1. Subject Choice for Leaving Certificate
November 18
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

2. How should I choose my subjects?
Think about the subjects you enjoy and do well in
You are more likely to get good grades in a subject you enjoy studying.
Think about your strengths and abilities.
These are the areas you are more like to continue with when you leave school.
Think about the modules you have enjoyed in Transition Year.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

3. Choose your subjects carefully
There are certain subjects that are essential for entry to particular courses, colleges and careers. It is important that YOU research these and you are aware of the necessary requirements.
Along with these subjects there are other subjects that are useful.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

4. Subjects available
Students must do at least 7 subjects for the Leaving Cert.
Mandatory Subjects
English
Irish (unless exempt)
Maths
Where eligible, students will study LCVP.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

5. Then pick 4 from the following…
Accounting
Ag Science
Art
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Construction Studies (Woodwork)
DCG (Tech. Graphics)
Engineering (Metalwork)
French
Geography
Home Economics
Music
Physics
Physics and Chemistry
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

6. Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme - LCVP
LCVP focuses on developing “Transferable Skills” such as:
Team Working
Critical Thinking
Flexibility
Leadership
Basic Skills (incl. IT)
Motivation to Learn
Communication
Initiative & Enterprise
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

7. LCVP helps students to:
Take responsibility for their own learning
Become more innovative and enterprising
Communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively
Investigate and plan their career options
Develop key skills for the modern working environment
Work well with others as part of a team
Network with people in business and the community
Access and use computers and audio-visual equipment
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

8. Link Modules Assessment Portfolio Core Items Options - any two from:CV
Career Investigation
Enterprise/Action Plan
Summary Report
Options - any two from:
Diary of Work Experience
Enterprise Report
Recorded Interview/Presentation
Report on “My Own Place”
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

9. LCVP - Grades and CAO Points
Distinction
80% - 100%
66 points
Merit
65% - 79%
46 points
Pass
50% - 64%
28 points
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

10. National Qualification Framework
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

11. General College Entry Requirements
Please check entry requirements for any course you are interested in as they may change.
National Universities of Ireland
University College Dublin (UCD)
University College Cork (UCC)
NUI Galway
NUI Maynooth
Level 8 Honours Degree Courses except Science & Engineering
Passes in English, Irish, Maths & a third Language
2 x H5 and 4 x O6/H7 grades
DCU, UL, Institutes of Technology
Passes in Maths & English/Irish
2 x H5 and 4 x O6/H7
Affiliated colleges – St. Angela’s Sligo, RCSI, NCAD, Miltown, Shannon College of Hotel Mgt,
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

12. Subject Requirements
In terms of entry to Third Level Colleges all subjects count equally for CAO points.
The only exception is Higher Level Maths
In Higher Level Maths a H6 or higher will mean that 25 points are added to the points for the grade achieved.
E.G. C3 in Higher Maths = = 85 points
All 3rd level colleges give the subject requirements necessary for entry to their courses in their Prospectus or on their website.
Check….
Do you need a 3rd language or a Science/Lab subject?
Do you need a specific subject for a specific course?
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

13. CAO Points V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

14. Should I choose a language?
UCC, UCD, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth and the Royal College of Surgeons require a pass in a third language for most of their courses.
Other colleges have it as a requirement for certain courses that have a large language component.
Entry to the Cadetships in the Defence Forces require a third language.
NCAD require a third language or Art.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

15. NO Third Language is required for…
Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, DCU and the Institutes of Technology unless it is a specific course requirement.
Engineering & Science courses in NUI Maynooth
Engineering, Science & Ag Science in UCD (except DN440 – Sciences: Biomedical, Health & Life Sciences)
Engineering, Science & Food Science in UCC
Engineering & Science in NUI Galway (except GY304 – Biotechnology)
Gardai, Nursing, Apprenticeships and most PLC Courses
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

16. Science Subjects
If you are applying for anything in the Engineering, Medical, Paramedical (Radiography, Physiotherapy, Human Nutrition/ Dietician, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory, Podiatry, Veterinary Nursing etc.) or Science areas at Universities you need to have a pass in at least one Laboratory Science Subject.
Course requirements should be checked on an individual basis.
A science subject is also necessary for Nursing.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

17. Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Please check all courses listed here as they are subject to change
Chemistry is required for:
Public Health Nutrition (DT225) and Biomedical Science (DT204) DIT
Dentistry (CK702), Pharmacy (CK703) and Medicine (CK701) in UCC (plus either Physics or Biology)
Veterinary Medicine (DN300) UCD
Pharmacy (TR072)TCD
Medicine
Biology is required for:
Home Economics with Biology (AS001) St Angela's College
If taking Biology as part of Arts (MH101) NUI Maynooth
Useful for P.E. teaching with Biology (DC205) in DCU
Physics is required for:
Theoretical Physics (TR035) in TCD
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

18. Business Subjects Junior Cert Business branches into:
Business, Accounting and Economics
Be aware that Business at Leaving Cert is largely theory based and so requires a lot of learning. However, the material is very practical and interesting to someone with a business mind.
Accounting is a continuation of Book-Keeping at Junior Cert. It does not require exceptional Maths skills but you must be conscientious as there is careful and detailed analysis of figures and data.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

19. Projects & Practicals Home Economics Art comprises of:
In 5th Year, students complete practical and written assignments that make up 20% of Leaving Cert result.
Art comprises of:
Still Life – 25%
Design/Craftwork – 25%
Figure/Life Drawing – 13%
Art History – 37%
Music comprises of:
Listening – 25%
Composing – 25%
Performing – 25%
Performance/Music Technology – 25%
Geography comprises of:
Written examination – 80%
Geographical Investigation – 20%
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

20. Projects & Practicals continued
Construction
Theory Paper – 50%
Project -25%
Woodwork Practical Exam – 25%
Engineering
Project – 25%
Practical Exam – 25%
DCG
Theory Paper – 60%
Project – 40%
Ag Science
Written Paper – 75%
Project – 25%
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

21. Things to consider…
It's important that you choose your subjects carefully as this could affect what you do after the Leaving Cert.
When you choose a good balance of subjects now, it should leave all your options open.
Consider all the facts and ask for help if you need it.
Do not choose subjects based on what your friends are doing or who you think will be teaching the subject.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

22. Remember!
At Leaving Certificate, subjects are studied in greater depth so more time is needed for each subject.
There are no glamorous or “doss” subjects
Be aware of the consequences of not taking a subject or a specific level
Be careful if considering taking on a new subject for Leaving Certificate.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

23. Tips for Subject ChoiceDo
Don’t
Choose subjects you enjoy.
Choose subjects you are good at.
Choose subjects you need for any career you are thinking about.
Keep your options open for the future by making a balanced choice now.
Talk to your Parents/Guardians, Guidance Counsellor and subject teachers.
Choose a subject because your friends are doing it.
Choose a subject because you like/dislike the teacher.
Choose a subject because you think it's easy.
Choose a new subject without finding out more about it.
Make a decision without thinking about it.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown

24. Where to find more Information
College Prospectuses available from the Guidance Counsellor.
Time will be available with the Guidance Counsellor for you to ask any questions you might have.
Internet
Please check all course and subject information mentioned here as it is may be subject to changes.
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown
V Dempsey, Guidance Counsellor, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown