Options’ Week
2017
A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available
@ www.ricecollege.ie under Links (Career Guidance Website)
Or www.careersportal.ie
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
1
Examine importance of choosing the
right subjects:
 Understanding DATS
 New Points System
 Understanding College System
 How to choose subjects
 Help For Parents/Guardians
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Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Classes with Guidance Counsellor
Subject teacher spoke to students in their
class about their subject
Presentation of subjects by Head of each
Subject Department
All students sat their DATS
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2015
2017
Rice College Leaving Cert
Subject Choice
3
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ABILITY - choose subjects in which you are likely to get good
grades.
APTITUDES - The Differential Aptitude Tests consist of eight
different tests. The results show where your greatest strengths
lie. You will cope well with subjects for which you have an aptitude.
INTEREST - Choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in
as you are much more likely to study those subjects and do well in
them.
CAREER - In addition to the core subjects (Irish, English, Maths)
there are other subjects that are essential for some courses and
careers.
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2015
2017
Rice College Leaving Cert
Subject Choice
4
 Snapshot
 Percentile
 Links
with some subjects
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Minimise the use of random selection
To encourage the take up of higher level
papers by awarding points for new H7 grade
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(30%-40%) 37 points
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25 bonus points awarded for maths H6 grade
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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2017
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Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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H5(50-60%)=56 pts same O1(90-100%)=56pts
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H7(30-40%)=37 pts same O3(70-80%)=37pts
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Important to keep this in mind
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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7 Universities
14 ITS
UL
LIT
DCU
GMIT
Trinity
ITT
NUI Galway
AIT
UCC
IT Sligo
UCD
CIT
Maynooth University
WIT
Other Associated Colleges
DIT
DKIT
ITB
IT Carlow
ITT Dublin
LYIT
IADT
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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ITs
Add on 2yr level 6
1yr level 7
1yr level 8
Ab initio Degree
Commit to full 3/4
years from the start
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Universities
Ab initio Degree(
means from the
beginning)
Usually requirements and points
higher
Add on
Ab initio degrees
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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 Matriculation/entry to
College Requirements
 Course/Faculty Course
Requirements
Points
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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The Matriculation Requirement is the
minimum academic qualification for entry
that a Third Level College demands from a
student.
So, what subjects do I need to be doing
for my Leaving Cert before I can apply to
X college?
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
16
College
Subjects Required
NUI Colleges 2H5 &
4H7/O6
English, Irish, and a
3rd Language
Trinity 3H5 & 3H7/O6
English, Maths and 2nd
Language (i.e Irish or
another lang)
UL 2H5 & 4H7/O6
English,Maths and 2nd
lang (i.e Irish or
another lang)
DCU 2H5 & 4H7/O6
Maths & English or
Irish
I.T’s Level 8(2H5&
Maths & English or
4H7/O6)level6/7(5H7/ Irish
O6)
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Irish
English
Maths
Language(option)
NB colleges will require you to generally have
2H5 +4O6/H7 for level 8 courses
5O6H7 for level 6+7 courses
Teaching Colleges and Trinity require
3H5+3O6/H7
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Particular courses may
require grades at certain
levels, in particular
subjects
Some examples are:
Primary Teaching requires H5 in
Irish also O5/H6 in English
Medicine in UCC requires H4in
chemistry + H4 in
Physics/Biology/Ag Science
Business in UL requires O4 or
H7 level maths
Engineering courses (Level 8)
need maths H4 and 06/h7
science subject
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
19
Investigating Subject Requirements for 3rd
Level:
1. Go to www.qualifax.ie
2.Click on Students Tab
3. Click on Subject Choice
4. Click on: Minimum Subject module here in QualifaX
5. Click on Leaving Certificate Subjects
6. Check whether the subject you are investigating is required at 3rd level or not
7. Choose from the following three options:
View all courses that :
 definitely require the subject
 that may require the subject
 do not require the subject
Useful Wesites to help with
Subject
Choice:
Breda
Whelan Guidance
Counsellor
2017
20
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Points are allocated for the six best grades
Grades must be achieved in one sitting of the
Leaving Certificate
Entry to a course will be granted to those who
have highest points
Colleges do not set the points
The points reflect: the results of the student and
the number of places available in the college in
that year. Supply and Demand
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2015
2017
Rice College Leaving Cert
Subject Choice
21
You will take 7 subjects unless you have an
exemption from one
 You will choose 4 subjects as well as English,
Irish and Maths (compulsory )
 LCVP can be taken as an eighth subject
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Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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French
German
Art
Music
History
Geography
Construction
DCG( Tech Graph)
BUSINESS divided into 3
Accounting
Business
Economics
Science divided into 3
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
23
A decision to drop all science subjects
or foreign languages will have
significant implications on the range of
courses/careers open to you later on.
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
24
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If you are considering Medical, Paramedical,
Nursing, Science or Engineering courses you
should select a laboratory science subject or
two for some courses
Physics
Chemistry
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
Biology
25
 Third
Language dropped for all
science, engineering and nursing
courses in NUI colleges and
agricultural science in UCD
 But Not Health Sciences
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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A pass in ordinary level maths is essential
for entry to the majority of courses.
Study right maths level for you!
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Whatever you do over the next two years,
don’t neglect your studies in this subject.
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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European Language
Correct subject combination
Written exam 40%
Portfolio 60%
Pick your subjects 1st then decide if you want
to do LCVP
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2017
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Portfolio 60%
Exam 40%
CV,
Career Investigation
Enterprise/Action Plan
Summary Report
Plus Any 2 of the following
Diary of work experience
Enterprise report
Recorded Interview/presentation
Report on My Own place
Submitted 1st Wed in March
2.5 hours
Audio Visual Presentation
Case Study(seen in advance)
General Questions
Exam 1st Wed in May
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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LCVP
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Distinction 66 points =H4
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Merit 46 points=H6/O2
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Pass 28 points=O4
study 80% students used LCVP points
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
31
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LCVP
Factor in time to and from class/grind
Extra work
Effect on other 7 subjects
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
32
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What subject am I most interested in?
What subject am I likely to be best at?
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What subjects will I need?
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Balanced choice of subjects
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Numbers for particular classes may be limited
In so far as possible students will be given their
subject choice
It is very important when choosing the subjects to
put them in preference order.
You must choose four choice subjects.
NB In Rice College we ask each year group what
subjects they want and try our best to
accommodate each student.
Our interest to have a happy student ,parent
+teacher!!!!
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Entry Requirements
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2017
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School Website--Careers Link
Career interest ,personality tests
Study techniques, exam targets
Careers profiles & occupation information
CV interview techniques
STORES ALL INFORMATION
Plus book and website info for parents etc
Students must take responsibility for their
own research
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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School Website--Careers Link
www.careersportal.ie
www.cao.ie
www.qualifax.ie
www.ncca.ie
www.careersnews.ie
www.studyclix.ie
Students must take responsibility for their
own research
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
38
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Open Days
Exhibitions
Work Experience/shadowing
Career Talks
Reach Programme
Careersportal calendar of events
Careersnews.ie sign up news letter latest
news
NB Reach+ book order 20 euros for MAY
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
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Do not give up
subjects you love!
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
40
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Advice
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2017
41
Thank You
Any questions feel free to
contact me
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor
2015
2017
Rice College Leaving Cert
Subject Choice
42
Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor
Questions
[email protected]
065 6869492
A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available
www.ricecollege.ie under Links Breda
(Career
Guidance Website)
Whelan Guidance Counsellor
Or by www.careersportal.ie
2017
43