Subject Choices for Leaving Certificate 2020 - 2022

Introduction Miriam Kenny Catherine Flanagan All students will be given (1) subject choice booklet (2) REACH books and login and (3) opportunity to talk to either Guidance Counsellor

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, Accounting, Business Studies and Economics

Additional subjects on offer (an 8th choice) Applied Maths LCVP Religion These subjects will have classes outside the usual timetable and do not affect your core 7 subjects. Will be asked to indicate your interest in taking one of these on the options form.

Every effort is made to ensure that students get their choice of options for Leaving Certificate classes. However, when the number of students electing for one of the above options is low, the BoM reserves the right to cancel the option or to offer one class only of that option.

Post School Options – 3 pathways Work College or University - Degree courses Vocational Courses

Pathway 1 – work 21st Century Workplace Need to be skilled and adaptable. Most people will have 2 – 3 careers in a lifetime. Personal development (teamwork, planning, oral communication) is as important as academic development.

Pathway 2 – college requirements General Entry Requirements (matriculation) 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.

National University of Ireland (NUI) UCD, Maynooth University, UCC, NUIG, Royal College of Surgeons, NCAD Six subjects, minimum of two Higher Level H5 (or higher); pass in English and Irish Third language needed for some faculties – most science & engineering & nursing courses excluded but other health sciences courses do need language. Maths required for Business, Science, and Engineering etc.

Matriculation Continued Trinity College: Six subjects, minimum of three H5s; pass in English; pass in Maths and another language. DCU and Technological University of Dublin (Formerly DIT, ITT & ITB) : Six subjects, minimum of two H5s. Pass in English or Irish essential. Maths essential for most business, science, education and health science courses.

Essential Subjects Science Subjects are required for science degrees and medical/ health courses. Honours Engineering Degrees require Honours Mathematics. An H4 (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 subject ENGINEERING MEDICINE DENTISTRY VETERINARY* PHARMACY* PHYSIOTHERAPY RADIOGRAPHY NURSING ARCHITECTURE OCCUP. THERAPY SPEECH THERAPY SPORTS SCIENCE MED LAB SCIENCE DIETETICS* OPTOMETRY INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFO. TECHNOLOGY * = Chemistry needed.

Ideal Subjects for degrees 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 for College Courses in Art, Photography, Film and Media Portfolio Required – outside school hours or portfolio prep course Often want experience – may have interviews

Pathway 3 – Vocational training FETAC/QQI – used to be known as PLC (post-leaving cert 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

Any questions?

Applying to Colleges in UK or further afield… UK college application includes school reference, predicted grades and personal statement. Work experience and extra curricular activities in area highly desirable for courses outside Ireland. 2 Sciences and Biology & 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, Religion Scientific Group – Physics, Chemistry, Biology Applied Maths, Home Economics Business group – Business studies, Accounting, Economics, LCVP DO YOU HAVE A BALANCE OF SUBJECTS FROM THE GROUPS?

Advice from the Maths department…. Bonus points for Honours Maths are a good draw BUT Will it be drawing away from other subjects? Do you have 25% more time to give to Maths? Are you very comfortable with all the material that was covered at Junior Cert?

Information Look to the school for information. www.careersportal.ie www.qualifax.ie – excellent subject choice section www.cao.ie www.mountsackville.com – guidance section www.skoool.ie www.ucas.com

Next Steps Talk to subject teachers this evening. Wait for the message with the log-in details and password. Choices then inputted online.

Selection Process

While options will be granted based on the online submission, once option lines are set we cannot ensure that any change of mind can be accommodated. Therefore, please consider very carefully your option choice before submitting your option choices online. In exceptional cases where students wish to change a subject after the commencement of the school year this will not always be possible and cannot be considered after the October midterm.

Entering Choices on VSWare Select the elective options from the choices (drop down list) available. These subjects are in Subject Set 1. These subjects are in Subject Set 2 are: Applied Maths Religious Education LCVP

LCVP Ms Clodagh Havel – Programme Coordinator tycoordinator@mountsackville.ie