Scholarship Examinations
The Trinity Scholarship examinations, known as ‘Schol’, reward exceptional academic performance and are a long-standing tradition at the university.
Overview
The College-wide Foundation Scholarship exams take place in January, just before the start of Semester 2. Senior Fresh (second-year) students must apply to sit these exams. Achieving the title of Trinity Scholar is a prestigious honour and brings several notable benefits, including free accommodation and meals, remission of student charges, and a modest financial award.
Alongside the academic challenge, many students value the focus and camaraderie that develop during preparation.
Political Science Scholarship Examinations
The Department of Political Science offers six papers as part of the Foundation Scholarship examinations:
- Political Science Paper 1 – General Paper 1
- Political Science Paper 2 – General Paper 2
- Political Science Paper 3 – History of Political Thought
- Political Science Paper 4 – Comparative Politics
- Political Science Paper 5 – International Relations
- Political Science Paper 6 – Introduction to Political Science Research
The papers a student should sit depend on their programme and pathway. Full details are outlined in the allocation tables below.
| Credit Profile in Political Science in Senior Fresh | No. of SF credits taken in Political Science by end of Semester 1 | Number of papers taken in Political Science | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 | Paper 4 | Paper 5 | Paper 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 SF credits (20 by end Sem 1) | 20 | 3 | M* | O | O | O | O | |
| JF credits only | N/A | 1 | M | |||||
| 40 SF credits (20 by end Sem 1) | 20 | 2 | M | O | O | O | O | |
| 20 SF credits (10 by end Sem 1) | 10 | 2 | M | O | O | O | O | |
| 20 SF credits (10 by end Sem 1) | 10 | 1 | M |
*Papers to be taken (M = mandatory, O = optional)
Preparing for Schol
The Scholarship exams reward depth of understanding, critical thinking, and the ability to connect ideas across topics.
View full paper descriptions and sample questions for 2025/26
Want to Learn More?
Further information is also available in our FAQ section
A recent information session for Political Science students is available to watch below.