Newbridge College Traditional Leaving Certificate Subject Choice

Leaving Certificate Programme Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme.  Full time commitment required over 2 years.  5th year is very important especially for those hoping to gain entry to high points courses. Usually a maximum of 7 subjects are taken for the Leaving Certificate.  An extra (7 th ) subject? – need to think very carefully about this as each LC subject is extensive and requires a lot of work. Big jump in standard from J.C.  Other subjects could suffer if workload is too great.  For points purposes best 6 subjects are counted. All subjects are of equal importance.  Extra points will be awarded in all HEIs for honours Mathematics in LC from 2012 to 2015

Points System GradeHonsHons + BOrdinary A A B B B C C C D D D Bonus points HD3 or above in Maths  Extra 25 points LCVP points Distinction70 Merit50 Pass30

Sample Calculation Paul SubjectLevelGradeScore IrishHC265 EnglishOA160 MathsHA290+25=115 GeographyHB280 BiologyHC170 PhysicsOA160 FrenchHB375 LCVPM50 Add the 6 best scores shown in REDPoints = 465

Leaving Certificate Programme Highly Desirable Subjects  Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students should definitely consider choosing: 1. a modern language (NUI*) 2. a science subject. Subject Levels  Higher and Ordinary level  all subjects.  Foundation level  Mathematics & Irish.  Particular care needs to be taken with Mathematics. Failure in this subject can be detrimental to overall L.C. LC subject selection  Core subjects: English, Mathematics & Irish*  Optional subjects: Usually 4 other subjects are chosen

Optional Subjects (4) BUSINESS Business Accountancy Economics SCIENCE Biology Physics Chemistry LANGUAGES French German APPLIED SCIENCES Home Economics Construction Studies Design and Communication Graphics SOCIAL STUDIES History Geography Music Art Information about LC subjects can be found at: and & Leaving Cert text books.

Entry Requirements When choosing Leaving Certificate subjects great care must be taken as the choices of subjects made now may determine 3rd level and career options in 2 years time. Why? Regardless of how many points you get in your LC, you will be ineligible to even apply for a course if you have not met it’s “Course Entry Requirements” Meet Entry Requirements  Qualified Applicant for Course

Minimum Entry Requirements of major CAO Colleges InstitutionMinimum gradesRequired subjects NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC*. (RCSI, Shannon, Miltown) 2HC3 + 4OD3 *4OD3 + 2OD3 OD3 in English, Irish & Modern Language*. Trinity College Dublin3HC3 + 3OD3OD3 in Maths, English & another Language Dublin City University2HC3 + 4OD3OD3 in Maths, English or Irish University of Limerick2HC3 + 4OD3OD3 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang. Dublin Institute of Technology 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.) 5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.) OD3 in Maths, English or Irish Regional Institutes of Technology (DK*) 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.) 5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.) OD3 in Maths, English or Irish

Specific Course Requirements These requirements are in addition to Minimum Entry Requirements. They are specific L.C. subjects / grades required for entry to particular courses. They tend to be in the following subject areas:  Science subjects  Languages  Mathematics E.g. Veterinary Medicine in UCD Entry Requirements:  2HC3 + 4OD3, OD3 in English, Irish, Modern Language & Mathematics, HC3 in Chemistry.

Sample Requirements Irish Primary Teaching – HC3 Irish & Journalism (DCU) – HB3 Early and Modern Irish (TCD) – HC3 Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) – OA2/HC3 French Law with French Law – HB3 Bus. Studies and French (TCD) – HC1 Law and French (TCD) – HC1 A Language Many courses require a language but may not specify a particular one: Film & Broadcasting with a language (DIT) – HC3 in Ir or Fr. Applied Languages (DCU) – HC3 in Fr, Ge, Ir or Sp. Speech and Language Therapy (TCD) – HC3 in En, Fr, Ge, Ir, It, Ru or Sp. Cadet School – OD3 in a modern Language.

Sample Requirements Mathematics Honours Engineering – HC3 Business Studies (DCU) – OC3/HD3 Optometry (DIT) - OB3 Economics & Finance (UCD) – HC3 Business (TCD) – OC/HD Science (UCD) – OB3/HD3 Commerce (UCD) – OB3/HD3 Law and Accounting (UL) – OC3/HD3 Science Particular care needs to be taken with science subjects. Many courses require any one science subject Some courses require 2 science subjects, particularly TCD and UCC. UCAS courses Nursing – OD3 in a Lab. Sc. Medical/Para medical courses Chemistry Pharmacy*, Human Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine & Dentistry (UCC) – HC3

Appliance of Science

Specific Course Requirements Unlikely that 3rd/TY students will know exactly, which courses/careers they wish to pursue at this stage. But from looking at their interests, abilities and aptitudes they may be able to identify broad areas of interest and hence check potential course entry requirements. Course Entry Requirements can be accessed: a) In the college’s prospectuses b) On the college’s websites c) Directory of LC Entry Requirements d) – Subject Requirements It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.

General Advice If a student is not really sure what he/she wants to do in the future: Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open Many students will change their minds about their future a number of times in the next 2 years E.g.  one language  one science  one business  one humanities / applied science. This combination would allow access into a broad range of courses/careers.

Choosing a Subject Good subject choice requires: RESEARCH DISCUSSION REFLECTION DECISION Subject Teachers, Guidance Classes, TY Programme L.C. Books, Publications, Other Students Guidance Counsellors, Current Teachers Family, Friends Consider all the information, views and opinions Then, ultimately each student must make up their own mind.

Key Questions 1. What subjects is the school offering? 2. If I’m interested in a particular course/career area, what subjects are essential? ( Course Entry Requirements) 3. If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for this course/career area? 4. What subjects do I like? (motivation) (not the teacher) 5. What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)

Important Points DCG/Construction Studies are not needed to do Engineering. Maths and Physics are more important. Art is generally not needed for Art and Design courses. A portfolio is however. For Business courses, Maths is generally a requirement rather than Business subjects. Students should be careful to try pick a balance between learning and understanding subjects. Students should be aware of balancing subjects which help maximise points vs. subjects which may be of benefit to them in the future.

Newbridge College Draft Subject Options GEOGRAPHYBIOLOGYHOME ECON.MUSICFRENCH PHYSICS GEOGRAPHYBIOLOGYARTECONOMICSDCG CHEMISTRY GERMANBUSINESS ARTCONS. STUDIESFRENCHHISTORY DCGGERMANBUSINESS CONS. STUDIESFRENCH ACCOUNTING

Timetable of Events 1. January – DATs 3 rd years 2. January 7 th – Class presentations begin 3. January 29 th – Parents Night. 4. February 18 th – Subject Choice Interviews begin 5. March 8 th – Deadline for submission of application forms for TY. 6. March 20 th – Deadline for final subject choices and commitment to TY.

Procedure 1. During subject choice interview a set of subjects are agreed with student. (on lines and/or preferred) 2. Note brought home to parent outlining agreed subjects. Parents must review, sign and return to G.C. 3. A change may be made to agreed subjects before March 20 th by written request from parents to G.C. 4. After Easter changes will only be facilitated if vacancies exist in classes. 5. Important that parents know what subjects their son/daughter is choosing so changes should be accompanied by note from home.