Kishoge CC Senior Cycle Options 2018

Senior Cycle Options Traditional Leaving Certificate Transition Year Leaving Certificate Applied

Transition year We recommend Transition Year for most students May not suit students that school generally doesn’t suit. If they really don’t like school, it’s unlikely that an extra year is going to be of benefit. Fact 1: Transition Year is good for student’s personal development Fact 2: Students who do TY do better in Leaving Cert than students who go directly to LC. (TY students get an average of 45 points more)

Transition Year Myth 1: ‘They lose the habit of study’. Our experience is that this is not true Myth 2: ‘TY is a doss year’. Depends on the school. Not true in Kishoge CC Detailed information session on TY next Monday at 7.15.

Leaving Cert applied Programme (LCA) Traditional LC is very academic Traditional LC does not suit every student’s talents and interests Leaving Cert Applied provides an alternative two-year programme of study LCA focuses on a wider range of skills and abilities that the purely academic For students whose experience of education has been a ‘can’t-do’ experience, the LCA focuses on what the student can do. LCA allows all students to experience success. LCA Information Session next Monday at 8.15pm.

Subject Choices for the Traditional Leaving Certificate

How many subjects do I choose? Each student has 3 core subjects, i.e. Irish, English and Maths. You then choose 4 other subjects

How do I choose my subjects? You need to consider Your strengths Your interests Your skills or aptitudes Your plans for the future, i.e. do I plan to go to college, what would I like to do?

when choosing subjects: Students should research what the study of each subject entails on websites such as www.careersportal.ie Students should research entry requirements for 3rd level courses on the website www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie

How can we help? Presentation to students Presentation to parents Individual teachers can advise on their subject Guidance Counsellor can advise about course requirements

Subjects on offer in Kishoge CC Core Subjects: Irish English Maths

Option Subjects Depending on demand expressed by students: Languages -French and Spanish Sciences -Biology -Chemistry -Physics -Agricultural Science May do Agricultural Science outside of school

Depending on demand expressed by students: Business - Business - Accounting -Economics Social Studies -History -Geography Artistic & Creative -Art -Music

Depending on demand expressed by students: Applied Sciences - Home Economics - Engineering - Construction Studies -Technology

european Language Choosing French or Spanish builds on the knowledge acquired for the Junior Certificate Important choice as many 3rd level courses have a language requirement

Choosing Business Business provides students with a learning experience for a wide range of careers in business, marketing, law enterprise and management Would suit students who have an organised mind and who like to answer questions in bullet points not in long essay format Students don’t have to have studied business at Junior Certificate. Business is not an essential subject for any courses in the CAO system.

Choosing Economics Economics provides students with a learning foundation for a wide range of careers in business, economics, finance, enterprise and management Ideally students should have a general interest in how the economy works and be interested in current affairs Not an essential subject for any courses in the CAO system.

Choosing Accounting, Accounting develops students’ numeracy skills within the context of business and enterprise Not required for any course at third level Students need to be comfortable with numbers but do not need to be higher level Maths students

Choosing History History suits students who enjoy JC history and are willing to commit a lot of time to study and research Suits students who have strong English language skills It is not required for any CAO courses Useful for careers in education, law, media, politics, research etc.

Choosing Geography Suits students considering further study in areas such as geography, economics, environmental science Not an essential requirement for any course in the CAO system TCD accepts Geography as a science subject into science and pharmacy. UCD accepts Geography as a science subject into science.

Choosing Art Suits students who have shown an aptitude for JC Art Suits students who are considering a career in a creative disciplines such as Architecture, Marketing, Film and Entertainment, Web Design, Fashion, Game Design or Advertising For most 3rd level Art and Design courses, a portfolio is required as well as Leaving Cert Art

Choosing Music Music involves three core areas-performing, composing and listening Suits students considering a career in a creative discipline such as singing , playing in a band, music production and performance technology and management Most music courses require an interview and an audition along with Leaving Cert results

Choosing Home Economics Suits students who enjoy practical work such as making things, doing things and knowing how things work Much of the course is theory based and includes in-depth study of Nutrition, Resource Management Consumer studies and aspects of sociology Suits students interested in careers in food, textiles, science, design, social studies and tourism Not essential requirement for any course in the CAO system but useful if seeking entry to study Home Economics at third level

Choosing Biology Suits students who had a good understanding and interest in Junior Cert Science at higher level Suits students who have good memories and attention to detail Many CAO courses require at least one Science subject Choosing Biology will be a huge benefit when studying Medicine, Nursing and related courses

Choosing Chemistry Suits students who have done well in Mathematics and Science at Junior Cert. Chemistry is an essential element in the study of careers including Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Technology Human Nutrition & Dietetics (DIT), Public Health Nutrition (DIT), Veterinary Medicine (UCD)

Choosing Physics Suits students who have an interest in Science at Junior Cert level and those who enjoy learning about how things work Students who are interested in the following careers would be advised to study physics: electrician, optician, doctor, dentist, engineer, computer technician and programmer Physics is a requirement for entry into a number of CAO courses including Theoretical Physics in TCD and UCD

Choosing Agricultural Science Study of the science and technology underlying the principles and practices of agriculture. Plants and animal types associated with agriculture are studied, investigations are undertaken into soil, ecology, plant and animal physiology, farm crops, farming practices, genetics and microbiology. Written exam and project

Choosing Engineering Suits students who have an aptitude and interest for design and practical work and an interest in the study of mechanical engineering Suits students who have an interest in careers in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing, Space Science and Technology, Computers and Software. Suits students interested in careers in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Art, Craft and Design, Building, Construction & Property Engineering is not an essential requirement for any course in the CAO system

Choosing Construction Studies Suits students with an interest in buildings and the built environment Students should have an aptitude and interest for design and practical work Suits students interested in Building, Construction & Property Not an essential subject for any courses in the CAO system

Choosing Technology

Entry requirements 3rd level Remember choose 4 subjects that you are genuinely interested in, have an aptitude for and subjects that fulfill entry requirements for third level courses that you may wish to pursue after Leaving Certificate Check entry requirements for all third level courses on www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie

NEW LEAVING CERT GRADING SYSTEM NEW GRADES FROM 2017 H1/O1 90-100 A1 H2/O2 80<90 A2/B1 H3/O3 70<80 B2/B3 H4/O4 60<70 C1/C2 H5/O5 50<60 C3/D1 H6/O6 40<50 D2/D3 H7/O7 30<40 E H8/O8 0<30 E/NG

Revised Points Scale from 2017 HIGHER ORDINARY GRADE POINTS H1 H2 H3 100 88 77 H4 66 H5 H6 H7 56 46 37 O1 O2 O3 H8 Lcvp link modules Distinction = 66 Merit = 46 Pass = 28 O4 O5 O6 O7 08 28 20 12

Minimum Requirements NUI Colleges require: Irish, English and a third language* 3 other subjects At least 2 H5’s Maths for all courses except Arts, Law and Social Science Science, except for Arts, Law, Social Science and Commerce * For entry to a small number of Engineering Courses in Maynooth University a third language is not required and another recognised subject can be substituted. Maynooth University- third language no longer required for entry to Business, Finance, Accounting or Law Degrees- MH 401, 403, 405, 411, 501, 502. A third language will not be required for entry to Engineering or Agricultural Science Degrees in UCD. Another recognised subject may be substituted. Students entering Nursing may substitute any other recognised subject for the third language Students entering the NCAD may present Art in place of the third language.

Minimum Requirements cont. TCD requires: English, Maths and another language (Irish, French, German or other) 3 other subjects At least 3H5’S DCU requires Maths and English or Irish 4 other subjects At least 2H5’S

Minimum requirements cont. DIT and other IT requirements: English or Irish and Maths 4 other subjects – for Level 8 courses 3 other subjects – for Level 7 courses At least 2 H5’s – for Level 8 courses

Course or Essential Requirements Many college courses and faculties have requirements in addition to the minimum requirements outlined. These must be checked with the college brochures or websites Examples: - Medicine may require honours Chemistry - Level 8 Engineering may require honours Maths - Art and Design courses require a portfolio of student’s own art work.

College Courses All college courses are listed as Level 6, 7 or 8 for students with Leaving Cert, which is Level 5. Level 6 courses are usually 2 years and the Qualification gained is a Higher Certificate. Level 7 courses are usually 3 years and are called Ordinary Degrees Level 8 courses are 3/4 or more years and are called Honours Degrees.

Colleges in Ireland Type of College Name of College Length of Course Level of Qual Entry Require-ments University Maynooth University. Pontifical University, Maynooth. Trinity College (TCD). Galway (NUIG). Cork (UCC). Dublin (UCD). Limerick (UL). Dublin City University (DCU). Minimum 3 years 4 or more for many courses Level 8 4 or more honours in LC

Colleges in Ireland continued Type of College Name of College Length of Course Level of Qual Entry Require-ments Institutes of Technology Dublin (DIT) Blanchardstown, Tallaght, Carlow, Athlone, Dundalk, Galway/Mayo, Cork, Waterford, Letterkenny, Limerick, Tralee, Sligo 2 years 3 Years 3/4 + years Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 2 + Honours 2-3 + Honours 4 + Honours

Type of college Name of College Length of Course Level of Qual Entry require-ments Miscella-neous State Funded Colleges --National College of Ireland(NCI) -National College of Art and Design (NCAD) -Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology(DLIADT) -Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) -Shannon College of Hotel Management -Carlow College 2 years 3Years 3/4 Years + Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 2 + Hons 3/4 + Hons 4 + Hons

Type of college Name of College Length of Course Level of Qual Entry require-ments Primary Teaching St. Patrick’s, Drumcondra (DCU) Coláiste Mhuire, Marino (DCU) Froebel NUIM Church of Ireland College, Rathmines Mary Immaculate College, Limerick 3/4 Years Level 7 or 8 4 + Honours H5 in Irish Home Economics St. Angela’s, Sligo 4 Years Level 8 Teacher of Religion Mater Dei, Drumcondra St Patricks Pontifical College 3 years 3/4 + Honours

Type of college Name of College Length of Course Level of Qual Entry require-ments Private Colleges American College Dublin Business School Griffith College Portobello College 1 – 4 Years Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Pass Leaving Cert + N.B. Large Tuition Fees are payable at Private Colleges – Ranging from €4,000 upwards per annum.

To Keep Your Options Open If you are not sure at all, or have only a vague idea of what you would like to do after you leave school then – Take at least one science subject Keep your modern language Take 2 other subjects that you are good at, or that you enjoy and will do well at. N.B. - Points restrict entry to many courses more than subjects do.

Essential Subjects Many courses, especially at Level 8 will require you to have a particular subject and sometimes even to Honours level. For example: Engineering – you may require Honours Maths and often a Science subject also Medicine and other Paramedical courses – one or two science subjects (Chemistry very important)

Essential Subjects cont. Nursing – must have a science subject – not necessarily Biology Primary Teaching – Must have Honours Irish to get straight into Teacher Training Languages – for all NUI Colleges you must have a modern language (except for a small number of courses). Business & Accounting – not essential for any course but would make college life easier if you intend to choose this type of career/course

EXEMPTIONS FROM IRISH

Exemptions from Irish A number of universities require students to have a pass grade in Irish in order to meet the matriculation requirements. These institutions include: University College Dublin (UCD) University College Cork (UCC), NUI Maynooth and NUI Galway. Trinity College Dublin (TCD) requires students to pass a language other than English. The University of Limerick (UL) requires students to pass English and another language

Language exemption NUI Colleges TCD University of Limerick These must be completed and signed by the school principal. Completed forms should be sent to the NUI offices on Merrion Square, Dublin, and not to the individual institutions. There is no need for the candidate to contact the CAO or institutions directly as this will be done on their behalf if their application is successful. TCD Applicants to TCD who may not meet the language requirement may apply to the university's admission office for a similar exemption. University of Limerick If a student with a learning difficulty or hearing impairment wishes to apply to UL and does not study Irish or a European language they may apply for a language exemption by providing evidence of their disability and a copy of their certificate of exemption from Irish to UL admissions office.

Language Exemption DCU Dublin City University (DCU) requires students to have passed Maths and English for matriculation. Institutes of Technology The Institutes of Technology also require students to have passed Maths and English. Therefore it is not necessary to apply for a language exemption from any of these institutions.

Language Exemption NUI Colleges Students who do not take Irish and/or a European language will have difficulty meeting the minimum requirements for these colleges. However, if candidates hold an exemption from Irish from the Department of Education they may apply to the institutions for an exemption from language-related entry requirements. NUI Colleges In order to apply for an exemption from the NUI institutions, candidates should first go to nui.ie and go to the 'entry requirements' section of 'going to college.' Here they will find PDF forms to be used to apply for a third language or Irish exemption.

Alternative routes Remember that there are many ways to reach the career of your choice. If you do not get the points you would need to do a Level 8 course, then you could start at Level 6 and work your way up. This is true for many careers and courses, but not all.

Post Leaving Cert Courses Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLC) are available in many colleges in Dublin and around the country. There are courses in almost everything you could wish for. Entry to these courses is based on an application to the college and an interview. Not on Points! They can be used to improve your prospects of entry to 3rd. Level Colleges, or to gain a qualification and go directly into employment Courses are from 1 – 2 years, with qualification from Level 5 to Level 6.

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS Monday 5th March: Subject Options Talks to 3rd Yr & TY students in PE Hall 9.00-11.30am Monday 5th March: Parents’ Information Session: Introduction to Senior Cycle Options 7.15pm Monday 12th March: Parents’ Information Session re Transition Year 7.15pm Monday 12th March: Parents’ Information Session re Leaving Cert Applied Programme 8.15pm.

Decision times Friday March 23rd : Closing date for applications to traditional Leaving Cert or Transition Year or Leaving Cert Applied Monday April 30th: Closing date for traditional Leaving Cert subject choices