Trinity College, Dublin - Foundation scholarship

What you get

You will receive a benefits package for up to 5 years. Trinity College Dublin will cover your tuition fees in full, including the enrolment fee. In addition, each year for up to 9 months (usually from October to June), you will receive free on-campus accommodation, a free evening meal at the ‘Commons’, and a small annual cash payment (scholarship) of 253.95 EUR. You will also be entitled to use the letters ‘sch.’ after your name. If you are a non-EU student, your fees will be reduced by the amount of the standard EU fee rather than being waived in full.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You must be a duly enrolled Bachelor’s student at Trinity College Dublin. Students on degree programmes offered by the affiliated institutions (the Royal Irish Academy of Music, the LIR Academy and the Marino Institute of Education) are not eligible to apply.
• Year of study: You are in your second year of study (senior freshman). You must be properly enrolled; students who are not enrolled cannot take part.
• Field of study: Any subject area is eligible: arts, humanities and social sciences; engineering, mathematics and natural sciences; and health sciences. Students on dual Bachelor’s degree programmes (such as the TCD-Columbia programme) may also apply.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.
• Exam performance: Success depends entirely on a series of specific examinations. You need an overall mark of at least 70%, top-tier marks in at least two examination subjects, and at least 65% in the remaining subjects.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via an online form (a separate form for each faculty) between 28 September 2026 at 9 am and 14 October 2026 at 5 pm. You will then confirm your participation in November and sit the exams for the Foundation Scholarship in early January (three to four exam papers, totalling eight to nine hours). The new scholarship holders will be announced on Trinity Monday, 26 April 2027.

How realistic are your chances?

About 60 students win this award each year.