Newbridge College Traditional Leaving Certificate Subject Choice Mr

Newbridge College Traditional Leaving Certificate Subject Choice Mr. Brian Howard Guidance Counsellor

Leaving Certificate Programme n Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme. ¡ ¡ n Usually a maximum of 7 subjects are taken for the Leaving Certificate. ¡ ¡ ¡ n Full time commitment required over 2 years. 5 th year is very important especially for those hoping to gain entry to high points courses. An extra (7 th) 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. Almost all subjects are of equal importance. ¡ ¡ Extra points are awarded in all courses in the University of Limerick for honours Mathematics. Extra points are awarded in DT 021 for honours in Mathematics and certain science subjects.

Points System Grade Honours Ordinary A 1 A 2 100 90 60 50 B 1 B 2 B 3 85 80 75 45 40 35 C 1 C 2 C 3 70 65 60 30 25 20 D 1 D 2 D 3 55 50 45 15 10 5 LCVP points Distinction Merit Pass 70 50 30

Leaving Certificate Programme n Highly Desirable Subjects ¡ Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students should definitely consider choosing: 1. 2. n Subject Levels ¡ ¡ ¡ n a modern language (NUI*) a science subject. 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

Optional Subjects (4) BUSINESS APPLIED SCIENCES n Business n Home Economics n Accountancy n Construction Studies n Economics n Design and Communication Graphics SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES n Biology n Physics n History n Chemistry n Geography LANGUAGES n Music n French n Art n German Information about LC subjects can be found on the college website: www. newbridge-college. ie and the NCCA website: www. ncca. ie

Entry Requirements n When choosing Leaving Certificate subjects great care must be taken as the choices of subjects made now may determine 3 rd level and career options in 2 years time. n 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” n Generally there are 2 sets of ‘Entry Requirements’ which must be met before ‘points’ can be considered. n A) Minimum Entry Requirements ¡ n 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.

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

Specific Course Requirements n 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: n Science subjects ¡ Languages ¡ Mathematics E. g. Veterinary Medicine in UCD n n ¡ Entry Requirements: ¡ 2 HC 3 + 4 OD 3, OD 3 in English, Irish, Modern Language & Mathematics, HC 3 in Chemistry.

Sample Requirements Irish n n Primary Teaching – HC 3 Law & Irish (UCC) – HC 1 Comp. Sc. , Linguistics & Irish (TCD) – HC 1 Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) – OA 2/HC 3 A Language n Many courses require a language but may not specify a particular one: n Media Arts (DIT) – HC 3 in Ir or Fr. Applied Languages (DCU) – HC 3 in Fr, Ge, Ir or Sp. Speech and Language Therapy (TCD) – HC 3 in En, Fr, Ge, Ir, It, Ru or Sp. Cadet School – OD 3 in a modern Language. n French n n n Law with French Law – HB 3 Commerce with French (UCD) – HC 3 Law and French (TCD) – HC 1 n n

Sample Requirements Mathematics n n n n Honours Engineering – HC 3 Business Studies (DCU) – OC 3/HD 3 Optometry (DIT) - OB 3 Economics & Finance (UCD) –HC 3 Business (TCD) – OC/HD Science (UCD) – OB 3/HD 3 Commerce (UCD) – OB 3/HD 3 Law and Accounting (UL) – OC 3/HD 3 n n n n 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 – OD 3 in a Lab. Sc. Medical/Para medical courses Chemistry Pharmacy*, Human Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine & Dentistry (UCC) – HC 3

Appliance of Science

Specific Course Requirements n Unlikely that 3 rd/TY students will know exactly, which courses they wish to pursue at this stage. n 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. n Course Entry Requirements can be accessed: n a) In the college’s prospectuses b) On the college’s websites c) Directory of LC Entry Requirements d) www. qualifax. ie – Subject Requirements It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.

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

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

Choosing a Subject Key Questions 1. What subjects is the school offering? 2. If I’m interested in a particular course/career area, what subjects are essential? ( Course Entry Requirements) 3. If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for this course/career area? (useful vs. points) 4. What subjects do I like? (motivation) (not the teacher) 5. What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)

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

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

Timetable of Events 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. January – DATs 3 rd years February 2 nd – Class presentations begin. February 2 nd – Parents Night February 8 th – Subject Choice Interviews begin March 12 th – Deadline for submission of application forms for TY. March 25 th – Deadline for final subject choices and commitment to TY. March 29 th – Generation of classes begins.

Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 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 25 th by written request from parents to G. C. only. March 25 th – Deadline for final subject choices After March 25 th changes will only be facilitated if vacancies exist in classes. March 29 th – Class generation process begins.