Crescent College Comprehensive S.J.

Traditional Leaving CertificateSubject Choice

Mr. Denis Callaghan, Ms. Ita Danaher -- Guidance Counsellors

Leaving Certificate Programme

Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme. Full time commitment required over 2 years. 5th year is very important especially for those hoping to

gain entry to high points courses. Usually a maximum of 7 subjects are taken for the

Leaving Certificate. An extra (8th) subject? – need to think very carefully about

this as each LC subject is extensive and requires a lot of work. Big jump in standard from J.C.

Other subjects could suffer if workload is too great. For points purposes 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 in LC 2012 to 2015 Extra points are awarded in DT021 for honours in certain

science subjects.

Points System

Grade Honours Ordinary

A1 100 60A2 90 50

B1 85 45B2 80 40B3 75 35

C1 70 30C2 65 25C3 60 20

D1 55 15D2 50 10D3 45 5

25 Extra Points For D3 Or Greater In Higher Level Maths

Leaving Certificate Programme

Highly Desirable Subjects Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students

should definitely consider choosing:1. a modern language (NUI*)2. a science subject.

Subject Levels Higher and Ordinary level all subjects. Foundation level Mathematics & Irish. Particular care needs to be taken with Mathematics.

Failure in this subject can be detrimental to overall L.C. LC subject selection

Core subjects: English, Mathematics & Irish* Optional subjects: Usually 4 other subjects are chosen

Optional Subjects (4)

BUSINESS Business Accountancy Economics

SCIENCE Biology Physics Chemistry Agricultural Science

LANGUAGES French German Spanish

APPLIED SCIENCES Home Economics Construction Studies Engineering Design and Communication

Graphics

SOCIAL STUDIES History Geography Music Art

Information about LC subjects can be found on the

college website: www.crescentsj.ie and the NCCA

website: www.ncca.ie

Entry Requirements When choosing Leaving Certificate subjects great care must be

taken as the choices of subjects made now may determine 3rd level and career options in 2 years time.

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 it’s “Course 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 major CAO Colleges

Institution Minimum grades Required subjects

NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC. (RCSI, Shannon, Miltown)

2HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in English, Irish & Modern Language*.

Trinity College Dublin 3HC3 + 3OD3 OD3 in Maths, English & another Language

Dublin City University 2HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in Maths, English or Irish

University of Limerick 2HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang.

Dublin Institute of Technology

2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)

5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)

OD3 in Maths, English or Irish

Regional Institutes of Technology (DK*)

2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)

5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)

OD3 in Maths, English or Irish

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 UCDEntry Requirements: 2HC3 + 4OD3, OD3 in English, Irish, Modern Language &

Mathematics, HC3 in Chemistry.

Sample Requirements

Irish Primary Teaching – HC3 Journalism & Irish (DCU) –

HB1 Comp. Sc., Linguistics &

Irish (TCD) – HB3 Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) –

OA2/HC3

French Law with French Law – HB3 Commerce with French

(UCD) – HC3 Law and French (TCD) –

HC1

A Language Many courses require a

language but may not specify a particular one:

Film & Broadcasting with a language (DIT) – HC3 in Ir or Fr.

Applied Languages (DCU) – HC3 in Fr, Ge, Ir or Sp.

Speech and Language Therapy (TCD) – HC3 in En, Fr, Ge, Ir, It, Ru or Sp.

Cadet School – OD3 in a modern Language.

Sample Requirements

Mathematics Honours Engineering –

HC3 Business Studies (DCU) –

OC3/HD3 Optometry (DIT) - OB3 Economics & Finance

(UCD) – HC3 Business (TCD) – OC/HD Science (UCD) –

OB3/HD3 Commerce (UCD) –

OB3/HD3 Law and Accounting (UL)

– OC3/HD3

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 – OD3 in a Lab. Sc. Medical/Para medical courses

Chemistry Pharmacy*, Human Nutrition,

Veterinary Medicine, Medicine & Dentistry (UCC) – HC3

Appliance of Science

1 3Biology Mathematics

Biology Horticulture

Agriculture Marine Biology

Chemistry PhysicsChemistry Biochemistry

Chem. Engineering Medicinal Chem.

Physics ChemistryPhysics Astronomy

Electronics Computing

Mathematics ChemistryCivil Mechanical

Aeronautical Electrical

Chemistry PhysicsPharmacy Nursing

Opthalmic Optics Nutrition

Chemistry BiologyMedicine Dentistry

Vet. Medicine British Association for the Advancement of Science

MEDICAL SCIENCES Biology

MEDICINE / DENTISTRY Physics

PHYSICAL SCIENCES Mathematics

ENGINEERING Physics

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Chemistry

CHEMICAL SCIENCES Mathematics

Leaving Certificate Science Subjects

COLLEGE SUBJECTS in order of importance to college subject

2

Specific Course Requirements Unlikely that 3rd/TY 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:a) In the college’s prospectuses

b) On the college’s websites

c) Directory of LC Entry Requirements

d) www.qualifax.ie – Subject Requirements It is only when all course entry requirements are met

that students are qualified to apply for a course.

General Advice

If a student is not really sure what he/she wants to

do in the future:

Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open

Many students will change their minds about their future a number of times in the next 2 years

E.g. one language one science one business one humanities /

applied science. This combination would

allow access into a broad range of courses/careers.

Choosing a Subject

A wise choice of subjects requires:

RESEARCH

DISCUSSION

REFLECTION

DECISION

Subject Teachers, Guidance Classes, TY

Programme

L.C. Books, Publications, Other Students

Guidance Counsellors, Current Teachers

Family, Friends

Consider all the information, views and

opinions

Then, ultimately each student must make up

their own mind.

Choosing a Subject

Key Questions

1. What subjects is the school offering?

2. If I’m interested in a particular course/career area, what subjects are essential? ( Course Entry Requirements)

3. If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for this course/career area?

4. What subjects do I like? (motivation) (not the teacher)

5. What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)

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.

Timetable of Events

1. February 1st – Parents Night 5th year options.

2. February – Class presentations continue.

3. February 8th – Deadline for submission of application forms for subject preferences.

4. April 1st – Generation of classes begins.