subject choice and the leaving certificate. a time to choose…
TRANSCRIPT
Subject Choice And
The Leaving Certificate
A Time to Choose…
Remember
Things that are important when choosing a subject:
1. Aptitude/Ability
&
2. Interest
National Framework Of qualifications The framework is a structure of
levels, designed to bring an increased clarity to the meaning of each type of qualification, allowing qualifications to be compared easily
The framework comprises TEN levels
National Framework of Qualifications
Post-Leaving Certificate Qualifications PLC- Certificate Higher
Certificate Ordinary
Degree Honours
Degree Postgraduate
Diploma Masters Doctorate
1 yr- level 5 2 yrs- level 6
3 yrs- level 7
3-4 yrs- level 8
2 yrs- level 9 1-2 yrs- level 9 Up to 5 yrs-
level 10
Grading System Changes in Senior CycleJunior CertificateGrade % A 85-100 B 70-84 C 55-69 D 40-54
Leaving CertificateGrade % A1 90-100 A2 85-89 B1 80-84 B2 75-79 B3 70-74 C1 65-69 C2 60-64 C3 55-59 D1 50-54 D2 45-49 D3 40-44
Points Allocation Grade Higher Ordinary Bonus
H Maths
Higher Level Mathematics
From 2012 to 2015 inclusive 25 bonus points will be awarded to students who achieve a D3 or above in Higher Level Mathematics
This means that the maximum Leaving Cert points will then be 625.
Minimum Entry Requirements
These are the basic grades a student needs to achieve in certain subjects in their Leaving Certificate
Different universities have different minimum entry requirements
Colleges of NUI
UCD UCC NUI Maynooth NUI Galway
NUI Colleges Minimum Entry Requirements to Degree
Courses Level 8 (NUI) 2HC3 and passes
in four additional Subjects
Passes in Irish
English Mathematics
Second Language And two additional
subjects
TCD Colleges Minimum Entry Requirements to Degree
Courses For all Level 8 Degrees at Trinity
College 3HC3 + 3 passes which must
include English
Mathematics A Second Language
And three additional Subjects
Dublin City UniversityUniversity of Limerick
& the Institutes of Technology
2HC3 and four passes to include
English/Irish Mathematics
And four additional subjects
Minimum Entry Requirements
Again, different universities have different minimum entry requirements
Students need to check college prospectus
Ordinary Degrees Level 7& Higher Certificate Level 6
Institutes of Technology including Dublin Institute of Technology
Trinity College: Dental Nursing – Level 6 Dental Hygiene- Level 7
Minimum Entry Requirement For Level 6 & 7 are
5 or 6 Passes to include: For most courses
Irish or English Mathematics
And three additional subjects ( Some level 7s require a min
number of points eg 200 for DKIT)
Entry Requirements for Level 5 PLC Courses
5 passes in the Leaving Certificate
Interview (in most cases) Some require samples of work/
further assessments.
Planning on going to College..
Students must satisfy 3 requirements to
obtain a place on a third level course
1. Minimum Entry Requirement/ College Requirement
2. Faculty requirement
3. The Points Requirement
Faculty Requirement
These are certain subjects and/or grades in subjects you must achieve in the Leaving Certificate in order to pursue a particular course e.g.
HC3 in Irish to study Primary Teaching;
Medicine requires 2 science subjects or 1 science and honours maths in place of physics in TCD
Points Requirement
Once the Minimum Entry Requirement and Faculty Requirement have been satisfied then……
Places Are then awarded on Merit- The Points Requirement
All Subjects are Equal In terms of entry to third level
colleges Almost all subjects count
equally in terms of points (except Honours Maths)
For Example an A in Art is worth the same points as an A in Physics, for engineering!
One might be more useful but they both score the same
Why seven subjects?
CAO (Central Application Office) Award points based on the
best SIX subjects The Seventh subject can be a safety
net
& Timetable is structured on all
students studying seven subjects
Why Irish, English, Maths and a Language?
The NUI (National University of Ireland) has a specific requirement that each student must have a minimum 2HC3 and four additional passes.
They must have passes in Irish, English, Mathematics and a foreign language (except for Science/ engineering / Ag Science courses)
Therefore, Loreto College, offer these subjects as Core
Core Subjects
All students will study the following core subjects
Irish English Mathematics French or Spanish Physical Education Non-exam Religious Education I.T.
Senior Cycle Modules
Careers Study Skills Drama R.S.E. (Relationship & Sexuality
Education)
Geography History Design &
Communication Graphics
Home Economics
Art
Music Biology Chemistry Physics Accounting Business Religious
Education
In addition they must choose 4 subjects from the following list- 3 given
Different subject areas
LanguagesFrench (Core) & Spanish (Core)
Students must have studied a language for Junior Certificate if they wish to study it for the
Leaving Certificate.
Science Subjects
Chemistry Biology Physics
Business Studies Subjects
Accounting Business
Applied Science Subjects
Design & Communication Graphics
Home Economics
Social Studies Subjects
History Geography Religious
Education Music Art
Science Requirement
Most colleges requiring a science subject only require one
Trinity College, UCC and DIT have specific requirements
Physiotherapy in TCD need two science subjects
Pharmacy Level 8
Pharmacy in TCD requires a HC3 in Chemistry and a HC3 in another science subject or maths or geography
Pharmacy in RCSI requires a HB3 in a Science Subject
Engineering Level 8
UCD HC3 Mathematics A Science Subject – min
HD3
Nursing Nursing requires a science
subject
Closing Doors
Not choosing a science subject can close doors at this stage.
Find out the specific requirements needed for your area of interest.
Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie
Common Questions?
Accounting
Do I need to study Accounting in order to be an Accountant?
Languages
Do I Need to have previously studied Spanish to take it in College?
No. Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian and Chinese can all be taken at beginners level
A minimum level is required for most other language courses
For example; Business and French in DCU requires HC3 in French.
Architect
Do I need Design and Communications Graphics to study Architecture?
No and a laboratory Science Subject is no longer required for UCD (since 2011)
Remember
What is important when choosing a subject:
1. Aptitude/Ability
&
2. Interest
But most importantly….
Choose subjects that you ENJOY
If you enjoy the subject the POINTS will come
What should I do next?
Check out college Prospectuses or job descriptions before making your choice.
Visit relevant websites www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie www.loretoswords.ie
What to do next….
Research Subject Choice forms need to
be into the general office of the school by Friday 21st March
Questions?