1. 22nd March 2017 Louise O’Callaghan
Subject Choice
22nd March 2017
Louise O’Callaghan

2. Overview of Presentation
Guidance on subject selection
New points system from 2017
Third level entry requirements and subject requirements for further study after Leaving Cert
Subject choice process in Dominican College

3. Leaving Certificate Programme
4 compulsory core subjects
Maths, English, Irish, French or German
3 elective additional subjects
The Science Group
The Business Group
The Social and Humanities Group
The Arts
1 optional additional subject
LCVP
Might do an info-graphic for this slide

4. 3 Elective Additional Subjects
The Science Group
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
The Business Group
Business
Accounting
Social and Humanities Group
Geography
History
Home Economics
The Arts Group
Art
Music
If a student has not taken a subject at JC it may not be possible to take it up for LC, for example ART or Music – important to discuss with the teacher Ms Kerrigan / Ms McTernan in the school and if you are involved in the subject area outside school, for example you play an instrument, sing, paint.
If a student did not study Home Ec for the JC it is possible to take it as a LC subject

5. Science subjects
Approximately 200 courses out of 1400 require a science subject
UCAS have very specific requirements regarding science subjects
If a student does not want to study science, there are plenty of third level courses open to them, but not in the science or healthcare area.

6. Courses which require a science subject
Health and Performance (Sports Science)
Medicine / Dentistry
Pharmacy
Radiography
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Nursing
Engineering in some universities
While some courses accept any science subect there are other that look a specific grade in a specific science subject.

7. Two science subjects Physiotherapy Pharmacy Dentistry in TCD and UCC
Veterinary Medicine
Some medicine entry courses, except NUIG, RCSI, UCD, where only one science subject is required for entry to their 6 year medical programmes.

8. Business subjects
Students choose a business subject based on interest at JC, ability and future career aspirations
Students should be getting a good C at JC to pursue these subjects
A business subject (Business or Accounting) is rarely an essential requirement for business or commerce at third level
Exception:
Accounting is required for Commerce with Accounting in NUIG
Important to be getting at least a grade C at Junior Cycle level in order to be able for it at senior level

9. Geography, History and Home Economics
Students pick these subjects based on interest and aptitude
They are not required for any specific courses
There is a practical element to all three subjects – 20% completed in 6th year
Students are welcome to take up any of these subject for the LC without having studying them for the JC
These subjects can be taken up at third level without studying them for the LC

10. Art and Music
Students generally pick Art or Music because they are good at the subject
Practical element to both subjects which is completed in 6th year
Advised to talk to Ms McTernan or Ms Kerrigan if wanting to take it up without having done it for the JC
You can study Art and Music at third level without having studied it for the LC
A portfolio is generally required for Art courses and an audition is generally required for Music courses

11. Interesting to note
Art is generally not needed for Art and Design courses, but a portfolio may be required
Business or Accounting are generally not required for Business courses, but Maths may be
Music courses generally require an audition, but not the LC subject Music
General subjects like History or Geography can be taken up at third level without doing them for the LC

12. Factors which influence subject choice
Interest in the subject
Aptitude in the subject
Role of friends / parents / siblings
Perceived as being ‘easy’ or ‘hard’
Relationship with teachers at Junior Cycle
Requiring the subject for college course / career choice after the Leaving Cert

13. Consequences of poor subject choice
Student likely to be unhappy
Student unlikely to maximise potential
Not having a subject they may need for course of choice after school
May want to change subject in 5th year

14. CAO Points System
Points are allocated to the six best grades of an applicant
These grades must be achieved in one sitting of the LC
All subjects carry equal points except LCVP and HL Maths
The points level varies from year to year – applicants and places
Only when Minimum and Specific Entry Requirements have been met do points accumulated come into play to decide who gets a place on a course
NOTE – Though Minimum Entry Requirements may state that you need Irish or English etc that does not mean that you must count it as one of the 6 subjects for points

15. New Points System from 2017 Higher Level Grade Ordinary Level Grade
H1 (90-100) O1 (90-100)
H2 (80 < 89) O2 (80 < 89)
H3 (70 < 79) O3 (70 < 79)
H4 (60 < 69) O4 (60 < 69)
H5 (50 < 59) O5 (50 < 59)
H6 (40 < 49) O6 (40 < 49)
H7 (30 < 39) O7 (30 < 39)
H8 (0 < 29) O8 (0 < 29)

16. LC Points Calculation Grid
HL Maths
25 bonus points will continue be awarded in 2017 at grades H6 and above
NEW:
In HL grades from 30%- 40% 37 points will be awarded

17. Entry Requirements to Higher Education Institutes
Minimum Entry Requirements
Specific Entry Requirements (Specific subject requirement and may also involve interview, audition, portfolio etc)
Points
EXAMPLE:
Nursing in NUIG will require:
2H5 and 4O6/H7 (Include Irish, English, Maths)
A science subject
445* points
Choice of subjects now may determine 3rd level and career options in two years time

18. Examples of Specific Subject Requirements
H5 in Irish – Primary School Teaching
H5 in Maths – Some Engineering and Computer Science degrees
No Maths requirement for some Arts and Law degrees (NUI colleges)
Third language requirement for entry to NUI colleges (except for Nursing, Engineering and Science degrees)
One laboratory science subject required for most science / healthcare related courses
Irish useful for entry to the guards
No Maths requirement for some Arts and Law degrees (NUI colleges)
Third language requirement for entry to NUI colleges (except for Nursing, Engineering and Science degrees) UL, Trinity and DCU will accept Irish and / or european language
Study Maths at the highest level you can

19. Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)
A two year programme designed to enhance the vocational dimension of the traditional LC
Two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education
Students are assessed through a combination of portfolio items (60%) and written examination (40%)
Different grading system:
Distinction – 80 to 100% = 66 points
Merit – 65 to 79% = 46 points
Pass – 50 to 64% = 28 points

20. Eligibility to take LCVP
Must study 5 LC subjects (one of which must be Irish unless Department of Education exempt) plus the Link Modules
A recognised course in a Modern European Language
Two qualifying vocational subject groupings as set out by the Dept of Education and Skills
All qualifying subjects must be studied in school
Preparation for the WoW – research and investigate local employment opportunities, develop job seeking skills such as CV prep, interview techniques and work experience
Enterprise Education – students will be involved in organising visits to local businesses and community enterprises, undertake interesting activities that will help them develop self-confidence, IT skills, creativity and initiative

21. LCVP - Vocational Subject Groupings
Home Economics and Biology
Home Economics and Art
Home Economics and Business
Home Economics and Accounting
Accounting and Business
Physics and Chemistry
Biology and Chemistry
Biology and Physics
Art and Business
Art and Accounting
Music and Business
Music and Accounting

22. Advice on Subject Choice:
Do what comes naturally – relate to aptitude
Choose subjects for enjoyment
Check course requirements – changes from year to year
Students need to know the difference between ‘Required’ and ‘Useful’ subjects
Seek advice from guidance counsellors, teachers, friends, parents / guardians and students in 5th and 6th year
Don’t choose a subject because a friend is doing it, because it’s an easy option, because it looks good, without researching it thoroughly.
Be realistic about ability and possible future choice
Everyone wants to get the best out of their leaving cert – easier to study a subject if it is enjoyed
6. Ultimately the student will have to take responsibility for their choice and their education

23. General Advice
If your daughter is not sure what she wants to do in the future, pick a broad range of subjects:
EXAMPLE: Sinead has no idea at the moment
4 core + 1 science + 1 business + 1 humanities
If your daughter is sure that she wants to study in a specific area after school then research the minimum and specific entry requirements carefully
EXAMPLE: Mary wants to study Pharmacy
4 core + 1 or 2 Science + free choice
Reiterate the levels and that the specific subject requirements may vary

24. Role of the Parent / Guardian
Help your daughter explore her interests and assess her capabilities
Explore career and educational options together
Help your daughter set challenging but achievable career goals
Encourage your child to 'try on' careers by volunteering or through work experience or job-shadowing opportunities

25. Ensuring good subject choice
Students are being shown how to research and encouraged to do as much research as possible – not all of them do it!
Do research yourself – excellent resources available – see handout
Be realistic – if a student did not like or excel at a subject at JC why would that change at LC?

26. Procedure around Subject Choice
Students will be given a form asking them to indicate what 5 subjects they want to study in genuine order of preference
This stage of the process is important to ensure as many students as possible get their preferred three subjects
Signed subject form must be returned to Mr O’Doherty by 05/04/2017

27. Resources Qualifax (Irish courses and Minimum Subject Requirements)
UCAS (UK and Northern Ireland)
Careers Portal (What to Study / Leaving Cert Subjects
CAO website
Examinations.ie
Curriculumonline.ie
Friends
Teachers