1. Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon Leaving Certificate Subject Choice Ms. Marjorie AhernGuidance Counsellor 1

2. Leaving Certificate Programme Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme. ▫A Full time commitment is required over 2 years. Usually 7 subjects are taken for the Leaving Certificate. ▫Each LC subject is extensive and requires a lot of work. Big jump in standard from J.C. ▫8 th Subject – L.C.V.P./ Music/ subject taken outside school With extra subjects, other subjects can suffer if the work load is too great. – Be realistic ▫For points purposes best 6 subjects are counted. Almost all subjects are of equal importance. ▫Extra points will be awarded in all Universities and IT’s for honours Mathematics in LC 2012 to 2015 2

3. Points System GradeHonoursOrdinary A110060 A29050 B18545 B28040 B37535 C17030 C26525 C36020 D15515 D25010 D3455 LCVP points Distinction70 Merit50 Pass30 3

4. Leaving Certificate Programme Subject Levels ▫Higher and Ordinary level  all subjects. ▫Foundation level  Mathematics ▫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, Irish, Mathematics, & French ▫Optional subjects: Usually 3 other subjects are chosen Highly Desirable Subjects 1.a science subject / A European language 4

5. Optional Subjects – Scoil Mhuire BUSINESS Business Accountancy SCIENCE Biology Physics Chemistry Ag. Science Other Home Economics Tech. Graphics History Geography Art Music /L.C.V.P. ( 8 th Subject) 5

6. 6

7. 7

8. 8

9. Useful website Information about LC subjects can be found on the following websites: www.ncca.ie - overview of each subjectwww.ncca.ie www.careersportal.ie – details of subjectwww.careersportal.ie www.qualifax.ie - Min entry requirementswww.qualifax.ie & some subject information 9

10. 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”

11. Entry Requirements Generally there are 2 sets of ‘Entry Requirements’ which must be met before ‘points’ can be considered. A)College Entry Requirements ▫Particular subjects, specific grades & 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. 11

12. Minimum Entry Requirements of Major CAO Colleges 12 InstitutionMinimum gradesRequired subjects NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC. (RCSI, Shannon, Miltown) 2HC3 + 4OD3 (UCC from 2014- 4 higher level and 2 ord level) OD3 in English, Irish, Maths & Modern Language*. Trinity College Dublin3HC3 + 3OD3OD3 in Maths, English & another Language Dublin City University2HC3 + 4OD3OD3 in Maths, English or Irish University of Limerick2HC3 + 4OD3OD3 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang. Dublin Institute of Technology 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.) 5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.) OD3 in Maths, English or Irish Institutes of Technology (DK*) 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.) 5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.) OD3 in Maths, English or Irish

13. 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. 13

14. Sample Requirements Irish Primary Teaching – HC1 Journalism & Irish (DCU) – HB1 Comp. Sc., Linguistics & Irish (TCD) – HB3 Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) – OA2/HC3 French Law with French Law – HB3 Commerce with French (UCD) – HC3 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. 14

15. 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 15

16. Chemistry is essential for … Human Nutrition Dietetics in DIT Dentistry, Pharmacy & Medicine in UCC, Applied Chemistry degrees, Pharmacy in TCD Veterinary Medicine HC3 in Chemistry is required for all of the above courses

17. Appliance of Science 17

18. Specific Course Requirements Unlikely that a TY student 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: a)In the college’s prospectuses b)On the college’s websites c)Directory of LC Entry Requirements d)www.qualifax.ie – Min. Subject Requirementswww.qualifax.ie It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course. 18

19. General Advice If a student is not really sure what she wants to do in the future: Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open 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

20. Choosing a Subject A wise choice of subjects requires: RESEARCH DISCUSSION REFLECTION DECISION 20 Subject Teachers, Guidance Classes, L.C. Books, Publications, Websites, Other Students Guidance Counsellors, Current Teachers Family, Friends, 6 th year students Consider all the information, views and opinions Then, ultimately each student must make up their own mind.

21. Choosing a Subject Key Questions 1.What subjects do I like? (motivation) 2.What subjects am I relatively good at? (Look at JC Results) 1.If I’m interested in a particular course/career area, what subjects are essential? ( Course Entry Requirements) 2.If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for this course/career area? 21

22. Important Points 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. Accounting: Only course with an a/c requirement - B. Comm in Accounting-NUIG (HC1) H.Economics – If you didn’t do it for J.C. not an issue. Not required for any specific course at 3 rd Level. Chemistry: A must for Pharmacy, Human Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Pharmacy & Dentistry (UCC) 22

23. Important Points 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 that helps to maximise points v subjects that may be of benefit to them in the future. 23

24. The Subject Choice Process 24 Students Choose 7 subjects Core subjects will include  Irish  English  Maths  3rd Language

25. Plus 3 Other Subjects from… Business Accounting Biology Chemistry Physics Agricultural Science Art Home Economics History Geography Technical Drawing Religious Education (12 Options) 25

26. Stage 1 Students are given an open choice when choosing their subjects. They are asked to choose any 3 subjects from the list of 12 offered  Forms are returned by February 9th 26

27. Stage 2 Students are given a form with subject option pools If they get the 3 subjects they asked for, they will have a subject in each pool Students are given a form to confirm the subjects they have chosen in stage 1 27

28. 8 th Subject Option MUSIC OR LCVP 28

29. 8 th Subject Option Music It is school policy that students do not study Music and LCVP (9 subjects = an overload of subjects) LCVP Students take LCVP as an 8 th subject if they have the correct combination of subjects (outlined by the Department) 29

30. LCVP Combinations available in Scoil Mhuire Ag. Science & Chemistry or Physics Home Economics, Ag. Science, Biology - Any 2 Home Economics and Art – Design Option or Craft Option Accounting, Business, Economics - Any 2 Physics & Chemistry Biology & Chemistry or Physics Home Economics & Accounting or Business Ag. Science & Accounting or Business Art Design or Craft Work Option & Accounting or Business Music & Accounting or Business 30

31. L.C.V.P. If students meet any one of these subject combinations – they must do L.C.V.P. unless they do H.L. Maths where they have a choice 2 reasons for this ► HL Maths is timetabled against LCVP → LCVP once a week ► If a student wished to change to O.L Maths because it becomes too time consuming or too difficult, L.C.V.P can be the equivalent of HC1 for points purposes

32. Subjects with Assessments/Practical's SubjectWork Submitted prior to L.C. Submitted%Written Exam Ag. Science Journal Oral Exam March L.C. End of May L.C. 25%75% Home Economics. JournalNov. L.C.20%80% HistoryResearch Project April L.C.20%80% GeographyGeographical Investigation April L.C.20%80% 32

33. SubjectWork Submitted Prior to L.C. Submitted%Written Exam ArtPractical Art Exam May L.C.62½%37½% T. DrawingPaper 2June50% MusicPerformanceMay L.C.25% or 50% if taken as elective 25% or 50% L.C.V.PPortfolioMarch L.C.60%40% (May) 33

34. Do’s & Don'ts Choose subjects you enjoy Choose subjects you are good at Choose subjects you need for your chosen career Keep your options open for the future by making a balanced choice now Talk to your Guidance Counsellor and subject teachers Talk to your parents or guardians Choose a subject because your friend is taking it Choose a subject just because you like or dislike the teacher Choose a subject because you think it will be easy Choose a new subject without finding out more about it Make a decision at the last minute without thinking about it Don't panic! 34

35. To Sum Up! Choose subjects you like and enjoy Choose subjects that will give you your best results The more subjects you do well in, the better your L.C. result Better results give you more options 35

36. Useful websites www.careersportal.ie www.qualifax.ie www.ncca.ie www.scoil-mhuire.ie www.careerdirections.ie www.scoilnet.ie 36

37. Other Sources of Information Career Choice2012 – The Essential Guide to 3 rd level Colleges in Ireland The 2012 National Guide to 3 rd level & Higher Education Directory of L.C. Entry Requirements 2012 not available for sale but can download it from the IGC website www.igc.iewww.igc.ie 37

38. Thank you for your attention.