Choosing Leaving Certificate Subjects Points to Consider 1

Overview Third Year and Fifth Year students have been having classes on Senior Cycle choice and subject choice since November and will continue to have these classes until the end of January 2

What needs to be decided? Core Subjects for all students (no decision needed): Irish (unless a student has a D.E.S. exemption) English Maths A European language i.e. French or German 3

Choose any 3 from the following: History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, Business, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Home Economics, Music, Art Technology 4

Complete free choice of three subjects so: These subjects are mixed ability and all students have the opportunity to study for the Higher Level. 5

Form for Subject Choice Deadline Wednesday 27 th January 2016 – return to Ms. Holland’s office

Timetabling The vast majority of students get the three subjects they choose. Sometimes there is a problem. If this is the case the subject groupings will be explained to the individual girls. (Maybe 3 students each year). 7

Timetabling Have a fourth subject possibility in mind just in case the three subjects you pick are not all possible together 8

Timetabling Every effort is made to give students who apply in time the subjects they want. It may not be possible for students who apply late or change their mind to join a class. 9

Where to get more information about each Leaving Certificate subject. Loreto Fermoy Subject Information Booklet – all TYO students have this. Third Years will get it if they decide to do Fifth Year. 10

Loreto S.S. Fermoy Subject Information Booklet Topics you would study in each subject. Any differences between Higher Level and Ordinary Level. How marks are allocated e.g. is there a practical or a project. Advice from former students. Career information relating to the subject. 11

Loreto Subject Information Booklet Contains a lot of valuable information Well worth the investment of some time in order to make a good decision 12

A very useful website Click on “Schools” and “Leaving Certificate” Detailed Information on subjects Content for each subject Interviews with adults who studied this subject and information about their careers 13

When Deciding Between Subjects What does the student like and do well at? Keeping options open. 14

What Careers might you be interested in? Career Interest Questionnaires on and All TYO students have a personal file from REACH+ programme online. 15

Deciding Between Subjects cont. Teachers will talk to TYOs about their subjects at Leaving Cert. If unsure talk to teachers individually. Talk to older students who study the subject. Specific subjects are required for some courses. 16

Specific Subjects Necessary for Some Courses Use the website to find entry requirements for every course. Also check the college websites 17

Necessary Subjects for College Courses Biology is necessary for most Beauty Therapy courses. Chemistry is necessary for courses in Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Pharmacy and for some courses in Medicine. 18

Examples where one science subject is necessary Nursing Dental Hygiene and Dental Nursing (Exception direct entry UCC) Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Environmental Health Physiotherapy (T.C.D. requires 2 or 1 + Hons. Maths) Radiography Optometry Engineering Science Degrees (Some colleges but not all) 19

U.C.C. Requirements U.C.C. requires Chemistry and one of Physics or Biology for: Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy 20

Other Colleges’ Requirements 21 T.C.D. - Chemistry and another science for Pharmacy. T.C.D. – Two science subjects for Medicine and Dentistry. The subjects are not specified but there are restrictions. T.C.D. – Physiotherapy 2 science or 1 plus Honours Maths. (UL, UCD and RCSI ask for one science)

One Science is enough in some colleges R.C.S.I. – for Pharmacy one science subject is required. (N.B. It must be Chemistry) NUI Galway, R.C.S.I. and U.C.D. Require one science subject for the 6 year Medicine course but two science subjects for the 5 year course. 22

Always check the fine print e.g. Some colleges accept Agricultural Science as a Science subject and others do not. In general Chemistry and another Science are recommended if you are interested in studying Medicine. 23

Students have a choice of two extra subjects in school Applied Maths - geared towards those who are studying Honours Maths Link Modules (L.C.V.P. – Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme) 24

Applied Maths A full subject with homework Complements Honours Maths and Physics 25

Link Modules (L. C. V.P) Preparation for Working Life e.g. work experience, how to apply for jobs, CV preparation, Interview Preparation, Health and Safety and Equality Legislation Enterprise Education e.g. The role of entrepreneurs, females as entrepreneurs, enterprise in Ireland including a visit to a local enterprise. 26

How it is examined 60% Assessment in form of a portfolio of coursework completed over 2 years (externally examined) 40% exam based assessment 27

Points for the Link Modules Distinction 70% = 66 points (H4= 60-69%) Merit 65% = 46 points (H6= 40 – 49%) Pass 50% = 28 points (O4= 60 – 69%) The majority of students who take the Link Modules count the result for points. 28

Subject combination for Link Modules To study the Link Modules students must study: Irish English Maths, French or German Two subjects on the DES LCVP combination list Pick your subjects first and then if possible decide on doing Link Modules. 29

LCVP subject groupings Home Ec. and Biology Home Ec. and Art Any two business subjects Any two science subjects Physics and Technology 30

Link Modules combinations cont. Technology and any business subject Home Ec. and any business subject Art and any business subject Music and any business subject 31

Rules for Link Modules (LCVP) Students must take a third language (French or German) in school Students must study their two combination subjects in school. 32

Extra Subjects Outside School New commercial phenomenon. Even highly academic students can find it difficult but generally take the subject for interest only. Under no circumstances may a student drop a school subject because of this extra pressure. 33

Common effect of extra subject It can take time from the study of the main subjects and reduce the grades achieved. Flattening out of grades.

Language spoken at home It is possible to sit the Leaving Certificate in certain languages if students speak them at home and prepare for the exam at home.

These subjects are: Arabic Bulgarian Croatian, Czech Danish, Dutch Estonian Finnish

Cont. Hebrew Studies Hungarian Italian Japanese Latvian, Lithuanian Modern Greek

Cont. Polish, Portuguese Romanian, Russian Slovakian, Spanish, Swedish

Revision Courses and Organised Study in the Holidays If students listen in class and keep up with their homework these should not be necessary. I do not believe they are desirable. I believe students need a rest and a break and that is what the holidays are for.