Subject Choice

for Leaving

Certificate A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available

@ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links

(Guidance & Counselling Website)

Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor –

ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or

atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

How should I choose my

subjects?

Think about the subjects you enjoy and do well in

You are more likely to get good grades in a subject

you enjoy studying.

Think about your strengths and abilities.

These are the areas you are more like to continue

with when you leave school.

Think about the modules you have enjoyed in

Transition Year.

2

Choose

your

subjects

carefully

There are certain subjects that

are essential for entry to particular courses, colleges and

careers. It is important that YOU

research these and you are

aware of the necessary

requirements.

Along with these subjects there

are other subjects that are useful.

3

Subjects

available

Students must do at

least 7 subjects for the

Leaving Cert.

Mandatory Subjects

English

Irish (unless exempt)

Maths

Where eligible, students can study LCVP.

4

Then pick 4 from the

following…

Engineering

French

Geography

History

Home Economics

Music

Physics

Spanish

Accounting

Applied Maths*

Art

Biology

Business

Chemistry

Construction Studies

Design, Communications

and Graphics

5

*Applied Maths is taken as an 8th

subject

Leaving Certificate Vocational

Programme - LCVP

LCVP focuses on developing

“Transferable Skills” such as:

Team Working

Critical Thinking

Flexibility

Leadership

Basic Skills (incl. IT)

Motivation to Learn

Communication

Initiative & Enterprise

6

LCVP helps students to:

1

•Take responsibility for their own learning

2

•Become more innovative and enterprising

3

•Communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively

4

•Investigate and plan their career options

5

•Develop key skills for the modern working environment

6

•Work well with others as part of a team

7

•Network with people in business and the community

8

•Access and use computers and audio-visual equipment

7

Link Modules

Assessment

40%60%

Portfolio

Core Items CV

Career Investigation

Enterprise/Action Plan

Summary Report

Options - any two from: Diary of Work Experience

Enterprise Report

Recorded Interview/Presentation

Report on “My Own Place”

8

Portfolio

Written

LCVP - Grades and CAO

Points

Grade CAO Points

Distinction 80% - 100% 66 points

Merit 65% - 79% 46 points

Pass 50% - 64% 28 points

9

National Qualification Framework

10

General College

Entry Requirements

National Universities of Ireland

University College Dublin (UCD)

University College Cork (UCC)

NUI Galway

NUI Maynooth

Level 8 Honours Degree Courses except Science & Engineering

Passes in English, Irish, Maths & a third Language

2 x H5 and 4 x O6/H7 grades

DCU, UL, Institutes of Technology

Passes in Maths & English/Irish

2 x H5 and 4 x O6/H7

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Please check entry

requirements for

any course you

are interested in as

they may change.

Subject

Requirements

In terms of entry to Third Level Colleges all subjects count equally for CAO points.

The only exception is Higher Level Maths

In Higher Level Maths a H6 or higher will mean that 25 points are added to the points for the grade achieved.

All 3rd level colleges give the subject requirements necessary for entry to their courses in their Prospectus or on their website.

Check….

Do you need a 3rd language or a Science/Lab subject?

Do you need a specific subject for a specific course?

12

Matriculation Requirements (College)

Subject Requirements (Faculty)

Points

Three Hurdles to College Entry

The Matriculation Requirement is the minimum academic qualification for entry that a Third

Level College demands from a student.

So, what subjects do I need to be doing for my Leaving Cert before I can apply to X college?

Matriculation Requirements

What you need to progress to

Third Level?

The College (or Basic) Requirements. * 5 passes at OL in Leaving Certificate for CFE’s * 6 subjects (2 at HL and 4 at OL) for level I.T’s and Universities

The Faculty (or Course) Requirements *e.g. HL in Irish for Primary Teaching, HL in Maths for Engineering

Points *Best six subjects in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate

Applicants

Available Places

Leaving Certificate

553 504 480 401 327

553 401 480 327 190 504 291

Leaving Certificate

553 504 480 401 327

553 401 480 327 190 504 291

was the lowest points to gain entry 327

If a place is not accepted ...

550 500 400 320

553 401 480 327 190 504 291

was the lowest points to gain entry 320

If a place is not accepted it goes to the next in line

291

291 is now the lowest points to gain entry

COURSE 1

COURSE 2

COURSE 3

COURSE 4

COURSE 5

COURSE 6

COURSE 7

COURSE 8

COURSE 9

COURSE 10

OFFER 1

NO LONGER

CONSIDERED

CAO Points

21

Should I

choose a

language?

UCC, UCD, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth and the Royal College of Surgeons require a pass in a third language for most of their courses.

Other colleges have it as a requirement for certain courses that have a large language component.

Entry to the Cadetships in the Defence Forces require a third language.

NCAD require a third language or Art.

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NO Third

Language

is required

for…

Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, DCU and the Institutes of Technology unless it is a specific course requirement.

Engineering & Science courses in NUI Maynooth

Engineering, Science & Ag Science in UCD (except DN440 – Sciences: Biomedical, Health & Life Sciences)

Engineering, Science & Food Science in UCC

Engineering & Science in NUI Galway (except GY304 – Biotechnology)

Gardai, Nursing, Apprenticeships and most PLC Courses

23

Science

Subjects

If you are applying for anything

in the Engineering, Medical,

Paramedical (Radiography,

Physiotherapy, Human Nutrition/

Dietician, Pharmacy, Medical

Laboratory, Podiatry, Veterinary

Nursing etc.) or Science areas at

Universities you need to have a

pass in at least one Laboratory

Science Subject.

Course requirements should be

checked on an individual basis.

A science subject is also

necessary for Nursing.

24

Physics, Chemistry, Biology

Chemistry is required

for:

Public Health Nutrition

(DT225) and Biomedical

Science (DT204) DIT

Dentistry (CK702),

Pharmacy (CK703) and

Medicine (CK701) in

UCC (plus either Physics

or Biology)

Veterinary Medicine

(DN300) UCD

Pharmacy (TR072)TCD

Medicine

Biology is required for:

Home Economics with

Biology (AS001) St

Angela's College

If taking Biology as part

of Arts (MH101) NUI

Maynooth

Useful for P.E. teaching

with Biology (DC205) in DCU

Physics is required for:

Theoretical

Physics (TR035) in

TCD

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Please check all courses listed

here as they are subject to change

Business Subjects

Junior Cert Business branches into Business and Accounting

Be aware that Business at Leaving Cert is largely theory based and so requires a lot of learning. However, the material is very practical and interesting to someone with a business mind.

Accounting is a continuation of Book-Keeping at Junior Cert. It does not require exceptional Maths skills but you must be conscientious as there is careful and detailed analysis of figures and data.

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Projects & Practicals

Home Economics

In 5th Year, students

complete practical and

written assignments that

make up 20% of

Leaving Cert result.

Art comprises of:

Still Life – 25%

Design/Craftwork – 25%

Figure/Life Drawing –

13%

Art History – 37%

Music comprises of:

Listening – 25%

Composing – 25%

Performing – 25%

Performance/Music

Technology – 25%

Geography comprises

of:

Written examination –

80%

Geographical

Investigation – 20%

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Projects & Practicals continued

Construction

Theory Paper – 50%

Project -25%

Woodwork Practical

Exam – 25%

Engineering

Theory Paper – 50%

Project – 25%

Practical Exam – 25%

DCG

Theory Paper – 60%

Project – 40%

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Things to consider…

It's important that you choose your subjects carefully as this could

affect what you do after the Leaving Cert.

When you choose a good balance of

subjects now, it should leave all your options

open.

Consider all the facts and ask for help if you

need it.

Do not choose subjects based on what your

friends are doing or who you think will be

teaching the subject.

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Remember!

At Leaving Certificate, subjects are studied in greater depth so more time is needed for each subject.

There are no glamorous or “doss” subjects

Be aware of the consequences of not taking a subject or a specific level

Be careful if considering taking on a new subject for Leaving Certificate.

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Tips for Subject Choice

Do Don’t

31

Make Make a decision without thinking about it.

Choose Choose a new subject without finding out more about it.

Choose Choose a subject because you think it's easy.

Choose Choose a subject because you like/dislike the teacher.

Choose Choose a subject because your friends are doing it.

Talk Talk to your Parents/Guardians, Guidance Counsellor and subject teachers.

Keep Keep your options open for the future by making a balanced choice now.

Choose Choose subjects you need for any career you are thinking about.

Choose Choose subjects you are good at.

Choose Choose subjects you enjoy.

Where to

find more

Information

College Prospectuses available from

the Guidance Counsellor.

Time will be available with the

Guidance Counsellor for you to ask

any questions you might have.

Internet

www.abbeycommunitycollege.com

www.qualifax.ie

www.careersportal.ie

www.cao.ie

www.ucas.com

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33

Do not give up

subjects you

love!

And finally… 34

Questions

Eleanor Uí Chatháin and Aedín Tynan,

Guidance Counsellors

34 Go raibh maith agaibh!