Subject Choices for Leaving Certificate

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

21 st 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 subject SCIENCE 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. TECH NOLOGY

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 6 th 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. – excellent subject choice section – parents section Career Section in School Library