Foundation Scholarship
The Foundation Scholarship is a Trinity institution with a long history and high prestige. Some of our greatest alumni – such as Edmund Burke, Samuel Beckett, and Mary Robinson – were Scholars. Students in their second year may opt to take Foundation Scholarship or ‘Schol’ exams, usually held in January. These in-depth examinations are the basis for the election to Scholarship of the University. Students who achieve an overall first class honours result (70% or above) in these examinations and meet other specific examination requirements are elected as Scholars on Trinity Monday.
A scholarship is tenured for five years, during which time the Scholar is entitled to free Trinity accommodation, their evening meal free of charge at Commons (a three-course meal served each weekday in the Dining Hall on campus), a waiver of their tuition fees or student contribution (non-EU students’ fees are reduced by the value of EU fees) and a small annual stipend. Scholars are also entitled to use the post-nominal letters “sch.” after their name.
This scholarship is a very prestigious and substantial award given to approximately 60 students each year. See www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/exams/scholarship for more information.