Emer Mc Grath

Career Guidance Counsellor

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Ballinrobe Community

School

Subject Choice for Leaving Cert

Senior Cycle

What is involved?

National Framework Qualification

Levels

2

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To get into college students need

to overcome the following:

1. Minimum Entry Requirements.

2. Specific Course Requirements.

3. Points

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Minimum Entry Requirements

Level 6 & 7 Courses

⚫ Institute of Technology: Five Subjects

including Maths & either English or Irish.

5 O 6 / H 7.

Level 8 Courses

⚫Universities: Six Subjects– at least two at

higher level.

2 H5’s & 4 O6 / H 7.

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Specific Course Requirements:

⚫ Higher level Irish (H4) for Primary School

Teaching.

⚫ Higher Level Chemistry (H5) for Veterinary

Medicine.

⚫ Higher Level Maths(H4) for Engineering in

University.

⚫ Higher Level Maths for Actuary Courses.

⚫ Higher Level Biology for Human Health & Disease

(T.C.D).

⚫ Higher Level Chemistry for Pharmacy in T.C.D,

U.C.C & R.C.S.I.

Points 1. A student’s points are calculated from his/

her best six subjects.

2. All subjects give equal points except for

higher level maths where bonus points are

awarded for all courses.

3. Students can gain an additional 25 points if

they score a H6 or above in Maths.

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The Business Group

⚫ Accounting

⚫ Business

⚫ Economics

All of the above are an

excellent preparation for

any business-related

occupation.

Business Group useful for careers

in:

Accounting, Administration, Actuary,

Banking, Business, Clerical work, Hotel

Management, Insurance, Law,Marketing,

Purchasing, Sales, Taxation, Advertising,

Auditing, Education, Market Research,

Quantity Surveyor, Receptionist, Financial

Services, Government, IT, Journalism,

Stock broking etc.

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The Practical Group

⚫ Engineering

⚫ Construction Studies

⚫ Design,

Communications and

Graphics (DCG)

Practical Group useful for careers in:

Building Management, Quantity Surveying,

Town Planning, Construction Trades, Civil

Engineering, Housing Management,

Architecture, Landscaping, Mechanical

Engineering, Environmental Engineering,

Education, Army, Air Corps, Aircraft

Technician, Engineering Trades &

Mechanics.

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Social/Humanities

⚫ Home Economics

⚫ History

⚫Geography

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Artistic Group

Music Useful For:

Composer, Dancer, Entertainment, Film Studies, Instrument Maker, Sound Engineering, Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapist, Primary/Secondary Teacher, Actor etc.

Art useful For:

Advertising, Art Teacher, Architecture, Furniture Design, Interior Design, Marketing, Occupational Therapist, Photography, Primary Teacher, Printing and Publishing, Textile Design, Television work, Games designer etc.

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Languages are useful for careers in:

Global Business, Hotel Management,

Teacher, Publishing, Human Resources,

International Marketing, Interpreter,

Translator, Journalist, Librarian,

Pilot, Tourism, Travel Agent, Department of

Foreign Affairs, etc.

⚫People with languages plus IT, Law,

Finance or Sales are much sought after.

⚫An entry requirement for many colleges

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Languages: French/German

A language is necessary for the following colleges:

⚫ NUIG

⚫ NUI Maynooth

⚫ NUI Cork

⚫ NUI Dublin

⚫ R.C.S.I.

⚫ St. Angela’s College

Unless you are exempt from it.

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Language Exceptions include:

⚫Nursing in all Third Level Colleges.

⚫Engineering & Science in the N.U.I’s

(Cork, Dublin, Maynooth & Galway)

⚫Primary Teacher Training Colleges.

⚫Agricultural Science in NUI Dublin.

⚫Business in Maynooth University.

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No Modern Language required in:

⚫UL

⚫TCD

⚫DCU

⚫All Institutes of Technology

NB: Unless the course includes the study

of a language e.g. Applied Languages

in U.L.

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The Sciences

⚫ Chemistry

⚫ Physics

⚫ Biology

⚫ Agricultural Science

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A Science subject is essential for entry into

the following N.U.I courses:

⚫ Science

⚫ Nursing

⚫ Physiotherapy

⚫ Environmental

Science

⚫Medical Laboratory

Science

⚫ Denistry

⚫ Technology

⚫ Radiography

⚫ Agriculture

⚫Occupational Therapy

⚫ Speech & Language

Therapy

⚫ Sport Science

Two Science subjects are essential for Medicine/Pharmacy

in some Universities.

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Chemistry is an essential requirement

for:

• Human Nutrition & Dietetics (D.I.T)

• Dentistry (NUI Cork)

• Medicine (NUI Cork & T.C.D)

• Pharmacy (NUI Cork & R.C.S.I)

• Veterinary (NUI Dublin)

• Medical &Health Science (UCC)

Physics is an essential requirement for :Theoretical Physics (T.C.D)

Biology is an essential requirement for:

⚫Genetics (NUI Cork)

⚫ Health Science with Dietetics Studies

(Letterkenny I.T)

⚫ Health Science with Occupational Studies

(Letterkenny I.T)

⚫ Health Science with Physiotherapy Studies

(Letterkenny I.T)

⚫ Human Health and Disease (Trinity College

Dublin)21

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Subject Option Summary

✓Choose a subject in which you have a genuine interest.

✓Choose a subject that you have enjoyed to date.

✓Choose subjects that you have got good results in.

✓Never pick a subject because your friend is picking it.

✓Check the third level college prospectus/website to check if any specific subject and grades are required.

✓ Look up useful websites e.g. www.qualifax.ie, www.cao.ie , www.ncca.ie,careersportal.ie

Subject Options Summary

⚫ Reflect back to your Junior Certificate Results

⚫ Consult your parents/guardians/older siblings

⚫ Consult your teachers

⚫ Talk to students currently doing the subjects

⚫ Consult your Guidance Counsellors

If you have any further queries please contact:

School Guidance Counsellors

Ms. Mc Donagh, Ms. Mc Grath & Ms Keane

Ballinrobe Community School

094-9541777

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