1. Subject choice 2017/ 2018 Career Guidance Ms. Sinead Duffy
Carrick-on-Shannon
Community School
Carrick-on-Shannon Co. Leitrim
Tel: Fax:
Principal: Mr. Adrian Jackson B.A.; H.D.E.
Deputy-Principal: Mr. Paul Byrne B.tec.Deg.Ed, D.E.M.
Subject choice 2017/ 2018
Career Guidance
Ms. Sinead Duffy

2. OPTIONS AFTER JUNIOR CERT
Traditional Leaving Certificate with LCVP/ECDL
LCVP: Leaving Cert Vocational Programme
Computer Course
LCA :(Leaving Certificate Applied)
Transition Year

3. LCVP: An Overview
Involves preparation for the World of Work & Enterprise Education.
Intensive course with Portfolio (60%) and Final Exam (40%).
Tasks include CV preparation, Work Experience, Recorded Interview, Summary Report, Enterprise Action Plan & Career Investigation.
GRADE
POINTS
Distinction
(80 – 100%) 66
Merit
(65 -79%) 46
Pass
(50 – 64%) 28

4. LCVP: Subject Groupings: Choose Two Subjects from any one line
Construction Studies; Engineering; DCG;Technology (any two)
Physics and Construction Studies or Engineering or DCG or Technology
Agricultural Science and Construction Studies or Engineering or DCG or Technology
Agricultural Science and Chemistry or Physics or Phys/Chem
Home Economics; Agricultural Science; Biology (any two)
Home Economics and Art
Accounting; Business; Economics (any two)
Physics and Chemistry
Biology and Agricultural Science
Biology and Chemistry or Physics or Phys/Chem
Art and DCG
Engineering or Technology or Construction or DCG and Business or Accounting or Economics
Home Economics and Business or Accounting or Economics
Agricultural Science and Business or Accounting or Economics
Art and Business or Accounting or Economics
Music and Business or Accounting or Economics

5. To Qualify for LCVP
Students must choose to do a language other than English or Irish to qualify for LCVP.
This must be completed during school time.
2017/2018 – French or German as option. No extra language available.

6. Computer Module This computer course is for students not doing LCVP
Files and Folders
Word Processing
Spreadsheets (Excel)
Database (Access)
PowerPoint
Internet
This computer course is for students not doing LCVP

7. SUBJECT CHOICE FOR L.C.

8. Choosing Subjects for Senior Cycle
When you are considering which subjects to take, remember this decision will have long-term consequences on what careers are open to you.
Choosing Subjects for Senior Cycle
This is Important For:
Students Study Three Core Subjects
English, Irish & Maths
They Choose Four Additional Exam Subjects
Leaving Cert. Results
Third Level Entry
A Future Career

9. Choose Four Subjects Students Should Reflect on:
Subjects that they Like & Enjoy
Subjects they Perform well in (For Points)
Specific Subject Requirements for college entry
Results of Interest Test administered in 3rd Year (Eirquest Careers Questionnaire)
To Keep Options Open:
Choose a broad range of Subjects: Language/Science/Business/Practical

10. SUBJECT GROUPINGS: Core Subjects Languages Lab Sciences Business
Applied Sciences
Social
Sciences
Irish
French
Physics
Accounting
Building Construction (Wood)
History
English
German
Chemistry
Business Organisation
Design & Comm. Graphics (Technical Drawing)
Geography
Maths
Biology
Home
Economics
Art
Agricultural Science
Engineering (Metal)
Music

11. What are the easy subjects?
There is no such thing as an easy subject.
There are statistics showing some subjects obtain a higher number of A’s than others
This is often a reflection on the type of candidate that selects these subjects.
It is important to consider the content of a subject and match it to student ability
studying something of interest will make it seem easier and as a result the student will probably get higher marks in it.
Disliking a subject means the student will have to work harder to achieve a good grade, and motivation would need to be stronger.

12. EXTRA SUBJECTS OUTSIDE SCHOOL?
If there are timetable restrictions that make it impossible for you to take a subject you particularly enjoy you could consider taking it outside school
However the student must factor in an appropriate amount of study time to cover all your other subjects.
Eight subjects are a major undertaking!

13. What Level do I need to take subject at?
Higher Level subjects are awarded more points than ordinary level
Also for college entry – a minimum entry of subjects and levels are required.
Some courses also require particular subject grades.
NB: Check entry requirements

14. Students Progressing to 3rd Level Education can apply for Level 6, 7 & 8 Courses

15. COLLEGE: Minimum Entry Requirements (Matriculation)
UNIVERSITIES
Institutes of Technology
Level 8 Honours Degree:
6 Subjects
2 H5 & 4 O6/H7
3 H5 & 3 O6/H7 Trinity & Primary Teaching
Maths, English, Irish.
Modern Continental Language Grade O6/H7 for 4 NUI Colleges
(UCD, NUIG, UCC, NUI Maynooth)
Level 7 (Ordinary Degree)/ Level 6 (Certificate)
5 O6/H7
English or Irish
Maths
Foundation Maths is accepted for points in IT’s and satisfies entry requirements (not for engineering)
Level 8: Honours Degree
6 subjects
2 H5 & 4 O6/H7

16. Understanding the Points System
Higher
Ordinary
Grade
Points
 H1
100
 H2 88
 H3 77
 H4 66
 H5 56
 O1
 H6 46
 O2
 H7 37
 O3
 H8
 O4 28
 O5 20
 O6 12
 O7
 O8
NewGrades
% Marks
 H1 / O1
90-100
 H2 / O2
80<90
 H3 / O3
70<80
 H4 / O4
60<70
 H5 / O5
50<60
 H6 / O6
40<50
 H7 / O7
30<40
 H8/ O8
0<30

17. How Points are Calculated
Calculations of points are based on the best six subjects from one sitting of the LC.
Therefore the maximum points a student can achieve = 600.
Therefore students should consider subjects that they will perform well in.
Bonus Points for Higher Level Maths: Students achieving H6 will have 25 points added to their score for Maths
The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL Maths (including bonus points) is scored as one the candidate’s best six subjects for points purposes.

18. ADJUSTED POINTS FOR MEDICINE
Normal LCE Points
Adjusted LCE Points
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
HPAT = 300 Points
University: Medicine
Points 2016
NUIG
723
UCC
726
Royal College Surgeons
725
Trinity
730
UCD

19. HIGHER LEVEL MATHS
HL Maths is required for some courses some examples include:
Engineering Level 8 = H4
Actuarial Maths = H3
Data Science = H2
Mathematical Science = H3
Industrial physics = H4
HL Maths is recommended for STEM courses

20. General Language Requirements:
Institution
Colleges
No. of Languages
NUI Colleges
UCD, UCC, NUIG, NUIM & associated colleges
3 Languages: English, Irish + 3rd Language
Other Universities
Trinity, DCU & UL
2 Languages: English + Another Language.
DCU: some courses only require 1 Language
Institutes of Technology
Sligo, Athlone, Galway, Cork, Dublin, Carlow etc
1 Language: English/another Language
Grade Required in Language: H7/06
If a Language forms part of a course then their usually a higher grade required e.g. Commerce with French in NUIG = H3 French
3rd Language is NOT required in NUI Colleges for the following courses: Engineering, Science, Agriculture & Nursing or for Business & Law Courses in NUI Maynooth

21. Other Language Requirements
UCC Speech Therapy H4 in a language other than English
Many colleges require a H3/H4 to study a language
Irish H5 is required for Primary Teaching
Entry to Garda Siochana training also requires English and Irish/3rd Language.
A 3rd Language for entry into cadetship: Army/Air Corp @ H7/O6

22. Language Exemptions Irish/ 3rd Language if:
Serious Learning Difficulty
Serious Sensory/ Intellectual Impairment causing a Learning difficulty.
Irish: primary Education up to 11yrs –outside of Ireland
Irish: Students born outside of Ireland can also apply for an college Irish exemption. They can study Irish as their 3rd Language.

23. There are approx 200 courses on the CAO that require a Science Subject
WILL KEEP MANY OPTIONS OPEN:
Sciences
Engineering
Medical
Architecture
Nursing
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Veterinary
Veterinary Nursing
Pharmacy
Dentistry
Sport Science
There are approx 200 courses on the CAO that require a Science Subject

24. SCIENCE Courses requiring 2 Science Subjects:
TCD: Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Medicine, Dental Science, Science, Human Genetics, Human Health & Disease, Medicinal Chemistry, Nanoscience & Earth Science
UCC: Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmacy (Chemistry and Physics/Biology)
Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary: One Science: UCD, NUIG, RCSI
Nursing: One Science (Biology Recommended)
Veterinary Nursing: Science O3/H7
Landscape Architecture (UCD): One Science
Engineering: One Lab Science. (UCD, NUIG,) (DCU, DIT – Some Engineering Courses) (Physics Recommended)

25. COURSES THAT REQUIRE SPECIFIC SCIENCE SUBJECTS
CHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY
PHYSICS
Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy UCC
Genetics UCC
Theoretical Physics TCD
Veterinary Med UCD
Human Health & Disease TCD
Pharmacy TCD
Human Nutrition & Dietetics DIT

26. Desirable Subjects (But not Essential)
Engineering – Engineering, Physics, DCG & an aptitude for Maths
Beautician – Biology
Science – 2 Science Subjects
Medicine – Chemistry + 1 other Science
Nursing – Biology
Hotel & Catering – Home Economics, Business
Electrician, Business, Accounting Computing, Psychology - An aptitude for Maths
Business- Business/Accounting
Law – Language, Business, History
Radiography – Physics/Biology
Art College – Art/Modern Continental Language

27. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND!
Many colleges offer extra support and tutorials. i.e. Maths, Accounting, Physics etc
Ladder System – Higher Certificate, Ordinary Bachelor Degree, Honours Bachelor Degree
PLC Courses offer Links Scheme to ITs and
Universities
TEAGASC links to ITs and UCD

28. Choosing Programme & Subjects
1. TRADITIONAL LEAVING CERTIFICATE 2. LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED (LCA) 3. TRANSITION YEAR CHOOSING SUBJECTS CORE SUBJECTS: H O GAEILGE Tick Level ENGLISH MATHS INDICATE PREFERENCE FOR CHOICE SUBJECTS (1 –5) BELOW: FRENCH MUSIC GERMAN ART AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE HISTORY BIOLOGY GEOGRAPHY CHEMISTRY HOME ECONOMICS PHYSICS ENGINEERING BUSINESS ORGANISATION CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNTING DESIGN & COMM GRAPHICS

29. Useful Websites www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie www. cao.ie

30. Transition Year
Opportunity for more independent self- directed learning.
Exposure to Group Work, Project Work, Presentation Skills, Work Experience, Travel etc.
Time to mature and to learn additional skills.
Studies have shown Students who do TY, tend to score higher in the LC in terms of points.
You do not have to choose subjects if you are opting for Transition Year

31. LCA This is a 2year Leaving Cert Programme.
It is more project based and students take modules rather than subjects.
Assessment is continuous throughout the course and there are also final written exams in June at the same time as the Leaving Certificate Exams.
Students also take part in Work Experience every week.
Students wishing to proceed to 3rd Level Education can do so by completing a PLC course after their LCA. (1 yr)
The LCA Certificate is awarded at three levels:
Distinction %
Merit 70-84%
Pass 60-69%
You do not have to choose subjects if you are opting for LCA

32. Summary

33. Contact
Guidance Counsellor Carrick on Shannon CS
Tel:
“Life is full of choices but making choices would be easier if we stay true to ourselves.”