F. Farrell PCS 2013

Subject Choice & Career Options 2013

By

F. Farrell

Guidance Counsellor

Portmarnock Community School

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Agenda

To examine the importance of choosing the

right subjects by looking at:General college requirements

Specific course requirements

To explain the school’s programme in

relation to subject choice

To explain the procedure of subject choice

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Leaving Cert. subject choice in PCS.

Optional subjects: Four areas Business area (Accounting, Business,

Economics.) Sciences area (Physics, Biology, Chemistry,

Applied Maths, Geography). Technology area (Engineering, Construction

studies, Design and Communication Graphics). Humanities and Applied area (Art, Music, Home

Economics, History, etc).

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Leaving Certificate in PCS

Core subjectsIrish* (excluding exempted students)English Maths*

*Irish and Maths are offered at Higher and Ordinary levels. English is also offered at

Ordinary and Higher levels.

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Technical subjects – Junior Cert

Materials Technology/Wood becomes Construction Studies in the Senior Cycle.

Technology becomes Engineering in the Senior Cycle. Technical Graphics is called Design and

Communication Graphics in the Senior Cycle.

Students may choose to study any of the above subjects to Leaving Cert level without having done them for the Junior Cert. However, DCG may be particularly difficult to pursue as the theory from JC is carried through and is a substantial element in the overall programme.

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Career possibilities in the technical areas:

Construction Studies (Architecture, Building Services, Quantity Surveyor, etc.)

Engineering (Mechanical/production engineering but a useful subject for all areas of Engineering).

DCG (Engineering, Architecture, Product Design, Draughtsperson).

F. Farrell PCS 2013

College Entry Requirements

General College Requirements:

Honours Degree requirements:

Higher Cert/Ordinary Degree requirements:

Specific Course Requirements i.e. Higher Level B3 English

for Journalism in DCU.

Points - reflect demand of year in question!

Interview/Portfolio/Performance/Fitness Test

(Architecture, Theatre/Dance, Video production, Art

College).

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Subject Requirements

Maths, English & Irish - most commonly required.

A 3rd Language is generally required by the NUI colleges except for engineering and science based courses.

Most Business courses state a requirement in OL Maths - not a business subject!

An Art portfolio is required for most art related courses - Art itself may not be required!

A minimum of one science subject and/or Maths is generally required for the following fields:

Nursing, Medical/paramedical, Science, Engineering.

Level 7 common science DIT – no lab science subject required.

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Faculty Requirements (examples)

A laboratory science subject is NO longer required for Architecture in UCD but a foreign language IS required. Suitability test/Portfolio requirement for DIT.

A modern language is required for Speech Therapy.

Honours Maths is required for all level 8 engineering degrees.

One laboratory science subject for nursing and generally two for medicine (except UCD/UCG).

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Examples of Course Requirements

Medicine (UCC)HC in Chemistry + HC in Physics or Biology

Computer Systems (UL, Level 8 degree)B3 in ordinary level Maths/HC3 (TCD)

Business Studies (UL, Level 8 degree)C3 in ordinary level Maths

Engineering courses (Level 8 degree)Honours Maths (HC3), 1 science subject

• Note: Physics is a good indicator for engineering

F. Farrell PCS 2013

IT Colleges ‘Ladder’ system

The IT Colleges offer a ‘ladder system’ in respect of all engineering degrees (amongst others).

A student can access all level 6 and level 7 degrees with pass maths in the Leaving Cert and can progress to level 8.

IT Blanchardstown allows students to do the Level 8 Mechatronics and Common engineering programmes with O.L. maths (5 year LEVEL 8 degree).

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Useful Subject Groupings in PCS

Home Economics and Business. Engineering with Physics or Construction

studies. A Science subject like Chemistry or

Physics with Applied Maths. Business with Modern languages.

F. Farrell PCS 2013

CAO Points system (guidelines)

A student may only count his/her six best subjects.

Only the points from one Leaving Certificate sitting can be used.

All Subjects except HL Maths equal in terms of points value. (25 bonus points for A1 to D3 in HL Maths).

Maximum attainment of 600 points. Minimum requirements = 2 HC3’s for example.

F. Farrell PCS 2013

HL Maths

HL Maths students are awarded an extra 25 points on attaining a grade D3 or better in their LC.

Whether a candidate attains a D3 or an A1 the extra points allocated remains the same.

The bonus points can only be counted for CAO purposes if Maths features in one of the 6 subjects used to calculate aggregate points score.

F. Farrell PCS 2013

What to research!

Check the relevant college/employer literaturecheck the overall college requirementscheck the course requirement

subjectgrades/level

Check the course content - this will highlight what subjects are predominant

Good websites include www.qualifax.ie; www.skoool.ie; www.careerdirections.iewww.careersportal.ie

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Subject Choice - Guidelines

Pick the best senior cycle option for you!

Established Leaving CertificatePick the subjects you are most interested in.

Maximise your points.

Achieve grades specified by employers or colleges.

Pick the essential subjects for your hoped course or career.

Mistakes can be made in career decisions!

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Transition Year Subject Choice

Programme

1. The school’s programme outlined

2. Subject choice procedure

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Schools Programme

Senior Cycle Modules Career Classes Work Experience Programme Careers Exhibition Aptitude Tests (Dats) Interest Inventory Career Project Careers Interview

F. Farrell PCS 2013

Summary

Maximise your options for college:Maths, English, Irish, a modern European Language, 1

science subject.

Remember to research appropriate careers websitescollege/employer websites/literature

Important to check the grade/level required. Pick the subjects you are most interested in or have

an aptitude for! Remember a lot of courses do not require any

specific subjects!

F. Farrell PCS 2013

OPEN FORUM

Questions??