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LC Subject Options 2023<br>
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Agenda for presentation Career Guidance aspect of subject choice
Importance of choosing subjects wisely
Guide to choosing subjects
Third level requirements
LCA information<br>
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Process involved in making subject choices Reach+ Programme on CareersPortal
Subject choice talks given by subject teachers
Links to useful websites
Eirquest & Aptitude testing – results for parents and students to explore
Students invited to make an appointment with the Guidance Counsellor individually or in groups<br>
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Structure of the leaving certificate A traditional Leaving Cert is usually made up of 7 subjects.
English
Irish (unless excempt)
Maths
French plus three other option subjects
PE, SPHE and Ethical Education are compulsory non-exam subjects. However, P.E. may be offered as a LC subject if resources are available.<br>
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Subject choice – choose wisely The Leaving Certificate is more enjoyable when you are interested and suited to the subjects you have picked.
You do not need to know what career you are going to pursue in the future but some third level courses have specific subject requirements. This is easily researched.
Lots of courses have no specific subject requirements.<br>
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Guidelines for choosing subjects Every individual student has different strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes, skills, needs and passions.
There are three things to consider when choosing subjects
What do I like?
What am I good at?
What do I need?<br>
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What do I like? - 40% Consider passions interest and dislikes
What did I like at Junior Cycle? Why?
TY modules
Hobbies and interests<br>
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what am i good at? - 40% Strengths, weakness, aptitudes, skills
Junior Cert results
Eirquest & Aptitude tests: results available in myfuturechoice.com<br>
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Explore – Overall Match<br>
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What do i need? - 20% There are some consequences to choosing certain subjects but not as many as you might think!!!
So ...<br>
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third level – three important points 1. Minimum Entry Requirements
2. Specific Subject / Grade Requirements
3. Points System<br>
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Core subjects English
Irish
Maths
French<br>
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english Almost all universities, colleges and employers require a pass in Ordinary level English though some will accept Irish instead (e.g. the Institutes of Technology, Technological Universities and DCU).
H4 in English is essential for a small number of courses like Journalism, Communications and Speech Therapy.<br>
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irish Irish is required for entry to the National Universities of Ireland (UCC, UCD, Maynooth University, University of Galway, NCAD and RCSI) – unless exempt.
It is important to check if you need Irish for any course in which you have an interest and – equally important – the required level.
Primary Teaching requires a H4 in Irish.<br>
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maths Employers in all areas, including apprenticeships, tend to look for numeric skills and expect at least an O6 in Maths.
Most Institutes of Technology require an O6
A H4 is essential for a number of courses e.g. Computer Science TCD, Level 8 Engineering.
Bonus points offered for Honours Maths (25) (Grade H6 and above)
Very important to take level that matches your ability – follow guidelines from teacher
A number of courses will accept Foundation Level maths or require no maths grade<br>
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Modern Foreign language Students continue to take a modern foreign language at senior cycle.
We offer French at MPETSS
Grade H4 is required to continue languages at third level
While it is not compulsory to study a MFL in order to go to third level, failure to choose a language will restrict your options.
Industry and employers rate language skills highly, especially if combined with computing, science, electronics or business.<br>
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Colleges which do not require a foreign language Trinity College Dublin
DCU
UL
TU Dublin, MTU and other Technological Universities
All IT 's (Institutes of Technology)
All PLC's (Post Leaving Cert Colleges)
Teacher training colleges<br>
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Colleges which do require a foreign language NUI universities - UCD, UCC, University of Galway & Maynooth University.
Royal College of Surgeons
National College of Art and Design
St Angela's College in Sligo (Home Economics training)
Military - cadetship<br>
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With the exception of UCD: No longer required for Agriculture, Engineering, Science and Nursing
UCC & MU: Engineering and Science Courses
MU no longer requires a third language for Business, Accounting, Finance and Law degree programmes.<br>
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RECAP – three important points 1. Minimum Entry Requirements
2. Specific Subject / Grade Requirements
3. Points System<br>
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National framework of qualifications<br>
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1. minimum entry requirements Level 8 courses: Honours Bachelors Degree
2 H5 + 4 O6/H7 (3 H5 + 3 O6/ H7 Trinity)
Level 6/7 courses: Advanced Certificate/ Ordinary Bachelors Degree
5 O6 / H7
Level 5 courses (not on CAO): Certificate
5 O6/ H7<br>
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2. specific grade requirements (General guide) Specific subject requirements must be checked in the college prospectus/website as they may change from year to year.<br>
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3. points system 25 Bonus Points for HL Maths (H6 and above)<br>
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the importance of research Please ensure that you check the specific requirements of a course you might like to study
www.qualifax.ie - useful tool showing subject requirements for 3rd level
https://careersportal.ie/school/subject_explorer.php
https://careersportal.ie/parents/index.php
www.curriculumonline.ie
Individual college websites<br>
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Other Options after Leaving Cert College of Further Education
1or 2 years study
Post Leaving Cert course = QQI (Fetac) Level 5 Certificate. 5 x O6 + interview/reference(s)
e.g. Whitehall CFE, Marino CFE, Coláiste Dhúlaigh, Grange Community College
Apprenticeship leading to employment
ETB training courses e.g. Baldoyle
Defence Forces, Military.ie, Gardaí,
Teagasc.ie (agricareeers.ie and horticulture)
Study overseas<br>
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summary Important to make an informed decision....research subjects and potential career areas.
Use two individualised reports for aptitude and career interest on myfuturechoice.com
Consult with parents, older friends/relations/neighbours, subject teachers, Guidance Counsellor.
Read through subject textbooks or review exam papers online
Think about “What do I like”, “What am I good at” and "What do I need”.
Future 3rd level options.
Points system
Encourage your young person to pick the most suitable subjects for themselves.
The key to success = Hard Work!
I am available for further consultation: crosell@mpetss.ie<br>
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What happens next? FRIDAY 10th February:
Subject survey to indicate preferences for option subjects
VSware portal will open to start indicating your subject preferences
FRIDAY 24th March:
VSware portal will close for indicating preferences<br>
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Option Subjects available at MPETSS Chemistry
Biology
Business
Technology
Music
Design & Communication Graphics Art
Geography
History
Home Economics (Social & Scientific)
Physical Education Students will rank in order of preference on VSware. All dependent on allocation from DES.
Students choose 3 subjects from the following options:<br>
