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SUBJECT CHOICE. Ramsgrange Community School. Decisions decisions decisions ……. www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie www.ncca.ie. WHAT FACTORS SHOULD INFLUENCE SUBJECT CHOICE? ERA. Other facts to consider before making subject choice. 1 st year options.
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SUBJECT CHOICE Ramsgrange Community School
Decisions decisions decisions…… www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie www.ncca.ie
1st year options • In 1st year, students had a “taste” of all the subject options • Three subjects are then chosen and carried to Junior Cert • Descriptions of the subjects are available at www.ncca.ie
Junior Cert – the basics • English • Irish • Maths • Geography • History • CSPE • SPHE, Religion, PE
1st yearSubjects to choose from • French/German • Business • Art • Home-Economics • Science • Music • Materials Technology (Wood) • Materials Technology (Metal) • Technical Graphics
Leaving Cert -THE BASICS Students take 7 subjects for the Leaving Certificate English Irish Maths
History Geography French Art Home Economics Engineering Design and Communication Graphics Construction Studies/Architectural Technology Accounting Business Economics Biology Physics Chemistry Agricultural Science STUDENTSMUST CHOOSE 4 SUBJECTS FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST
Applyingto College • QQI developed a National Framework of Qualifications uniting all qualifications issued by institutions in Ireland • HETAC - HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) comprise of the Institutes of Technology and the Universities/Colleges • FETAC - PLCs (Post Leaving Certificate Courses/Colleges) include all the Colleges of Further Education and similar types of institutions • Both systems mentioned have very different application procedures
Universities and Affiliated Colleges • NUI – UCD, UCC, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, RCSI • Other Universities – Trinity, DCU, and UL • University Affiliated Institutions – Colleges of Education, Theology, Art and Design, Medicine, Hotel Management, NCI and Private Colleges
Institutes of Technology DIT, IT Tallaght, IT Blanchardstown, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology, IT Carlow, Dundalk IT, Athlone IT, Waterford IT, Limerick/ Tipperary IT, Galway/Mayo IT, IT Sligo, Cork IT, IT Tralee, Letterkenny IT
Basic / Entry / Matriculation requirements • Each college course has its own matriculation / basic / entry requirements. • These entry requirements will change with the new scale. • Where the requirements are currently 2 higher level C3 grades and 4 Ordinary D3 grades, in 2017 these will become 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades. • Where the requirements are currently 5 ordinary level D3 grades, in 2017 these will become 5 O6/H7 grades. • Where the requirements are currently 3 higher level C3 grades and 3 ordinary level D3 grades, in 2017 these will become 3 H5 and 3 O6/H7 grades.
No third language requirement • Trinity College • University of Limerick • D.C.U. • Institutes of Technology • unless it is a specific course requirement. A pass in Irish will suffice. Gardai, Nursing, Apprenticeships & most PLC Courses
No third language requirement • Engineering, Science, Business, Law Accounting and Finance in NUI Maynooth • Engineering, Science, Ag Science & Social Science in UCD (except for DN037- Biomedical, Health & Life Sciences) • Engineering, Science & Food Science UCC • Engineering & Science NUI Galway
Foundation Level Maths Universities • Foundation level maths is acceptable in courses where maths is not a specified course requirement, eg. Law, Social science or Arts IT’s • Foundation level maths is not accepted in most courses, it depends on the Institute and the particular course. In general, • Points are allocated depending on the institution and course
Course / Faculty / Specific Entry Requirements • Certain courses require specific requirements upon entry – usually courses in the STEM category, Modern language courses, Art and Music courses • It is essential that the requirements for such courses are researched before chosen (or options kept open) • Any interest in health, science, nutrition, medicine or sport = keep on a science subject!
Science Requirements • 2 science subjects are required for some science based courses in Trinity and UCC(in some cases they require H2 - H4, some will accept Maths, Applied Maths, a technical subject and Geography) • 1 science subject is generally required for most science based courses in universities, (levels differ according to course and college) • Examples: A Higher “H4” in Chemistry is required for Veterinary in UCD, Pharmacy in Trinity, Medicine, Dentistry in UCC, Human Nutrition (dietician) in DIT
NO SCIENCE SUBJECT… • …is required for entry to most of the Science or Engineering certificate courses at the Institutes of Technology or for Arts, Business Studies, Social Science, Law etc., at Universities. • It is not required for most Post Leaving Cert. Courses for most apprenticeships
Modern Languages • Apart from the basic entry requirements already mentioned, a foreign language is only required if it forms part of the course, eg. Business and Languages, European Studies, Software Development and French, (level differs according to course and college) • A foreign language is needed for entry into the Cadets (Army and Air Corps)
FINAL SELECTION SYSTEM • Individual interviews and/or portfolio or aptitude tests • Points System - points are allocated to the six best grades of an applicant.
Points The points level published for any course in any year will be the points level achieved by the last entrant onto that course for that year
The New Points Scale • The grades we achieve at both higher and ordinary level are now numbered from 1 – 8.
What does the new scale hope to achieve? • To fairly reward students achievements • To minimise random selection on some courses (in the old system a lot of students achieved the same points, this will be less common on the new scale as the points awarded are no longer multiples of 5) • To encourage more students to take up higher level subjects by awarding points at H7 grade
The New Points Scale • 25 Bonus Points will be awarded for H1 – H6 in Maths.
REMEMBER! • Entry requirements for specific courses change regularly so it is essential to check the college prospectus’ for individual course requirements
PARENTAL ADVICE • When choosing leaving cert. subjects, choose subjects that you think you will do best in - subjects in which you have the most interest and which you find easiest! If you know what you want to do, check the college prospectus / website.