Subject Choice &
Career Options 2016
By
F. Farrell
Guidance Counsellor
Portmarnock Community School
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Agenda
 To examine the importance of choosing
the right subjects by looking at:
General college requirements
Specific course requirements
To explain the school’s programme in
relation to subject choice
To explain the procedure of subject choice
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Leaving Cert. subject choice in PCS.
Optional subjects: Four areas
 Business area (Accounting, Business,
Economics.)
 Sciences area (Physics, Biology, Chemistry,
Applied Maths, Geography).
 Technology area (Engineering, Construction
studies, Design and Communication Graphics).
 Humanities and Applied area (Art, languages,
Music, Home Economics, History, etc).
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Subject Choice
 Each student will study 4 optional subjects taken from the four main areas.
 It is possible to study a number of subjects in the same area i.e.
Accounting, business and economics.
 Students may only choose one modern language however.
 Religion is not offered as an examinable leaving cert subject in PCS
although students may study it as a leaving cert subject outside of PCS.
 Students wishing to study Applied Maths, Physics and/or Chemistry
should have reasonably strong mathematical aptitudes.
 It is advisable that students choose a modern language as one of their
subject options.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Leaving Certificate in PCS
 Core subjects
Irish* (excluding exempted students)
English
Maths*
*Irish and Maths are offered at Higher and
Ordinary levels. English is also offered at
Ordinary and Higher levels.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Technical subjects – Junior Cert
 Materials Technology/Wood becomes Construction
Studies in the Senior Cycle.
 Technology becomes Engineering in the Senior Cycle.
 Technical Graphics is called Design and
Communication Graphics in the Senior Cycle.
 Students may choose to study any of the above subjects
to Leaving Cert level without having done them for the
Junior Cert. However, DCG may be particularly difficult
to pursue as the theory from JC is carried through and is
a substantial element in the overall programme.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Career possibilities in the technical
areas:
Construction Studies (Architecture,
Building Services, Quantity Surveyor, etc.)
Engineering (Mechanical/production
engineering but a useful subject for all
areas of Engineering).
DCG (Engineering, Architecture, Product
Design, Draughtsperson).
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Subject description - Languages
 Many 3rd level colleges require students to have a pass a in a modern language to
enter their college course.
 Students may choose to study either French, Spanish or German at both OL and
HL.
 25% of the marks are allocated to the oral language component and 20% is allocated
to the aural/listening component. The remaining marks are for reading
comprehension and higher level written tasks.
 Students may consider to study one of the above languages by themselves or
receive private tuition outside of PCS. This situation may arise where a student may
prefer to study another subject in PCS instead of a modern language.
 To obtain a D3 in OL French, German or Spanish is relatively straightforward.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
History
 New course introduced in 2006
 A very popular course. Over 12,000 students sat the
exam in 2015.
 The course is quite large however and involves a great
deal of written work, essay writing etc.
 Up to 20% of the final result is already achieved before
the final exam in June of the Leaving Cert year.
 Students with poor literacy skills may struggle in this
subject.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Geography
 More than 19,000 students sat the exam in 2014.
 Large, detailed and wide-ranging course – constant work needed
for 2 years.
 Students need to be proficient in essay writing, diagram drawing,
mathematical/graphical interpretation and drawing.
 Geographical Investigation – worth 20% of LC exam – involves
fieldwork and writing of a 1,000 word investigation project to be
submitted before the LC exam.
 The subject involves a lot of learning and memory work,
logical thinking, linking concepts for different areas of
the course and essay structuring/writing.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Applied Maths
 For potential engineers, applied maths comes highly
recommended.
 It complements both physics and maths very well as
there is quite a lot of overlap.
 Applied maths is accepted by TCD as a science subject
into both the science and pharmacy faculties.
 Applied maths is favoured by those with mathematical
minds.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Engineering
 With the main emphasis on mechanical engineering,
engineering comprises a practical exam, a student
project and a final examination.
 Workshops and bench work make it a very labour
intensive subject.
 Health and safety, an in-depth study of metals and
plastics, technology and manufacturing processes are
all large sections of the course which make it a great
basis for any student considering engineering,
especially, mechanical engineering as a career.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Construction studies
 This is both a practical and theoretical subject.
 A practical exam, student project and a terminal written
exam make up the total marks for this subject.
 Practical skills involving tools and processes are taught
to students throughout the course.
 Construction theory and drawing are studied for the final
exam investigating heat and thermal effects,
illumination, sound, substructure and the superstructure.
 The subject has proven very popular with students with
more than 9,000 students sitting the final exam in 2015.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Technology
 This subject was first examined in 2012 when more than
900 students sat the exam.
 Technology focuses on quality management, design,
materials and structures as well as management skills.
 The subject aims to boost students’ ability to apply
knowledge and skills to evaluate technology and to
equip them with an understanding of the principles of
engineering, design and project management.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Design and communication
Graphics
 DCG has taken the place of Technical Drawing for LC.
 It was first examined in 2009 when 6,000 students sat
the exam.
 Students have the advantage of having up to 40% of the
total marks through project work before sitting the final
exam in June.
 DCG helps to further the students’ cognitive and
practical skills such as graphic communication, problemsolving, spatial visualisation, design capabilities,
computer graphics and much more.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Home Economics
 Nearly 13,000 students sat this exam in 2015.
 Students can have gained up to 20% of their final grade
before sitting the final exam in June by completing
practical coursework.
 The syllabus has a wide range of topics from food
studies, resources management, consumer studies and
social studies to electives (options) such as home
design and management and fashion and design.
 The subject offers students knowledge and
understanding as well as skills essential for their adult
lives.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Biology
 More than 30,000 students sat this paper in 2015.
 The syllabus requires a lot of memory work.
 The new syllabus focuses on 1. study of cell life 2. The
cell 3. The organism with 22 mandatory activities.
 All experimentations are followed by write-ups.
 For those students considering medicine, nursing,
ecology, biotechnology etc biology will benefit you
tremendously throughout your studies.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Chemistry
 Chemistry has been the second most popular subject for
some time now.
 Chemistry students are required tom learn off
information about molecules, bonding, organic chemistry
etc.
 Those considering nutrition, medicine and other related
courses should consider taking chemistry. Chemistry is
mandatory for pharmacy and dietetics at 3rd level.
 Students with poor mathematical ability should
avoid taking chemistry.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Physics
 Physics is often referred to as being the most
mathematical subject area of the sciences.
 Physics aims to enhance students’ ability to observe,
think, and understand scientific method.
 For those students considering a career in engineering,
astronomy and other related courses, physics will be of
huge importance in their future studies.
 Students wishing to study physics should be very
comfortable in maths.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Business
 The subject is suited to students who are willing to work
hard and caters for all abilities.
 Not necessary to write long essays as answers are
presented in bullet points.
 The course is factual and requires a lot of learning and
contains only a few mathematical/numercial elements.
 It is not necessary for students to have studied JC
Business Studies this this would be a great help.
 Business is a practical and logical subject.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Economics
 Economics is regarded as the most practical of the
business subjects.
 Economics deals with the real business issues such as
supply and demand, production and consumption,
money and banking as well as economic policies,
problems and conflicts.
 Students should be comfortable with numbers and
OL LC maths.
 For those considering a career in banking in particular,
economics is a very worthwhile subject choice.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Accountancy
 Commonly perceived as the mathematical/numerical side of
business, accounting attracts the more numerical students.
 Accounting is concerned with the preparation, recording, extraction,
presentation and analysis of financial information for the purpose of
making economic decisions.
 The course also involves a management accounting section where
the student will learn how to analyse business costs and how to
prepare budgets.
 Students do not need to study LC accountancy to do
accountancy at third level.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Art
 Students sit only the History and Appreciation of Art as
the final exam in June of the LC year. This is worth
37.5% of all marks.
 Students are at a great advantage of having completed
up to 62.5% of their total marks prior to sitting the
terminal exam.
 This 62.5% is made up of life sketching, design or
craftwork and imaginative composition or still life.
 It is not necessary to study art in the Leaving Cert to
be able to progress into a general ‘art’ degree at 3rd
level.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Music
 LC music tests students’ skills in three main areas:
performing, listening and composing.
 Each of these sections is worth 25% of the final grade.
 The final grade of 25% goes towards an elective where
students can specialise in any one of those categories
based on which best suits their ability.
 More than 95% of HL music students choose
performing as their elective. This section is examined
during a 2 week examining period in March or April
depending on the year in question.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
College Entry Requirements
 General College Requirements:
 Honours Degree requirements (LEVEL 8):
 Higher Cert/Ordinary Degree requirements -LEVELS 6/7:
 Specific Course Requirements i.e. Higher Level C3 English
for Journalism in DCU.
 Points - reflect demand of year in question!
 Interview/Portfolio/Performance/Fitness Test
 (Architecture, Theatre/Dance, Video production, Art
College).
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Subject Requirements
 Maths, English & Irish - most commonly required.
 A 3rd Language is generally required by the NUI colleges except for
engineering and science based courses.
 Most Business courses state a requirement in OL Maths - not a
business subject!
 An Art portfolio is required for most art related courses - Art itself may
not be required!
 A minimum of at least one science subject and/or Maths is generally
required for the following fields:
 Nursing, Medical/paramedical, Science, Engineering.
 Level 7 common science DIT – no lab science subject
required.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Faculty Requirements (examples)
 A laboratory science subject is NO longer
required for Architecture in UCD but a foreign
language is required. Suitability test/Portfolio
requirement for DIT.
 A modern language is required for Speech
Therapy.
 Honours Maths is required for all level 8
engineering degrees.
 One laboratory science subject for nursing and
generally two for medicine (except UCD/UCG).
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Examples of Course Requirements
 Medicine (UCC)
HC in Chemistry + HC in Physics or Biology
 Computer Systems (UL, Level 8 degree)
B3 in ordinary level Maths/HC3 (TCD)
 Business Studies (UL, Level 8 degree)
C3 in ordinary level Maths
 Engineering courses (Level 8 degree)
Honours Maths (HC3), 1 science subject
• Note: Physics is a good indicator for engineering
F. Farrell PCS 2016
IT Colleges ‘Ladder’ system
 The IT Colleges offer a ‘ladder system’ in
respect of all engineering degrees (amongst
others).
 A student can access all level 6 and level 7
degrees with pass maths in the Leaving Cert
and can progress to level 8.
 IT Blanchardstown allows students to do the
Level 8 Mechatronics and Common engineering
programmes with O.L. maths (5 year LEVEL 8
degree).
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Useful Subject Groupings in PCS
 Home Economics and Business.
 Engineering with Physics or Construction
studies.
 A Science subject like Chemistry or
Physics with Applied Maths.
 Business with Modern languages.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
CAO Points system (guidelines)
 A student may only count his/her six best
subjects.
 Only the points from one Leaving Certificate
sitting can be used.
 All Subjects except HL Maths equal in terms of
points value. (25 bonus points for A1 to D3 in
HL Maths).
 Maximum attainment of 600 points.
 Minimum requirements = 2 HC3’s for example.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
HL Maths
 HL Maths students are awarded an extra 25
points on attaining a grade D3 or better in their
LC.
Whether a candidate attains a D3 or an A1 the
extra points allocated remains the same.
The bonus points can only be counted for CAO
purposes if Maths features in one of the 6
subjects used to calculate aggregate points
score.
F. Farrell PCS 2016
What to research!
 Check the relevant college/employer
literature
 check the overall college requirements
 check the course requirement
 subject
 grades/level
 Check the course content  this will highlight what subjects are predominant
 Good websites include
 www.qualifax.ie; www.skoool.ie; www.careerdirections.ie
 www.careersportal.ie
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Subject Choice - Guidelines
 Pick the best senior cycle option for you!
 Established Leaving Certificate
 Pick the subjects you are most interested in.
 Maximise your points.
 Achieve grades specified by employers or colleges.
 Pick the essential subjects for your hoped course or
career.
 Mistakes can be made in career decisions!
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Schools Programme
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Senior Cycle Modules
Career Classes
Work Experience Programme
Careers Exhibition
Aptitude Tests (Dats)
Interest Inventory
Career Project
Careers Interview
F. Farrell PCS 2016
Summary
 Maximise your options for college:
 Maths, English, Irish, a modern European Language, 1
science subject.
 Remember to research
 appropriate careers websites
 college/employer websites/literature
 Important to check the grade/level required.
 Pick the subjects you are most interested in or have
an aptitude for!
 Remember a lot of courses do not require any
specific subjects! F. Farrell PCS 2016
OPEN FORUM
 Questions??
F. Farrell PCS 2016