1. Subject Choice for Senior Cycle
Presentation by Guidance Department
Margaret Meagher
Ciara O’Connor

2. Leaving Certificate Two year programme 7 subjects in total
3 Core Subjects & 4 Optional Subjects
Subject Levels
Higher, Ordinary or Foundation Level
Higher or Ordinary Level
Maths Irish
All other subjects

3. Core Subjects
English
Irish
Maths
Social & Artistic
Group
History
Geography
Music
Art
Social & Scientific
(H.Ec.)
Language Group
French
German
Practical Group
Construction Studies
Engineering
Design &
Communication
Graphics
Science Group
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Agricultural Science
Business Group
Business
Accounting
Economics

4. SUBJECT CHOICE When it comes to making subject choice it is important to get advice and to choose wisely.
Core subjects
Essential subjects for certain third level courses

5. 5 Points to Consider! Choose Subjects that you like.
Choose Subjects that you are good at.
Find out about the Subject – talk to teachers
Consider possible Career Interests.
Check Course Entry Requirements.

6. 3rd level Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements for Universities: 2 H5 + 4 O6 including Maths, English, Irish & 3rd Language for certain Universities.
The Entry Requirements for IT’s: 5 OD3 including Maths, English/Irish
Specific Requirements: this is where certain subjects or grades are required to do certain courses. Example: Honours Irish for Primary School Teaching, Chemistry for Human Nutrition/Dietetics, Chemistry + another Science Subject for Medicine
Points: result from 6 best subjects in the Leaving Certificate.

7. THE POINTS SYSTEM
Leaving Cert students are graded differently to Junior Cert.
Grades are H/O 1 – H8/O8 in 10% bands
Students are awarded higher points for Honours Grades.
The 6 best subjects are calculated to give the students “Points”.
Then the students are ranked according to their points scores for each course that they apply for.
From these, the available course places are filled from the top of this ranked list.

8. POINTS ALLOCATION %
Grade
Points
90-100 H1
100
80<90 H2 88
70<80 H3 77
60<70 H4 66
50<60 H5 56 O1
40<50 H6 46 O2
30<40 H7 37 O3
0<30 H8 O4 28 O5 20 O6 12 O7
LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI.
LCVP Points
Distinction 66
Merit 45
Pass 27
_____________
Hons Maths –any grade H6 up +25
Brian Howard - Newbridge College 8

9. Essential Subjects Some myths about the necessity of having certain subjects for certain careers. Contrary to popular belief:-
you do not need technical drawing to become an engineer or architect
you do not need a business subject to study commerce, or accountancy to become an accountant

10. 3rd Language Desirable to have a continental language
Required by colleges under the National University of Ireland (UCC,UCD, NUIIG, NUIM), Royal College of Surgeons, St. Angela’s Sligo, Shannon College of Hotel Management
University of Limerick, Trinity College, require a Language other than English. Irish will suffice.
The Institutes of Technology and Dublin City University require English/Irish.

11. Science
A science subject is required for entry into all Science, Medical, Paramedical and Engineering University degree courses.
Two science subjects are required for some courses.
Chemistry is a specific entry requirement to some courses.
A practical subject such as Engineering, Design & Communication Graphics or Construction Studies may be taken instead of a Science subject for some Engineering degree courses.

12. No Language Requirement Science & Engineering
Changes are currently taking place within the *NUI Universities with regard to the 3rd Language requirement for Science and Engineering.
UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC have decided to drop the Language requirement for certain Science & Engineering Courses. Check each college website:
A Language is still a requirement for the Medical & Para-medical areas.
*UCC,UCD,NUIM,NUIG

13. Recent Change
NUIM: No 3rd language entry requirement for Business and Law degree programmes
Where a student wishes to take a language as part of these programmes they will however require a 3rd Language

14. Nursing Entry Requirements No 3rd Language required
2 HC3 + 4 O or H D3 in the following subjects:
Irish or English
Mathematics
A Laboratory Science subject (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Physics & Chemistry or Agricultural Science)
Three other subjects

15. Science Essential SCIENCE ENGINEERING* ARCHITECTURE OCCUP. THERAPY
MEDICINE*
DENTISTRY*
VETERINARY*
PHARMACY*
PHYSIOTHERAPY
RADIOGRAPHY
NURSING
NAVAL CADETS
ARCHITECTURE
OCCUP. THERAPY
SPEECH THERAPY
SPORTS SCIENCE
MED LAB SCIENCE
DIETETICS
OPTOMETRY
PRODUCTION MGT.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
INFO. TECH.

16. CHEMISTRY
PHARMACY
VETERINARY
MEDICINE
DENTISTRY
HUMAN NUTRITION

17. Consider the Following:
Liking a subject
Enjoying a subject
Achieving at a subject
MOTIVATION
Willing to put in effort
Achieve results/points
Interest translates into career,job, work,study

18. Some Tips
Be aware of similarities & differences in content & approach in subjects
(writing,memorising,methodical,practical, creative,abstract concepts)
Do you like learning things off?
Do you prefer to work things out?
Do you like doing research?
Do you prefer practical things?
What’s your track record in a subject?

19. Watch out for………… Doing what friends are doing
I’m the only one who wants to do………
Stereotype views of subjects
Following “teacher, room, reputation, easy, difficult,”
Not fully informed re subject
No thought to the future

20. After final selection
Examine options very carefully to see that career options are kept open.
Check the essential requirements for third-level courses of interest.
Be clear on why pupil is not choosing a subject

21. Finally choose subjects having
Interest & enjoyment
Considered career interests
Checked subject requirements for 3rd level
Backup choices

22. Help available 3rd yrs & TYs spoken to Information booklets given
Subject teachers explaining subjects
Information in Careers room
Career Guidance support

23. Careers Portal https://careersportal.ie/
CareersPortal.ie - Parents - Parents Guide
CareersPortal.ie - The Leaving Certificate
CareersPortal.ie - Video Library - School Subjects (LC)

24. Qualifax QualifaX National Learners database Subject Choice
Minimum Subject Requirements

25. Websites www.indi.ie Dietician/Nutritionist www.qualifax.ie
Architect
Engineering
Psychology
Information technology
Tourism