Manor House SchoolManor House School

Leaving CertificateLeaving Certificate

Subject Choice Advisory meetingSubject Choice Advisory meeting

March 2014 March 2014

Ms. K. GaughanMs. K. Gaughan

Ms. A. RobinsonMs. A. Robinson

Importance of Careful Subject Importance of Careful Subject ChoiceChoice

Subjects chosen for Leaving Certificate Subjects chosen for Leaving Certificate should be ones that students like, need for should be ones that students like, need for their future and are likely to succeed at.their future and are likely to succeed at.

They must take college entry requirements They must take college entry requirements and specific subject requirements for some and specific subject requirements for some courses into account when making choicescourses into account when making choices

Application to Third Level Application to Third Level CollegesColleges

CAO – Central Application OfficeCAO – Central Application Office CAO Application to Universities/ Institutes of CAO Application to Universities/ Institutes of

Technology/ some Private CollegesTechnology/ some Private Colleges ONE application form – 48 CollegesONE application form – 48 Colleges

1200 courses1200 courses Best Best sixsix subjects in any sitting of one subjects in any sitting of one

Leaving Cert examinationLeaving Cert examination

www.cao.iewww.cao.ie

College Entry RequirementsCollege Entry Requirements

Minimum 2 honours and 4 passes to do an Minimum 2 honours and 4 passes to do an Honours degree (TCD requires three Honours degree (TCD requires three honours and three passes)honours and three passes)

Min 5 passes for an Ordinary Level DegreeMin 5 passes for an Ordinary Level Degree Specific Subject Requirements Specific Subject Requirements Points Points Min 5 passes to enter most PLC coursesMin 5 passes to enter most PLC courses

Language Entry Language Entry Requirements Requirements for Third Levelfor Third Level

English ,Irish and a European language are requirements English ,Irish and a European language are requirements for entry to the National University of Ireland (NUI) with its for entry to the National University of Ireland (NUI) with its colleges of UCD, UCC, NUI Galway and Maynooth.colleges of UCD, UCC, NUI Galway and Maynooth.

For most courses in these colleges you must have Leaving For most courses in these colleges you must have Leaving Cert Irish – not foundation levelCert Irish – not foundation level

The main exceptions are The main exceptions are (a) NCAD which will accept Art instead of a language (a) NCAD which will accept Art instead of a language (b) Engineering and (b) Engineering and somesome Science courses in NUI Maynooth and Science courses in NUI Maynooth and

UCDUCD (c) Nursing in UCD which will accept English and one other language (c) Nursing in UCD which will accept English and one other language

Language Entry Requirements Language Entry Requirements for Third Levelfor Third Level

A Higher C in Irish is required to train as a A Higher C in Irish is required to train as a Primary School Teacher in Ireland (Other Primary School Teacher in Ireland (Other routes available)routes available)

Almost all Universities, Colleges and Almost all Universities, Colleges and Employers specify a pass in Ordinary Level Employers specify a pass in Ordinary Level English. Individual courses may have higher English. Individual courses may have higher requirementsrequirements

Language Entry Requirements Language Entry Requirements for Third Levelfor Third Level

Irish or English plus a European Language Irish or English plus a European Language is required for Cadetships in the Army, Air is required for Cadetships in the Army, Air Corps and Naval ServiceCorps and Naval Service

For the Gardai - English and one other For the Gardai - English and one other languagelanguage

A pass in one language is required for entry A pass in one language is required for entry to the Institutes of Technologyto the Institutes of Technology

Language Entry Requirements Language Entry Requirements for Third Levelfor Third Level

Any Any TwoTwo languages from English, Irish, languages from English, Irish, European language- are required for entry European language- are required for entry to Trinity College and Dublin City University to Trinity College and Dublin City University

Specific courses in these colleges may have Specific courses in these colleges may have additional language requirementsadditional language requirements

Science Entry Requirements Science Entry Requirements forfor

Third Level coursesThird Level courses

Students aspiring to any third level course Students aspiring to any third level course of study in of study in Engineering/Medical/Paramedical/Science/ Engineering/Medical/Paramedical/Science/ Technical areas at University need to have Technical areas at University need to have at at least oneleast one of of Biology/Physics/Chemistry/Ag. ScienceBiology/Physics/Chemistry/Ag. Science

Science Entry Requirements Science Entry Requirements forfor

Third Level coursesThird Level coursesSome courses specify a particular Science Some courses specify a particular Science subject or two Science subjects, so check subject or two Science subjects, so check college and course requirements carefullycollege and course requirements carefully

- the following are examples of Science - the following are examples of Science requirements requirements

Science Entry Requirements Science Entry Requirements forfor

Third Level coursesThird Level courses

A Science subject is required for Nursing – A Science subject is required for Nursing – preferably Biology preferably Biology

A pass in one Science subject is required to study A pass in one Science subject is required to study Science in UCC, UCD, NUIG, NUI Maynooth, DIT Science in UCC, UCD, NUIG, NUI Maynooth, DIT and DCUand DCU

A Higher C in Chemistry is required for entry to A Higher C in Chemistry is required for entry to Veterinary Medicine in UCD , Pharmacy in Trinity Veterinary Medicine in UCD , Pharmacy in Trinity and Human Nutrition and Dietetics in DITand Human Nutrition and Dietetics in DIT

Geography – Geography – ONLYONLY accepted as a Science accepted as a Science subject for SCIENCE degree in TCD and UCDsubject for SCIENCE degree in TCD and UCD

Science Entry Requirements Science Entry Requirements forfor

Third Level coursesThird Level courses TwTwo Science subjects are required for entry o Science subjects are required for entry

to most science based courses in Trinity e.g. to most science based courses in Trinity e.g. Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Medicine, Science. Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Medicine, Science. Some courses require higher B’s and C’s so Some courses require higher B’s and C’s so check carefullycheck carefully

**BEWARE** **BEWARE** TCD does TCD does NOTNOT accept accept combination on BIOLOGY and AG. Science combination on BIOLOGY and AG. Science as two separate Science subjects.as two separate Science subjects.

Maths Entry RequirementsMaths Entry Requirements

Maths is a basic entry requirement for many Maths is a basic entry requirement for many coursescourses

A pass in Foundation Maths is accepted by A pass in Foundation Maths is accepted by many colleges many colleges if there is no Maths content in if there is no Maths content in the course of Study the course of Study

Some courses do not require any Some courses do not require any Maths(Law/ Arts/ Social Science/ Art)Maths(Law/ Arts/ Social Science/ Art)

Subjects for Senior CycleSubjects for Senior Cycle

CompulsoryCompulsory EnglishEnglish IrishIrish MathsMaths European LanguageEuropean Language

Subject Choice for Senior CycleSubject Choice for Senior Cycle

Students choose three additional subjects Students choose three additional subjects from the following optionsfrom the following options

Subject Choice for Senior CycleSubject Choice for Senior CycleOptional subjectsOptional subjects

French, Spanish, German,French, Spanish, German,

Economics, Accounting, Business, Economics, Accounting, Business,

Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Ag. Science,Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Ag. Science,

Applied MathsApplied Maths

ArtArt

MusicMusic

Home Economics, Home Economics,

Geography, HistoryGeography, History

Restrictions on Subject Choice for Restrictions on Subject Choice for Senior cycleSenior cycle

If students have not done Science for If students have not done Science for Junior Cert they should not choose Junior Cert they should not choose Chemistry or PhysicsChemistry or Physics

Students must have done Biology and Students must have done Biology and Chemistry in Transition year if they wish to Chemistry in Transition year if they wish to take these subjects for Leaving Certificate. take these subjects for Leaving Certificate.

Restrictions on Subject Choice for Restrictions on Subject Choice for Senior Cycle Senior Cycle

Students may not start a new European Students may not start a new European language in fifth year – they continue with language in fifth year – they continue with the language they did for Junior Cert and the language they did for Junior Cert and TYTY

Students should only choose Applied Maths Students should only choose Applied Maths if they are very good at Maths (Honours if they are very good at Maths (Honours student)student)

Restrictions on subject Choice Restrictions on subject Choice

If students have not done Business Studies If students have not done Business Studies for Junior Cert they should not choose for Junior Cert they should not choose Economics or Accounting without consulting Economics or Accounting without consulting Mr. Forrestal/Mr.Whelan Mr. Forrestal/Mr.Whelan

Restrictions on Subject Choice for Restrictions on Subject Choice for Senior CycleSenior Cycle

If students did not sample a subject in If students did not sample a subject in Transition Year and did not do the subject Transition Year and did not do the subject for Junior Cert they will not be able to take it for Junior Cert they will not be able to take it up for Leaving Certificateup for Leaving Certificate

What careers/courses are you What careers/courses are you interested in pursuing?interested in pursuing?

Fields of StudyFields of Study BusinessBusiness

LawLaw Engineering/ScienceEngineering/Science

Useful choicesUseful choices Accounting/Business/Accounting/Business/

EconomicsEconomics HistoryHistory Science –Physics, Science –Physics,

Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Biology, applied Mathsapplied Maths

What careers/courses are you What careers/courses are you interested in pursuing?interested in pursuing?

Fields of StudyFields of Study

Leisure/EntertainmentLeisure/Entertainment Medical/ParaMedical/Para Travel/TourismTravel/Tourism Social ScienceSocial Science

Useful choicesUseful choices

Biology/GeographyBiology/Geography Science subjectsScience subjects Languages/Business/Languages/Business/ Home Ec / GeographyHome Ec / Geography

How to choose subjectsHow to choose subjects

All students are familiar with the range of subjects All students are familiar with the range of subjects availableavailable

They have been advised to check DATs They have been advised to check DATs results(Differential Aptitude Tests) results(Differential Aptitude Tests)

Look up previous reports and tests from various Look up previous reports and tests from various subjects to confirm what students are good atsubjects to confirm what students are good at

Have a look at the senior cycle textbooks in Have a look at the senior cycle textbooks in various subjects.various subjects.

Subject Choice for Senior Cycle Subject Choice for Senior Cycle

Students should choose subjects whichStudents should choose subjects which They have achieved well in so farThey have achieved well in so far Are interested inAre interested in LikeLike Are prepared to work atAre prepared to work at Need for their future – for college ,for work, Need for their future – for college ,for work,

for lifefor life

How to choose subjectsHow to choose subjects

Link talents to subjectsLink talents to subjects Talk to teachersTalk to teachers Unsure? Unsure? -Choose a good mix of subjects to keep your -Choose a good mix of subjects to keep your

college and career options opencollege and career options open One One BusinessBusiness subject, one subject, one Science Science subject subject

and and one other one other will cover most options will cover most options

Subject Choice for Senior Cycle Subject Choice for Senior Cycle

You DO NOT choose based on the belief You DO NOT choose based on the belief that it is an easy subject, that your friends that it is an easy subject, that your friends are doing it or that it will be a ‘doss’.are doing it or that it will be a ‘doss’.

Further ResearchFurther Research

www.qualifax.ie . www.qualifax.ie . -From the student home page click on link -From the student home page click on link Students/Support and Students/Support and

Advice/Subject ChoiceAdvice/Subject Choice..

www.careersportal.ie – advice on subject – advice on subject choicechoice

www.cao.iewww.cao.ie www.examinations.iewww.examinations.ie College Websites. College Websites. ((www.ucd.ie)(www.tcd.ie) (www.dcu.ie)...... (www.dcu.ie)......

Additional optional subjectAdditional optional subject

Depending on the academic subjects Depending on the academic subjects chosen, students will also have the option to chosen, students will also have the option to apply to participate in the Leaving Certificate apply to participate in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme - Vocational Programme - LCVPLCVP

Students who choose this programme do Students who choose this programme do the standard 7 Leaving Certificate subjects the standard 7 Leaving Certificate subjects PLUS two link modules – PLUS two link modules – Preparation for Preparation for the World of Workthe World of Work and and Enterprise Enterprise EducationEducation

LCVPLCVP

Further details available onFurther details available on

www.lcvp.slss.iewww.lcvp.slss.ie

LCVP Subject GroupingsLCVP Subject Groupings Home Economics and Ag Science or BiologyHome Economics and Ag Science or Biology Home Economics and ArtHome Economics and Art Accounting or Business or Economics (any two)Accounting or Business or Economics (any two) Physics and ChemistryPhysics and Chemistry Biology and Chemistry or Physics or Physics/ChemistryBiology and Chemistry or Physics or Physics/Chemistry Engineering and Business or Accounting or Economics Engineering and Business or Accounting or Economics Construction Studies and Business or Accounting or EconomicsConstruction Studies and Business or Accounting or Economics Home Economics and Business or Accounting or EconomicsHome Economics and Business or Accounting or Economics Agricultural Science and Business or Accounting or EconomicsAgricultural Science and Business or Accounting or Economics Agricultural Science and Chemistry or PhysicsAgricultural Science and Chemistry or Physics Art and Business or Accounting or EconomicsArt and Business or Accounting or Economics Music and Business or Accounting or EconomicsMusic and Business or Accounting or Economics Construction Studies or Engineering or Technical Drawing(any two)Construction Studies or Engineering or Technical Drawing(any two) Physics and Construction Studies or EngineeringPhysics and Construction Studies or Engineering Agricultural Science and Construction Studies or EngineeringAgricultural Science and Construction Studies or Engineering

Procedure for choosing SubjectsProcedure for choosing Subjects

Students will be asked to list the subjects they Students will be asked to list the subjects they would like in order of preference numbered I to would like in order of preference numbered I to 7(Their language will be No. 1)7(Their language will be No. 1)

4 subject bands will be formed based on 4 subject bands will be formed based on Resources and Students preferences Resources and Students preferences

Students may be asked to choose one subject Students may be asked to choose one subject from each bandfrom each band

Procedure for choosing SubjectsProcedure for choosing Subjects

Limited resources and numbers applying for Limited resources and numbers applying for subjects may mean some students will be subjects may mean some students will be disappointed with the subjects available to disappointed with the subjects available to themthem

Every effort is made to make sure as many Every effort is made to make sure as many students as possible get their top choicesstudents as possible get their top choices

Demonstration of websitesDemonstration of websites

www.qualifax.ie

www.careersportal.ie

www.cao.ie

College websites– College websites– ( www.ucd.ie /www.tcd.ie /www.dcu.ie/ ( www.ucd.ie /www.tcd.ie /www.dcu.ie/ www.dit.ie etc) etc)

GOOD LUCK !GOOD LUCK !