Congratulations to Elizabeth Cardy, Matthew Elder and Alex Jeffery who won top prizes in an annual competition run by Queen's University Belfast.

Each year, the Politics Department at QUB organises a Sixth Form Revision Programme and invites all 1800 students doing the AS and A2 to participate in an essay writing competition. The competition is set by the School of Politics and International Studies and marked by their academics.

As a result of this year's competition, MCB students, Alex Jeffery, Elizabeth Cardy and Matthew Elder won 3 of the top 4 prizes. Elizabeth's answer to the question, " To what extent is the St Andrews Agreement the Good Friday Agreement in a kilt?" won first prize in the AS category and was marked by the distinguished academic and commentator on Northern Ireland politics, Professor Rick Wilford. The essay was judged as worth of a First Class Honours standard. Matthew Elder was runner up in this category only falling shy of Elizabeth's mark by a whisker or should that be a 'sporran'?

In the A2 category, Alex Jeffery's answer on the synoptic Political Power question was marked by Dr Keith Breen and given that this is always reckoned to be the summit of the GCE course, a mark of a 2:1 is to be highly commended.

Elizabeth and Alex both won £200 and Matthew £100. Who ever said that politics doesn't pay?

At a reception held in the School of Politics and International Studies on Monday 9th June, the prizes were awarded by the Head of School, Professor Shane O'Neill.

To see pictures of Elizabeth, Alex and Matthew receiving their prizes, and to read Elizabeth's prize-winning essay, please click here (link to College website)