Subject Choice

for Leaving

CertificateA Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is

available

@ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links

(Guidance & Counselling Website)

2

Factors to consider with your son or daughter when they're selecting Leaving Cert subjects...

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.

3

Choose

your

subjects

carefully

There are certain subjects that

are essential for entry to

particular courses, colleges and

careers. It is important that YOUresearch these and you are

aware of the necessary

requirements.

Along with these subjects there

are other subjects that are useful.

4

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.

5

Then pick 4 from the

following…

Engineering

French

Geography

Home Economics

Music

Physics

Design, Communications

and Graphics

Spanish

Accounting

Applied Maths*

Art

Biology

Agricultural Science

Business

Chemistry

Construction Studies

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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

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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”

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Portfolio

Written

National Qualification Framework

9

Percentage Honours Level Grade

Honours Level Points

Ordinary Level Grade

Ordinary Level Points

90% - 100% H1 100 01 56

80% - 89% H2 88 02 46

70% - 79% H3 77 03 37

60% - 69% H4 66 04 28

50% - 59% H5 56 05 20

40% - 49% H6 46 06 12

30% - 39% H7 37 07 0

0% - 29% H8 0 08 0

No grade below 40% will be accepted for minimum requirements.

Leaving Certificate Points System

LCVPDistinction 66 Points

Merit 46 Points

Pass 28 Points

General College

Entry Requirements

National Universities of Ireland

University College Dublin (UCD)

University College Cork (UCC)

NUI Galway

NUI Maynooth

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?

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Matriculation Requirements (College)

Subject Requirements (Faculty)

Points

Three Hurdles to College Entry

The Matriculation Requirement is the minimumacademic 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

553504480401327

553 401 480 327 190 504 291

Leaving Certificate

553504480401327

553 401 480 327 190 504 291

was the lowest points to gain entry327

If a place is not accepted ...

550500400320

553 401 480 327 190 504 291

was the lowest points to gain entry320

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

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 orArt.

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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

Most Engineering, Science & Ag Science in UCD

Engineering, Science & Food Science in UCC

Most Engineering & Science in NUI Galway

Gardai, Nursing, Apprenticeships and most PLC Courses

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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.

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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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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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Tips for Subject Choice

Do Don’t

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MakeMake a decision without thinking about it.

ChooseChoose a new subject without finding out more about it.

ChooseChoose a subject because you think it's easy.

ChooseChoose a subject because you like/dislike the teacher.

ChooseChoose a subject because your friends are doing it.

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

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

ChooseChoose 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 (

Guidance)

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

34Go raibh maith agaibh!