Subject Choice for Senior Cycle Presentation by Guidance Department Margaret Meagher Ciara O’Connor

Leaving Certificate Two year programme 7 subjects in total 3 Core Subjects & 4 Optional Subjects Subject Levels Higher, Ordinary or Foundation Level Higher or Ordinary Level Maths Irish All other subjects

Core Subjects English Irish Maths Social & Artistic Group History Geography Music Art Social & Scientific (H.Ec.) Language Group French German Practical Group Construction Studies Engineering Design & Communication Graphics Science Group Biology Chemistry Physics Agricultural Science Business Group Business Accounting Economics

SUBJECT CHOICE When it comes to making subject choice it is important to get advice and to choose wisely. Core subjects Essential subjects for certain third level courses

5 Points to Consider! Choose Subjects that you like. Choose Subjects that you are good at. Find out about the Subject – talk to teachers Consider possible Career Interests. Check Course Entry Requirements. www.qualifax.ie

3rd level Entry Requirements Minimum requirements for Universities: 2 H5 + 4 O6 including Maths, English, Irish & 3rd Language for certain Universities. The Entry Requirements for IT’s: 5 OD3 including Maths, English/Irish Specific Requirements: this is where certain subjects or grades are required to do certain courses. Example: Honours Irish for Primary School Teaching, Chemistry for Human Nutrition/Dietetics, Chemistry + another Science Subject for Medicine Points: result from 6 best subjects in the Leaving Certificate.

THE POINTS SYSTEM Leaving Cert students are graded differently to Junior Cert. Grades are H/O 1 – H8/O8 in 10% bands Students are awarded higher points for Honours Grades. The 6 best subjects are calculated to give the students “Points”. Then the students are ranked according to their points scores for each course that they apply for. From these, the available course places are filled from the top of this ranked list.

POINTS ALLOCATION % Grade Points 90-100 H1 100 80<90 H2 88 70<80 H3 77 60<70 H4 66 50<60 H5 56 O1 40<50 H6 46 O2 30<40 H7 37 O3 0<30 H8 O4 28 O5 20 O6 12 O7 LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI. LCVP Points Distinction 66 Merit 45 Pass 27 _____________ Hons Maths –any grade H6 up +25 Brian Howard - Newbridge College 8

Essential Subjects Some myths about the necessity of having certain subjects for certain careers. Contrary to popular belief:- you do not need technical drawing to become an engineer or architect you do not need a business subject to study commerce, or accountancy to become an accountant

3rd Language Desirable to have a continental language Required by colleges under the National University of Ireland (UCC,UCD, NUIIG, NUIM), Royal College of Surgeons, St. Angela’s Sligo, Shannon College of Hotel Management University of Limerick, Trinity College, require a Language other than English. Irish will suffice. The Institutes of Technology and Dublin City University require English/Irish.

Science A science subject is required for entry into all Science, Medical, Paramedical and Engineering University degree courses. Two science subjects are required for some courses. Chemistry is a specific entry requirement to some courses. A practical subject such as Engineering, Design & Communication Graphics or Construction Studies may be taken instead of a Science subject for some Engineering degree courses.

No Language Requirement Science & Engineering Changes are currently taking place within the *NUI Universities with regard to the 3rd Language requirement for Science and Engineering. UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC have decided to drop the Language requirement for certain Science & Engineering Courses. Check each college website: www.ucd.ie, www.nuim.ie, www.nuig.ie, www.ucc.ie A Language is still a requirement for the Medical & Para-medical areas. *UCC,UCD,NUIM,NUIG

Recent Change NUIM: No 3rd language entry requirement for Business and Law degree programmes Where a student wishes to take a language as part of these programmes they will however require a 3rd Language

Nursing Entry Requirements No 3rd Language required 2 HC3 + 4 O or H D3 in the following subjects: Irish or English Mathematics A Laboratory Science subject (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Physics & Chemistry or Agricultural Science) Three other subjects

Science Essential SCIENCE ENGINEERING* ARCHITECTURE OCCUP. THERAPY MEDICINE* DENTISTRY* VETERINARY* PHARMACY* PHYSIOTHERAPY RADIOGRAPHY NURSING NAVAL CADETS ARCHITECTURE OCCUP. THERAPY SPEECH THERAPY SPORTS SCIENCE MED LAB SCIENCE DIETETICS OPTOMETRY PRODUCTION MGT. INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFO. TECH.

CHEMISTRY PHARMACY VETERINARY MEDICINE DENTISTRY HUMAN NUTRITION

Consider the Following: Liking a subject Enjoying a subject Achieving at a subject MOTIVATION Willing to put in effort Achieve results/points Interest translates into career,job, work,study

Some Tips Be aware of similarities & differences in content & approach in subjects (writing,memorising,methodical,practical, creative,abstract concepts) Do you like learning things off? Do you prefer to work things out? Do you like doing research? Do you prefer practical things? What’s your track record in a subject?

Watch out for………… Doing what friends are doing I’m the only one who wants to do……… Stereotype views of subjects Following “teacher, room, reputation, easy, difficult,” Not fully informed re subject No thought to the future

After final selection Examine options very carefully to see that career options are kept open. Check the essential requirements for third-level courses of interest. Be clear on why pupil is not choosing a subject

Finally choose subjects having Interest & enjoyment Considered career interests Checked subject requirements for 3rd level Backup choices

Help available 3rd yrs & TYs spoken to Information booklets given Subject teachers explaining subjects Information in Careers room Career Guidance support

Careers Portal https://careersportal.ie/ CareersPortal.ie - Parents - Parents Guide CareersPortal.ie - @School - The Leaving Certificate CareersPortal.ie - Video Library - School Subjects (LC)

Qualifax QualifaX National Learners database Subject Choice Minimum Subject Requirements

Websites www.indi.ie Dietician/Nutritionist www.qualifax.ie www.riai.ie Architect www.steps.ie Engineering www.electronics.ie www.nursingboard.ie www.psihq.ie Psychology www.science.ie www.tryscience.ie www.chooseit.ie Information technology www.failteireland.ie Tourism www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie www.daycourses.com www.skoool.ie www.ucd.ie www.ul.ie www.lit.ie www.ucc.ie www.nuig.ie www.tcd.ie