Subject Choice 2019 Monday 14/01/2019

National Framework of Qualifications The framework is a structure of levels, designed to bring an increased clarity to the meaning of each type of qualification, allowing qualifications to be compared easily The National Framework of Qualifications scale is the framework used to illustrate various education levels and works from levels 1 to 10

NFQ

Going to College? Students must satisfy three requirements to obtain a place on a third level course 1. Minimum Entry Requirement 2. Course Requirement 3. Points Requirement

1. Minimum Entry Requirements These are the basic grades a student needs to achieve in certain subjects in their Leaving Certificate Different universities have different minimum entry requirements but the following is a guide Students must check college prospectus and websites such as qualifax.ie to make sure

1. Minimum Entry Requirements National Universities of Ireland (NUI) UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC Level 8 courses only 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 To include Irish, English, Maths. A third Language required for most courses but not all Two other subjects

1. Minimum Entry Requirements Trinity College 3 H5 and 3 O6/H7 Must include English, Mathematics and a language other than English

1. Minimum Entry Requirements UL and DCU 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 Must include English, Mathematics and a language other than English

1. Minimum Entry Requirements Institutes of Technology For Level 8 Courses 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 For Level 6 and 7 5 O6/H7

2. Course/Subject Requirements These are certain subjects and/or grades in subjects you must achieve in the Leaving Certificate in order to pursue a particular course Examples incude: Primary School Teaching - H4 in Irish Veterinary - H5 in Chemistry Engineering in UCD H4 in Maths and H6 in Lab Science subject Many more examples of this.

3. The Points System Points allocated to the 6 best grades Grades must be achieved in one sitting of L.C. Entry to courses granted to those holding the highest points Points needed are not pre-set by any college/university. 100 points available per subject Higher Maths exception as any student who achieves a H6 or above in H.L. Maths will earn an extra 25 points

3. The Points System

Subject Choice The subject choices you make have the ability to either limit or expand your options when it comes to college

Subject Choice For Leaving Cert Exam purposes all students of Knockbeg College must sit the following core subjects: 1. English 2. Irish 3. Maths

Additional Subjects Students can then choose from the following subjects: Languages Science Humanities Business Practical French German Biology Physics Chemistry Ag. Science Applied Maths History Geography Religion Politics and Society Business Studies Economics Accounting Art Music DCG Other LCVP

Major Considerations 1. A third Language 171 courses on the CAO require a third language. 2. Science Subject 144 courses on the CAO require a Science subject

Questions to Consider What subject am I most interested in? What subjects am I likely to be best at? What subject will I need?

Advice Make a list of third level courses and career areas you are interested in, find out the entry requirements and list them too. (www.qualifax.ie or ask Guidance Counsellors) If you do not know what course/career you want you can keep options open by making a BALANCED CHOICE of subjects e.g. a language, a science subject and two others.

Before Choosing Students Should…….. 1. Reflect on your experience of a subject at Junior Certificate. 2. Reflect on what was taught in the 4th year module. 3. Talk to individual subject teachers. 4. Check www.ncca.ie and check syllabus/curriculum . 5. Browse a current textbook with a view to the level of interest in the material rather than the level of difficulty. 6. Check www.examinations.ie and look at previous exam papers with a view to the level of interest in the material rather than the level of difficulty. 7. Talk to a 5th year student who is taking this subject . 8. Talk to a 6th year student who if currently finishing this subject.

And ask themselves……. 1. Do the skills required to do the subject match mine. 2. How interesting is the material. 3.What is the potential grade. 4. How useful will the subject be for a particular college degree.

Advice DO DON’T Choose subjects you enjoy Choose subjects you are good at Make a balanced choice Talk to G.C. Talk to parents Be influenced by friends Choose a new subject without finding out more about it Make a decision at the last minute Panic