Foundation Scholarship
Foundation Scholarship is a College institution with a long history and high prestige. Some of our greatest alumni – such as Edmund Burke and Samuel Beckett - were Scholars. It is a distinctive feature of student life here at Trinity.
This academic year the Foundation Scholarship Examinations will be scheduled
to begin on Monday 6 January 2014 (although it may be necessary
to schedule some examinations in the preceding week). Applications to sit this
examination must be submitted to the Academic Registry, Biotechnology Building, between Friday 1 November and Friday 15
November 2013 (by 4.30pm). No applications will be accepted after this
date.
The objective of the Foundation Scholarship examination is to identify students
who, at a level of evaluation appropriate to the Senior Freshman year, can consistently
demonstrate exceptional knowledge and understanding of their subjects. The searching
examination requires candidates to demonstrate skill in synthesising and integrating
knowledge across the full range of the set examination materials; to demonstrate
rigorous and informed critical thought; and, in appropriate disciplines, to
demonstrate a highly-developed ability to solve problems and apply knowledge.
Scholarship is awarded solely on the basis of this examination performance– and no other factors are taken into account. A Scholarship at Trinity College remains the most prestigious undergraduate award in the country, an award that has undoubtedly helped to foster long-lasting links between many outstanding graduates and the College. A principal aim of the College is the pursuit of excellence: one of the most tangible demonstrations of this is the institution of Scholarship.
Following the 2012 review of Foundation Scholarship, sitting of the examination has been restricted to students in their Senior Freshman year, except in exceptional circumstances. For further information on requesting permission to defer the 2013/14 Scholarship examinations from the Senior Freshman year to the Junior Sophister year, please see the link below.
Successful candidates, those achieving an overall first class result in the
examination for Scholarship, are elected by the Board on Trinity Monday. They
enjoy significant benefits including Commons free of charge, rooms free of charge
for up to nine months of the year and, where a student is not in receipt of
outside scholarships or grants, fee remission for up to five years to the value
of the EU fee level.
More detailed information on the examination is available in the University
Calendar (S1-S15).
Many schools and disciplines hold meetings to inform prospective candidates
about the examination. Any student interested in taking the examination is strongly
encouraged to discuss their candidature with a member of the academic staff
familiar with their work and best able to advise them.
Foundation Scholarship Application form (Word)
Foundation Scholarship Application form (PDF)
Scholarship Examination Paper details
Foundation Scholarship Examination Timetables
Calendar information on Foundation and Non-Foundation Scholarships (PDF)
Deferral of Foundation Scholarship