Post on 27-Jun-2020
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.
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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
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*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”
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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
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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
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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
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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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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
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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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Do not give up
subjects you
love!
And finally… 34
Questions
Eleanor Uí Chatháin and Aedín Tynan,
Guidance Counsellors
34 Go raibh maith agaibh!