Newbridge College

1. Newbridge College Traditional Leaving Certificate Subject Choice

2. Leaving Certificate Programme • Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme. • Full time commitment required over 2 years. • 5th year is very important especially for those hoping to gain entry to high points courses. • Usually a maximum of 7 subjects are taken for the Leaving Certificate. • 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. • All subjects are of equal importance. • Extra points will be awarded in all HEIs for honours Mathematics in LC

3. Points System *** Changes 2017 Grade Hons Hons + B Ordinary A1 100 125 60 A2 90 115 50 B1 85 110 45 B2 80 105 40 B3 75 100 35 C1 70 95 30 C2 65 90 25 C3 60 85 20 D1 55 80 15 D2 50 75 10 D3 45 70 5 Bonus points HD3 or above in Maths  Extra 25 points LCVP points Distinction 70 Merit 50 Pass 30

4. Sample Calculation

5. Leaving Certificate Programme • Highly Desirable Subjects • Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students should definitely consider choosing: • a modern language (NUI*) • a science subject. • Subject Levels • Higher and Ordinary level  all subjects. • Foundation level Mathematics & Irish. • Particular care needs to be taken with Mathematics. Failure in this subject can be detrimental to overall L.C. • LC subject selection • Core subjects: English, Mathematics & Irish* • Optional subjects:4 other timetabled subjects are chosen

6. Optional Subjects(4) BUSINESS • Business (55) • Accountancy (25) • Economics (41) SCIENCE • Biology (66) • Physics (41) • Chemistry (17) LANGUAGES • French (67) • German (45) APPLIED SCIENCES • Home Economics (12) • Construction Studies (25) • Design and (33) Communication Graphics SOCIAL STUDIES • History (36) • Geography (32) • Music (21) • Art (15) Information about LC subjects can be found at: www.newbridge-college.ie and www.careersportal.ie & Leaving Cert text books.

9. 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” • Meet Entry Requirements  Qualified Applicant for Course

10. Minimum Entry Requirements of major CAO Colleges

11. Specific Course Requirements • 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.

12. Sample Requirements Irish • Primary Teaching – HC3 • Journalism & Irish (DCU) – HC3 • Early and Modern Irish (TCD) – HC3 • Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) – OA2/HC3 French • Law with French Law (UCD) – HB3 • Bus. Studies and French (TCD) – HC1 • Law and French (TCD) – HC1 A Language • Many courses require a language but may not specify a particular one: • English Studies & Languages (DIT) – HC3 in Ge, Sp 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.

13. Sample Requirements Mathematics • Honours Engineering – HC3 • Business Studies (DCU) – OC3/HD3 • Optometry (DIT) - OB3 • Quantitative Business (UCD) – HC3 • Business (TCD) – OC/HD • Science (UCD) – OB3/HD3 • Commerce (UCD) – OB3/HD3 • Law and Accounting (UL) – OC3/HD3 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

14. Specific Course Requirements • Unlikely that 3rd/TY students will know exactly, which courses/careers they wish to pursue at this stage. • But they may be able to identify broad areas of interest and hence check potential course entry requirements. • Course Entry Requirements can be accessed: • In the college’s prospectuses • On the college’s websites • Directory of LC Entry Requirements (Library) • www.qualifax.ie – Subject Requirements • It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.

15. Eirquest

16. Eirquest • Careers Programme designed to: • Identify a range of well matched potential career and higher education course areas. • Provide a framework for careers and college research. • Provide a focal point for discussion in school and at home. • Provide objective results based on answers to series of simple questions • Students Receive: • An individual Careers Workbook • A copy of The Careers Directory • Access to the MyCareersRoom online resource

17. 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.

18. Choosing a Subject Successful subject choice requires: RESEARCH DISCUSSION REFLECTION DECISION Subject Teachers, Guidance Classes, TY Programme L.C. Books, Publications, Other Students Guidance Counsellors, Current Teachers Family, Friends Consider all the information, views and opinions Then, ultimately each student must make up their own mind.

19. Key Questions • What subjects is the school offering? • If I’m interested in a particular course/career area, what subjects are essential? ( Course Entry Requirements) • If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for this course/career area? • What subjects do I like? (motivation)(not the teacher) • What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)

20. 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. • 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.

21. Newbridge College Draft Subject Options

22. Timetable of Events • January – DATs 3rd years • January 5th – Class presentations begin (project) • January 27th – Parents Night. • February 9th – Subject Choice Interviews begin • March 13th – Deadline for submission of application forms for TY. • March 27th – Deadline for final subject choices and commitment to TY.

23. Procedure • During subject choice interview a set of subjects are agreed with student. (on lines and/or preferred) • Note brought home to parent outlining agreed subjects. Parents must review, sign and return to G.C. • A change may be made to agreed subjects before March 27th by written request from parents to G.C. • From April 1st changes will only be facilitated if vacancies exist in classes. • Important that parents know what subjects their son/daughter is choosing so changes should be accompanied by note from home.