Sutton Park School
“We nurture all that is best in each of our students”
Leaving Cert Subject Choice
Leaving Certificate – Subject Choice
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Must satisfy entry requirements for any potential
course, matriculation & course req.
Some subjects are mandatory
Some subjects are relevant
Some subjects are easy / interesting / suited
therefore a ‘relatively’ stress free LC
Subjects Available
Languages
Sciences
Business
Social Sciences
English
Mathematics
Business
Geography
Irish*
Biology
Economics
History
French
Chemistry
Accounting
Home Economics/S.E
Spanish
Physics
Art
Applied
Mathematics
Music
Design & Communication
Graphics
‘CORE’ Subjects
All students *take: Mathematics
 English
 Irish
 French/Spanish
* Except those with exemptions
Matriculation
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All NUI’s require a third language for entry,
(exception, NCAD art, engineering, science &
Nursing)
TCD - Maths, English & one other language
DIT - Maths and English OR Irish
DCU – Maths and English OR Irish
Foundation level is accepted as general entry in many universities, but no points are
awarded and it will not suffice for meeting course requirement.
Science
subjects
Biology, physics, chemistry, applied maths, maths
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Medicine x 2(can include higher maths instead of physics)
Nursing / midwifery / OT / radiography x 1
Science x 2 TCD (can include higher / app maths / geography)
Science x 1 UCD
Dentistry x 2 (can include higher maths instead of physics)
Pharmacy,
Physiotherapy x 2 (can include higher maths)
Veterinary courses x Chemistry + other matric.
Engineering (UCD) need chemistry / physics
Dietetics (DIT) need chemistry
Usually implies HC3
Subject Choice 2011
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8 Subjects may be
taken for Leaving Cert
‘Points’ for best six
counted for college
entry
All subjects acceptable
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All carry equal ‘Points’
*(except Maths in U.L, M.I & Maths/Sciences
for 1 course in DIT)
# (25 Bonus points for H. Maths)
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High Points attainable
on lower level papers
Leaving Certificate
Common Points Scale
GRADE
HIGHER PAPER
LOWER PAPER
A1
100
60
A2
90
50
B1
85
45
B2
80
40
B3
75
35
C1
70
30
C2
65
25
C3
60
20
D1
55
15
D2
50
10
D3
45
5
Points = grades
555 = 2 x A1, 3 x A2, 1 x B1
500 = 4 x B1, 2 x B2
475 = 2 x B1, 2 x B2, 1 x B3, 1 x C1
440 = 4 x C1, 2 x B2
400 = 3 x C1, 2 x C2, 1 x C3
350 = 2 x C1, 2 x C3, 1 x ord B2, 1 x ord A2,
300 = 1 x ord A2, 2 x ord B2, 1 x ord C1, 2 x C2,
Good Reasons For Choosing A
Subject
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Personal Interest and Enthusiasm
Aptitude – High Achievement Possible
Relevance to possible career/entry
requirement to third level course of interest
Course requirement
Career Opportunities
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There is more than one career for
everyone
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There is a place on a Third Level course
for everyone of average ability
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Most careers are attainable eventually
Valuable Subjects
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Chemistry
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Higher Level Maths – essential for Engineering (L8) Degrees
Higher Level Irish – essential for Primary Teaching
Physics – for Engineering (P+C +Ap M), Architecture, (P.+C. +A), Med,
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– first for Med, Vet, Dent
Electronics
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Art – for Art, Arch, Media, I. Design
Geography – second science for T.C.D (Not for med)
Business (Ec, Ac, Bus) for Business courses
(Not essential for any 3rd Level Business Course)
How to Decide
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Get information on subjects-talk to teachers,
older students, parents.
Get advice about your suitability for a subject
from teachers who know you.
Research Career linkswww.qualifax.ie / www.careersportal.ie
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N.B Choose subjects you like and can do
easily.
Making up your mind and career
focused tasks for 5th year
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What subjects do I enjoy and am good at
Information gathering/research on careers and courses
Work experience/shadowing in career areas of interest
Preliminary selection of suitable careers/courses
Researching application systems to colleges
www.cao.ie / www.ucas.com
CAO process
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Begin research now
Convert points from all exams
Goals – short and long term
Art applicants need to work on portfolio –
restricted courses #
UCAS
University and College Application System
 First deadline is 15th October (6th year)– for
Oxbridge and medicine, dentistry and veterinary
 Work experience is crucial for these courses
 Aptitude tests
15th January is deadline for all other courses
Recommend to apply early, first come first served,
Predicted grades so work from now!
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Answers to FAQ’s Re: Biology
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New shorter course
More physiology
Fewer but more specific experiments i.e DNA
Honours Maths not required
Ability to use diagrams to illustrate answers
Manual skills and use of microscope
Practical course
Demanding
Laboratory science – fulfills requirement for many
courses
Answers to FAQ’s Re: Chemistry
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Emphasis on understanding and
interpretation of chemical data
rather than that learning off by
heart
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Interest in Chemistry necessary.
Students learn how and why
reactions occur and their
importance in everyday life.
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Good mathematical ability
required (Hons Maths not
essential)
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Manual skills and interest in
experiments advisable
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Demanding course.
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A lab science – essential for Vet,
most medical courses.
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Students examined on chemical
laws/principles
Answers to FAQ’s Re: Physics
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Honours Junior Cert Maths required
Honours Maths L Cert advisable
Students should have an eye for detail, enjoy problem-solving
& understanding how things work
Formulae to be studied, memorized and applied to
experiments
Demanding subject
A Lab. Science – valuable for med, architecture, engineering,
computing & science courses – sometimes essential.
A Sense of wonder and curiosity makes physics more
enjoyable
Answers to FAQ’s Re: App Maths
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Good mathematical skills required
Honours Maths (B or C) in Junior Cert
Honours Maths Leaving Cert
Interest in problem solving
Enjoyment of Maths contests
Some overlap with Physics
Valuable for Maths courses, Engineering, Architecture
and Scientific careers
Answers to FAQ’s Re: Art
Leaving Cert Art Course consists of:
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Life Drawing
Still Life/Imaginative Composition
Craftwork
History & appreciation of art
Gives students opportunity to explore, imagine, design, invent & communicate through different
art materials and to develop a greater awareness of visual, spatial and tactile world.
ART – An aesthetic experience!
Art is a good subject for students interested in the following careers:
Architecture, Industrial design, Graphic design, Advertising, Set design,
Cinematography, Film Studies
Design & Comm Graphics
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Unique contribution to cognitive and practical skills development of
student
Skills-graphic communication, problem solving, spatial abilities,
design capabilities & CAD modelling.
Skills developed through: design & communication graphics, plane
& descriptive geometries & applied graphics.
Creative thinking and problem solving abilities of students
developed
Design project undertaken in 6th Yr & accounts for 40% of overall
grade. 60% achieved through a 3 hour examination dealing with
geometry.
Hm Economics, Social & Scientific
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An applied subject, combining
theory with practice in order to
develop understanding and
solve problems.
It is concerned with the way
individuals and families manage
their resources to meet physical,
emotional, intellectual, social
and economic needs
Core consists of three areas:
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2.
3.
Food Studies
Resource Management & Consumer
Studies
Social Studies
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There is a choice from 3 elective
subjects
20% of marks is awarded for a
course work journal, done within
normal class time and submitted
prior to written exam.
Answers to FAQ’s Re: Geography
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5th Yr - Physical, Regional,
Fieldtrip
6th Yr - Population,
Urbanisation, Geoecology
Field work before examination
now compulsory (20% of
marks)
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Short answers and essay type
answers required.
Students must think abstractly
and in 3-d (Don’t do Geography
if you have any problems with
this)
More information about new
syllabus at subject meeting
Urban Planning, Engineering,
Geology, Urban Design
(Relevant Careers)
Answers to FAQ’s Re: History
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Good standard of English
Recall & accurate understanding
required.
Wide choice of topics and
questions, allowing students to
concentrate on particular areas.
Students should be prepared to
read, use libraries and other
sources for their special topic.
Irish & European topics covered,
between 1800-1990
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20% of exam entails – special
study of an historical topic,
requiring research and critical
thinking. (This is submitted
before L.Cert)
Annual national statistics show
history students gaining high
grades.
Answers to FAQ’s Re: Business
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Good standard of English required
Academic subject – not ‘hands on’
Relevant to students’ experience – many will have
worked in Business areas
Answers in point format – NOT Essay – type answers
Calculations rarely required
Not necessary to have taken Business Studies at Junior
Certificate
Answers to FAQ’s Re: Economics
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Honours Maths not required but students should be
mathematically inclined
At least 25% of Economics course is for definitions –
students must be able to answer precisely.
Students should be capable of working with and
manipulating diagrams
Must be capable of moving from practical economics
(macro) to purely theoretical (i.e models in micro
economics)
Should have some knowledge and interest in current
statistics, inflation, employment & economic growth
Answers to FAQ’s Re: Music
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Practical is now examined in a musical styles, Classical, Pop, Rock, Folk, Traditional,
Jazz, Voice, modern electronic etc including participation in groups of any sort.
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The ‘Music Technology’ option involves the use of I.T in music composing and
performance.
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Course consists of composing, listening, set works, Irish music and aural skills.
Three sections – Practical, composing and listening – the student decides which to
take as a specialisation and that section will be worth 50% of marks.
Not essential, but advantageous, to have studied music for Junior Cert. Some
practical music making experience essential.
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High Grades (including As) are attainable.