Mercy Mounthawk
Subject choice
Senior Cycle (LC)
2016
Leaving Certificate Subjects
Subjects are grouped as follows:
Science Group:
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Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Agricultural Science
Business Group:
 Accounting
 Business
 Economics
Applied Science Group:
Design Communications
Graphics
 Construction Studies
 Engineering
 Home Economics (Social and
Scientific)
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Social Studies Group:
History
 Geography
 Art
 Music
 Religion
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Language Group:
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Irish
English
French
German
Spanish
Core Subjects
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Irish (Unless exempt by DES)
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English
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Mathematics
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Plus Four Additional Subjects
Subject Choice
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Number of subjects to be taken?
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The actual subjects to be taken?
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The level at which these
subjects will be taken?
Factors To Consider
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Choose subjects you found
interesting and enjoyable at
JC/TY.
Focus on your strengths (ability).
List careers you have an interest
in, research related third level
courses and identify:
1. Subjects that are
necessary and the
required levels
2. Subjects that are
desirable
Irish Leaving Certificate Examination
Points Calculation Grid
LC Grade
Higher Level Ordinary
Level
Bonus for
HL Maths
Foundation
Maths
A1
100
60
25
20
A2
90
50
25
15
B1
85
45
25
10
B2
80
40
25
5
B3
75
35
25
C1
70
30
25
C2
65
25
25
C3
60
20
25
D1
55
15
25
D2
50
10
25
D3
45
5
25
Changes to the LC grading system
• Reducing the number of grade bands from 14 to 8
• Candidates receiving Leaving Certificate results in August 2017
will have their results expressed in the following new Leaving
Certificate grades:
Higher Level
Grade
Ordinary Level
Grade
H1 (90-100)
O1 (90-100)
H2 (80 < 90)
O2 (80 < 90)
H3 (70 < 80)
O3 (70 < 80)
H4 (60 < 70)
O4 (60 < 70)
H5 (50 < 60)
O5 (50 < 60)
H6 (40 < 50)
O6 (40 < 50)
H7 (30 < 40)
O7 (30 < 40)
H8 (0 < 30)
O8 (0 < 30)
Changes to the Common Points Scale
Higher
Level
Grade
H1
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
H7
H8
Points
100
88
77
66
56
46
37
0
Ordinary
Level
Grade
Points
O1
O2
O3
O4
O5
O6
O7
O8
56
46
37
28
20
12
0
0
Changes to the Common Points Scale
Maths
Bonus Points
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded
for Higher Level Mathematics for H6 grades
and above. For example, if an applicant
receives a H6 grade, an additional 25 points
will be added to the 46 points already
awarded for a H6 grade i.e. Higher Level
Mathematics now carries a points score of 71
for this applicant.
Foundation Level Mathematics
Universities do not award points for
Foundation Level, the IoTs are currently
considering a conversion for 2017.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
LCVP grade
Revised
LCVP Points
Distinction
66
Merit
46
Pass
28
Objectives of the Changes
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To reduce pressure on secondlevel students
To encourage the take-up of
higher level subjects
To fairly reward scholastic
achievement
To minimise use of random
selection
Necessary Subjects
Entry Requirements
Course requirements
NUI,( UCC. UCD. Maynooth University,
NUI Galway.)
Six subjects which must include:
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2 H5 (Formally 2HC3’s)
4 06/H7 (Formally 4D3’s)
A pass in English
A pass in Irish
A pass in a third language:
French/ German/ Spanish
NUI – language requirement no longer
exists for:
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UCD – Engineering, Science, Social
Science and Agricultural Science
courses
Maynooth University– Engineering
and Science Courses
NUI Galway – Engineering and
Science courses
UCC – Science, Engineering and Food
Science courses
All NUI – Nursing
NCAD –accept Art instead of the
Language
University of Limerick
Six subjects which must include:
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At least 2H5
4 06/H7
Mathematics
English
Irish or another language
Institutes of Technology (Honours
Degree)
Six subjects to include:
 Mathematics
 English
 Two
higher H5 and 4 06/H7
Institutes of Technology (Higher Cert. /
Ordinary Degree)
Five subjects to include:
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5 06/H7
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Mathematics
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English or Irish
Matriculation requirements from 2017
Where Current
requirement is :
2017 requirement :
5 OD3
5 O6/H7
Changes
subject requirements
from 2017
2 HC3 &to
4 specific
OD3
2 H5 & 4 O6/H7
3 HC3 & 3 OD3
3 H5 & 3 O6/H7
Course / Faculty Requirements
The subject or group of subjects at
a specified level that is required
for a particular course
Examples of Course Requirements
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Nursing – Laboratory Science
Subject
Engineering (Level 8)- Higher
Level Maths H4
Medicine & Health - Laboratory
Science(s) H4
Pharmacy -Chemistry H5
World Languages UCC – H3 in
Language
Primary Teaching – Higher Irish
Desirable Subjects (Examples)
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Two science subjects for any science
based course.
At least one business subject for any
business or commerce course.
Design Communications Graphics for
Architecture or Engineering.
History for Journalism or
Government.
Other Factors To Consider
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Awareness of subject content:
(a) SC Booklet /Careers Portal
(b) Subject Teacher
Do not choose subjects based
on friend’s choices.
Choices should not be linked to
teachers of senior classes.
There are ‘easy’ subjects in
which to get points. (Myth?)
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Try to maintain a balance
between the subjects groups.
This will keep your options open.
Link between J.C subjects and
L.C subjects.
Some subjects can complement
each other eg: Physics/Applied
Maths/Engineering or Higher
English/History
Where to get information?
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College Prospectuses
Websites:
www.cao.ie
www.qualifax.ie
www.careersportal.ie
General Guidelines on Subject Choice
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Core Subjects (3)
Language
(1)
A science subject/course req.
(1)
Last two Consider : Personal
strengths/desirable
subjects/second science subject
etc.
(2)
Subject choice is all about getting one’s
choices together in a manner which:
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Satisfies the entry requirements
for all courses in which you
have an interest in.
Optimises the chances of
fulfilling one's potential and
changing educational/ career
interest.
That stimulate interest and
motivate study
Facilitates a stress free two
years study.
Thank you for your attention
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Ms Farrell: 3.2, 3.4, 3.8,3.10, 4.1
and 4.2
Ms O Mahony: 3.1, 3.3, 3.7, 3.9,
3.11 4.3,4.4 and 4.5