Senior Cycle

Leaving Certificate

Our Leaving Certificate (Established) is a two-year programme that aims to provide learners with a broad, balanced education while also offering them a chance to specialise towards particular higher education and career options.

To facilitate our 3rd and TY students in making their choice of subjects before beginning their Leaving Certificate course, an information evening will be held for all Parents/Guardians and their sons. This is facilitated by theGuidance Counsellor and the Principal. This talk covers all aspects of the Leaving Certificate programme, subjects, study requirements, career areas for which it is important and the type and
amount of work that is expected. In addition, a booklet is provided for students and their Parents/Guardians giving the above information as well as a synopsis of the course and the employment areas for
which a particular subject would be useful.

The Guidance Counsellor also addresses the students about the best combination of subjects to choose in order to give themselves the widest choice of options possible after the Leaving Certificate. This information evening usually takes place early in January.

The students have a period of time after this talk to reflect with their parents and teachers on their choice before making a final decision. The combination of subjects which is based on the students’
preferences, changes annually. The student choices made, will dictate the subjects which will be grouped together.

In Leaving Certificate, all students study the following core subjects:

  • Irish

  • English

  • Mathematics

  • Religious Education

  • Careers Guidance

This also includes specific workshop sessions on personal safety, health, study skills,
Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE).

For more information on the Leaving Certificate established, please click HERE.

In addition, students have the opportunity to study up to four of the following option subjects:

French
German

Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Agricultural Science

Business
Economics
Accounting
Politics & Society

History
Geography
Religious Education

Visual Art
Design and Communication Graphics
Music
Technology

Physical Education (Examinable)

    Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

    The LCVP is a Leaving Certificate with a focus on enterprise and preparation for working life. This two-year programme combines the academic strengths of the Leaving Certificate with a dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community. LCVP students take two additional courses, called Link Modules, in the areas of Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education.

    For full details about the LCVP programme and grades awarded please click HERE.

     

    How to choose subjects?

    Ideally, your non-compulsory subjects should be chosen simply because you are interested in them.If you intend to go directly into a job after Leaving Certificate, then the best advice is to pick the subjects that most interest you.

    If you intend to do a PLC (Further Education) or an Apprenticeship, again, pick subjects you enjoy, are interested in etc.

    However, if you plan on going into Higher Education (3rd Level) then you may need certain Leaving Certificate subjects to be eligible.

    Major Consideration if going to Higher Education

    1. A Third Language

      • 162 courses on the CAO require a third language.

    2. Science Subject

      • 126 courses on the CAO require a Science subject

    Remember there are 1700 Higher Education courses available in Ireland

    Considerations if NOT taking a Third Language (French/German)

    The National Universities of Ireland (UCD, UCC, Maynooth University and University Galway and affiliated colleges) require a minimum of an O6 (40%) in order to gain access to around 60% of their courses.

    However, over the last number of years a number of NUI courses have dropped their third language requirement e.g. Science and Engineering courses.

    To see the full list of courses which require a third language please use this link:

    https://www.qualifax.ie/subject-requirements

    Remember UL, DCU, Trinity College and all the Technological Universities (SETU etc.) do not have a third language requirement unless the language is part of the course chosen.

    Course Requirements

    There are certain courses that require specific subjects and/or grades in order to gain access to them. Examples of these are:

      • Primary School Teaching – H4 in Irish, O4/H7 in Maths and English
      • Veterinary – H5 in Chemistry
      • Dentistry in UCC and RCSI – H4 in Chemistry and H4 in Physics/Biology
      • Journalism in DCU – H4 in English
      • Engineering in UCD H4 in Maths and H6 in Lab Science subject

    There are many, many more examples of this.

    Again, you can use the link to research this more:

    https://www.qualifax.ie/subject-requirements

    Researching Subjects

    Guidance classes for January and February will be used to help students with Subject Choice. This will involve presentations from the Guidance Counsellor and researching Leaving Certificate Subjects.

    If you would like to learn more about individual subjects, please use the link below which gives course overviews, exam structures and previous grades awarded for each Leaving Certificate subject:

    https://careersportal.ie/school/subject_explorer.php

    Further Information

    Should you require further information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact me directly by emailing bhoyne@knockbegcollege.ie