Crescent College Comprehensive S.J.
Traditional Leaving Certificate
Subject Choice
Mr. Denis Callaghan, Ita Danaher
Guidance Counsellors
Leaving Certificate
Programme

Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme.


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Usually a maximum of 7 subjects are taken for the
Leaving Certificate.




Full time commitment required over 2 years.
5th year is very important especially for those hoping to
gain entry to high points courses.
An extra (8th) subject? – need to think very carefully about
this as each LC subject is extensive and requires a lot of
work. Big jump in standard from J.C.
Other subjects could suffer if workload is too great.
For points purposes best 6 subjects are counted.
Almost all subjects are of equal importance.


Extra points will be awarded in all universities and ITs for
honours Mathematics in LC
Extra points are awarded in DT021 for honours in certain
science subjects.
Points System
Grade
Honours
Ordinary
A1
A2
100
90
60
50
B1
B2
B3
85
80
75
45
40
35
C1
C2
C3
70
65
60
30
25
20
D1
D2
D3
55
50
45
15
10
5
25 Extra Points For D3
Or Greater In Higher
Level Maths
Leaving Certificate
Programme

Highly Desirable Subjects

Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students
should definitely consider choosing:
1.
2.

Subject Levels



a modern language (NUI*)
a science subject.
Higher and Ordinary level  all subjects.
Foundation level Mathematics & Irish.
LC subject selection


Core subjects: English, Mathematics & Irish*
Optional subjects: Usually 4 other subjects are chosen
Optional Subjects (4)
APPLIED SCIENCES
BUSINESS

Business

Accountancy

Economics

Home Economics

Construction Studies

Engineering

Design and Communication
Graphics

Applied Maths
SCIENCE

Biology
SOCIAL STUDIES

Physics

Chemistry

Agricultural Science
LANGUAGES

History

Geography

Music

French
Art
Information about LC subjects can be found on the

German
college website: www.crescentsj.ie , www.carersportal.ie

Spanish
and the NCCA website: www.ncca.ie

www.careersportal.ie/
Entry Requirements

When choosing Leaving Certificate subjects great care must be
taken as the choices of subjects made now may determine 3rd
level and career options in 2 years time.

Why? Regardless of how many points you get in your LC, you
will be ineligible to even apply for a course if you have not met
it’s “Course Entry Requirements”

Generally there are 2 sets of ‘Entry Requirements’ which must
be met before ‘points’ can be considered.

A) Minimum Entry Requirements


Particular subjects and minimum no. of honours / passes in the L.C.
required to apply to an individual college.
B) Specific Course Requirements

Particular subjects and/or levels required to gain entry to specific
faculties or courses.
Minimum Entry Requirements
of major CAO Colleges
Institution
Minimum grades
NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, 2HC3 + 4OD3
NUIG, UCC. (RCSI, Shannon,
Miltown)
Required subjects
OD3 in English, Irish &
Modern Language*.
Trinity College Dublin
3HC3 + 3OD3
OD3 in Maths, English
& another Language
Dublin City University
2HC3 + 4OD3
OD3 in Maths, English
or Irish
University of Limerick
2HC3 + 4OD3
OD3 in Maths, English
& Irish or another Lang.
Dublin Institute of
Technology
2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)
5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)
OD3 in Maths, English
or Irish
Institutes of Technology
2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)
5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)
OD3 in Maths, English
or Irish
(DK*)
Specific Course Requirements

These requirements are in addition to Minimum
Entry Requirements.
They are specific L.C. subjects / grades required
for entry to particular courses.
They tend to be in the following subject areas:

Science subjects
 Languages
 Mathematics
E.g. Veterinary Medicine in UCD



Entry Requirements:

2HC3 + 4OD3, OD3 in English, Irish, Modern Language &
Mathematics, HC3 in Chemistry.
Sample Requirements
Irish


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Primary Teaching – HC3
Journalism & Irish (DCU) –
HB1
Comp. Sc., Linguistics &
Irish (TCD) – HB3
Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) –
OA2/HC3
A Language

Many courses require a
language but may not
specify a particular one:

Film & Broadcasting with a
language (DIT) – HC3 in Ir
or Fr.
Applied Languages (DCU)
– HC3 in Fr, Ge, Ir or Sp.
Speech and Language
Therapy (TCD) – HC3 in
En, Fr, Ge, Ir, It, Ru or Sp.
Cadet School – OD3 in a
modern Language.

French



Law with French Law – HB3
Commerce with French
(UCD) – HC3
Law and French (TCD) –
HC1


Sample Requirements
Mathematics



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Honours Engineering –
HC3
Business Studies (DCU) –
OC3/HD3
Optometry (DIT) - OB3
Economics & Finance
(UCD) – HC3
Business (TCD) – OC/HD
Science (UCD) –
OB3/HD3
Commerce (UCD) –
OB3/HD3
Law and Accounting (UL)
– OC3/HD3
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


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Science
Particular care needs to be taken
with science subjects.
Many courses require any one
science subject
Some courses require 2 science
subjects, particularly TCD and
UCC.
UCAS courses
Nursing – OD3 in a Lab. Sc.
Medical/Para medical courses
Chemistry
Pharmacy*, Human Nutrition,
Veterinary Medicine, Medicine &
Dentistry (UCC) – HC3
Appliance of Science
Leaving Certificate Science Subjects
COLLEGE SUBJECTS
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Biology
Horticulture
Agriculture
Marine Biology
CHEMICAL SCIENCES
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Chem. Engineering
Medicinal Chem.
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Physics
Astronomy
Electronics
Computing
ENGINEERING
Civil
Mechanical
Aeronautical
Electrical
MEDICAL SCIENCES
Pharmacy
Nursing
Opthalmic Optics
Nutrition
MEDICINE / DENTISTRY
Medicine
Vet. Medicine
in order of importance to college subject
1
2
3
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Dentistry
British Association for the Advancement of Science
Specific Course Requirements

Unlikely that 3rd/TY students will know exactly, which
courses/careers they wish to pursue at this stage.

But from looking at their interests, abilities and aptitudes
they may be able to identify broad areas of interest and
hence check potential course entry requirements.

Course Entry Requirements can be accessed:

a)
In the college’s prospectuses
b)
On the college’s websites
c)
Directory of LC Entry Requirements
d)
www.qualifax.ie – Subject Requirements
It is only when all course entry requirements are met
that students are qualified to apply for a course.
General Advice
If a student is not really
sure what he/she wants to
do in the future:

Pick a broad range of
subjects in order to
keep options open

Many students will
change their minds about
their future a number of
times in the next 2 years
E.g.

one language

one science

one business

one humanities /
applied science.
This combination would
allow access into a
broad range of
courses/careers.
Choosing a Subject
A wise choice of
subjects requires:
Subject Teachers,
Guidance Classes, TY
Programme
RESEARCH
L.C. Books, Publications,
Other Students
Guidance Counsellors,
Current Teachers
DISCUSSION
Family, Friends
Consider all the
information, views and
opinions
REFLECTION
Then, ultimately each
student must make up
their own mind.
DECISION
Choosing a Subject
Key Questions
1.
2.
What subjects is the school offering?
If I’m interested in a particular course/career area, what
subjects are essential? ( Course Entry Requirements)
3.
If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for
this course/career area?
4.
What subjects do I like? (motivation) (not the teacher)
5.
What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)
Important Points

DCG/Construction Studies are not needed to do Engineering.
Maths and Physics are more important.

Art is generally not needed for Art and Design courses. A
portfolio is however.

For Business courses, Maths is generally a requirement rather
than Business subjects.

No subjects are gender specific.

Every student is unique (interests, abilities and aptitudes),
hence they should choose subjects based on these and not
current friendships or the opinions of others.

Students should be careful to try pick a balance between
learning and understanding subjects.

Students should be aware of balancing subjects which help
maximise points vs. subjects which may be of benefit to them in
the future.
Timetable of Events
1.
February 6th – Parents Night 5th year
options.
2.
February – Class presentations continue.
3.
February 18th – Deadline for submission of
application forms for subject preferences.
4.
March/April – Generation of classes begins.