Subject Choice for Leaving Certificate 2023 KIERAN CORCORAN

Subject Choice for Leaving Certificate 2023 KIERAN CORCORAN & BRID HUGHES GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

WHAT IS SUBJECT CHOICE? Subject choice involves the choosing of a MEANINGFUL MANAGEABLE package of subjects for the Leaving Certificate Examination It is a very important matter, in that may impact on career choices on leaving school

Leaving Certificate Subjects Students study 7 Subjects for Examination Essential Subjects English, Irish, Maths, Language (French, Spanish) Non Exam Subjects Religious Education Physical Education Careers Option Subjects x 3

Option Subjects Business Group Arts / Social Studies Group Accounting Home Economics Business Geography Economics History Late Modern Art Science Group Music Physics Politics and Society Chemistry Biology Link Modules Technology Leaving Cert Vocational Programme Physical Education PE

Leaving Cert / Junior Cert Link Ups Students often choose subjects they have studied for Junior Certificate but not always. Art must have been done in Junior Cert or a student has to be able to prove their ability Music can be done if a student who hasn’t studied it for JC ü Can read music ü Maybe play an instrument Business and Home Economics can be taken from beginning

Preparation of Students in School for Subject Choice Career Interest Test Career guidance classes ü How process works and choices on offer ü How to research the subjects ü College / career requirements ü How to decide Special subject classes where subjects are explained One to one meeting with Guidance Counsellor Information on One Note and Guidance section of website

Resources Available to Students Careers Team for their class List of available subjects Description of Subjects Summary of College and Course Entry Requirements Careersportal and NCCA. ie Description of Subjects Grades for Subjects

What Students Should Do Research the content of subjects Careersportal. ie NCCA. ie Curriculumonline. ie Talk to senior students Talk to teachers Think about Careers and Courses after LC

How to Decide Things to Consider ü The content of subjects: does it interest me? ü My past performance: will I be good at it? ü Whether I prefer to learn things off or work things out? ü What type of careers am I likely to want to do when I leave school?

Things not to Consider ü Doing what I perceive as ‘easy’ ü What my friends are doing ü What teacher I might have or not have

College / Career Requirements Three Types of Requirements ü Minimum Entry or Matriculation Requirements ü Faculty or course requirements ü CAO Points

Minimum Entry Requirements (matriculation For NUI Colleges for matriculation Candidates must obtain a pass in at least six subjects selected according to college/faculty requirements with at least: Grade H 5 in 2/3 subjects on the Higher Course and at least Grade H 7 (Higher Course) or O 6 (Ordinary Course) in four subjects. Including English/ Irish/ Maths/ Third Language in some cases

Faculty or Course Requirements Particular LC subjects may be required for certain college courses Mostly concerns Maths, Languages and Science There may also a requirement to achieve a certain level in certain subjects Eg H 4 in Chemistry for Dietetics H 5 Chemistry for Vet Med

There are plenty of courses for which there are no specific subject requirements: You do not need a business subject to do business in college You do not have to have technology to do architecture or engineering

The Points Requirement Points are given for the best 6 results in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate Most subjects carry equal points (ex LCVP/Maths) The points for every course are based on supply and demand each year

Bonus Points for Higher Maths 25 bonus points for H 6 40% or better in Hons Math Has to be counted as one of best 6 results after points are allocated

Required Subjects Science ü ü ü Physics / Chemistry / Biology Required for most courses in Medical Technical Scientific 2 required for medicine and therapies in some Universities

2 Sciences Required Medicine or Dentistry TCD / Any 2 Sciences Medicine UCC/ Chem+1 of physics/biol Dentistry UCC/Chem+1 of physics/biol Pharmacy TCD/ UCC/Chem+1 of physics/biol Physiotherapy TCD Most science courses TCD 1 science with Hons Maths will do for Pharmacy and Physiotherapy TCD/ RCSI

1 Science Required but 2 recommended for Veterinary UCD Medicine in other Universities Note New 60/15 Hours Work Experience requirement for Veterinary Medicine

1 Science Required Human Nutrition (dietetics) DIT / Chem Occupational Therapy TCD Radiation Therapy TCD Physiotherapy Nursing Speech and Language Therapy Naval Cadets Sports Science Engineering Architecture (only in UCD) Agriculture Optometry Most Science courses Industrial Design Beauty therapy (recommended)

Chemistry is required for Veterinary Pharmacy Nutrition Dentistry / Dietetics

Foundation Subjects Foundation level is offered only in Maths and Irish There are points for foundation level maths. F 1 20 Points F 2 12 Points Only some colleges will offer these points. Foundation maths will fulfill the maths requirement for entry to Universities and Institutes of Technology but will not fulfill where there is a specific course requirement or count for points. Foundation Irish does not fulfill General Entry Requirements for University

How Subject Choice Works For 3 rd Years and TYs Presentation for Parents/Students 3 rd March Option forms given out Thurs 4 th March To be returned by Thurs 11 th March Three bands of subjects will be established based on students preferences Not first come first served

Example Option Lines 5 Opt 1 Hom Ec/ History / Art / Biol / Chem / /Economics/ Accounting 5 Opt 2 Home Ec / Art/ Physics/ Mus / Biol / Chem/ Technology 5 Opt 3 Home Ec / History / Geog / LCVP / Biol / Chem/ Politics and Society

Students will be given their desired subjects as far as possible, one from each band. Nothing can be guaranteed Usually the majority of students get their top three choices We try to insure that the remainder get their top two plus their fourth

Students who submit their choice form after the deadline cannot be guaranteed their choices. You cannot easily change your subject choices once they are submitted. If there aren’t enough students who choose a subject that subject may not go ahead. While students will be helped to make their decision, it is ultimately their decision so it is their responsibility to do their research.

Conclusion Subject choice for Leaving Cert is important § Each student must make her own mind up § Most students get it right § Hard work is required in every subject There are no easy subjects

Thank You Mr Corcoran and Ms Hughes will be happy to answer any of your questions Just give us a call Good night