Mercy Mounthawk

Subject choiceSenior Cycle (LC)

2016

Leaving Certificate Subjects

Subjects are grouped as follows:

Science Group:

Mathematics Applied Mathematics Biology Physics Chemistry Agricultural Science

Business Group:

Accounting

Business

Economics

Applied Science Group:

Design Communications Graphics

Construction Studies Engineering Home Economics (Social and

Scientific)

Social Studies Group:

History Geography Art Music Religion

Language Group:

Irish English French German Spanish

Core Subjects

Irish (Unless exempt by DES)

English

Mathematics

Plus Four Additional Subjects

Subject Choice

Number of subjects to be taken?

The actual subjects to be taken?

The level at which these subjects will be taken?

Factors To Consider

Choose subjects you found interesting and enjoyable at JC/TY.

Focus on your strengths (ability).

List careers you have an interest in, research related third level courses and identify:

1. Subjects that are necessary and the required levels

2. Subjects that are desirable

Irish Leaving Certificate Examination Points Calculation Grid

LC Grade Higher Level Ordinary Level

Bonus for HL Maths

Foundation Maths

A1 100 60 25 20A2 90 50 25 15B1 85 45 25 10B2 80 40 25 5B3 75 35 25C1 70 30 25C2 65 25 25C3 60 20 25D1 55 15 25D2 50 10 25D3 45 5 25

Changes to the LC grading system

Higher Level Grade

Ordinary Level Grade

H1 (90-100) O1 (90-100)H2 (80 < 90) O2 (80 < 90)H3 (70 < 80) O3 (70 < 80)H4 (60 < 70) O4 (60 < 70)H5 (50 < 60) O5 (50 < 60)H6 (40 < 50) O6 (40 < 50)H7 (30 < 40) O7 (30 < 40)H8 (0 < 30) O8 (0 < 30)

• Reducing the number of grade bands from 14 to 8 • Candidates receiving Leaving Certificate results in August 2017

will have their results expressed in the following new Leaving Certificate grades:

Changes to the Common Points Scale

Higher

Level Grade

Points Ordinary Level Grade

Points

H1 100    H2 88    H3 77    H4 66    H5 56 O1 56H6 46 O2 46H7 37 O3 37H8 0 O4 28    O5 20    O6 12    O7 0    O8 0

Maths Bonus Points25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for

Higher Level Mathematics for H6 grades and above. For example, if an applicant receives a H6 grade, an additional 25 points will be added to the 46 points already awarded for a H6 grade i.e. Higher Level Mathematics now carries a points score of 71 for this applicant.

Foundation Level MathematicsUniversities do not award points for Foundation

Level, the IoTs are currently considering a conversion for 2017.

Changes to the Common Points Scale

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

LCVP grade Revised LCVP Points

Distinction 66Merit 46Pass 28

Objectives of the Changes To reduce pressure on second-

level students To encourage the take-up of

higher level subjects To fairly reward scholastic

achievement To minimise use of random

selection

Necessary Subjects

Entry Requirements

Course requirements

NUI,( UCC. UCD. Maynooth University, NUI Galway.)Six subjects which must include:

2 H5 (Formally 2HC3’s) 4 06/H7 (Formally 4D3’s) A pass in English A pass in Irish A pass in a third language:

French/ German/ Spanish

NUI – language requirement no longer exists for:

UCD – Engineering, Science, Social Science and Agricultural Science courses

Maynooth University– Engineering and Science Courses

NUI Galway – Engineering and Science courses

UCC – Science, Engineering and Food Science courses

All NUI – Nursing NCAD –accept Art instead of the

Language

University of LimerickSix subjects which must include:

At least 2H5 4 06/H7 Mathematics English Irish or another language

Institutes of Technology (Honours Degree)Six subjects to include:

MathematicsEnglish Two higher H5 and 4 06/H7

Institutes of Technology (Higher Cert. / Ordinary Degree)Five subjects to include:

5 06/H7

Mathematics

English or Irish

Matriculation requirements from 2017

Changes to specific subject requirements from 2017

Where Current requirement is :

2017 requirement :

5 OD3 5 O6/H7

2 HC3 & 4 OD3 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7

3 HC3 & 3 OD3 3 H5 & 3 O6/H7

Course / Faculty Requirements

The subject or group of subjects at a specified level that is required for a particular course

Examples of Course Requirements

Nursing – Laboratory Science Subject Engineering (Level 8)- Higher Level

Maths H4 Medicine & Health - Laboratory

Science(s) H4 Pharmacy -Chemistry H5 World Languages UCC – H3 in

Language Primary Teaching – Higher Irish

Desirable Subjects (Examples)

Two science subjects for any science based course.

At least one business subject for any business or commerce course.

Design Communications Graphics for Architecture or Engineering.

History for Journalism or Government.

Other Factors To Consider

Awareness of subject content: (a) SC Booklet /Careers Portal (b) Subject Teacher

Do not choose subjects based on friend’s choices.

Choices should not be linked to teachers of senior classes.

There are ‘easy’ subjects in which to get points. (Myth?)

Try to maintain a balance between the subjects groups. This will keep your options open.

Link between J.C subjects and L.C subjects.

Some subjects can complement each other eg: Physics/Applied Maths/Engineering or Higher English/History

Where to get information?

College Prospectuses Websites: www.cao.ie

www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie

General Guidelines on Subject Choice

Core Subjects (3) Language (1) A science subject/course req.

(1) Last two Consider : Personal

strengths/desirable subjects/second science subject etc. (2)

Subject choice is all about getting one’s choices together in a manner which:

Satisfies the entry requirements for all courses in which you have an interest in.

Optimises the chances of fulfilling one's potential and changing educational/ career interest.

That stimulate interest and motivate study

Facilitates a stress free two years study.

Thank you for your attention

Ms Farrell: 3.2, 3.4, 3.8,3.10, 4.1 and 4.2

Ms O Mahony: 3.1, 3.3, 3.7, 3.9, 3.11 4.3,4.4 and 4.5