Subject Choices for Leaving Certificate

2009 - 2011

Introduction

Overview of Subject Choices Post Leaving Cert options Essential Subjects Ideal Subjects Other Entry Requirements UK colleges Choosing Subjects

Guidelines Irish, English, Maths, third language are

core subjects for most pupils.

3 more subjects to be selected.

Art, History, Geography, French, German, Italian, Classical Studies, Music, Home Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Applied Maths, Accounting, Business Studies and Economics

Post School Options

Work

Degree/ (Diploma) courses

PLC / Vocational Courses

21st Century Workplace

Need to be skilled and adaptable

Most people will have 2 – 3 careers in a lifetime

Entry level jobs require 5 – 6 passes at Leaving Cert

Degree Courses - Matriculation

General Entry Requirements vary from institution to institution

Set out subjects, levels (honours/ ordinary) and grades that have to be achieved by everyone.

Places are then allocated on points

NUI Matriculation: Six subjects, minimum of two Higher Level Cs; pass in English, Irish

Third language essential for almost all faculties – some science & engineering courses excluded but NOT health sciences.

Maths essential for all faculties except law, social science and arts.

National University of Ireland (NUI)UCD, NUIM, UCC, NUIG, Royal College of Surgeons, NCAD, Milltown Institute

Matriculation Continued

Trinity College: Six subjects, minimum of three HCs; pass in English; pass in Maths and another language.

Institutes of Technology and DCU:Six subjects, minimum of two HCs pass in Maths and English or Irish essential.

Essential Subjects Science Subjects are required for science

degrees and medical/ health courses.

Honours Engineering Degrees require Honours Mathematics.

An C grade (or higher) in Honours Irish is required for Primary Teaching.

Chemistry required for Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Dietetics, Medicine in UCC

Courses that need a science subjectSCIENCE

ENGINEERING

MEDICINE

DENTISTRY

VETERINARY*

PHARMACY*

PHYSIOTHERAPY

RADIOGRAPHY

NURSING

ARCHITECTURE

OCCUP. THERAPY

SPEECH THERAPY

SPORTS SCIENCE

MED LAB SCIENCE

DIETETICS*

OPTOMETRY

PRODUCTION MGT.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

INFO. TECHNOLOGY

Ideal Subjects

Just because subjects are not required does not mean that they are not ideal.

Accounting and Honours Maths for Business Courses

Two sciences for Medicine, Science, Veterinary Medicine

Other Entry Requirements

Courses in Art, Photography, Film and Media

Portfolio Required – outside school hours or portfolio prep course

Often want experience – may have interviews

Entrance to Medicine from 2009 From 2009 entrance to Medicine based on

Aptitude Test + Leaving Certificate results. Student must achieve minimum of 480 points.

Normal entrance requirements still apply (i.e. 2 sciences in TCD etc.)

Aptitude test to be taken in February of 6th Year

PLC and Vocational Courses PLC – Post Leaving Certificate Courses

1 and 2 year long courses – all now linked to allow students to progress on degree courses

Hundreds of courses in art, beauty, media, social care, nursing, business, science, tourism, sport etc.

No specific subject requirements, but must pass five LC subjects

Vocational Courses

FAILTE Ireland, FÁS apprenticeships, Beauty Therapy/ Hairdressing

No specific subject requirements but pass in 5 LC subjects. Home Economics highly desirable for FAILTE Ireland

Applying to Colleges in UK

UK college application includes school reference, predicted grades and personal statement

Work experience and extra curricular activities in area highly desirable

2 Sciences and Chemistry essential for some and highly desirable for all Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Science courses

Keeping your options open

Humanities group – Art, Classical Studies, French, German, Italian, Geography, History, Music

Science Group – Physics, Chemistry, Biology

Applied Maths, Home Economics

Business group – Business studies, Accounting, Economics

DO YOU HAVE A BALANCE OF SUBJECTS FROM THE GROUPS?

Bad Reasons for Choosing.

Who the teacher will probably be.

What the student’s friends are doing.

Rumours from older brothers/sisters or

friends about what is an “easy” subject - a

subject is only easy if you are good at it.

Be wary of biased advice.

4 questions that need to be answered.

What does the student like and what is the

student good at?

What is essential for a possible career?

Is there a balance between Arts, Sciences,

Business?

What may be desirable for a possible

career?

Information

Look to the school for information.

www.qualifax.ie – excellent subject choice section

www.cao.ie

www.mountsackville.com – parents section

www.careersportal.ie

www.skoool.ie

www.ucas.com

Career Section in School Library