Subject Choice

19th March 2015

Overview of Presentation
Information on Minimum Third Level Entry
Requirements (Set by Higher Education
Institutes)
Specific Course Requirements (Set by faculties
within colleges)
Subjects in Dominican College

National Framework of
Qualifications

http://www.nfq.ie.webhosting.heanet.ie/nfq/en/FanDiagram/nqai_nfq_
08.html
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Routes after school

Post Leaving Cert courses apply directly to
the colleges level 5 and level 6 (NFQ)
Apply to courses through the CAO
Universities and Institutes of Technology

Entry Requirements for PLC

Courses
Usually 5 OD3 in the Leaving Cert and an
interview
Some minimum subject requirements may
apply
There are links to progress to Level 6, 7 and 8
in Institutes of Technologies and Universities
Higher Education Links Scheme
CAO FETAC Search Facility

Higher Education Institutes

(HEI)
45 HEIs Universities, Institutes of Technology
(IoT), art colleges, specialist colleges and some
private colleges
Applications administered by CAO
Approximately 1300 courses
Where I can find more information
www.qualifax.ie (Useful Tools / Minimum
Subject Requirements) and
www.careersportal.ie (What to Study / Leaving
Cert Subjects)

Entry Requirements to HEI

1. Minimum Entry Requirements
2. Specific Course Entry Requirements (Specific
subject requirement and may also involve
interview, audition, portfolios etc)
3. Points
EXAMPLE:
Nursing in NUIG will require:
1 2HC3 and 4OD3 (Include Irish, English, Maths)
2 A science subject
3 450* points
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Examples of Course
Requirements
HC3 in Irish Primary School Teaching
HC3 in Maths Some Engineering and
Computer Science degrees
HC3 in Chemistry Veterinary Medicine (UCD),
Human Nutrition and Dietetics (DIT),
One laboratory science subject* required for
most science / healthcare related courses

Interesting to note
Art is generally not needed for Art and Design
courses, but a portfolio may be required
Business or Accounting are generally not
required for Business courses, but Maths may
be
Music courses generally require an audition, but
not the LC subject Music
General subjects like History, Geography can
be taken up at third level without doing them for
the LC

CAO Points System

Points are allocated to the six best grades of an
applicant
These grades must be achieved in one sitting of
the LC
All subjects carry equal points except LCVP
The points level varies from year to year
CAO Leaving Cert Points Grid

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LC Points Calculation Grid

LCVP points awarded:

Distinction (>80%)=70 pts, Merit (65-79% )=50 pts and Pass (50-64%) =30 pts
Until 2015 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for Leaving
Certificate Higher Level Mathematics (Grade D3 or above).
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Leaving Certificate
Programme
4 compulsory core subjects
Maths, English, Irish French or German

3 elective additional subjects

The Science Group
The Business Group
The Social and Humanities Group
The Arts

1 optional additional subject

LCVP

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3 Elective Additional
Subjects

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1 Optional Additional Subject

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
(LCVP)
A two year programme designed to enhance
the vocational dimension of the traditional LC
Students are assessed through a combination
of portfolio items (60%) and written examination
(40%)

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Eligibility to take LCVP

Must study 5 LC subjects (one of which must be
Irish unless Department of Education exempt)
plus the Link Modules,
Two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of
Work and Enterprise Education
A recognised course in a Modern European
Language
Two qualifying vocational subject groupings as
set out by the Dept of Education and Skills

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LCVP - Vocational Subject

Groupings

Home Economics and Biology

Biology and Chemistry

Home Economics and Art

Biology and Physics

Art and Business

Art and Accounting

Home Economics and Business

Home Economics and

Music and Business

Accounting

Music and Accounting

Accounting and Business

Physics and Chemistry

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Advice on Subject Choice:

1. Do what comes naturally relate to aptitude
2. Choose subjects for enjoyment
3. Check course requirements changes from
year to year
4. Students need to know the difference between
Required and Useful subjects
5. Seek advice from guidance counsellor, teachers,
friends, parents / guardians and students in 5th
and 6th year

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When choosing subjects

Dont choose a subject
1. because a friend is taking it
2. because of the teacher
3. because it is an easy option
4. because it looks good
5. without researching it thoroughly
Dont make a last minute decision consider all
options!

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General Advice
If your daughter is not sure what they want to
do in the future, pick a broad range of subjects
in order to keep options open:
EXAMPLE: Sinead has no idea at the moment
4 core + 1 science + 1 business + 1 humanities
If your daughter is sure that she wants to study
in a specific area after school then research the
minimum and specific entry requirements
carefully
EXAMPLE: Mary wants to study Pharmacy
4 core + 1 or 2 Science + free choice
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Resources
Qualifax (Irish courses)
UCAS (UK and Northern Ireland)
Careers Portal
CAO website
Examinations.ie
Curriculumonline.ie
Friends
Teachers

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