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Traditional Leaving Certificate Subject Choice Mr. Brian HowardGuidance Counsellor. Newbridge College. Leaving Certificate Programme. Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme. Full time commitment required over 2 years. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Newbridge College
Traditional Leaving CertificateSubject Choice
Mr. Brian Howard Guidance Counsellor
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.
Almost all subjects are of equal importance. Extra points will be awarded in all universities and ITs for
honours Mathematics in LC 2012 to 2015 Extra points are awarded in DT021 for honours in certain
science subjects.
Points System
Grade Honours Ordinary
A1 100 60A2 90 50
B1 85 45B2 80 40B3 75 35
C1 70 30C2 65 25C3 60 20
D1 55 15D2 50 10D3 45 5
LCVP points
Distinction 70
Merit 50
Pass 30
Leaving Certificate Programme
Highly Desirable Subjects Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students
should definitely consider choosing:1. a modern language (NUI*)2. 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
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
Information about LC subjects can be found on the
college website: www.newbridge-college.ie and the
NCCA website: www.ncca.ie
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.
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 2HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in Maths, English or Irish
University of Limerick 2HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 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
Regional Institutes of Technology (DK*)
2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)
5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)
OD3 in Maths, English or Irish
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 UCDEntry Requirements: 2HC3 + 4OD3, OD3 in English, Irish, Modern Language &
Mathematics, HC3 in Chemistry.
Sample Requirements
Irish Primary Teaching – HC3 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.
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
Appliance of Science
1 3Biology Mathematics
Biology Horticulture
Agriculture Marine Biology
Chemistry PhysicsChemistry Biochemistry
Chem. Engineering Medicinal Chem.
Physics ChemistryPhysics Astronomy
Electronics Computing
Mathematics ChemistryCivil Mechanical
Aeronautical Electrical
Chemistry PhysicsPharmacy Nursing
Opthalmic Optics Nutrition
Chemistry BiologyMedicine Dentistry
Vet. Medicine British Association for the Advancement of Science
MEDICAL SCIENCES Biology
MEDICINE / DENTISTRY Physics
PHYSICAL SCIENCES Mathematics
ENGINEERING Physics
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Chemistry
CHEMICAL SCIENCES Mathematics
Leaving Certificate Science Subjects
COLLEGE SUBJECTS in order of importance to college subject
2
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:
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:
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.
Choosing a Subject
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.
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?
4. What subjects do I like? (motivation) (not the teacher)
5. What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)
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.
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. January – DATs 3rd years2. January 25th – Parents Night.3. February 2nd – Class presentations begin4. February 9th – Subject Choice Interviews
begin5. March 11th – Deadline for submission of
application forms for TY.6. April 1st – Deadline for final subject choices
and commitment to TY. 7. April 11th – Generation of classes begins.
Procedure
1. During subject choice interview a set of subjects are agreed with student.
2. Note brought home to parent outlining agreed subjects. Parents must review, sign and return to G.C.
3. In exceptional circumstances a change may be made to agreed subjects before April 1st by written request from parents to G.C.
4. April 1st – Deadline for final subject choices 5. After April 1st changes will only be facilitated if
vacancies exist in classes.6. April 11th – Class generation process begins.