Following are the minimum requirements needed for students to be enrolled at the University:
1. A General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi) or its equivalent (e.g.: SAT or GCE with equivalence requirements as set by the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education).
2. Student placement in the faculties depends on the stream (Science or Arts) indicated in the Certificate:

i. A Certificate from the Scientific Stream: The student can enroll in any Faculty she/he wishes.
ii. A Certificate from the Arts Stream: The student has to enroll in either the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Commerce & Economics

Freshman Admission
Admission for first-year students is competitive and is based according to the Composite Score of the students, on condition that these scores are not lower than required for admission in a certain faculty. The Composite Score is the average percentage score of the General Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent and a percentage score of the last three years in high school. The minimum average score required for each faculty depends on guidelines set by the University Council.

All students have to take an English language proficiency exam, and students are placed in English language courses according to their scores.

Transfer students
Transfer students are accepted depending on:
1. Availability at Birzeit University
2. They are transferring from an accredited university
3. They have completed at least 30 credit hours at that university
4. Their average score is not less than 70 percent