Beyond Junior Cert 4 options: Leaving Certificate Leaving Cert Vocational Transition Year Leaving Cert Applied 4/20/2017

Subject information seminars Initial selection 14 January The Process Subject information seminars Initial selection 14 January DATs testing results end of Jan Second option form- end Feb Mock J Cert Final decisions - May 4/20/2017

Leaving Cert. Subject Choice You must take the following: English, Irish, Maths Choose 4 from the following list: Art German Biology Physics History Accounting Business Organisation Home Economics Engineering Music Chemistry French Design Studies Religion Geography Construction Studies 4/20/2017

More subjects available Some subjects change name Woodwork ---- Construction Studies Metalwork --- Engineering Technical Graphics ---- DCG Some split up into separate subjects Science---- Physics : Chemistry: Biology Business --- Business Organisation: Accounting 4/20/2017

I don’t know what I want to do after school what subjects are a safe bet? A foreign language: French or German if you did it for J.Certificate and like it. Needed for entry to a number of universities 1 Science subject is a good idea : Biology, Chemistry, Physics – is needed for a lot of Third Level courses and offers a lot of options later 2 other subjects that you like Choose what you think you will like or will be good at based on your studies to date and what you read in your booklet and your teachers’ advice 4/20/2017

Consider the possibility.. You might change your mind over the 2 years to L Cert about what you might like to do Keep options open as long as possible with safe choice of subjects 4/20/2017

Consider also… Balance in subjects- if you pick 3 or 4 literary subjects - history, religion, geography this will involve a lot of essays and projects. Can you handle this? Too many practical subjects means you could have three LC practical projects due in around the same time! 4/20/2017

Be aware if you want to study…. Primary teaching- C3 in Higher Irish essential Dentistry- must have 2 science subjects Nursing – must have a science subject Medicine – at least 1 science and chemistry will reduce your studies by one year 4/20/2017

Engineering- at university requires higher maths but you can study it at IT level with pass maths Sports courses: Many require a science subject for entry also very useful for beauty therapy 4/20/2017

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP provides students with a focus for developing vocational skills and exploring their career options The subjects are divided into 16 groups and students choose two subjects from the groups An example of the groupings: 1. Construction, Engineering, DCG, Technology - Any Two 2. Home Economics, Agi. Science, Biology - Any Two 3. Physics and Chemistry 4. Art & DCG

Link Modules Link Modules Preparation for the World of Work Enterprise Education Work Placement Business and Community visits Mini enterprise

Example Student A: Irish, English, Maths, Business, German, Home Economics, Biology, Link Modules Student B: Irish, English, Maths, French, Art, Engineering , DCG, Link Modules

Programme Requirements Students must: Be taking at least five LC subjects plus the link modules Two of the above subjects must be selected from the designated Subject Groupings Students must take Irish A European Language other than Irish or English

Assessment Assessment is at a common level Terminal Examination taken in May of sixth year Terminal Examination 40% of the total marks Portfolio of Course work 60% of the total marks

Grades Points for LCVP Distinction (80%-100%) 70 points (C1 H) Merit (65 -79%) 50 points (D2 H) Pass (50% - 64%) 30 points (C1 O)

Leaving Cert Applied 2 year Leaving Cert Credit based 200 credits 133 credits for ongoing work 67 credits for final exam 4 work experiences – credits for these Attendance vital for full award 4/20/2017

Leaving Certificate Applied The two year course is divided into four half-year blocks called sessions. At the end of each session credits are awarded in each of the subjects. These credits go towards the final grades in the Leaving Cert. The final exam is taken in June of 6th year and students take six subjects English and Communications Two Vocational Specialisms (Tourism, Construction, Office, Music, Engineering) Mathematical Applications Languages Social Education There are four work experiences over the two years

Check your “Making Subject Choices” booklet very carefully Talk with your teachers/year head Ask Guidance counsellor if you are uncertain about anything Look at DATs results and pick subjects related to the areas in which you scored well 4/20/2017

Looking beyond LC Third Level studies Post Leaving Cert Courses Apprenticeship/other training Work 4/20/2017

Third Level Studies Why?– long term benefits Greater flexibility to withstand recessionary times- graduate unemployment is half that of the main unemployment figures Having a degree gives you greater career opportunities and chance to change direction more easily with further study ` 4/20/2017

Points for Third Level Points are calculated on your highest SIX subjects in Leaving Cert The grades for the subjects are broken down into sub-sections for the awarding of points, for example, A1 higher level = 100 points A2 higher level = 90 points. Maximum points achievable = 625

POINTS 4/20/2017

Higher Level Maths at L.Cert 25 extra points will be awarded for higher level maths from grade D3 upwards A1= 100 +25 extra = 125 D3= 45+ 25 extra = 70 This is a good incentive to stick with Higher Maths 4/20/2017

Looking beyond LC & LCA All qualifications now organised into a 10 point framework J Cert is Level 3 L Cert is Level 4 &5 Third level courses - Levels 6 -10 4/20/2017

National Qualification Framework

LEVEL 8 – HIGHER DEGREE – POINTS –some examples 2011 2012 SCIENCE UCD 435 500 ARTS UCD 365 355 ARTS NUIM 375 370 COMMERCE UCD 445 465 B.ED. (Primary Teaching) 475 470 NURSING UCD 400 430 COMPUTER SCIENCE 375 380 ENGINEERING TCD 440 465 SOCIAL CARE ITTa 340 350

Third Level Courses There are over 900 courses available at third level in 7 universities and 14 I T’s nationwide You can get into courses with a points score from 25 up to 600! Points can go up and down for courses every year depending on popularity of courses 4/20/2017

OTHER OPTIONS AFTER LC POST LEAVING CERT COURSES PLC – 1 or 2 year course in colleges of Further Education –Crumlin College, Rathmines, Inchicore… Very suitable for LC and LCA Entry level is a good pass LC or LCA No points for admission - interview 4/20/2017

POST LEAVING CERT COURSES Can be used to go to third level Give valuable work experience Offer a great variety of skills in different areas: childcare, computing, beauty therapy, sports, engineering,business,horticulture…. 4/20/2017

The Future??? Computer studies/Information technology/web design Business/Accountancy/Tax/Actuary Marketing Science/Pharmacuticals/Food Science Engineering/Electrical/Mechanical Biomedical Science& Engineering Medicine-doctors Teachers (eventually because of pop. growth) 4/20/2017

The Future… More unpredictable than ever Flexibility will be the norm Continuous learning and upskilling is the key This evening is a first step in that direction 4/20/2017

Thank You for listening! Any queries we will be available after the presentations are finished There will be further help for students There will be flexibility to make changes over the coming weeks 4/20/2017