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Scholarships, Prizes and Financial Assistance

Foundation Scholarship

The most prestigious and valuable awards at Trinity College are the Foundation Scholarships. These Scholarships are awarded annually on the basis of an examination held at the end of the second term. In mathematics the exams cover the course material up to the end of the second term of the second year. Anyone attaining a very high standard is proposed for Scholarship. Scholars are entitled to free tuition, plus free accommodation and free evening meal in term, for up to five years. The number of scholars elected in any year is not fixed. In past years, the number elected in mathematics, all three degree courses, has varied from one to eight. In addition the first unsuccessful candidate in the mathematics scholarship exam is awarded the Roberts Prize of £500, provided sufficient merit is shown.

Continuing Students

The department is fortunate to have been the recipient of various endowments and bequests to provide prizes for students, a comprehensive list of prizes and their value is shown below. Most recently a fund was established in honour of, and named after John Lighton Synge the world renowned relativist and geometer, who has a long association with this College.

Louis Kennedy Prize:

This prize was founded in 2004 by a benefaction in memory of Louis Kennedy (1958-200, B.A. 1979) from the estate of his father Richard Kennedy. It is awarded annually to the Junior Fresh student of mathematics in the Joint Honors moderatorship with the best annual examination result in mathematics. Value -€90.

Lloyd Exhibitions:

These exhibitions were founded in 1839 by subscription in memory of Bartholomew Lloyd, Provost 1931-7. Three exhibitions may be awarded to the candidates who obtain highest marks at the Junior Sophister honour examination in mathematics. No student may obtain an exhibition a second time. Value - first prize €1,397, second prize €1,080, third prize €762.

Arthur Lyster Prize:

In 1951 a sum was received under the will of Miss Alice Lyster to found a prize in mathematics and a further sum was added by her executors. Up to eight prizes may be awarded each year on the basis of examination performance in mathematics in any of the Junior Fresh, Senior Fresh or Junior Sophister years. A candidate who has been awarded a Townsend or Rowe prize or a Lloyd exhibition will not be eligible to receive a Lyster prize in the same year. Value - four at €477 each, two at €318 each, two at €159 each.

Michael Roberts Prize:

This prize was founded in 1883 in memory of Michael Roberts, Fellow 1843-82, by a gift from his widow. It is awarded to the first unsuccessful candidate in mathematics in the foundation scholarship examination, provided that sufficient merit is shown. Value - €699.

Rowe Prize:

This prize was founded in 1959 by a bequest from Mrs Olive Marjorie Rowe in memory of her husband, Charles Henry Rowe, Fellow 1920-43. It is awarded annually in two parts on the results of the Senior Fresh examination in mathematics. Value of each part €635.

Bishop Law Fund:

Established in 1796 by a gift of John Law, bishop of Elphin, to encourage the study of mathematics. The prize is awarded to the first moderator in mathematics, provided that a first class moderatorship is obtained. Value - €64

John Lighton Synge Prize in Mathematics:

This prize was founded in 1992 from funds subscribed by friends and past colleagues and student to honour John Lighton Synge, F.R.S., M.R.I.A. (Scholar (1916), Fellow and Professor of natural Philosophy (1925-30), Honorary Fellow (1954-95)). It is awarded biennially to a candidate who has distinguished himself/herself at the examination for moderatorship (part I or part II) in general relativity theory or differential geometry, or in another topic in mathematics or theoretical physics related to Professor Synge's interests. Value - €350.

Townsend Memorial Prize:

This prize was founded in 1885 by subscription in memory of Robert Townsend, Fellow 1845-84. It is awarded annually in three parts, on the result of the Junior Fresh honour examination in mathematics, special consideration being given to the answering on that part of the course related to geometrical studies. Value - first part €889, second part €762, third part €635.

Minchin Prize:

The prize was founded in 1921 in memory of George Minchin, mathematician and Scholar of the College, by a gift from his widow. the prize fund was considerably increased in 1982 from a bequest received under the will of G.R.N. Minchin. The prize may be awarded annually in two parts in Michaelmas term to students who have performed with particular merit in the work of the previous Junior Sophister year in mathematics and/or physics. the Professor of Natural Philosophy and the Erasmus Smith's Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy in consultation will nominate suitable candidates to the Senior Lecturer, who will make the awards following the nominations. The Professors will take account of work performed throughout the whole of the Junior Sophister year. Value of each part of the prize €2000.

Entering students

A number of Entrance Exhibitions are awarded to beginning students. These are based on Leaving Certificate/A level marks, each entrance exhibition will be in the form of a book prize worth €300, awarded in two equal parts - the first in the Junior Fresh year and the second in the Senior Fresh year. Other awards offered at entrance are Sizars. Sizars are entrance exhibitioners of limited means who have their Commons free. The awards of sizarship are announced at the same time as the awards of exhibitions, these awards are subject to certain conditions, please refer to the University Calender.

There are other awards for beginning students also, and for these one should see the University Calendar. Some carry restrictions such as the Reid Exhibition, which is restricted to natives of County Kerry.

Financial Assistance

The College operates a student aid scheme, whereby students who have successfully completed their Junior Fresh year, and who are in difficult financial circumstances, may obtain a small grant.