Scholarship Examinations
The Trinity scholarship examinations, which reward outstanding academic ability, are an old and treasured institution of the College. They take place in January each year, and second-year students must apply to sit them.
Overview
Becoming a Trinity Scholar is a prestigious distinction that comes with several benefits, including free accommodation and meals in College. Applications to sit the examinations are made through the Academic Registry.
Key Dates
| Applications | 28 September to 14 October 2026, closing at 5pm |
| Examinations | 4 to 8 January 2027 |
| Announcement of Election to Scholarship | Trinity Monday, 26 April 2027 |
Sociology Papers
The Department of Sociology offers four papers as part of the Foundation Scholarship examinations. Each paper lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes.
A full breakdown is available here for Joint Honours, BESS, PPES and European Studies students, showing which papers are mandatory and which are optional for each pathway.
Paper 1 is a foundations paper. It draws on material taught in Semesters 1 and 2 of first year, in the modules Introduction to Sociology 1 and 2. The paper has six questions across two sections, and students answer one question from each section.
Paper 2 is a general paper designed to test candidates' analytical, critical and discursive abilities. Students are given readings on two topics, intermarriage and gender inequalities in education. The paper has two sections, one for each topic, with two questions in each. Students answer one question from each section.
Readings
Intermarriage: the social structure of romantic ties
Gender inequalities in education
Paper 3 is a theory and methods paper with six questions across two sections. Students answer two questions in total, from either section.
- Section A: three questions drawing on material taught in Social Theory, Semester 1 (SOU22061)
- Section B: three questions drawing on material from Introduction to Social Research, Semester 1 (SOU22011)
Paper 4 is a core topics paper with six questions across two sections. Students answer two questions in total, from either section.
- Section A: three questions drawing on material taught in Gender, Work and Family, Semester 1 (SOU22021)
- Section B: three questions drawing on material from Power, State and Social Movements, Semester 1 (SOU22041)
Preparing for the Exams
High-scoring answers are:
- Comprehensive, accurate and intelligent.
- Analytic rather than descriptive.
- Well organised, with structured argumentation.
- Critically evaluative, leading to clear conclusions.
Approaching Exam Questions
The strongest answers make a clear, consistent and structured argument. An effective approach is to:
- State the problem, setting out what needs to be explained.
- Focus on the key mechanisms.
- Present the literature, including key contributions (with names and dates).
- Assess logical consistency.
- Assess the supporting evidence, using examples.
- Set out counter-arguments and responses.
- Provide an overall evaluation and conclusion.
Structuring an Essay
A well-structured essay:
- Opens with an introduction of five to ten lines that sets out the problem to be solved or the main issue, and gives a short version of the argument from the essay plan.
- Treats each paragraph as an argument.
- Uses sentences to link paragraphs.
- Signals the direction of the argument to the reader.
- Presents its conclusion in the final paragraph.
- Length is not what matters. Ideas are paramount.
Past Papers
Past scholarship examination papers are available from the Academic Registry (login required).
Further Information
Sociology Joint Honours: Sociology.Undergrad@tcd.ie or Sociology@tcd.ie
BESS and PPES: BESS@tcd.ie or PPES@tcd.ie, as appropriate
General Foundation Scholarship queries: Academic.Registry@tcd.ie