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Senior Cycle Optionsin Confey College

March 2015

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Senior Cycle Options

• Traditional Leaving Certificate

( includes Leaving Certificate

Vocational Programme LCVP)

• Transition Year

• Leaving Certificate Applied

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How do I choose?

You choose the senior cycle option

which is best for you by considering

• Your age

• Your intentions for after school

• Your aptitudes and interests

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Subject Choices for the Traditional Leaving Certificate

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How do I choose my subjects?

You need to consider• Your strengths• Your interests• Your skills or aptitudes• Your plans for the future, i.e. do I

plan to go to college, what would I like to do?

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when choosing subjects:

• Students should research what the study of each subject entails on websites such as www.careersportal.ie and www.education.ie

• Students should research entry requirements for 3rd level courses on the website www.qualifax.ie

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How can we help?

• Presentations to students over last few weeks

• Presentation to parents

• Individual teachers can advise on their subject

• The Guidance Counsellor can advise about course requirements

• Email queries to gclarke@confeycollege.org

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Subjects Available in Confey College

Core Subjects:

• Irish -Higher, Ordinary and Alternative Level

• English -Higher and Ordinary Level

• Maths -Higher, Ordinary and Alternative Level

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Option Subjects

Available at Higher and Ordinary

Level only and according to demand expressed by students

• Languages -French and German

• Sciences -Biology

-Chemistry

-Physics

- Agricultural Science

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Option Subjects 2

• Business - Business

- Accounting

- Economics

• Social Studies - History

- Geography

- Religion• Artistic & Creative -Art

-Music

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Subject Options 3

• Applied Sciences

- Home Economics

- Engineering

- Construction Studies

- Design & Communication

Graphics

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How many subjects do I choose?

Each student has 3 core subjects,

i.e. Irish, English and Maths.

You then choose 4 other subjects

Choosing a language

• Choosing French or German builds on the knowledge acquired for the Junior certificate

• Would suit students with an interest in French/German culture and who have an aptitude for the language

• Important choice as many 3rd level courses have a language requirement

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Choosing a language

• French/German would be of benefit to many careers including teaching, translation, interpreting, journalism media, engineering, finance, tourism, hospitality, food and wine, sales and marketing

• There are a total of 13 courses that require French and 7 courses that require German as part of their entry requirements

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Choosing Business

• Business provides students with a learning experience for a wide range of careers in business, marketing, law enterprise and management

• Would suit students who have an organised mind and who like to answer questions in bullet points not in long essay format

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Choosing Business

• Students don’t have to have studied business at Junior certificate level

• Business is not an essential subject for any courses in the CAO system

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Choosing Economics

• Economics provides students with a learning foundation for a wide range of careers in business, economics, finance, enterprise and management

• Ideally students should have a general interest in how the economy works and be interested in current affairs

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Choosing Economics

• Economics is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system

• The study of Economics is concerned with the workings of a modern economy at both macro and micro level

• It suits students who are willing to work hard and caters for all abilities

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Choosing Accounting,

• Accounting develops students numeracy skills within the context of business and enterprise

• Strongly recommended when Accountancy is the career path you want to follow although not required for any course at third level

• Students needs to be comfortable with numbers but do not need to be higher level maths students

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Choosing History

• History suits students who enjoy history and who are willing to commit a lot of time to study and research

• Students who have strong English language skills

• It is not required for any CAO courses• Useful for careers in education, law,

media, politics, research etc.

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Choosing Geography

• Suits students considering further study in areas such as geography, economics, environmental science

• Not an essential requirement for any course in the CAO system

• TCD accepts Geography as a science subject into science and pharmacy

• UCD acceots Geography as a scinece subject into science

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Choosing Religion

• The study of Religion explores issues such as meaning and value, the nature of morality the development of diversity and belief, the principles of a just society and the implications of scientific progress

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Choosing Religion

• Students personal faith commitment and /or affiliation to a particular religious grouping will not be assessed

• Possible future careers: Arts, Law, Journalism, Education, Social Work

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Choosing Art

• Suits students who have shown an aptitude for art

• Suits students who are considering a career in a creative disciplines such as Architecture, Marketing, Film and Entertainment, Web Design, Fashion, Game Design or Advertising

• For most 3rd level Art and Design courses, a portfolio is required as well as Leaving Cert art

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Choosing Music

• Music involves three core areas-performing, composing and listening

• Suits students considering a career in a creative discipline such as singing , playing in a band, music production and performance technology and management

• Most music courses require an interview and an audition along with Leaving cert results

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Choosing Home Economics

• Suits students who enjoy practical work such making things, doing things and knowing how things work

• Much of the course is theory based and includes in-depth study of Nutrition, Resource Management Consumer studies and aspects of sociology

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Choosing Home Economics

• Suits students interested in careers in food, textiles, science, design, social studies and tourism

• Not essential requirement for any course in the CAO system but useful if seeking entry to study Home Economics at third level

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Choosing Biology

• Suits students who had a good understanding and interest in junior cert science at higher level

• Suits students who have excellent memories and attention to detail

• Many CAO courses require at least one science subject

• Choosing biology will be a huge benefit when studying Medicine, Nursing and related courses

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Choosing Chemistry

• Suits students who have done well in Mathematics and Science at junior cert level

• Chemistry is an essential element in the study of careers including Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Technology

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Choosing Chemistry

• Chemistry is an essential requirement for study of Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy (UCC),

Pharmacy (TCD),

Human Nutrition & Dietetics (DIT), Public Health Nutrition (DIT),

Veterinary Medicine (UCD)

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Choosing Physics

• Suits students who have an interest in science at junior cert level and those who enjoy learning about how things work

• Students who are interested in the following careers would be advised to study physics: electrician, optician, doctor, dentist, engineer, computer technician and programmer

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Choosing physics

• Physics is a requirement for entry into a number of CAO courses including Theoretical Physics in TCD and UCD

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Choosing Agricultural Science

• The study of the science and technology underlying the principles and practices of agriculture

• Suits students interested in ecology, plant and animal physiology, farm crops, farming practices, genetics and microbiology

• Useful for careers in Chemical, Biomedical Sciences,

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Choosing Agrcultural Science

• Useful for careers in Animal and Veterinary Science, Earth Science and Environment, Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing and Medical Devices

• Not essential requirement for any courses in CAO system

• Meets science subject entry requirement for many courses

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Choosing Engineering

• Suits students who have an aptitude and interest for design and practical work and an interest in the study of mechanical engineering

• Suits students who have an interest in careers in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing, Space Science and Technology, Computers and Software.

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Choosing Engineering

• Suits students interested in careers in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Art, Craft and Design, Building, Construction & Property

• Engineering is not an essential requirement for any course in the CAO system

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Choosing Construction

• Suits students with an interest in buildings and the built environment

• Students should have an aptitude and interest for design and practical work

• Suits students interested in Building, Construction & Property

• Not an essential subject for any courses in the CAO system

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Choosing Design & Communication Graphics

• Suits students who have an interest in the practical aspects of engineering and construction and who have taken Tech Graphics to Junior Cert level

• Suits students who have an interest in careers in Building, Construction & Property, Computers & Software, Art, Craft & Design

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Choosing Design, Communication & Graphics

• Suits students interested in careers in Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing and Medical Devices

• DCG is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system.

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Entry requirements 3rd level

• Remember choose 4 subjects that you are genuinely interested in, have an aptitude for and subjects that fulfill entry requirements for third level courses that you may wish to pursue after Leaving Certificate

• Check entry requirements for all third level courses on www.qualifax.ie

www.careersportal.ie

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Minimum RequirementsNUI Colleges require:• Irish, English and a third language*• 3 other subjects• At least 2 HC3’s• Maths for all courses except Arts, Law and

Social Science• Science, except for Arts, Law, Social

Science and Commerce * For entry to a small number of Engineering Courses in

Maynooth a 3rd language is not required and another recognised subject can be substituted.

A 3rd language will not be required for entry to Engineering or Agricultural Science Degrees in UCD. Another recognised subject may be substituted.

Students entering Nursing may substitute any other recognised subject for the 3rd. Language

Students entering the NCAD my present Art in place of the 3rd. Language.

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Minimum Requirements cont.

TCD requires:• English, Maths and another language

(Irish, French, German or other)

• 3 other subjects

• At least 3HC3’s

DCU requires• Maths and English or Irish• 4 other subjects• At least 2HC3’s

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Minimum requirements cont.

DIT and other IT requirements:

• English or Irish and Maths

• 4 other subjects – for Level 8 courses

• 3 other subjects – for Level 7 courses

• At least 2 HC3’s – for Level 8 courses

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Course or Essential Requirements Many college courses and faculties have

requirements in addition to the minimum requirements outlined. These must be checked with the college brochures or websites

Examples: - Medicine may require honours Chemistry

- Level 8 Engineering may require honours Maths

- Art and Design courses require a portfolio of students’s own art

work.

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College Courses

• All college courses are listed as Level 6, 7 or 8 for students with Leaving Cert.which is Level 5.

• Level 6 courses are usually 2 years and the Qualification gained is a Higher Certificate.

• Level 7 courses are usually 3 years and are called Ordinary Degrees

• Level 8 courses are 3/4 or more years and are called Honours Degrees.

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Colleges in IrelandType of College

Name of College

Length of Course

Level of Qual

Entry Require-ments

University Maynooth (NUIM).

Pontifical University, Maynooth.

Trinity College (TCD).

Galway (NUIG).

Cork (UCC).

Dublin (UCD).

Limerick (UL).

Dublin City University (DCU).

Minimum 3 years

4 or more for many courses

Level 8 4 or more honours in LC

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Colleges in Ireland continued

Type of College

Name of College Length of Course

Level of Qual

Entry Require-ments

Institutes of Technology

Dublin (DIT)

Blanchardstown, Tallaght, Carlow, Athlone, Dundalk, Galway/Mayo, Cork, Waterford, Letterkenny, Limerick, Tralee, Sligo

2 years

3 Years

3/4 + years

Level 6

Level 7

Level 8

2 + Honours

2-3 + Honours

4 + Honours

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Colleges in Ireland continuedType of college

Name of College Length of Course

Level of Qual

Entry require-ments

Miscella-neous State Funded Colleges

--National College of Ireland(NCI)

-Tipperary Rural Business Development College(TRBDI)

-National College of Art and Design (NCAD)

-Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology(DLIADT)

-Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI)

-Shannon College of Hotel Management

-Carlow College

-Milltown Institute

2 years

3Years

3/4 Years +

Level 6

Level 7

Level 8

2 + Hons

3/4 + Hons

4 + Hons

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Colleges in Ireland continuedType of college

Name of College Length of Course

Level of Qual

Entry require-ments

Primary Teaching

St. Patrick’s, Drumcondra

Coláiste Mhuire, Marino

Froebel NUIM

Church of Ireland College, Rathmines

Mary Immaculate College, Limerick

3/4 Years Level 7 or 8

4 + Honours

Home Economics

St. Angela’s, Sligo

4 Years Level 8 4 + Honours

Teacher of Religion

Mater Dei, Drumcondra

St Patricks Pontifical College

4 Years

3 years

Level 8

Level 8

3/4 + Honours

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Colleges in Ireland continuedType of college

Name of College

Length of Course

Level of Qual

Entry require-ments

Private

Colleges

-American College-Dublin Business School-Griffith College-Portobello College

1 – 4 Years

Level 6

Level 7/8

Level 8

Pass Leaving Cert +

N.B. Large Tuition Fees are payable at Private Colleges – Ranging from €4,000 upwards per annum.

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To Keep Your Options Open

If you are not sure at all, or have only a vague idea of what you would like to do after you leave school then –

• Take at least one science subject• Keep your modern language• Take 2 other subjects that you are good

at, or that you enjoy and will do well at.

N.B. - Points restrict entry to many courses more than subjects do.

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Essential Subjects

Many courses, especially at Level 8 will require you to have a particular subject and sometimes even to Honours level. For example:

Engineering – you may require

Honours Maths and often a Science subject also

Medicine and other Paramedical courses – one or two science subjects (Chemistry very important)

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Essential Subjects cont. Nursing – must have a science subject –

not necessarily Biology Primary Teaching – Must have Honours

Irish to get straight into Teacher Training Languages – for all NUI Colleges you

must have a modern language (except for a small number of courses). For all courses that includes the study of a language.

Business & Accounting – not essential for any course but would make college life easier if you intend to choose this type of career/course

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Alternative routes

Remember that there are many ways to reach the career of your choice.

If you do not get the points you would need to do a Level 8 course, then you could start at Level 6 and work your way up.

This is true for many careers and courses, but not all.

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Post Leaving Cert Courses

Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLC) are available in many colleges in Dublin and around the country. There are courses in almost everything you could wish for.

Entry to these courses is based on an

application to the college and an interview. Not on Points!

They can be used to improve your prospects

of entry to 3rd. Level Colleges, or to gain a qualification.

Courses are from 1 – 4 years, with

qualification from Level 5 to 8.

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Finally

• Most Employers want a good graduate,but not of a particular type

• Keep your options open as long as possible – keep your science and language if possible

• Students should work as hard as they can now to get the best grades in their Junior Cert as this can often affect at what level they take a subject for the Leaving Cert.

• If they are unsure, ask a teacher or the Guidance Counsellor for help

Good luck with your decisions!