The University of Sydney is one of the world's leading universities, and the College makes the most of that fact.  Paul’s men typically secure University results to match their high achievements in sport and other areas.

• There is strong focus on the all-rounder, and on achievement across various areas all at once (mainly a matter of good time-management). This has borne fruit, most conspicuously, in the number of students at Paul’s who win international scholarships and internships. Half of Sydney University’s male Rhodes Scholars since 2001 have been Paulines.
• Perhaps the most remarkable and distinctive aspect of College life is the keen mutual support within age groups and across age groups, in University work as in other things. The College has a good proportion of senior students and an active Senior Common Room, including several career and research scholars. Students are encouraged to make use of these mentors as much as they can.
• There is a good program of College tutorials, especially for first-year students. These provide the core structure of the College's academic life.
• There are numerous seminars, forums and symposia in College, which promote intellectual debate and help to give a broad, liberal dimension to University studies.

The College encourages success with an abundance of scholarships.  Successful academic performance is also a necessary prerequisite to continuing residence in College. The by-laws state that the Warden "may, at his discretion and after due enquiry, advise a student that his University results in any semester or annual examinations are inadequate to maintain his right of residency in College".

From 2011 the College has appointed resident Area Tutors, to take charge of tutoring, mentoring, vocational guidance and library resources in their respective areas.  Each Area Tutor is responsible for organising one afternoon symposium in his area during the year.  There are currently two Area Tutors: Bob Vickers, a graduate in Medical Science in his third year of Graduate Medicine, who is Area Tutor in Science and Medicine, and Chad Nelson, a third-year Economics student with prior experience in business, who is Area Tutor in Economics.  Robbie Rankin, who has degrees in Law and Business Management from the University of Queensland, does much of the work of an Area Tutor in Law.   Other Area Tutors will be appointed as the opportunity arises.  The Warden and the Senior Tutor both concentrate especially on the work of Humanities students.

Some facts and figures:

Proportion of students at different stages of study 2008-2011:

University results for 2009:

In the end-of-year results four men then living in College were awarded University Medals  – David Llewellyn (Rhodes Scholar), James Colless, Michael Begg and William Clegg.  One other, Oliver Rourke, was awarded a Medal at mid-year 2010. Two recent leavers, Tom Grujic and Casey Handmer, were also 2009 Medallists.

Besides the Medallists, four students who finished their degrees while in College – Patrick Bateman (President of the University of Sydney Union), Nik Kirby (Rhodes Scholar and former Medallist), Michael Stone and Chris Williams – received First Class Honours, together with five recent leavers – Ewan Norton-Smith, Timothy Lee, Edward Milne, Justin Hancock and Tom Nolasco.

A total of 59 men in College received High Distinctions (with Hugo Rourke being awarded nine), while 11 averaged a High Distinction average overall and a further 46 averaged a Distinction.  For a full list of University honours and prizes, see here.

University results for 2010:

Again, four men then living in College were awarded University Medals - Nat Ware (Rhodes Scholar), Oliver Rourke, Martin Seneviratne and Michael Falk.  Also, Will Atkinson, Roland Brennan and David Robertson, all of whom were still in College, received First Class Honours, as did ten former residents - Harrison Grace, Alex Horne, Alex Blackie, Tom Cooper, Tim Mooney, David Timms, Chris Angelos, Chris Croke, Fergus Rourke and Will Hay.

A total of 56 men in College received High Distinctions, with eight achieving five or six each.  Ten finished with an HD average overall, and a further 52 with a Distinction average.  For a full list of University honours and prizes, see here.

University results for Semester One, 2011:

Results for last semester were the best on record.  A more finely articulated educational program is now being put in place and the number of College tutorial classes taught during the semester was two-thirds more than usual.  The fundamental principle is student leadership, and student enthusiasm for an expanded tutorial system, among both tutors and pupils, has been beyond expectation.  The number of Distinctions and High Distinctions awarded to students increased by 20 percent, with the shift upwards occuring in every disciplinary area.  General improvement overall has been the College experience for ten years or more, so that current changes build on strength.