Leaving Certificate Subject Choice and Programme Overview
The Leaving Certificate is a 2-year programme where students can choose up to 7 subjects, with the best 6 counted for points. Learn about subject selection, the points system, and the highly desirable subjects. Discover the LCVP, a vocational programme enhancing the traditional Leaving Certificate. Understand its structure, additional modules, and assessment criteria. Get insights into the LCVP Portfolio components and the written exam. Make informed decisions for a successful Leaving Certificate journey.
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Presentation Transcript
Leaving Certificate Subject Choice
Leaving Certificate Programme Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme. Usually a maximum of 7 subjects are taken for the Leaving Certificate. For points purposes the best 6 subjects are counted. Almost all subjects are of equal importance. Extra points will be awarded in all universities and ITs for honours Mathematics
The Points System 25 bonus points awarded for grade H6 or better in HL maths 25 bonus points awarded for grade H6 or better in HL maths 25 bonus points awarded for grade H6 or better in HL maths
The Points System LCVP GRADE LCVP POINTS Distinction 66 Merit 46 Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Programme Highly Desirable Subjects Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students should definitely consider choosing: a science subject. Subject Levels Higher and Ordinary level all subjects. Foundation level Mathematics & Irish. LC subject selection Core subjects: English, Mathematics, Irish & French/Spanish Optional subjects: Usually 3 other subjects are chosen
What is LCVP? The Leaving Certificate Vocational programme is a senior cycle programme designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the established Leaving Certificate programme. Students who take the LCVP must take a minimum of five established Leaving Certificate subjects, at higher, ordinary or foundation level, including Irish, unless they are exempted. The students must study two LVCP "link modules": preparation for the world of work, and enterprise education. So the LCVP is like an additional subject taken alongside established Leaving Certificate subjects, and it may be counted as a sixth subject for points purposes.
LCVP: The LCVP Portfolio is worth 60% of the final LCVP result and has 6 sections to be completed. The LCVP LC written exam occurs in May of 6th year and is worth 40%. 1. CV 2.Career Investigation 3.Action Plan 4.Summary Report 5.Diary of Work Experience 6.Recorded Interview
Optional Subjects (3) BUSINESS APPLIED SCIENCES Home Economics Business Construction Studies Accounting Design and Communication Graphics SCIENCE Biology SOCIAL STUDIES History Physics Geography Chemistry Art Agricultural Science Music Applied Maths Information about LC subjects can be found on the websites, www.qualifax.ie, www.careersportal.ie
Entry Requirements Great care must be taken choosing subjects Why? Regardless of how many points you get in your LC, you will be ineligible to even apply for a course if you have not met its Entry Requirements Generally there are 2 sets of Entry Requirements which must be met before points can be considered. A) Minimum Entry Requirements Particular subjects and minimum no. of honours / passes in the L.C. required to apply to an individual college. B) Specific Course Requirements Particular subjects and/or levels required to gain entry to specific faculties or courses.
Minimum Entry Requirements of sample of CAO Colleges Institution Minimum grades NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC. Required subjects O6/H7 in English, Irish & Modern Language*. 2H5 + 4O6/H7 3H5 + 3O6/H7 O6/H7 in Maths, English & another Language O6/H7 in Maths, English or Irish Trinity College Dublin Dublin City University 2H5 + 4O6/H7 University of Limerick 2H5 + 4O6/H7 O6/H7 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang. O6/H7 in Maths, English or Irish 2H5 + 4O6/H7 (H.D.) 5O6/H7 (O.D. or H.C.) 2H5 + 4O6/H7 (H.D.) 5O6 (O.D. or H.C.) Dublin Institute of Technology O6/H7 in Maths, English or Irish Regional Institutes of Technology
Specific Course Requirements These requirements are in addition to Minimum Entry Requirements. They are specific L.C. subjects / grades required for entry to particular courses. They tend to be in the following subject areas: Science subjects Languages Mathematics E.g. Veterinary Medicine in UCD Mimimum Entry Requirements: 2H5 + 5 O6/H7 in English, Irish, Modern Language & Mathematics + one other relevant subject Specific course requirements H5 in Chemistry and 2 weeks work experience
Sample Specific Course Requirements Irish A Language Primary Teaching H4 Journalism & Irish (DCU) H4 Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) O1/H4 Commerce with Irish (UCC) H3 Many courses require a language but may not specify a particular one: Languages and English Studies (DIT) H4 in Fr., Ge or Sp Applied Language and Translation Studies (DCU) H4 in Fr, Ge or Sp. Gardai /Cadet School O6 in 2 languages: one of which is either English or Irish French Law with French Law (UCC) H3 Commerce with French (UCC) H3 Law and French (TCD) H3
Sample Specific Course Requirements-cont d. Mathematics Science Particular care needs to be taken with science subjects. Many courses require any one science subject Some courses require 2 science subjects, particularly TCD and UCC. UCAS courses Nursing H4 -O6/H7 in a Lab. Sc. Medical/Para medical courses Level 8 Engineering H4 (H5 DIT) Financial Maths (UL) H3 Optometry (DIT) - O3/H7 Actuarial and Finacial Studies (UCD) H2 Science (UCD) O2/H6 Commerce (UCD) O2/H6 Law and Accounting (UL) O4/H7 Pharmacy H4 Ch and H4 in Ph or Bi Veterinary Medicine H5 and 2 weeks experience Medicine H4 Ch and H4 in Ph or Bi Dentistry H4 Ch and H4 in Ph or Bi
Entry Requirements Unlikely that 3rd students will know exactly which courses/careers they wish to pursue at this stage. But from looking at their interests, abilities and aptitudes they may be able to identify broad areas of interest and hence check potential course entry requirements. Course Entry Requirements can be accessed: In the colleges prospectuses a) On the colleges websites b) www.qualifax.ie c) It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.
General Advice E.g. If a student is not really sure what he/she wants to do in the future: one language one science one business Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open one humanities / applied science. This combination would allow access into a broad range of courses/careers. Many students will change their minds about their future a number of times in the next 2 years
Choosing a Subject A wise choice of subjects requires: Subject Teachers, Guidance Classes L.C. Books, Publications, Other Students. Websites RESEARCH DISCUSSION Guidance Counsellor, Current Teachers Family, Friends Consider all the information, views and opinions Then, ultimately each student must make up their own mind. REFLECTION DECISION
Choosing a Subject Key Questions What subjects is the school offering? 1. If I m interested in a particular course/career area, what subjects are essential? ( All Entry Requirements) 2. If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for this course/career area? 3. What subjects do I like? (motivation)(not the teacher) 4. What subjects am I relatively good at? (JC) 5. Have I researched subjects that I will not be studying to assess possible course and career implications? 6.
Important Points DCG/Construction Studies are not needed to do Engineering. Maths and Physics are more important. Art is generally not needed for Art and Design courses. A portfolio is however. For Business courses, Maths is generally a requirement rather than Business subjects. No subjects are gender specific. Every student is unique (interests, abilities and aptitudes), hence they should choose subjects based on these and not current friendships or the opinions of others. Students should be careful to try pick a balance between learning and understanding subjects. Students should be aware of balancing subjects which help maximise points vs. subjects which may be of benefit to them in the future.
