Leaving Cert Subjects
Leaving Cert | Leaving Cert Applied (LCA)
Practical Group
These subjects are 'hands-on' and involve working with tools and machinery on physical things like wood, metals and plastic. They may involve designing, planning and building things.
Science Group
These subjects demonstrate how to explore nature using carefully planned methods, and teach the basic methods and findings of scientific investigation.
Artistic & Creative Group
These subjects involve developing creativity and the appreciation of the work of others. This involves learning the methods and techniques of the subject and producing your own work using these skills.
Humanities Group
These subjects explore the ways in which humans live and communicate in the world. Human life is examined by looking at our past, our present and into our future. These subjects help people to express themselves clearly and develop their reasoning ability.
Social Group
These subjects explore common issues faced by all people living in society. They develop the skills and knowledge used to manage personal resources and guide human behaviour.
Ejiro O'Hare Stratton, Clinical Nurse Manager 2
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
Economics, English, Maths, History, Biology, Art, BK, were the subjects I took. Biology stood to me for nursing but Economics and History also proved useful when I did my course in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations.
Anne-Marie Kennedy, Chartered Sport Psychologist
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
What I didnt expect in my psychology degree was the level of maths and statistics that was required. I was poor at maths and struggled a bit with this aspect of my degree. I probably would have chosen biology for leaving cert in hindsight just to get a better insight into how the brain works.
I found honours English throughout secondary school did help as I was used to writing essays and critically analysing pros and poetry. There was a lot of philosophy in my degree which can be taxing if you havent been exposed to it before so if there was an option to do a philosophy subject I would recommend that.
Fiona Keyes, Chef
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
In secondary school, although I knew what I wanted to do, I opted not to take home economics for my leaving certificate, which tends to shock most who ask. I chose to do this as it was not a practical enough subject for me. I love to work with my hands, and the theoretical side of that subject just didn’t suit me. I chose to undertake construction studies instead and was very successful in this subject. I don’t think these choices had a huge influence on my career but were defiantly the right decisions for me at the time. I think its important to study subjects that you enjoy, as if you enjoy them you will be okay with giving them more time and thus be more successful in them.