Subject Choice for Senior Cycle. DGS Guidance & Counselling Service March 2016

Transcription

1 Subject Choice for Senior Cycle DGS Guidance & Counselling Service March 2016

2 Running Order Mr. Jonathan Graham (Deputy-Principal) Choosing Subjects at Senior Cycle Programmes at Leaving Cert. (LCA,LVCP, LC) Subject Groups at Dundalk Grammar Mr Alan Norton (Guidance Counsellor) College Course Entry Requirements (Level 6, 7 & 8) The Transition to Senior Cycle College Destinations (DGS Leaving Cert. Class of 2015)

3 DO Choose subjects you enjoy Choose subjects you are good at Choose subjects you need for your chosen career Keep your options open for the future by making a balanced choice now Talk to your Guidance Counsellor and your teachers Talk to your parents or guardians DON'T Don t choose a subject because your friend is taking it Don t choose a subject because you think it will be easy Don t choose a new subject without finding out more about it Don t make a decision at the last minute without thinking about it But don't panic

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

5 Leaving Certificate Programmes Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) Students preparing for working life 2 year course of 4 half-year blocks with Continuous Assessment Final Exams in English & Communication, Maths, Language, Social Education and two Vocational Specialisms Modules include Dance, Technology, Engineering, Tourism, Visual Art, Music Further information found at

6 Leaving Certificate Programmes The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Just an additional subject onto existing subjects Students must choose 2 vocational subjects from over 17 groupings Students must be studying a European Language Awarded at Pass/Merit/Distinction Maximum Leaving Certificate points awarded 70 (for Distinction) Is not accepted as a matriculation subject.

7 Leaving Certificate Programmes The Traditional Leaving Certificate (LC) Students can take up to 8 subjects on the DGS School timetable Students should study at least a minimum of 6 Students Leaving Certificate points are calculated on their best 6 results All subjects can be taken at Higher and Ordinary Level Maths & Irish can be taken at Foundation Level.

8 Subject Option Groups at DGS Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Physics Chemistry Agricultural Science *Biology Accounting Economics *Business LCVP Home Economics Construction Studies Art Design Comm. Graphics *Geography *Business *Biology History Music GCSE Physical Education *Geography Optional Subjects are taken in conjunction with Maths, English, Irish & a European Language Students can pick one subject from each option group Applied Maths is taken outside the school timetable (additional cost for this)

9 NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK

10 Higher Education College Courses Levels 6, 7 & 8 Stages in Securing a College Offer 1. Satisfy the matriculation requirements (min. number of subjects & levels) 2. Satisfy the specific subject requirements for the course (Engineering - Higher Levels Maths, Veterinary Medicine Higher Chemistry) 3. Attain the points required for entry to the course

11 Higher Education College Courses (Levels 6, 7 & 8) Level 8 (Honours Degree) Duration 3-4 years for most courses Highest award students can pursue in Ireland following Leaving Cert. Offered by all Universities, Institutes of Technology & Private Colleges Minimum Entry Requirements 2 Honours + 4 Ordinary Level subjects (total subjects 6) Some courses in Trinity & UCC require 3 Honours + 3 Ordinary Levels

12 Higher Education College Courses Level 6, 7 & 8 Level 7 Ordinary Degree Duration - standard 3 years across all colleges Offered in Institutes of Technology & Private Colleges Minimum Entry Requirements 1 Honour + 5 Ordinary Passes (total 6 subjects) or 5 Ordinary Passes (total 5 subjects) Varies between some Inst. of Technology

13 Level 6 Higher Certificate Higher Education Courses Level 6,7 & 8 Duration 2 years Offered by Institutes of Technology and Private Colleges Minimum Entry Requirements 5 Ordinary passes (total 5 subjects)

14 Minimum Entry Requirements of CAO Colleges Institution Minimum Grades Required Subjects NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, NUIG. (RCSI, Shannon, Miltown) UCC 2HC3 + 4OD3 3HC3 + 3OD3 OD3 in English, Irish & Modern Language*. Maths also for specific courses Trinity College Dublin 3HC3 + 3OD3 OD3 in Maths, English & another Language Dublin City University 2HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in Maths, English or Irish University of Limerick 2HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang. Dublin Institute of Technology Regional Institutes of Technology (DK*) 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.) 5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.) 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.) 5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.) OD3 in Maths, English or Irish OD3 in Maths, English or Irish

15 Leaving Certificate Points System Old New

16 A Successful Transition to Senior Cycle Involves Motivation A desire to achieve to your potential Goal specific career area or course in mind Consistent hard work throughout the two years (Homework + Study) Reflection reviewing application & progress, subjects & levels Balance - (work, rest and play essential)

17 DGS Class of 2015 Most Popular Course Areas 1. Business 2. Science 3. Arts (Teaching/Law/Media/Psychology) 4. Engineering/Construction 5. ICT 6. Sport & Health

18 Useful Resources