trinity college dublin personal statement undergraduate

5 things admissions officers at Trinity College Dublin look for in an application

Considering studying in Ireland ? If so, it’s likely that Trinity College Dublin has caught your eye as one of the most popular destinations for international students.

With its vast array of courses, incredible facilities and stunning historical campus, the university has an impressive amount to offer. But with real competition for places, what is it that admissions officers are looking for in prospective students’ applications.

I caught up with Trinity College Dublin to find out what they’re on the lookout for in their applicants at the moment. Here’s the top five things to keep in mind.

Table of Contents

• English Language proficiency is essential
• Your personal statement is important
• Take into account additional assessment criteria
• You must meet the minimum requirements for admission
• Undergraduate module grades are important for postgraduate applicants

1. English Language proficiency is essential

English Language testing forms an important part of the application process for international students. It’s important that the university knows that you will be comfortable and confident studying and being assessed in a different language.

Standardised English Language Proficiency Tests, either IELTS or TOEFL , and two academic letters of recognition are mandatory for both undergraduate and postgraduate applications at Trinity.

2. Your personal statement is important

Your personal statement is an integral part of your application as it adds character to your academic qualifications. 

Trinity College Dublin assesses students’ motivation through the statement to make sure they have put in the required level of research to make an informed decision when applying.

Brushing up on your knowledge of the subject, on the things that interest and fascinate you about the course you’re applying for and the academics you’d most like to learn from are great places to start with this.  Taking the time to make sure your personal statement is perfect is an important part of the process too.

3. Take into account additional assessment criteria

Some courses will require you to complete and excel in additional assessments, especially at postgraduate level.

At Trinity, this can include the GMAT, an online programming test for some MSc programmes and interviews either by video or phone. 

Preparing for these additional assessments are an integral part of your application, and are used to determine your suitability for the programme.

4. You must meet the minimum requirements for admission

Unfortunately this is one of the most important parts of applying at a competitive university or for an in-demand course. Meeting the specific requirements for the programme of your choice is an essential part of your application.

Working hard and securing those grades, to match your passion for your course, is an important stepping stone to studying at Trinity College Dublin.

5. Undergraduate module grades are important for postgraduate applicants

Postgraduate applications are reviewed far more rigorously due to the competition for places. The standing of your undergraduate institution is taken into account when applying, using a range of rankings both domestically and internationally.

But performance in individual modules that are relevant to the programme you’re applying to are considered too. Your bachelor degree also needs to be equivalent to a 2:1 in Ireland.

Interested in studying abroad? Find out more about Dublin as a study abroad destination , and explore Trinity College Dublin’s courses on our website.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this site solely belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily represent t ...Read More

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The trinity msc blog, what is a good statement of purpose.

/ by Ella Halfacree

When applying for a postgraduate programme at Trinity Business School, applicants must write a 500 word statement of purpose on their experience, career goals, and how the master programme they are applying for will help them achieve those goals.

Hi there, I’m Ella Halfacree, I manage admissions for MSc Finance, MSc Financial Risk Management and MSc Human Resource Management here at Trinity Business School. I’m not from Dublin originally, I’m from England but have lived in Dublin for 3 years and love it!

The more Original, the Better!

Many people ask if there is a template or a very specific way a statement of purpose (SoP) should be written but the beauty of it is that there’s no real science to it, in fact the more original and different the better! Think of it as a way to communicate to us and the rest of the academic selection committee everything you want us to know that isn’t covered by the application form as well as an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to write well.

Having said this – you may find the below tips useful.

Make it Relevant

Talk about why you are applying for a particular programme, what your academic and work experience is to date if you have either, what inspires you, and more!

We pride ourselves on creating a diverse microcosm of global business here at Trinity Business School and as such expect each and every one of our students to bring something to the course. Talk about how you think you would contribute, and don’t be afraid to let your passion and your personality show in your writing.

As admissions officers we receive hundreds of very high quality applications; with this in mind you should attempt to be as succinct as possible (don’t give us your life story) and try to make your statement of purpose distinctive. We have a limited number of places available so it’s worth putting effort into this in order to give yourself the very best chance of standing out.

The main thing I would say is don’t be too intimidated by this – it’s simply an opportunity for you to tell us in your own words why offering you a place to study with us here at Trinity Business School would be good decision.

Statements go astray once the author assumes that his or her purpose is to persuade us that he or she is highly qualified for admission. Instead of devoting your statement to a list of great things you have done, you should instead give strong evidence showing how the programme will really mesh with your interests and ambitions.

Pre-Application FAQs

We recommend that your Statement of Purpose be around 500 words. Many applicants pay no heed to that stipulation and submit something substantially longer. That is a mistake. Succinctness is a virtue in academic as  in other writing.

If we see that you will take ten words to say something that another, equally qualified candidate will say in six, you might well find that the other candidate's statement will be preferred over yours.

We reasonably expect that your statement is an example of your writing at its very best. After all, if you are really serious about applying to our postgraduate programmes, then what we see in your Statement of Purpose is presumably the outcome of considerable effort. Poor writing and factual errors are very strong evidence that you are not yet ready for a postgraduate programme.

Tailor your Statement

Make sure to tell us why you are applying to Trinity Business School and why it would be an excellent fit for you. A statement of purpose can stand out by addressing that question directly and persuasively.

Tags: Admissions Process , Application , tips

Written by Ella Halfacree

Ella Halfacree is Student Recruitment Officer for MSc Finance, MSc Financial Risk Management and MSc Human Resource Management at Trinity Business School.

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Trinity College Dublin: What it's really like

Find out more about trinity college dublin.

Want to study at one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world… in a cosmopolitan city? Trinity College Dublin could be the place for you!

Trinity College Dublin at a glance:

Antonio, who works in Trinity College Dublin’s global engagement department, tells us what it’s like to study there.

What is Trinity College Dublin?

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, was founded in 1592 and is the oldest university in Ireland. We’re also ranked as the top university in the country according to the Times Higher Education Rankings 2023.

Trinity is one of the seven ‘ancient’ universities of the English-speaking world – alongside universities like Cambridge, Oxford, and St Andrews – but it’s the only one in the European Union.

We’re a medium-sized university with around 18,000 students, 12,000 of which are undergraduates. When you study here, you’ll likely have that feeling of being connected to history, but also of helping to shape the world we live in today.

Why apply to Trinity College Dublin?

A great reason to apply to Trinity is its academic reputation: you’ll be studying at one of the best universities in the world, so you can expect to achieve an excellent degree that is highly valued by employers. 

Another reason is that Ireland is considered the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’. Some of the world’s biggest IT companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter, and pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, have their headquarters in Ireland — so you’ll be on the doorstep of some amazing employment opportunities.

If you come to Trinity as an international student, you’ll of course have that typically ‘Irish’ experience – Irish people being considered some of the friendliest people in the world  – but Trinity is actually the 12th most international university in the world too. 120 different nationalities are represented on campus, with 27% of our students from outside of Ireland, so you’ll likely meet someone from where you’re from. 40% of our lecturers are also international, so we have the most international academic body of any university in Europe.  

Who isn’t the right fit for Trinity College Dublin?

If you’re looking for a really big city and a commute, Trinity might not be the place for you. Whilst Dublin is a very cosmopolitan city, there are only 800,000 people living in the city itself, so it’s a very manageable size. If you’re also looking for a more isolated, self-contained campus, Trinity might not be for you, as it’s so closely connected to the city centre.

Any application tips? 

You can apply to Trinity with your predicted grades and get a conditional offer. If you’re a non-native English speaker, you may need a certificate to prove your English proficiency as well. We also ask for two references, and for a 500-word Personal Statement, where you can show us why you’re a good fit for Trinity and for the programme of your choice.

I would say your transcript or predicted grades are most important, because Trinity is a very academic university. But otherwise, remember to apply as early as possible. Applications for most of our programmes open in November and close in June, but we assess applications on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting in. Offers are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

What’s the location like?

The location of Trinity College Dublin is unusual, in that it’s an entirely historic campus but set in a capital city centre.

As soon as you leave the campus, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the city. So you can enjoy the exciting restaurants, bars, night clubs, museums, galleries, and festivals that Dublin has to offer – all within a short walk. Dublin’s airport is just a 30-40-minute drive away, which is particularly useful if you’re an international student.

We are partnered with Columbia University, so we also offer twelve degrees where you can spend two years studying in New York! What facilities does Trinity College Dublin have to offer?

Whilst it might look historical at a glance, Trinity offers state-of-the-art facilities designed for conducting research. For example, one of our newest buildings, due to open in September 23/24, will be a purpose-built research building to support students as part of our E3 project: those studying environmental science, engineering, and emerging technologies.

When it comes to facilities you can enjoy in your free time, we have the biggest gym in Dublin, as well as theatres and galleries you can visit on the campus itself.

We’re also renowned for our careers service, and ranked top in the world for producing entrepreneurs. Our Innovation Centre, where you can put forward an idea for a business, is open to all students regardless of the subject they’re studying. Here you’ll be supported to develop your idea, and if it’s considered especially strong, you could be given a place in our incubator, where you’ll get funding to start your own company.

What is the accommodation like?

When it comes to accommodation, Trinity gives priority to international students, particularly those on foundation courses or on their first year of undergraduate programmes.

There is university accommodation both on-campus and nearby in the city, around a 15-minute bike ride away. Typically, you’ll live in flats of around five students, which have either ensuite or shared bathroom facilities. You’ll also share a living space and a kitchen.

In their second year, because the university is so centrally located, students tend to look for their own accommodation nearby and share houses or flats with their friends.

How does Trinity College Dublin meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?

Inclusivity is and always has been very important at Trinity; in fact, the first woman to get a degree from one of the ‘ancient’ universities of the English-speaking world studied here, and female students represent the majority at Trinity.

If you have a disability or any learning differences, we encourage you to contact our disability support team before even applying. The team will be happy to chat to you about meeting your accommodation, study, and examination needs.

Once you’re here, the team also offers confidential daily drop-in sessions so you can pop in any time if you have any worries or questions.

Want to explore more Irish universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.

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TCD Personal Statement?

Hi all, I’m well aware that the Republic of Ireland is not a member of the United Kingdom, but I couldn’t find anywhere better to post this. I’m applying to Trinity College, Dublin as an American and am struggling a little bit with writing my Personal Statement. I’ve never really had to write a Personal Statement before, and so I’m struggling with how exactly to write it. Is it supposed to be formal? Do I mention my qualifications at all? Is it supposed to be anything like the Why St. Andrews essay on the Common App? Any tips for writing the PS and tips for applying would be appreciated please! Have a nice day!

You might find this helpful:

https://www.tcd.ie/Careers/assets/pdf/student-pdf/personal-statement-guidelines.pdf

It is for students applying to grad programs, but you won’t go wrong following the basic outline. Be sure to fit in elements that would show why you are looking to go Ireland, and that demonstrate some maturity (ie, “I’ve always loved Ireland and all things green and my mothers maiden name is O’Kelly and I can’t wait to…” will not make you look like a student who is making a serious academic choice, and who is ready to do the real work of moving to a new country and new educational system as an adult)

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Personal Statement Guidelines

To complete your application you are required to submit a personal statement detailing your experience and interest in the course.  Your personal statement should be unique and tailored to the course for which you are applying.

What is a personal statement?

The personal statement offers you the opportunity to shed more light on your personality, character and suitability for the course. The information we are looking for should add clarity, richness and meaning to the information you have already provided in your application and in your Curriculum Vitae.  Your personal statement will help us to assess your application and to make a decision on your suitability for the course.

What your personal statement should cover  

• Why you are applying for the course and why you think you are suitable for it.
• How your academic abilities, relevant skills and knowledge will fit with the course and help you succeed.
• Your interest in the subject matter of the course, perhaps including some academic references or readings.
• What you know about DCU’s expertise in the subject matter of the course and why you want to study at DCU.
• The impact which you expect the course to have on your goals and aspirations and how the course will help you achieve them.

How to write a personal statement

 There is no fixed structure or formula you should follow but here are some tips to help you:

• Start early: and think about what you would like to write, and how you would like to come across
• Write a draft, and give yourself enough time to make revisions
• Structure your personal statement to contain:
• a general introduction to yourself;
• body text to reflect your experiences, skills, interests and qualities;
• and a conclusion to reinforce your commitment to your chosen course and your enthusiasm about studying at DCU
• Present your ideas in a structured and meaningful manner
• Proofread and edit until you are happy that the structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct.
• Stick to the word count and use double line spacing throughout.

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