1. Newbridge College Traditional Leaving Certificate Subject Choice
18/07/2019
Newbridge College
Traditional Leaving Certificate
Subject Choice
Mr. Brian Howard Guidance Counsellor

2. Leaving Certificate Programme
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Leaving Certificate Programme
Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme.
Full time commitment required over 2 years.
5th year is very important especially for those hoping to gain entry to high points courses.
Usually a maximum of 7 subjects are taken for the Leaving Certificate.
An extra (7th) subject? – need to think very carefully about this as each LC subject is extensive and requires a lot of work. Big jump in standard from J.C.
Other subjects could suffer if workload is too great.
For points purposes best 6 subjects are counted.
All subjects are of equal importance.
Extra points will be awarded in all HEIs for honours Mathematics in LC 2012 to 2015
Extra points are awarded in DT021 for honours in certain science subjects.

3. Points System Grade Hons Hons + B Ordinary A1 100 125 60 A2 90 115 50
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Points System
Grade Hons Hons + B Ordinary A A B B B C C C D D D
Bonus points
HD3 or above in Maths
 Extra 25 points
LCVP points
Distinction 70
Merit 50
Pass 30
LCVP POINTS

4. Sample Calculation Paul Subject Level Grade Score Irish H C2 65
English O A1 60
Maths A2
90+25=115
Geography B2 80
Biology C1 70
Physics
French B3 75
LCVP M 50
Add the 6 best scores shown in RED
Points = 465

5. Leaving Certificate Programme
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Leaving Certificate Programme
Highly Desirable Subjects
Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students should definitely consider choosing:
a modern language (NUI*)
a science subject.
Subject Levels
Higher and Ordinary level  all subjects.
Foundation level Mathematics & Irish.
Particular care needs to be taken with Mathematics. Failure in this subject can be detrimental to overall L.C.
LC subject selection
Core subjects: English, Mathematics & Irish*
Optional subjects: Usually 4 other subjects are chosen
Business Given the rapidly changing world of business, this subject deals with current day-to-day reality of Business itself. It is a very interesting subject, but requires constant attention to the business pages of the quality newspapers. It looks at how organisations are formed, financed and run. It also explores the services that support businesses such as insurance, banking, transport, marketing and public service bodies such as the IDA, Fáilte Ireland etc.
Economics. Economics has a mathematical slant and has a lot of graphic and theoretical work. It explores the inner working of companies, and how they measure their success and progress. At a macro level it examines International Trade, the role of Government and the EU in controlling the economy, competition and markets. This is a good subject for the analytical student.
Accounting Students who enjoy the book keeping part of Junior Certificate Business should consider taking Accounting. At Leaving Certificate level, analysis and interpretation of accounts is the core activity. For those with strong numeracy and reasoning skills this can be a very enjoyable and successful subject.
Religious Education Religious Education was examined for the first time in 2005, with high grades achieved by the small number of candidates taking this subject. Students are introduced to the dialogue between science and religious in the exploration of meaning and values in our societies. The programme introduces students to both Philosophy and Psychology. Twenty percent of the marks in this subject are awarded for the student’s journal, which is pre-submitted prior to the examination. 
Music & Art. Not subjects to be dipped into for the first time at this level. Most students taking either option will be following on from Junior Certificate level. At Leaving Certificate level, Art involves a lot of work on the History and appreciation of Art alongside the normal design and craftwork.
Construction Studies, Engineering, Technical Drawing. These practical subjects where available, give students hands on experience working with tools, machinery and physical things like plastics, wood and metal. Students who enjoy working with their hands get to design and make products. Students also have to undertake quite an amount of theoretical and background work for their final examinations.

6. Optional Subjects (4) BUSINESS Business Accountancy Economics SCIENCE
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Optional Subjects (4)
BUSINESS
Business
Accountancy
Economics
SCIENCE
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
LANGUAGES
French
German
APPLIED SCIENCES
Home Economics
Construction Studies
Design and Communication Graphics
SOCIAL STUDIES
History
Geography
Music
Art
History. This year is the first time students will be examined in the new curriculum. The balance of the course has moved away from a predominant political emphasis, to encompass both social and cultural history. The identification of evidence and primary sources is central to studying history. Students can now secure up to 20% of the overall marks by pre-submitting a research paper on a selected topic, from a range set out by the State Examinations Commission. Essay writing is central to the programme. Students have to present three essays in their Higher Leaving Certificate paper, plus a documents question. Ordinary level students should benefit from the opportunity to prepare a research question under the revised curriculum.
Geography. This subject studies the interrelationship between human activity and the physical environment. It is an extremely wide curriculum, with students having the opportunity to undertake a geographic investigation, which is allocated 20% of the overall marks in the final examination, and is pre-submitted by the end of April in the year of the students leaving certificate. For both Science and Pharmacy at TCD, geography is accepted as a science subject for entry requirements.
Continental Languages. The three main elements of the study of modern languages are comprehension, oral and written presentation. Be mindful of the Aural and Oral requirements. There is a strong emphasis now is on the ability to comprehend and converse in the language studied, and this is reflected in the fact, that a third of the final marks awarded, are for Aural and Oral work. Studying a continental language today requires you to culturally immerse yourself in the spoken, written world of its users.
Applied Math’s. A very suitable subject for the student taking higher-level Math’s and Physics.
Physics. Physics has a strong Maths element and requires the learning off of many formulae. It develops students understanding of many of the ordinary things that surround us such as heat, light, electricity and magnetism. Students must maintain a laboratory book, as there are twenty-seven mandatory experiments, of which four are offered on the leaving certificate paper, with three to be presented.
Chemistry Students taking Chemistry, have to learn off the chemical components of a series of prescribed experiments. They will be required to present the elements of four such experiments in their examination. Again, students studying chemistry, develop an understanding of key elements of the world we live in, such as water as well as everything we use wear or consume.
Biology Students studying Biology explore the world of all living things from micro-organisms to humans. As with the other science subjects, students undertake twenty-four mandatory experiments, the details of which they record in their laboratory book. It is often perceived as an easier subject than Physics and chemistry, but this is not so, as shown by the high failure rates at ordinary level.
Social & Scientific. A combination of Cooking, Home Economics some Biology and a bit of Business. A very interesting subject, but not the easy honours that some imagine. Twenty percent of the marks are awarded for a course work journal, done within normal class time, and pre-submitted in October of 6th year, prior to the written examination. The study of Food Science is a central part of this subject. Students also have the option of studying one of Social Studies, Textiles or Home Design.
Information about LC subjects can be found on the college website: and the NCCA website:

11. 18/07/2019
Entry Requirements
When choosing Leaving Certificate subjects great care must be taken as the choices of subjects made now may determine 3rd level and career options in 2 years time.
Why? Regardless of how many points you get in your LC, you will be ineligible to even apply for a course if you have not met it’s “Course Entry Requirements”
Generally there are 2 sets of ‘Entry Requirements’ which must be met before ‘points’ can be considered.
A) Minimum Entry Requirements
Particular subjects and minimum no. of honours / passes in the L.C. required to apply to an individual college.
B) Specific Course Requirements
Particular subjects and/or levels required to gain entry to specific faculties or courses.

12. Minimum Entry Requirements of major CAO Colleges
Institution
Minimum grades
Required subjects
NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC. (RCSI, Shannon, Miltown)
2HC3 + 4OD3
OD3 in English, Irish & Modern Language*.
Trinity College Dublin
3HC3 + 3OD3
OD3 in Maths, English & another Language
Dublin City University
OD3 in Maths, English or Irish
University of Limerick
OD3 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang.
Dublin Institute of Technology
2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)
5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)
Regional Institutes of Technology (DK*)

13. Specific Course Requirements
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Specific Course Requirements
These requirements are in addition to Minimum Entry Requirements.
They are specific L.C. subjects / grades required for entry to particular courses.
They tend to be in the following subject areas:
Science subjects
Languages
Mathematics
E.g. Veterinary Medicine in UCD
Entry Requirements:
2HC3 + 4OD3, OD3 in English, Irish, Modern Language & Mathematics, HC3 in Chemistry.
If a student really hates a subject, it is unlikely that they are suddenly going to like it at third level. E.g. a language/science subject.

14. Sample Requirements Irish French A Language Primary Teaching – HC3
Journalism & Irish (DCU) – HB3
Early and Modern Irish (TCD) – HC3
Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) – OA2/HC3
French
Law with French Law – HB3
Bus. Studies and French (TCD) – HC1
Law and French (TCD) – HC1
A Language
Many courses require a language but may not specify a particular one:
Film & Broadcasting with a language (DIT) – HC3 in Ir or Fr.
Applied Languages (DCU) – HC3 in Fr, Ge, Ir or Sp.
Speech and Language Therapy (TCD) – HC3 in En, Fr, Ge, Ir, It, Ru or Sp.
Cadet School – OD3 in a modern Language.

15. Sample Requirements Honours Engineering – HC3
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Sample Requirements
Mathematics
Honours Engineering – HC3
Business Studies (DCU) – OC3/HD3
Optometry (DIT) - OB3
Economics & Finance (UCD) – HC3
Business (TCD) – OC/HD
Science (UCD) – OB3/HD3
Commerce (UCD) – OB3/HD3
Law and Accounting (UL) – OC3/HD3
Science
Particular care needs to be taken with science subjects.
Many courses require any one science subject
Some courses require 2 science subjects, particularly TCD and UCC.
UCAS courses
Nursing – OD3 in a Lab. Sc.
Medical/Para medical courses
Chemistry
Pharmacy*, Human Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine & Dentistry (UCC) – HC3
Chemistry not required for Pharmacy in RCSI

16. Appliance of Science

17. Specific Course Requirements
Unlikely that 3rd/TY students will know exactly, which courses/careers they wish to pursue at this stage.
But from looking at their interests, abilities and aptitudes they may be able to identify broad areas of interest and hence check potential course entry requirements.
Course Entry Requirements can be accessed:
In the college’s prospectuses
On the college’s websites
Directory of LC Entry Requirements
– Subject Requirements
It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.

18. Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open
General Advice
If a student is not really sure what he/she wants to do in the future:
Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open
Many students will change their minds about their future a number of times in the next 2 years
E.g.
one language
one science
one business
one humanities / applied science.
This combination would allow access into a broad range of courses/careers.

19. Choosing a Subject DECISION A wise choice of subjects requires:
RESEARCH
DISCUSSION
REFLECTION
DECISION
Subject Teachers, Guidance Classes, TY Programme
L.C. Books, Publications, Other Students
Guidance Counsellors, Current Teachers
Family, Friends
Consider all the information, views and opinions
Then, ultimately each student must make up their own mind.

20. Choosing a Subject Key Questions What subjects is the school offering?
If I’m interested in a particular course/career area, what subjects are essential? ( Course Entry Requirements)
If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for this course/career area?
What subjects do I like? (motivation) (not the teacher)
What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)

21. Important Points
DCG/Construction Studies are not needed to do Engineering. Maths and Physics are more important.
Art is generally not needed for Art and Design courses. A portfolio is however.
For Business courses, Maths is generally a requirement rather than Business subjects.
No subjects are gender specific.
Every student is unique (interests, abilities and aptitudes), hence they should choose subjects based on these and not current friendships or the opinions of others.
Students should be careful to try pick a balance between learning and understanding subjects.
Students should be aware of balancing subjects which help maximise points vs. subjects which may be of benefit to them in the future.

22. Newbridge College Subject Options
GEOGRAPHY
BIOLOGY
ART
HOME ECON.
MUSIC
FRENCH
  PHYSICS
ECONOMICS
CONS. STUDIES
CHEMISTRY
DCG
GERMAN
BUSINESS
HISTORY
 ACCOUNTING

23. Timetable of Events January – DATs 3rd years
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Timetable of Events
January – DATs 3rd years
January 24th – Parents Night.
February 1st – Class presentations begin
February 8th – Subject Choice Interviews begin
March 14th – Deadline for submission of application forms for TY.
March 28th – Deadline for final subject choices and commitment to TY.
April 2nd – Generation of classes begins.
After April 9th deadline there is no guarantee that students will get their selection of subjects.

24. Procedure
During subject choice interview a set of subjects are agreed with student.
Note brought home to parent outlining agreed subjects. Parents must review, sign and return to G.C.
In exceptional circumstances a change may be made to agreed subjects before March 28th by written request from parents to G.C.
March 28th – Deadline for final subject choices
After April 2nd changes will only be facilitated if vacancies exist in classes.
April 2nd – Class generation process begins.