Senior Cycle Subject Options February 2018

National Framework of Qualifications The Learning Journey National Framework of Qualifications

4 Types/Levels of Courses Level 5 1 Year Certificate – Technical Institutes Level 6 2 Year Certificates –IT’s Level 7 3 Year Ordinary Bachelor Degrees –IT’s Level 8 3/4/5 Year Honours Bachelor Degree – IT’s and Universities ‘CAO’ does not process Level 5 Post Leaving Certificate Courses Types of Courses Points Research Cycle

Types of Courses Points Research Cycle Students receive points based on their best 6 Grades.

Who decides the points tariff for the courses? Is it the CAO? Or Types of Courses Who decides the points tariff for the courses? Is it the CAO? Or Is it the individual Colleges? Points Research Cycle

The points for any course simply reflect the points of the last Neither. The points for any course simply reflect the points of the last student accepted onto a course. Types of Courses Points Research Cycle

What or who sets the points for a course? The points for any of the above courses is equal to the Leaving Cert Points total of the last student offered a place on the course. Neither the CAO or the Colleges set the points. The demand for places sets the points. Types of Courses College Course Level Time Yrs Points Places GMIT Tourism 6 2 140 30 Business 7 3 246 75 NUIG Arts 8 300 1000 Eng 4 401 170 UCD Veterinary 5 555 82 Points Research Cycle

A word about Median Points The points of the student mid way up the course listing. For Arts, the 500th Student had 360 points in 2016. The probability of this student completing the course is greater than that of the student with 300 points on entry. Types of Courses College Course Points Median Points Places NUIG Arts 300 360 1000 Points Research Cycle

The Research Cycle Subjects Courses Careers

Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment “What are my interests and aptitudes?” Generate Possible Career Choices Research Possible Careers Research Related Courses Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment Types of Courses Points Research Cycle EirQuest & Cambridge Profile

Generate Possible Career Choices “What careers match my interests and aptitudes?” Generate Possible Career Choices Research Possible Careers Research Related Courses Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment Types of Courses Points Research Cycle EirQuest & Cambridge Profile

“What do these careers involve?” Generate Possible Career Choices Research Possible Careers Research Related Courses Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment Types of Courses Points Research Cycle Careers Directory

Educational requirements? Kind of person? Earnings potential? “What do these careers involve?” Careers Directory Educational requirements? Kind of person? Earnings potential? Related occupations? Types of Courses Points Research Cycle Generate Possible Career Choices Research Possible Careers Research Related Courses Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment

Research Related Courses “What courses support these careers?” Generate Possible Career Choices Research Possible Careers Research Related Courses Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment Types of Courses Points Research Cycle Qualifax.ie

Research Related Courses “What do these careers involve?” Qualifax.ie Subjects taught? Delivery and assessment? Progression routes? Work experience? Employability? Types of Courses Points Research Cycle Generate Possible Career Choices Research Possible Careers Research Related Courses Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment

Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements “How well will I need to do?” Generate Possible Career Choices Research Possible Careers Research Related Courses Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment Types of Courses Points Research Cycle Qualifax.ie

Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements “What subjects will I choose? Types of Courses Points Research Cycle Generate Possible Career Choices Research Possible Careers Research Related Courses Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment

Lesson 2 Subject Options at Presentation College Looking at available subjects and how they meet with 3rd Level college entry Requirements.

Two-year programme that gives the opportunity to study seven subjects. LEAVING CERTIFICATE Two-year programme that gives the opportunity to study seven subjects. 3 Core Plus 4 = 7

SUBJECT CHOICE When it comes to choosing your subjects it is important to get advice and to choose wisely. Core subjects Essential subjects for certain third level courses? Desirable subjects?

SUBJECT GROUPINGS The following are the Leaving Certificate subjects in their official groupings ...

Language Group Irish, English, French, German Science Group Mathematics, Applied Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science

Applied Science Group DCG, Construction Studies, Technology Business Studies Group Accounting, Business, Economics Social Studies Group History, Geography, Art, Home Economics (S&S), Music

English O6 for all NUI colleges, TCD,UL, DCU and Institutes of Technology O5/H7 Primary Teaching H5 Journalism, Communications and Media courses Irish O6 All courses in NUI colleges unless exempt H5 for Primary Teaching and other courses that involve the study of Irish e.g. Irish and New Media (UL)

Modern Language - French/German O6 for most courses in NUI and for Cadets in Army/Air Corps. H4 for Law with French, Commerce with French, Commerce International 3rd Language not required for TCD, UL, DCU, DIT and all the ITs unless the course includes the study of a language. Not required for Nursing, Science or Engineering courses in NUIG, NUIM and UCD

Science Group Mathematics Applied Maths Physics Chemistry Biology Agricultural Science

Maths Ordinary Level Pass (O6) for most courses in Universities and Institutes of Technology Honours Maths All Level 8 Engineering Courses Financial Mathematics & Economics – NUIG & UL Economics & Mathematical Sciences, Industrial Biochemistry - UL Actuarial Studies - DCU, UCD Economics & Finance - UCD Theoretical Physics - UCD/TCD Computer Science - TCD

25 Bonus points for Honours Maths applies for H6 grade upwards

THE SCIENCES... A science subject is essential for careers in medical, paramedical careers (physiotherapy, radiography, human nutrition, pharmacy, medical laboratory science) and nursing. A science subject is required for a career in engineering and most faculties of science require students to have a laboratory science subject. Science not required to study at Certificate or Ordinary Degree Level in Engineering, Science or Electronics in ITs

THE SCIENCES (contd.)... Certain courses require/desire a particular science subject: Honours Chemistry Human Nutrition - DIT Pharmacy – TCD & UCC Dentistry - UCC Veterinary – UCD/UCC Human Health & Disease - TCD Honours Biology Nursing (desirable) Genetics – UCC H4 in Biology (essential)

BUSINESS STUDIES GROUP Economics Accounting

BUSINESS SUBJECTS There are no courses that specifically require a business subject as an entry requirement. BUT, in a world which is so business oriented, studying a business subject makes sense.

DCG (Design & Communication Graphics) Construction Studies APPLIED SCIENCE GROUP DCG (Design & Communication Graphics) Construction Studies Technology * *now meets the requirement for a science subject to study Engineering at Level 8

SOCIAL STUDIES GROUP Geography Home Economics (Social & Scientific) Art Music History

Contrary to popular belief:- No requirement for DCG to become an engineer or architect No requirement for a business subject to study commerce, or accountancy to become an accountant. These are desirable, though.

TOO LATE when filling out your CAO Form After final selection, examine your chosen options very carefully to ensure you have kept career options open. Ensure you have the minimum subject requirements for third-level courses in which you have an interest. TOO LATE when filling out your CAO Form

Making your Choices ..... Do not make rash decisions Subject choice should not depend on the teacher or your friends. Do not listen to rumours as to what is an ‘easy’ subject.

Exam Grades and Corresponding Points allocation. New LC Grading Scheme Marks New Points Higher Level Ordinary Level H1 / O1 90-100 100 56 H2 / O2 80 < 90 88 46 H3 / O3 70 < 80 77 37 H4 / 04 60 < 70 66 28 H5 / O5 50 < 60 20 H6 / 06 40 < 50 12 H7 / O7 30 < 40 H8 / O8 0 < 30

SUMMARY Study 7 exam subjects for Leaving Cert. Your choices must include Irish, English and Maths. Only your six best subjects are counted for CAO Points. Study as many higher level subjects as possible to maximise your chances of getting your college course of choice.

Be flexible about your course and career options at this early stage Keep your options open by choosing at least one science subject and a 3rd language Consult family, Guidance Counsellor Check online careers resources Presentation College www.presathenry.ie/guidance.html links to Qualifax www.qualifax.ie Careers Portal www.careersportal.ie

Extra Lesson Introduction To qualifax Extra Lesson Introduction To qualifax.ie Finding out about College Courses

Finding out about College Courses What do I need to know? What is the qualification level/award? How long will it take? What are the LC Subject Entry Requirements Levels/Grades Course Content? How is it taught/assessed? Work placement module / Study placement module / both? Progression routes? Points?