepen their knowledge, expand their experiential learning, and refine their skills in mental health. Ultimately, graduates will gain practical clinical experience in art psychotherapy and develop the ability to integrate artistic modalities into psychological therapeutic interventions.

  • Arts

    This program has been designed with three distinct tracks – music, contemporary arts, and documentary film – to equip the Palestinian community with academically and artistically proficient individuals. The primary objective of the program is to produce graduates and professionals who grasp the significance of the Arts in societal contexts. These individuals will be capable of assuming influential and pioneering roles, contributing to the preservation and evolution of the Palestinian cultural identity.

  • Management Of Cultural Institutions

    This program's goal is to supply Palestinian society with administrative experts who possess a blend of advanced academic, technical, and professional proficiencies within this domain. These individuals are adept at elevating Cultural Management across all its dimensions. The program encompasses a holistic educational framework rooted in innovation, contemporary practices, and creative approaches, all contextualized within the Palestinian artistic and cultural landscape.