University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Theology - The Thanks to Scandinavia Scholarships at the Hebrew University

Thanks to Scandinavia Scholarships at the Hebrew University

You will receive up to 12,000 USD (about 11,000 EUR) for one academic year at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The amount is paid as a one-off sum and cannot be renewed. Every year, two scholarships are awarded to Scandinavian students. The fund is provided by ‘Thanks To Scandinavia’, a US-based charitable organisation founded in 1963. It supports Scandinavian students in memory of those who helped to rescue Jews during the Second World War, and from a bequest left to the University by Frances and Benjamin Sperling.

You study at the Rothberg International School. It runs graduate courses taught in English on subjects such as Jewish studies, Israeli politics, the Middle East, religion and non-profit management, plus language classes. This is a study year, not a full degree. You still get a transcript, so your credits can be transferred.

There is also a smaller version: the Wergeland and Holst summer scholarships, each worth up to 2,500 USD (approximately 2,300 EUR). Eight Scandinavian students, two from each country, will each receive a scholarship for a four- to six-week summer course.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a national of Denmark, Finland, Norway or Sweden and can provide proof of this. You may still apply if you have been living in Israel for no more than one year at the time of application.
• Degree level: You hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and want a graduate year abroad. You can be a master's or PhD student, or a recent graduate not yet enrolled in a graduate programme.
• Grades: You must have a minimum grade point average of ‘B’ (a grade point average of 3.2 or the equivalent in your country).
• Field of study: You take graduate courses at the Rothberg International School, such as Jewish studies, Israeli society and politics, religion or language courses.
• Other funding: You do not receive any other financial aid based in Israel.

How to apply

Apply by 1 April. You must apply both for the scholarship and for a place on the Master’s programme. In each country, a designated contact person carries out the preliminary selection and forwards recommendations to the university. A selection committee in Jerusalem makes the final decision. For the summer scholarships, the deadline is 15 April: you must submit an online form to ‘Thanks To Scandinavia’ and a separate application to the university.

How realistic are your chances?

Every year, two full-year scholarships and eight summer scholarships are awarded, divided equally amongst the four countries. The sources do not indicate how many people apply.

If you are planning to study in Denmark, our guide Scholarships in Denmark brings together scholarships and funding options available there.