SPERLING SCHOLARSHIPS​

Thanks To Scandinavia and the Benjamin Sperling Bequest to the Hebrew University have endowed two scholarships of up to $12,000 each in memory of Frances and Benjamin Sperling. This scholarship is for students from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, who want to pursue graduate studies at the Hebrew University. Recipients are not eligible for any additional Israel-based financial aid. The scholarship is for a single year and not renewable. A nonrefundable application fee of $80 (U.S.) must be paid to the Rothberg International School by the candidate with application submission.

The Graduate Year Program is designed to meet the special needs of qualified graduate students from abroad who want to spend a year at the Hebrew University, whether they are MA or PhD candidates or recent college graduates who have not yet begun a graduate study program. While this is not a degree program, a full transcript is provided to facilitate the credit transfer.

The RIS Division of Graduate Studies, established in 1993, functions under the auspices of the Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences, Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, and Rothberg International School. The Division offers degree and non-degree options, with seminars and lectures in Jewish Studies, Politics and Society of Israel, Islam and the Middle East, Biblical Studies, Comparative Religion, and Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Modern Hebrew language instruction is available at all levels, as are language courses in Biblical Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, Akkadian, and Biblical Aramaic. Hebrew University faculty and distinguished visitors teach the division courses in English. Hebrew University recognizes these courses as equivalent to courses offered in its departmental degree programs. In addition, students with a sufficient command of Hebrew are encouraged to take graduate courses taught in Hebrew, including science, medicine, and pharmacy.

Admission Requirements & Application

Application Deadline: April 1

Candidates must apply for a graduate program as well as the scholarship.

Admission to the Division of Graduate Studies is based on transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Applicants must have the equivalent of a “B” (3.2) grade average.

Candidates for the scholarship should have a BA degree or equivalent and are ready to spend a year of study within the framework Division of Graduate Studies of Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School. In addition, candidates must provide proof of citizenship in one of the Scandinavian countries. Students from Scandinavia who have been living in Israel for no more than one calendar year at the time of application can also submit their applications to the Rothberg International School and the appropriate Scandinavian organization for screening.

For more information, please contact the appropriate person listed below, as they make the initial screening. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the RIS Division of Graduate Studies. The final decision will be made in Jerusalem, by the selection committee, chaired by the provost of the RIS.