The following has been compiled in order to assist students in the important decisions they now have to make regarding the subjects they may wish to study at senior level. Our aim has been to give you a sense of:
• the contents of that subject for Leaving Certificate
• where it is similar to the Junior Certificate course
• where it is different to the Junior Certificate course
• Key points you should consider when thinking about this subject
• careers that this subject could be useful to.
Irish, English and Mathematics are required subjects for all students (unless you have an exemption from Irish), and you then select your 4 option subjects from the following list –
Accounting
Design & Communication Graphics
Agricultural Science
Physics
History
Geography
Art
Economics
Biology
Chemistry
Business Studies
Continental Language
Some subjects may be restricted depending on subjects chosen for Junior Certificate
|
Subjects dropped at end of 1st year |
Subjects which may be taken up again at Senior level |
Subjects which may not be taken up again at Senior level |
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Art |
Art |
|
|
Business Studies |
Business Economics |
Accounting |
|
French |
|
French |
|
German |
|
German |
|
Spanish |
|
Spanish |
|
Technology |
|
Technology |
|
|
|
|
|
Technical Graphics |
|
Design & Communication Graphics |
Repercussions of dropping the continental language:
Faculty of Engineering & Faculty of Science NUI Maynooth
Bachelor of Engineering, Science and Agricultural Science degrees UCD
Faculty of Engineering & Faculty of Science NUI Galway
NO THIRD LANGUAGE IS REQUIRED
GUIDELINES TO CHOOSING SUBJECTS
How Important Is The Choice?
Sometimes there is a sense that there may be long-term problems, or reduced choices in the future if they get the choice wrong, but the truth of it is that this is only the case in relation to Science, and then only in relation to a small number of courses currently on offer at 3rd level.
There are no requirements with regard to any of the other subjects that would prevent your son from following a course of interest in the future.
Making the Choice
What is important is to select subjects that they find interesting and enjoyable; subjects that they generally listen well to and take part in class, subjects that come easily to them and in which they usually get good results in tests. If all these are in place then your sons will have layers of study done before ever they come to revise a subject – and this is a great basis for success.
What career area interests you? - Are some subjects required to pursue that area of study?
What subjects might be helpful for your course or area of work?
Do your choices keep your options open for the future?
If your choices close off future options – have you discussed this with parents, teachers?
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE UNCLEAR ABOUT WHAT SUBJECTS TO CHOOSE?
To keep future options open to yourself – and if this is suitable for you– it may be a good idea to choose a balanced selection of subjects from those available, for example, one Science subject, one Business subject and one other subject.
Beyond the core subjects – English, Irish & Maths - the number of courses and jobs that require specific subjects is relatively small and usually refer to a science or a language subject.
Practically all science, medical, paramedical and some engineering courses require at least 1 Laboratory Science subject, and the following needs particularly to be noted
2 science subjects required for
2 science subjects (including Geography) required for
*Chemistry required for
Biology required for
Physics required for
Primary Teaching HC3 Irish
Language Degree/With Language Degree HC3 relevant Language
Journalism HC3 English
Students are advised to always check the exact requirements for courses that interest them as they can vary from college to college, and may change from year to year.