1. Senior Cycle Subject Options February 2018

2. National Framework of Qualifications
The Learning Journey
National Framework of Qualifications

3. 4 Types/Levels of Courses
Level 5 1 Year Certificate – Technical Institutes
Level 6 2 Year Certificates –IT’s
Level 7 3 Year Ordinary Bachelor Degrees –IT’s
Level 8 3/4/5 Year Honours Bachelor Degree –
IT’s and Universities
‘CAO’ does not process Level 5 Post Leaving
Certificate Courses
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle

4. Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
Students receive
points based on their best 6 Grades.

5. Who decides the points tariff for the courses? Is it the CAO? Or
Types of Courses
Who decides the points tariff
for the courses?
Is it the CAO? Or
Is it the individual Colleges?
Points
Research Cycle

6. The points for any course simply reflect the points of the last
Neither.
The points for any course simply
reflect the points of the last
student accepted onto a course.
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle

7. What or who sets the points for a course?
The points for any of the above courses is equal to the Leaving Cert Points total of the last student offered a place on the course.
Neither the CAO or the Colleges set the points.
The demand for places sets the points.
Types of Courses
College
Course
Level
Time Yrs
Points
Places
GMIT
Tourism 6 2
140 30
Business 7 3
246 75
NUIG
Arts 8
300
1000
Eng 4
401
170
UCD
Veterinary 5
555 82
Points
Research Cycle

8. A word about Median Points
The points of the student mid way up the course listing. For Arts, the 500th Student had 360 points in 2016.
The probability of this student completing the course is greater than that of the student with
300 points on entry.
Types of Courses
College
Course
Points
Median Points
Places
NUIG
Arts
300
360
1000
Points
Research Cycle

9. The Research Cycle
Subjects Courses Careers

10. Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment
“What are my interests and aptitudes?”
Generate Possible Career Choices
Research
Possible Careers
Research Related Courses
Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
EirQuest & Cambridge Profile

11. Generate Possible Career Choices
“What careers match my interests and aptitudes?”
Generate Possible Career Choices
Research
Possible Careers
Research Related Courses
Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
EirQuest & Cambridge Profile

12. “What do these careers involve?”
Generate Possible Career Choices
Research
Possible Careers
Research Related Courses
Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
Careers Directory

13. Educational requirements? Kind of person? Earnings potential?
“What do these careers involve?”
Careers Directory
Educational requirements?
Kind of person?
Earnings potential?
Related occupations?
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
Generate Possible Career Choices
Research
Possible Careers
Research Related Courses
Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment

14. Research Related Courses
“What courses support these careers?”
Generate Possible Career Choices
Research
Possible Careers
Research Related Courses
Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
Qualifax.ie

15. Research Related Courses
“What do these careers involve?”
Qualifax.ie
Subjects taught?
Delivery and assessment?
Progression routes?
Work experience?
Employability?
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
Generate Possible Career Choices
Research
Possible Careers
Research Related Courses
Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment

16. Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
“How well will I need to do?”
Generate Possible Career Choices
Research
Possible Careers
Research Related Courses
Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
Qualifax.ie

17. Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
“What subjects will I choose?
Types of Courses
Points
Research Cycle
Generate Possible Career Choices
Research
Possible Careers
Research Related Courses
Course Subject Entry and Points Requirements
Career Interest & Aptitudes Assessment

18. Lesson 2 Subject Options at Presentation College
Looking at available subjects and how they meet with 3rd Level college entry
Requirements.

19. Two-year programme that gives the opportunity to study seven subjects.
LEAVING CERTIFICATE
Two-year programme that gives the opportunity to study seven subjects.
3 Core Plus 4 = 7

20. SUBJECT CHOICE When it comes to choosing your subjects it is important to get advice and to choose wisely.
Core subjects
Essential subjects for certain third level courses?
Desirable subjects?

21. SUBJECT GROUPINGS
The following are the Leaving Certificate subjects in their official groupings ...

22. Language Group Irish, English, French, German
Science Group Mathematics, Applied Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science

23. Applied Science Group DCG, Construction Studies, Technology
Business Studies Group Accounting, Business, Economics
Social Studies Group History, Geography, Art, Home Economics (S&S), Music

24. English
O6 for all NUI colleges, TCD,UL, DCU and Institutes of Technology
O5/H7 Primary Teaching
H5 Journalism, Communications and Media courses
Irish
O6 All courses in NUI colleges unless exempt
H5 for Primary Teaching and other courses that involve the study of Irish e.g. Irish and New Media (UL)

25. Modern Language - French/German
O6 for most courses in NUI and for Cadets in Army/Air Corps.
H4 for Law with French, Commerce with French, Commerce International
3rd Language not required for TCD, UL, DCU, DIT and all the ITs unless the course includes the study of a language.
Not required for Nursing, Science or Engineering courses in NUIG, NUIM and UCD

26. Science Group
Mathematics
Applied Maths
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Agricultural Science

27. Maths
Ordinary Level Pass (O6) for most courses in Universities and Institutes of Technology
Honours Maths
All Level 8 Engineering Courses
Financial Mathematics & Economics – NUIG & UL
Economics & Mathematical Sciences, Industrial
Biochemistry - UL
Actuarial Studies - DCU, UCD
Economics & Finance - UCD
Theoretical Physics - UCD/TCD
Computer Science - TCD

28. 25 Bonus points for Honours Maths applies for H6 grade upwards

29. THE SCIENCES...
A science subject is essential for careers in medical, paramedical careers (physiotherapy, radiography, human nutrition, pharmacy, medical laboratory science) and nursing.
A science subject is required for a career in engineering and most faculties of science require students to have a laboratory science subject.
Science not required to study at Certificate or
Ordinary Degree Level in Engineering, Science
or Electronics in ITs

30. THE SCIENCES (contd.)...
Certain courses require/desire a particular
science subject:
Honours Chemistry
Human Nutrition - DIT
Pharmacy – TCD & UCC
Dentistry - UCC
Veterinary – UCD/UCC
Human Health & Disease - TCD
Honours Biology
Nursing (desirable)
Genetics – UCC H4 in Biology (essential)

31. BUSINESS STUDIES GROUP
Economics
Accounting

32. BUSINESS SUBJECTS
There are no courses that specifically require a business subject as an entry requirement.
BUT, in a world which is so business oriented, studying a business subject makes sense.

33. DCG (Design & Communication Graphics) Construction Studies
APPLIED SCIENCE GROUP
DCG (Design & Communication Graphics)
Construction Studies
Technology *
*now meets the requirement for a science subject to study Engineering at Level 8

34. SOCIAL STUDIES GROUP
Geography
Home Economics (Social
& Scientific)
Art
Music
History

35. Contrary to popular belief:-
No requirement for DCG to become an engineer or architect
No requirement for a business subject to study commerce, or accountancy to become an accountant.
These are desirable, though.

36. TOO LATE when filling out your CAO Form
After final selection, examine your chosen options very carefully to ensure you have kept career options open.
Ensure you have the minimum subject requirements for third-level courses in which you have an interest.
TOO LATE when filling out your CAO Form

37. Making your Choices .....
Do not make rash decisions
Subject choice should not depend on the teacher or your friends.
Do not listen to rumours as to what is an ‘easy’ subject.

38. Exam Grades and Corresponding Points allocation.
New LC Grading Scheme
Marks
New Points
Higher Level
Ordinary Level
H1 / O1
90-100
100 56
H2 / O2
80 < 90 88 46
H3 / O3
70 < 80 77 37
H4 / 04
60 < 70 66 28
H5 / O5
50 < 60 20
H6 / 06
40 < 50 12
H7 / O7
30 < 40
H8 / O8
0 < 30

39. SUMMARY
Study 7 exam subjects for Leaving Cert.
Your choices must include Irish, English and Maths.
Only your six best subjects are counted for CAO Points.
Study as many higher level subjects as possible to maximise your chances of getting your college course of choice.

40. Be flexible about your course and career options at this early stage
Keep your options open by choosing at least one science subject and a 3rd language
Consult family, Guidance Counsellor
Check online careers resources
Presentation College links to
Qualifax
Careers Portal

41. Extra Lesson Introduction To qualifax
Extra Lesson Introduction To qualifax.ie Finding out about College Courses

42. Finding out about College Courses
What do I need to know?
What is the qualification level/award?
How long will it take?
What are the LC Subject Entry Requirements Levels/Grades
Course Content?
How is it taught/assessed?
Work placement module / Study placement module / both?
Progression routes?
Points?